Best Plasma TV

When looking for the best plasma TVs out there, a good pointer is to check out those that have received awards from associations and publications. One such organization is EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association). The members of EISA meet each year to test electronics and choose the winners of that year. It has five panels each covering a certain category of products - Audio & Home Theater, In-Car Electronics, Photo, Video and Convergence. The Video panel awards went to Pioneer and Panasonic plasma TVs (for full-HD and respectively HD-ready categories). Let’s see the winning model of each brand and what impressed EISA in each.

Pioneer PDP-LX508D (European Full-HD Plasma TV)

From what EISA website let’s us to understand, this plasma TV model impressed them with its deep black levels. EISA states that Pioneer improved the panel, filter and electronics, while at the same time paying close attention to picture processing. Now, that’s pretty much everything EISA website lets the visitor know about what made them choose the Pioneer PDP-LX508D as winner. I wish they offered more details…

Panasonic TH-42PV70/PX70 - TH-42PV71/PX71 (European HD-Ready Plasma TV)

First of all I have to point out that the award was not won by two different plasma TV models. TH-42PV70/PX70 and TH-42PV71/PX71 are different names of the same model. The first one is the version for Europe, except France, Germany and Austria, while the second one is the version for France, Germany and Austria. So basically they are both the same.

EISA doesn’t give much detail about Panasonic TH-42PV70 (or its twin brother) either. Deep black levels offered by the 10th generation Panasonic panel impressed them again. They also mention the 1080p-compatible HDMI input, the "almost perfect picture quality out of the box" and the convenience offered by the Viera Link feature that lets this  product’s handset control compatible companion products such as DVD players.

As I said, I wish EISA offered more details about why they selected these two models as winners. I contacted them  asking for more details and as soon I get them I will update this post. I hope they will send me a useful reply.