Top 5 42-inch plasma TVs

Though plasma TVs are losing their pricing advantage and facing eroding market share under pressure from the LCD camp, this established technology is far from oblivion, with strong support from electronics heavyweights such as Pioneer, Panasonic, Hitachi, Samsung and LG. Their plasma offerings are hot favorites among aficionados of sport programs and action flicks, thanks to a combination of ghosting-free pictures, saturated hues and excellent shadow details.

If you are in the market for a new plasma TV in preparation for the influx of high-definition players and broadcasts, here are five highly recommended 42-inch top picks which deliver a fine blend of stunning pictures and eye-catching aesthetics.
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	1.	Hitachi 42PD9800TA (42-inch plasma)      CNET Asia rating: 8.6 out of 10 The good: Sharp standard and hi-def pictures; natural color reproduction; solid build; feature-packed; future-proofed 1080p HDMI; reasonable priced. The bad: HD-compatibility native resolution; PC text not as sharp as rivals. The bottom line: The Hitachi 42PD9800TA is a feature-packed plasma TV that puts out stunning standard and hi-def pictures. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Panasonic Viera TH-42PV700H (42-inch plasma)   CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: Sharp pictures and vibrant colors; bass-filled audio; effective anti-glare coating; three 1080p-ready HDMI; SDHC (high-capacity) card slot; onboard JPEG playback; digital optical audio output. The bad: Limited video-tweaking options; cumbersome video switching; softer-than-expected PC text. The bottom line: The Panasonic TH-42PV700H comes highly recommended for its solid picture and sound qualities, though there are very limited advanced settings to satisfy the deep-pocketed videophiles and enthusiasts. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	Pioneer PDP-427XG (42-inch plasma)   CNET Asia rating: 7.7 out of 10 The good: Sharp, high-definition reproduction; rich vibrant colors; classy all-black design; professional video-calibration option; 1080p-ready; dual HDMI. The bad: Soft TV broadcast performance; bass-shy audio; non-swivel stand; pricey. The bottom line: The first consumer-grade plasma TV offering professional video calibration, this Pioneer not only offers Hollywood-tuned hues but also future-proofed 1080p connectivity. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	Samsung PS-42Q91H (42-inch plasma)   First take While three-HDMI flat-panel TVs appeared as early as mid-2006, most of these have ended up in mature markets such as the US and Europe. It wasn't until the entry of the Sharp G7 and Pioneer PDP-5000EX that we had a chance to ease the digital interface crunch. Having said that, both sport a single DVI and dual HDMI, a less than elegant configuration that requires an adapter compared to the real deal. If you have a truckload of HDMI boxes, perhaps the Samsung Q9 is exactly what you have been waiting for. First take | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	LG 42PC5R (42-inch plasma)   First take Ambient reflections have always been a pain for plasma TV owners. This is especially so for those with limited ambient lighting control and day-time viewing habits. While many different solutions have come and go, none really comes close to eliminating the picture-detrimental glare. The latest to join the foray is LG's promising Clear Filter technology. This trades the customary glass overlay for a film equivalent, bringing about new advantages and capabilities. First take | See full specs | Rate this