Which 42

These days, a 32-inch HDTV is considered small for a living room. On the other hand, a 50-inch HDTV may be too big, not to mention costly. If you don't want to spend too much for an HDTV, then, but want one that's big enough for your entire family to enjoy, you might want to consider a 42-inch HDTV, like one of these 42" Plasma HDTV models.

Panasonic Viera TC-P42G15

The Panasonic Viera TC-P42G15 is a 42" Plasma HDTV with a 1080p resolution which is set apart by its slim style and very deep blacks. In fact, this HDTV boasts of infinite blacks with its contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1. It also has a THX certified display which faithfully recreates the movie theatre experience and a dedicated Game Mode for gaming enthusiasts. Other features include the Viera Cast, Viera Image Viewer and Viera Link while connectivity options include an SD card slot, three HDMI inputs and a PC input.

Pioneer Kuro PDP-4280HD

Pioneer Kuro HDTVs are known for delivering very deep black levels and the PDP-4280HD lives up to this standard. It also shows great color accuracy and image detail, while offering other innovative functions such as noise reduction functions and features to prevent screen burn-in and optimize picture quality for all types of viewing environment. It offers four HDMI inputs, a USB slot and a PC input, as well, which are usually seen on larger screen sizes. It may seem more expensive than other 42" Plasma HDTVs but its price is still relatively low compared to most Kuro HDTVs.

Panasonic Viera TC-P42S1

The features of this HDTV may not be as extensive as the Viera TC-P42G15, but it still is an excellent choice, particularly for those who love watching sports shows and action-packed movies. This is because it is equipped with Full-Time 1080 TV Lines Moving Picture Resolution, which means it retains all of its 1080 lines even during fast-moving scenes to maintain superb image quality. It also has the Viera Image Viewer which allows you to share and enjoy your home movies and digital photos more easily, the Viera Link, a dedicated Game Mode and three HDMI inputs.

Panasonic Viera TH-42PX80U

This 720p Plasma HDTV offers deep colors and particularly deep black levels for sharp and vibrant images. Even during fast-moving scenes, this images remain clear and smooth due to the 480Hz Sub-Field Drive. Other features include the Viera Image Viewer and Viera Link, along three HDMI inputs for you to plug in your HDTV equipment.

Samsung PN42B430

Samsung is more popular for its 50 and 60-inch Plasma HDTVs. However, this 42" Plasma HDTV is not bad at all. While it lacks connectivity options, offering only two HDMI inputs and no PC input, it delivers in the aspect that matters the most - picture quality. It produces deep black levels and sharp details, and also comes with a 600Hz drive and a .001 ms response time for crisp and clear fast-moving scenes. It has a dedicated Game Mode, as well, and a FilterBright panel which minimizes glare and reflections for enhanced viewing pleasure.

LG 42PG20

If you are looking for a 42" Plasma HDTV with excellent sound, the LG 42PG20 is an excellent choice. It has two built-in speakers, impressive sound effects and a surround sound mode which is good enough to make an external speaker system unnecessary. It also provides good picture quality with sharp and detailed images and even has more than adequate connectivity options with three HDMI inputs and a VGA input. It also has some power saving features, including an auto power off, and parental controls for families with young children.

Philips 42PF7321D

This 42" Plasma HDTV offers an extraordinary viewing pleasure with Dolby Digital surround sound, superb colors and sharp, clear, flicker-free images created by its Pixel Plus processor. It also sports a slim, stylish design to complement your living room. In terms of connectivity options, it has one HDMI input, two S-video inputs and several component and composite video connections, as well as a USB port where you can plug in your digital camera or flash drive.

Edward McKellen is an electronics expert who offers advice on how to choose the best HDTVs. To learn more about LCD TV vs Plasma HDTVs, visit HdtvReviewLab.com.