Group test: Plasma vs LCD 42in TVs

Just when we thought LCD seemed to have won the battle for the UK TV buyers' hearts, minds and cash, plasma came flying off the ropes with impressive aggression in the shape of a huge internet and in-store joint campaign by plasma technology's three biggest hitters: Pioneer, Hitachi and Panasonic. And then plasma sales jumped a huge 75 per cent in Japan in December versus a 37.1 per cent year on year for LCD.

To be honest, we're really quite glad plasma is still alive and kicking, since our experience to date suggests that plasma is more consistent overall as an AV format than LCD.

But we also know that nothing changes as fast as technology, so to see if we can get a snapshot of where the 42in flat TV market is at circa February 2007, we've put four current 42in flat TVs - two LCD, two plasma - through their paces.

Plasma

Overview Price: £2,695 More info: Fujitsu Size (on stand): 922(w) x 522(h) x 90(d)mm Weight (inc stand): 34kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 3000:1 Claimed max brightness: 1000cd/m2 Connections: 2 HDMI inputs, 2 component video inputs, PC input, S-Video input, composite video input, RS-232C jack, Stereo audio inputs, External speaker outputs Fujitsu P42XHA58 Yes, we know this is supposed to be a round-up of 42in TVs, but our first contender isn't actually a TV at all. It's a screen only, in that it doesn't sport a built-in TV tuner. Or any Scarts, come to that. This might sound a bit daft, but there is method to Fujitsu's apparent madness, since it's positioning the P42XHA58 as an 'installation' product; that is, something that sits at the centre of a full home cinema system rather than just being a replacement for a standard TV. Just as well, then, that the screen carries an RS-232C port for system control, and some impressive HD credentials in the form of twin HDMI and twin component video inputs. Picture quality, meanwhile, should benefit from Fujitsu's AVM II image processing, which works on a pixel by pixel basis to improve image scaling and de-interlacing, as well as carrying some advanced noise reduction routines. In many ways, AVM II certainly does earn its corn. Certainly with high definition there's practically nothing negative to say. The clarity of the image is truly striking for instance, thanks to a combination of extremely high detailing and superbly clean motion handling. Black levels, too, are terrific, avoiding the grey and/or hollow appearance sadly still rather common in the flat TV world. As for colours, they're richly hued but also - unlike some previous Fujitsu 42in efforts - mostly very natural in tone. The only thing that lets the picture side down is the 42XHA58's standard definition performance, which looks a touch grainy and tends to emphasise noise in a digital source signal. There is one other slight problem we have with the 42XHA58: its price. £2,695 seems a touch steep for a 42in screen that comes minus tuner or any speakers.

Verdict Plus points Superb HD picture, designed for system integration, good HD connectivity Minus points No built-in tuner, expensive, standard def pictures could be better

Overview Price: £1,300 More info: Samsung Size (on stand): 1055(w) x 756(h) x 340(d)mm Weight: 34kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 10000:1 Claimed max brightness: 1300cd/m2 Connections: Two Scarts (one RGB), One HDMI input, Component video inputs, S-Video input, Composite video input, Stereo audio inputs, Stereo audio output, Digital audio output, RF jack, D-Sub PC port, Common interface slot, PC audio input, Headphone jack

Samsung PS42Q7HD
It's hard to think of a TV with more instant 'kerbside' appeal than Samsung's PS42Q7HD. For starters it looks divine in its gorgeous, high-gloss black finish. And second, it's yours for a mere £1,300, making it the cheapest contender in this group test by miles. But does it have anything else going for it?

It's pretty solid on the features front, at least. For instance, there's Samsung's FilterBright technology for boosting contrast and radically reducing the impact of reflections from your room; Samsung's DNIe image processing for improving colours, black levels, motion handling and sharpness; and Samsung's Smooth Driver circuitry that calculates and inserts as many as ten extra frames of image data each second, to reduce motion judder.

The first sign of any price-related corner-cutting comes with the TV's connections, as we find only one HDMI input - not really enough these days. But happily this turns out to be the only really serious limitation of the set, as its picture performance is far better than expected. Black levels, for instance, are outstanding, joining with the Fujitsu set in confirming plasma's prowess in this key area.

Colours are strikingly vivid, too, combining with the impeccable black levels to create an image of dynamism and depth. Elsewhere, fine details are high, colours blend smoothly rather than in 'stripes' as can happen on some plasma TVs, and although the set's at its best with HD sources, it's also no slouch with standard definition.

We're not talking complete perfection, though, for two reasons. First, colour tones sometimes look a touch unnatural. And second, the picture tends to look a touch fuzzy and 'alive' with dot crawl noise. Sound, too, could be better, as a lack of raw power stops the audio bursting forth with any great dynamism or clarity.