Plasma perfection: the 42-inch flat-screen shootout

Want a flat screen that won't break the bank? LCD is expensive at the 32-inch mark, and into the crazy price bracket above that. But plasmas offer big screen thrills at a competitive price -- three of the models here are well under £2,000. Hitachi is having massive success with its line, upping production by 10,000 per month recently. Panasonic's Viera range has won plaudits for design, creating some beautiful examples of flat-screen aesthetics. Pioneer's plasmas are expensive, but they've been the ones to beat on picture quality, and they don't look too bad either. Sony isn't very experienced in plasmas, but the huge manufacturer always has something to offer.

The Hitachi 42PD5200 has been a big seller for Hitachi -- a testament to how a great product can succeed on word of mouth. It was high-definition compatible way ahead of everyone else, the picture quality is great, and the only thing it really lacks is a Freeview tuner. If you're after a bargain, this is one of the best out there.

Panasonic's Vieras have been notoriously late to the high-definition party, and it's still being omitted from this batch. Instead, Panasonic has opted for an integrated Freeview tuner, a lovely design and a decent picture quality. It still feels like a budget plasma though -- the connectivity isn't very good and Freeview integration could be improved.

Pioneer has been nothing if consistent in its plasma output, with a picture quality to die for. Like Sharp in the LCD world though, it can charge for being the best, hence the hiked-up price tag compared to its competitors. There's a Freeview version of this plasma available, but this model still offers unbelievable picture quality, and the plastic screen has the benefit of reducing both the weight of the plasma and the amount of glare on screen. It also looks and sounds beautiful, and of course is fully compatible with high definition courtesy of an HDMI input.

Sony isn't well known for its plasma technology, and it does show on the KEP42M1. The plastic styling leaves a lot to be desired and the cripplingly poor resolution of 852 x 480 is laughable. It doesn't even have a PC input. Needless to say, it's nowhere near being high-definition compatible. If you're a pure AV nut, then you might find consolation in the television's component inputs and good picture. Sony's Wega Engine is very talented, particularly at handling Freeview broadcasts.