To us, there's something strangely 'right' about 42-inch plasma TVs these days. Partly it's the size; 42 inches strikes a seemingly perfect balance. It's big enough to realise your home cinema ambitions, yet small enough not to dominate your beautifully designed living room.
Plasma delivers the AV goods more consistently well at this sort of screen size. Though it's a testament to how LCD seems to be winning the battle for the public's hearts and minds that we only just found enough 42-inch plasma models still on sale to make this Top 10 possible.
10. Loewe Modus L 42, £1,800
Given that our reviews of this model, from high-end German brand Loewe, haven't been especially complimentary, you may wonder why it's included in this list. Its picture quality is rather off the pace by today's standards, especially with standard definition.
But we have no doubt that its combination of terrific classical looks and truly outstanding sonics will still find it an image-conscious audience. [Read full Loewe Modus L42 review]
Key specs: 1024x1024 native resolution (ALIS) * Digital tuner * Image + processing * one HDMI input * 39.5kg
9. Hitachi 42PD9700, £930
There are a number of things we like about this Hitachi TV. Firstly, it's capable of producing HD pictures with stunning detail and sharpness. Also it's got vivid colours, a decent (though not truly outstanding) black level response, plenty of features and a very aggressive sub-£1k price. Stopping it climbing higher up our 42-inch chart, though, are its noisy and fuzzy standard definition pictures. [Read full Hitachi 42PD9700 review]
Key specs : * 1024x1080 native resolution (ALIS) * Digital tuner * Picture Master HD processing * two HDMI inputs * 45kg (weight)
8. LG 42PC55, £600
Like the Hitachi at number 9, this LG fails to rise higher up our chart courtesy of a decidedly underwhelming standard definition performance. It leaves the likes of Eastenders looking noisy and even slightly unfocussed. But also like the Hitachi, it provides a really enjoyable take on HD that's stuffed with sharpness and detail. Plus it boasts some of the most intense colours known to man. Or beast. [Read full LG 42PC55 review]
Key specs: * 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * XD Engine processing * two HDMI inputs * 24.6kg (weight)
7. Hitachi P42T01U, £1,000
We can't give this Hitachi an unreserved recommendation for the simple reason that its pictures just don't have the sort of black level response or colour richness of the best plasma TVs these days. But if you're looking for a set that offers a truly prodigious feature count for surprisingly little money, it's still definitely worth considering.
Key specs: 1280x1080 native resolution * Digital tuner * Picture Master Full HD processing * two HDMI inputs * 41kg (weight)
6. Fujitsu P42XHA58EB, £1,900
Few brands know how to make HD look better on a plasma TV than Fujitsu. But even by Fujitsu's own high standards, the P42XHA58EB's HD performance is a bit special. The clarity and subtlety on show is simply mesmerising. On the downside black levels could be a touch deeper, there's no built-in tuner, and it's far from being a cheap option. But HD obsessives should ignore it at their peril. [Read full Fujitsu P42XHA58EB review]
Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * No tuner * AVM II processing * two HDMI inputs * 36kg (weight)
5. Panasonic TH-42PX700, £1,200
Panasonic's long history of impressive plasma TVs is instantly reflected in the terrific picture quality found on this mid-range 42in model. Black level response is particularly outstanding, but images also look engagingly sharp, natural and cinematic thanks to the set's impressive 'V-Real' image processing. It also has more connections and better sound than the cheaper 42PX70 that ranks higher up in this top 10. But in our opinion this isn't quite enough to justify its price hike. [Read full Panasonic TH-42PX700 review]
Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * V-Real 2 processing * three HDMI inputs * 38kg (weight)
4. Panasonic TH-42PX70, £930
The 42PX70 retains every last drop of the terrific picture quality reported with the 42PX700 at number five, but it gives it to you for a substantially reduced price. Which, in our opinion, makes it actually the better option to go for unless having the 42PX700's extra HDMI, louder sonics and SD card slot particularly float your boat. [Read full Panasonic TH-42PX70 review]
Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * V-Real 2 processing * two HDMI inputs * 38kg (weight)
3. Samsung PS42Q97, £800
Once upon a time, not very long ago, Samsung's plasma TVs weren't very good at all. But as we're coming to expect from the Korean giant, it didn't take the criticism lying down. The result is the truly superb - and amazingly affordable - PS42Q97BD, which boasts pictures containing scintillating colours, remarkable black level response and some real sharpness. It's all wrapped up in as pretty a body as you'll find in the TV world today.
Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * DNIE processing * three HDMI inputs * 30.6kg (weight)
2. Panasonic TH-42PZ70, £1,100
Panasonic's third entry into our 42-inch plasma Top 10 has one very special feature up its sleeve: it's full HD. In fact, it's the only full HD 42-inch plasma to enter our test labs to date, and it makes this advantage count in fine style with unprecedented fine detailing for a plasma TV. Not to mention HD images that seem completely devoid of video noise. It's not even very expensive considering how cutting edge it is. [Read full Panasonic TH-42PZ70 review]
Key specs: 1920x1080 native resolution * Digital tuner * V-Real 2 processing * two HDMI inputs * 38kg (weight)
1. Pioneer PDP-428XD, £1,900
Unlike our second-place Panasonic, this Pioneer isn't full HD. But it has a different and no less potent attraction: a revolutionarily deep black level response. This might not sound as immediately interesting as the Panny's full HD, but it actually has a profound impact on just about every part of the 428XD's visual makeup, resulting in the single most cinematic image we've yet seen on a flat TV. [Read full Pioneer PDP-428XD review]
Key specs: 1024x768 native resolution * Digital tuner * PureDrive processing * three HDMI inputs * 29.6kg (weight)
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