spacemountain

The Official Walmart "Check Out" Blog seems to indicate that what we are seeing on the various Black Friday sites regarding Sams Club at least may be bogus and there may be some surprises. The following quote from a Sams Club Gaming Buyer: "In all seriousness, as consumers, we should really look at these Black Friday websites with a bit of scrutiny. I can assure you, not everything you see there is accurate. Unlike some other companies, we do not "leak" out this information. No one asked us if the information was valid before posting it. I can tell you this, we will provide some information early and even have plans to let out a few surprises on this very website where we will do out best to ensure it is accurate." http://checkoutblog.com/

It is a Viore. See this thread... http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=54729

I bought the Viore PDP4210EA from Wal-Mart last BF and it has been fine for the money. The parts inside are nearly all made by LG. Conns and CompUSA sold it under the Akai name as a PDP4206EA. Walmart still carries a slightly updated version of it in some stores as an Ilo PDP4210EA for $1049. This years BF version is silver instead of black, HD instead of ED native resolution, and will have an HDMI connection instead of a DVI. The case design and remote look almost identical to last years model. I have read some other folks had problems with the video input board on last years model and Viore/Akai couldn't get the replacement part rendering the set un-repairable. There was mention of a buy back but I am not sure how that worked out. No doubt there are better choices in Plasma panels but if you're dead set on getting a 42" Plasma for under a grand (like I was last year) this may an OK deal. Considering the highly rated Panasonic panels have really dropped in price in the last two weeks I supect the other brands will have to follow. I can't see anyone paying much more than a grand for Maganavox, Sylvania, Zenith, Vizio, etc. panels when the Pannys are now selling for $1300-$1400. It would make sense too that the remaining EDTV panels would drop to the $800 range if entry level HD units are at $1000. I think we are in for a Plasma market correction soon! The cool thing about buying the Viore from Wal-Mart is you have up to 90 days to return it. By then you will know if the prices will drop on the name brand Plasmas. Also, be sure to buy with a credit card that doubles your warranty. Last years Viore had one year in home parts/labor.

mfinifter100 Frys.com has a Panasonic TH-42PX60U for under $1300. Wal-Mart had 2 Panasonic panels for (TH-42PX6U) $1300 and (TH-42px60U) $1350 earlier this week but they now show out of stock. Earlier today they had a Hitachi for about the same price too and it sold out. It seems Wal-Mart is really getting aggressive with pricing on these 42" Plasmas. It is wise to just keep checking their website as they are not really advertising these anywhere. I would imagine Sears, Circuit City, and Best Buy would match the Wal-Mart price provided the website showed them to be in stock. I read on one of these forums a rumor about Costco blowing out a new model Vizio 42" Plasma for $999 on BF. Vizio sets are a great value for the money. Reliability is not up to the top tier plasmas but Costco will back you up if anything goes wrong.

Likely Viore - Same brand as the LCD's that OfficeMax and JCPenney will be selling. Viore has been associated with Akai in the past. I bought the Viore ED Plasma Wal-Mart sold last BF for $997 and it has been fine for the money. Prices have dropped so fast that you can spend a little more and get a name brand Plasma right now and not have to fight it out at Wal-Mart at 5a.m. From the image in the flyer it looks exactly like last years model; even the remote looks identical. Last year it was black instead of silver and this one is HD instead of ED.