Sampo PME-42V3 42 in. EDTV-Ready Plasma TV

Pros: Inexpensive, ok if you have a small space
Cons: Really bad picture compared to competition. Internal speakers tinny. Loud fans

I developed buyers remorse about 2 days after this was delivered. A flat tv works for my setup, which has a built in media cabinet thats only 18" deep. I got a very good deal on this 42" Sampo unit so I went for it. The unit has a great degree of...

Pros: Attractive,clear display.Great for sports viewing.
Cons: Navigating remote is complicated. Remote functions and front panel buttons broken after 2 years.

UPDATE 2 YEARS LATER: The TV still works although last summer the remote stopped working but it was more than the remote. The part of the set that receives the signal stopped. It was going to be $700 to fix. So we got used to walking over to the set ...

Pros: For the money, nothing beats it
Cons: Could be fully HD.

For anyonw who wants to experience a full plasma television but does not have 10,000$ to spend this is the television for you. While there are many projection TV's that are HD, the picture on this is 1000% times better. I have an HD cablebox which the...

Pros: None
Cons: Service and parts are unavailable... Don't waste your money

Do not waste your money on any Sampo product. I have a Sampo 42" HD Display Model PME42V3. It was purchased in November of 2002 with a manufacture date of May 2002. Recently it started showing yellow's instead of whites, colors would shift, and the picture was very grainy. Called Sampo in CA. and was told that they don't even have parts for this set anymore!! When I told them it was two years old, they said that even if the boards were available, it would probably cost 1400 dollars or more to get them!! I'm so disgusted with their customer service I could vomit. 3 grand down the drain after 2 years! Next time I'll go with a reputable company that cares about it's customers.

Jim