AOC A42HD84 Review

What the reviewers like:
The AOC A42HD84 features a distinctive look that's liked in reviews. Black levels are relatively deep (good for watching movies), and color decoding is accurate. Furthermore, reviewers say the Envision AOC A42HD84 is easy to use, and it’s one of the least expensive 42-inch plasma HDTVs available.

What the reviewers don't like:
Despite relatively good black levels, reviewers are not impressed overall with the picture quality of the AOC A42HD84 plasma TV. In tests, colors are off; one review notes an excessive blue color temperature that cannot be adjusted, leaving a blue cast that remains visible. There’s also no HDMI input, and the only digital input of any kind is a single HDCP-compatible DVI connection.

AOC A42HD84 review highlights

While the AOC A42HD84 is among the least expensive 42-inch plasma HDTVs available, reviewers don't generally feel that it’s much of a bargain. It has few frills and features, and it offers only limited picture adjustments. Reports on image quality are mixed, and connectivity is sparse. Among other budget-priced plasma TVs, the Vizio VP42 (*est, $1,000) costs about the same and gets better reviews than the AOC plasma TV.

We found the best professional review for the 42-inch Envision Peripherals AOC A42HD84 at CNet.com. CNet's editors thoroughly test TVs as they come to market, maintaining lists of top performing TVs so readers can quickly see which TVs rate highest. PC World's reviews are not quite as detailed, but are still thorough and easy to read. The magazine also maintains a list of top-rated plasma TVs and has tested the AOC A42HD84.

Also see full report: Plasma TV

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. CNet.com
AOC A42HD84 Review
Kevin Miller
May 3, 2006

The AOC A42HD84 is one of the lowest rated TVs of any kind at CNet.com, which is saying a lot, since editors here cover more plasma TVs than any other reviewer. CNet reviewer Kevin Miller, in particular, has vast experience covering plasma TVs, and we appreciate the thoroughness of this review more than any other review of the AOL A42HD84.

2. PC World
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AOC A42HD84 Review
Laura Blackwell
Oct. 6, 2006

The AOC A42HD84 fares better here than at CNet.com, but the review by Laura Blackwell still finds plenty of issues to discuss. Image quality with both standard definition and high-def content is tested, and evaluations of the AOC A42HD84 are made with respect to ease of use and connectivity. This is another well-written evaluation, but PC World editors don't cover as many TVs as CNet, so the frame of reference is a bit smaller.

3. Epinions
AOC A42HD84 Reviews
Contributors to Epinions

There are only a couple of reviews at Epinions for the AOC A42HD84 -- not enough to glean any sort of useful user consensus on this plasma TV.

4. Newegg.com
AOC Monitor A42HD84 reviews
Contributors to Newegg.com

Newegg.com is an Internet retailer that allows customers to share their experiences with others. There’s a voting summary with each product that shows how the overall rating was reached, and each reviewer states his or her level of technical knowledge and how long the product was used. There are only a couple of owner-written reviews here for the AOC A42HD84 plasma HDTV, however.

Also see full report: Plasma TV

AOC A42HD84 Review