Cheap Flat Panel Television at its Worst

(Reviewed 8/12/06)The fact is that the Maxent MX-42HPM20 has no tuner and costs more than an HDTV with a tuner. The MX-42HPM20 tested low among other competitors in performance and features. Picture quality lags behind the better brand name flat panel plasma televisions.

Colors took a night vision hue that ruined the picture quality. There is no black level performance with this television or a function to improve the quality of the picture.

Maxent MX-42HPM20 - Disonnected

If you look for a coaxial hook up, forget it, it does not exist. The Maxent MX-42HPM20 provides many input and output jacks, but if you need a cable card slot or a DVI you are out of luck. Connectors are not as accessible as a consumer would prefer them to be and prevents easy hook up.

This cheap flat panel television has very little support as a quality plasma television. Compared to the Vizio P42 HDTV this television falls short of the performance of an HDTV.

Functional Remote

The remote for the 42HPM20 provides programmable hook ups but because of the lack of menu options the remote does not stand out from other more sophisticated remotes. The directions for the remote are a little tricky to understand.

Conclusion : Even though it’s a cheap flat panel television there's no reasoning behind buying a Maxent MX-42HPM20. You have limited menu controls that are easy to use, but the configurability is just not there. The display menus take a longer time to load, which causes frustration. If you feel a need to find a quality television with plenty of menu options, look somewhere else; do not look at the 42HPM20 for exception quality.

For less money, you can purchase a television that supplies almost everything you need including a coaxial hook up. The over all bargain of a cheap flat panel television is not found with this flat panel television. Color quality is lost with this television brand . Other HDTV plasma monitors offer better image quality for a cheap flat panel television.