The only feature that really lags is the Revox's user interface. The universal remote is great in that it is backlit, operates a number of devices, and is laid out well for controlling those devices. However, it's not labeled well for controlling this display. For example, pressing the menu button has no effect, but pressing the up arrow and pause button accesses the onscreen menu. Go figure. Once you get the hang of it (and possibly relabel the buttons with a Sharpie), the ergonomics are fine.

The onscreen graphics are equally decent, with simple text that gets the point across, but you have to dig through a couple of menus to find the aspect-ratio control. I should mention that there's no aspect-ratio control for PC inputs, and externally upconverted signals will only be displayed in the 1.78 (16:9) shape. As if digging through menus wasn't annoying enough, you have to manually save any changes you make. Otherwise, exiting the menu will revert back to the previous settings. Then again, this can be a godsend if you make changes that don't look so good and can't remember where things were previously set. On the plus side, you can save picture adjustments (contrast, brightness, color, tint, and sharpness) for each of the inputs, allowing you to dial-in each source.

Fortunately, you can escape from all the menus and confusion, thanks to the RS-232 port on the back of the input/power interface. If you have a home-automation or other computer-controlled system, you won't need the remote or onscreen menu at all. Everything can be controlled from your wall, table, or handheld touchscreen. This is the best option for operating a device like the E-542.

Another custom-friendly feature is the IR repeater. The remote control's IR receiver is mounted in the display and transfers commands to the input/power interface, which also has an IR output. Since the interface is located in the equipment rack, the output can easily be fed to your other components using IR emitters and blasters from companies like Niles and Xantech. Combine this with the programmable remote, and you can control your entire system. This is a great feature that every TV should have.

In addition to the custom features, this display offers some good performance parameters. For example, the monitor's ability to keep black images consistent with varying program content is commendable. Overall, the E-542's black levels are better than those of other plasma models, although dark images are still a bit gray. In normal ambient lighting, this has no noticeable effect on the picture. In a darkened room, though, images lose some of the perceived depth. The most obvious artifact occurs on darker images or gradations from light to extreme dark. As is typical of plasma, the display steps noisily from one luminance level to the next, which adds noticeable grain to darker images but doesn't affect brighter ones. I wouldn't consider plasma for critical home theater applications; however, for casual viewing of movies or TV, it looks fine.

Another good performer is the set's color decoder, which accurately reproduces the image's reds, greens, and blues to create a vibrant color palette. The internal comb filter removes most dot crawl, although moving images elude the filter's capabilities. The plasma's native colors fall a bit outside of those specified for NTSC monitors (see measurements), which makes yellows seem lighter than normal. Greens are a bit more yellow, and reds are a tad orange. Most of this is only noticeable through direct comparison with other displays. On its own, the Revox produces a pleasing picture with reasonably accurate colors that appear totally natural.

On the one hand, the E-542 has maximized plasma's resolution as best it can and seems to have better black levels than competing models. On the other hand, it suffers from the same noise and contouring effects seen on every other plasma TV out there. With bright images, the picture is fine for watching TV or a casual movie. At this point, though, there isn't a plasma TV on the market that I'd recommend using as the primary display in your home theater. However, if you want to watch movies on your private jet, boat, or RV, there's no way you'll have enough space to fit any CRT-based display, direct-view or otherwise. The Revox's customizable frame, IR repeater, and control issues are its greatest advantages and make it a prime candidate for use in the appropriate environments.

Highlights
• Custom frames lend to the TV's attractive appearance
• An RS-232 port offers computer-control capability
• With the IR repeater, other remote-control signals can pass to the equipment rack

HT Labs Measures: Revox E-542 Plasma Monitor

The chart above shows the gray scale (or color temperature) of the Revox plasma monitor and the color points of the display's red, green, and blue phosphors. The gray scale, as set by the manufacturer, measures about 6,200 Kelvin across the entire luminance range and is visible as the slightly bloblike point in the middle of the above triangle. An ideal gray scale would appear as a single dot at the D6500 K point. The Revox is a couple hundred degrees lower than the industry standard of D6500 K and tints the image slightly green in the process. Most TVs measure at about 9,000 K, which tints the image considerably blue. The plasma TV's color points are all considerably different from those specified by SMPTE. This is indicated by the above chart's color-point dots, which rest near but slightly above the SMPTE marks (at the ends of the triangle). Red is a bit orange, green is considerably more green, and blue is slightly yellow. The light output is good, at approximately 36 foot-lamberts.— MW