Plasma or LCD?
 

So I'm about to embark upon the HD TV experience. Just looking for general opinions. Which do you valued forum posters like better, a plasma or LCD tv? I'm going to go with at least a 46" flat panel, and it will be 1080p.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Spending that hazardous duty/hostile fire/tax free pay well I see. :D

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

It really depends on size IMO. But if you are going 50 or bigger I would most definitely go Plasma.

Before I bought my plasma I did a fair amount of research on www.AVSForum.com and got some GREAT technical information on going High Def.

Good choice on the 1080P bro :tu

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I'm going with the Per Diem payment when I get home actually. But yeah, I'm treating myself (and I suppose the wife as well) to a new TV. We are currently using an exceptionally old and crappy 27" so it's time for an upgrade. We owe it to ourselves!!! :D

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I have both. Plasma is definitely a nicer, more life-like picture. But, the room has to be dark, and I wouldn't advise gaming on it. Still some concern re: static images and burn-in.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

My wife was sending some links for 720p, but I didn't want to go with a technology that has already been replaced.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I bought my first iPOD with my Per Diem from a TDY to Okinawa. That was back when the biggest one was like 30GB and cost $400. :r

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

When I upgraded I looked at both plasma and LCD. Plasma has a higher burn in rate and won't last as long as the LCD according to what I researched. I hope this helps some. LCDs are cheaper too.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Instead of choosing one and eliminating one choice completely, I would look at specific TVs from a spec, price, and quality standpoint and then go from there.

Or just buy a pioneer elite.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I have read that the burn in problem has been corrected, for the most part anyway. I've also read a lot of good things on the shelf life of plasmas now. I guess there is only one way to really find out if all that's true now.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Plasma by far. Burn ins were a thing of the past. New sets also have extended lives of up to 100,000 hours. If you're hitting the slope, go with something you won't regret. Start with 50". Panasonic makes a damn nice 50" and can be had for <$1300 if you search around. I have a Panny 42" that's 4 years old and it still wows me. LCDs are getting better, especially the 120 Hz models. I like the warm plasma look though. Nothing smaller than 1920x1080.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I second this

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I picked up a 50 inch Vizio plasma from Costco. I love the damn thing. However, it can make the room very warm if left on for an extended period of time.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I went with plasma when I took the plunge early this year. And I went with a Panasonic 42" 1080p. The screen has an anti-reflective coating so bright room glare is minimized too. Plasma has a wider viewing angle than LCD, which was another of my requirements. The set I got really fits my needs and wows me too, even though conventional wisdom says a 42" is too small to show the full glory of 1080p.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Plasma, no doubt.

The best LCD's have about a 50,000-to-1 dynamic contrast ratio; plasma has 1,000,000-to-1. Meaning you'll get a better picture, higher contrast and truer blacks with plasma.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Another piece of advice. Like a humi, go bigger than you think. In order to really appreciate 1080p, you need to be closer than with a CRT. The larger the TV, the further away you can sit.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

It depends on what you are looking to do.

Do you game? Want to use it a computer monitor? Then maybe LCD is a better choice.

Do you want a more realistic picture (less BOOM than LCD) with truer colors and blacks? A warmer picture? Maybe plasma then.

That being said, I have a 42inch Panasonic plasma that I am extremely happy with. Mine is a 720p. I sit about 8 feet away and the difference between 720p and 1080p at that size, at that distance is negligible. At the time there was about a $500 price difference which was 50% more. Plus I have no 1080p sources (except for Dish On Demand movies, which I have never rented).

As it was stated before permanent imagine retention (burn in) is pretty much a thing of the past unless you crack the hell out of the contrast and leave a static image up for a ridiculously long time.

I would be more concerned about getting something with PLENTY of HDMI inputs. Mine has 3, but only two are in the back so I had to pick up an HDMI switcher.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I went through this a few years back and settled on a 42" Panasonic 720p plasma. Wider viewing angle and better picture sealed it for me. If you do go with a plasma just go easy for the first 100 or so hours -- avoid static images for long periods of time, etc. Once you're past that point you can pretty much go nuts with no permanent ill effects. I game heavily on my plasma and have never had any burn-in issues.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I would say - go look at them and decide what looks best to you. I bought a Sony Bravia LCD last year and am thoroughly pleased. Excellent picture and people often comment on it.

Couple of Notes:

Always check the specs and features of the sets - don't go with just a 1080 whatever. Look at refresh rates, speakers, inputs, outputs, etc etc.
HDMI inputs - the more the better and use them!
You may get a 1080 set - but know that not all broadcast, cable, etc signals are in 1080. Some of the HD channels I get are in 720.
Surge protection - you about to make an investment - buy a surge protector. I have a whole house unit on my circuit panel plus a plug in on my Sony.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with.


Ron

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I bought my 60" Hitachi plasma 1080P about 6 months ago. It has an absolutely stunning picture.The image burn is a thing of the past. My TV will get a 100,000 hours until you get half life which they say is still a great picture . So thats about 15 to 20 years of excellent quality TV. The half life which should be another 10 years of great TV. I would definitely go plasma and go BIG!!. I bought the biggest they had at the time.I believe you can get a 65" plasma know days. I LOVE MY PLASMA.:ss

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I have a Sony XBR (120 Mhz) and it's great for the bedroom. We do most of my gaming there... Then after some research, I plucked down some coin and pulled the trigger on a Pioneer Elite Kuros. Even better. :tu Just do some research and see what fits your budget. For live action and sports, I would go for a plasma. Less motion blur.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

As others have said, depends on the size and use. Large (>52") and not for gaming, go with plasma. The pioneer Kuros is the best TV on the market today. If smaller size or burn in is an issue, go with LCD.

As far as LCD, we are starting to see LED backlit LCDs and they can get to over 500,000 contrast ratio and the 120hz resolves most of the motion artifacts. My problem, my TV is not available yet: LED backlit (RGB, not white) LCD at 65"....it will be the best of both worlds, just not available yet.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

A/B comparisions at the store can help you figure out "what you like". Once you get them home you will like what you see, (and hear) no matter what you buy so price should be a big consideration for all but the stupid rich. The hearing part many folks miss in the decision process. What surround sound system will you add to the new toy.

Contrast ratios, brightness and refresh rates are specs you should not ignore.... not just resolution.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

The one caveat about comparing them in the store is a potential difference in set up. Particularly where they have the contrast and brightness at. That can make a big impact, if they are set up differently you may not be comparing apples to apples. Typically stores have those settings way up, what is referred to as "torch mode", to make them stand out. If you do get plasma, make sure to turn down the contrast when you get it home. If there is someone in your area that does ISF calibration, you may want to consider it.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Am I the only one that's gonna pitch the "bang for the buck" value of an HDTV DLP???
There's smoking deals at tigerdirect for Mitsubishi 60+inch 1080p DLP's over there!
The thickness is about 15inch and horizontal width of anywhere from 53+ inches.

I'm hoping Santa brings me the 65inch model! :D

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Does anyone know what Directv broadcasts? Are they 1080 or 720?

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

1080i

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I believe Direct TV does 1280x1080 (not the full 1920x1080 which = 1080i) for all of the HD channels now, which is often referred to as "HD-Lite".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Lite

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

It's HD with half the fat AND it's less filling!!! :D

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

That's your girlfriend that is causing that, not the TV.

Glad I could help. :D

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Same great HD taste, half the calories!

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Looks great, less filling.

Depending on where you shop, you might also want to bring along copies of some of your favorite movies so you can see how good they look on the TVs your considering.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I have a couple 42" Toshiba plasmas and a 52" Toshiba DLP.
I love all of them.
I don't like the look of an LCD at all, still haven't seen one I'd take home.
Add to that, if the room is bright I can't see it.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

have a 50 inch Sammy DLP not a new LED one but still has a great picture :)

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

I bought the Samsung Series 5 50" Plasma TV and the picture quality is great!! I have yet to see a LCD with as nice a picture as a Plasma. Good luck with your purchase Jon! :salute:











http://smilies.vidahost.com/games/ff...hitedragon.gif

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

how do black helicopters look on it?

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Just bought a 46" Samsung 5 series LCD. I didn't like the way the plasmas looked.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Plasmas > LCD


The worst plasma will look equal to a mid line LCD. Enough said. And the burn-in thing is a wive's tale. Technology has overcome it. There may be IR, but that is not burn-in.

I use my Plasma for gaming, and after nearly 2 years. No signs of burnin.

Only thing to sway yourself to an LCD over the plasma is if you have a lot of windows in your living room, OR you have a small room that'd get too hot, too quickly. Plasmas put out a lot of heat.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Quite real, especially with the surround sound!!! Good thing my cigars are not kept in the same room!! :lv






http://smilies.vidahost.com/games/ff...rs/bahamut.gif

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

:r:r to funny :)

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

So I ended up changing my stance on the whole issue. I went with a 42" Samsung 1080p Plasma. It had great reviews and the price was right during all these crazy Black Friday deals. I also ended up getting a BluRay DVD player. I was gonna get the PS3, as it's BluRay, but I just don't play games so I saw no need to spend the extra $100. I have my wife picking it up tomorrow, as I still can't. I told her after she picks up the box, it should be the last time she touches the TV until I get home.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

[quote=icantbejon;90893]So I ended up changing my stance on the whole issue. I went with a 42" Samsung 1080p Plasma. It had great reviews and the price was right during all these crazy Black Friday deals.

Nice pickup. You are going to love it!!

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Santa (my wife) got me one today...Man I love that woman :ss

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What blu-ray player if I may ask?

And that's... kinda mean about the wife thing :D

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Biggest gripe I have with DLP's is the viewing angles. Not every room will allow proper viewing with a DLP, so it's tricky.

Other than that, they offer a great picture and as long as you get en LED model, then really no worry about bulbs.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

In all, colors and blacks are better on plasma. LCD are lighter (lbs) and have a slower response and poor blacks/colors. Done loads of research on this topic, bought a 1080p plasma and it's beautiful. Plasma uses more electricity but are cheaper initially. LCD uses less power and cost more initially. Burn in is a thing of the past, you have to TRY to burn an image in, especially after about 100 hrs of use has passed. The whole "watch it with the lights off" thing is dependent on your setup. On or off, looks great in HD, as long as you are at the optimal viewing distance (sweet spot) which is different for each size and for LCD/plasma.

Bottom line, do your homework and you'll find your answers. In the end, it's what do you want to use it for.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Good for you Bro.... Give us an update when you get a chance to use it and make up your mind abou it.

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

Panasonic DMP-BD35K BD-Live Blu-ray Disc Player is what I got my hands on. I hope to enjoy this as well.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/produ...y+Viewed+Items

The wife had to be told, cause she'll break it. She's not at all technologically inclined. She plugs things in and they blow up. Seriously, it's insane.

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I'm excited to see how the blu-ray works out. I use an upconvert dvd player and my movies look stellar. For some reason I can't get excited about blu-ray. I suppose I need to come over and watch your tv to see why I need one. :)
You forgot to get surround sound. ;)

Re: Plasma or LCD?
 

i use to use an oppo player to do all of my converting. thought it looked great till i bought my 50" pioneer. then i hooked up my blu-ray player and got a new denon that can handle the new HD codecs for sound. haven't looked or thought back since. regular dvd's even up converted look/sound way worse. i'll try to post pics of my setup at some point.