Plasma vs. LCD

[69_500]

Might be in the market for a new TV set for the entertainment room in a month or so. Wanted everyone's thoughts on the comparison for a Plasma TV vs. a LCD TV. Seems that the plasma and LCD are both in the same price ranges now, but the Plasma still has a huge advantage in the color and contrast ratio's. But do the plasma's still have a problem with things burning into the screens as they did a few years back? IE if your watching something that isn't in HD, and it has the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen, will those possibly become burned into the screen? Or a scroller on the bottom of some stations if left on?

[Troy]

Burn-in isn't a problem (pixel shifting technology) and blacks are blacker on a plasma. The major difference is the shiny/reflective (plasma) vs the matte/non-reflective (LCD) screen. If you're in a room with a lot of light then it can be difficult to see the plasma. The LCD technology is moving right along so now the sets are even bigger than anything that could be produced before. Obviously there are a lot more differences (even between levels of LCD or plasma sets) but, in the end, you just have to watch a bunch and see what fits you best. I went with plasma just because I only watch tv at night and I liked the color quality better.

Troy

[2Gunz]

You can go on for days about which is better and whatever.

Just pick something you like and preferably is able to do 1080p.

[Dans 68]

Burn-in isn't a problem (pixel shifting technology) and blacks are blacker on a plasma. The major difference is the shiny/reflective (plasma) vs the matte/non-reflective (LCD) screen. If you're in a room with a lot of light then it can be difficult to see the plasma. The LCD technology is moving right along so now the sets are even bigger than anything that could be produced before. Obviously there are a lot more differences (even between levels of LCD or plasma sets) but, in the end, you just have to watch a bunch and see what fits you best. I went with plasma just because I only watch tv at night and I liked the color quality better.

Troy

What he said.    I've had my Samsung 50" plasma for about 3 months and I love it (it "hummm's" a bit, but not objectionably). The reflection problem has not been a problem (shop the different manufacturers). Go to Amazon.com and read the reviews by their customers on the Plasma's and LCD's. You will get up to speed in a hurry.  You still need to shop around and see what looks best, but for my money the plasma still gives the best picture (read "blacker blacks").

Dan

[TruckDriver]

I heard on the local news too that the Plasma tv uses more power on or turned off. If I remember right, the Plasma tv created a lot more heat too. I know walking in front of them at Walmart, you can feel the heat coming off them I rather have a LCD.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Shopping for my TV's a few years ago, I did a lot of online research & comparo's using www.cnet.com

What sold me though was actually viewing the sets in the stores.  I went with LCD's for my living room & bedroom (Sony & Panasonic respectively)

From what I have read a lot of plasma mfg's are dropping out & the LCD will be the standard in the future.  Phillips & Pioneer are reported to phase out plasma production in the near future & make only LCD'S...

[skip68]

We have a newer (2 months old 42") LCD T.V. for our living room, and we love it! The only problem is, our windows!!! We have a two story in Vegas and the sunlight hits the T.V. for about 2 hours in the morning,...........so today I made a curtain just for one of the windows to try and protect it! (Of course the major rays only come in one window!?! )  Mind you, my windows are 5' by 5'foot! Three one the bottom, matching three on top!   Personally I would go with LCD. Just protect it, like you would your charger!
Mrs.Skip68

[bull]

For a long time I was sold on plasma because the colors were so much sharper, it was just a better overall picture IMO. Then one day when I was going through a store and I stopped to look at TVs again. I was looking at this particular set and I swore it was plasma until I looked at the tag and discovered it was LCD. I honestly could not tell the difference in the sharpness between the two like I could before but there was minimal glare from the overhead lights unlike the plasma sets. The glare is an obvious problem with plasma if you have lights or windows in the background and LCDs don't really have that problem. So if the pictures on LCD sets look as good as plasma now without the glare I'd say LCD is the way to go.

[Troy]

The technology has changed very recently. Actually, it changes all the time but there were big changes not long ago. LCD screens are (were) limited in size due to the manufacturing process so if you wanted a large set (like 50+") then your choices were plasma, DLP, or projection. When I bought my TV the new LCDs were still $$$ and I got a plasma at roughly 40% off (after Christmas sale). I'll likely trade up in a few years and when I do I'll worry about the latest technology.

Depending on the size you want, I wouldn't worry about 720p or 1080p because there's no discernable difference on screens around 42" and smaller. Plus there wasn't much content available in 1080p until recently (and broadcasts still aren't in 1080p). Now that Blu-Ray has won the next generation content battle that changes the landscape so it would be wise to look into a 1080p set if you watch a lot of movies. All the buzzwords are great but don't buy more than you really need.

Troy

[Brock Samson]

I still haven't pulled the trigger but i have been looking around and researching alot...
My understanding is that the Plasma sets are superior for sports because the movement is better compared to the Pixulated LCDs.
the edges look sharper in motion.  When I look for it it's noticable.
  BTW: Prices will be comming down soon for all sets. 

[Todd Wilson]

I still haven't pulled the trigger but i have been looking around and researching alot...
My understanding is that the Plasma sets are superior for sports because the movement is better compared to the Pixulated LCDs.
the edges look sharper in motion.  When I look for it it's noticable.
  BTW: Prices will be comming down soon for all sets. 

I see that too about the motion but I heard the technology is coming along and the LCD is catching up to Plasma in that department. I was gonna post a similiar thread as we have been kicking around hte idea of spending GW's bonus $$ he is sending all of us on a new big tv. I dont know if I should get a tv now or wait until tax time next year.


Todd

[Vainglory, Esq.]

I haven't heard anyone mention this yet, but LCDs are quite a bit lighter.  Plasmas need either a very sturdy base or a wall-mount system. 

It's a minor issue, but it could be useful to know.

[69_500]

To me though its about color control and clarity and contrast. When I was comparing the LCD's and the plasma tv's side by side at a few stores man the picture on the plasma's were just so much crisper and the colors were a lot deeper. However I'll admit the plasma I was looking at was actually more expensive than the LCD I was looking at. We are just looking for another TV to put in an upstairs room to watch movies, and let some kids play video games on. So that I can keep them out of the rooms with breakable items when they all come over, and to occupy them for at least an hour at a time.

[Dans 68]

...My understanding is that the Plasma sets are superior for sports because the movement is better compared to the Pixulated LCDs.
the edges look sharper in motion.  When I look for it it's noticable.... 

Yep, the Hockey games in HD (on my plasma) are incredible to watch. Except for the quadruple period overtime loss by my Sharks. Damn Stars...   Go Red Wings! 

Dan

[MichaelRW]

I recently read in the newspaper that the OLED TV's are the up and coming hot lick. The article said that a comparison between LCD, plasma & OLED actually caused people's jaws to drop when they saw the fantastic clarity and colors from the OLED. Only problem is the biggest screen available now is 11" made by Sony. 

[bandit67]

         I agree with Troy, the GENERAL rule is , if you watch tv in a bright room mostly, the LCDs seem to have the advantage. If your room is darker, the plasmas do look awsome.  In the LCD catagory, Samsung makes a 52,46, and 40 inch in the LNT 71 series.........and I think this set is a great bang for the buck.  I will be purchasing a 46 inch ASAP......

[bull]

I recently read in the newspaper that the OLED TV's are the up and coming hot lick. The article said that a comparison between LCD, plasma & OLED actually caused people's jaws to drop when they saw the fantastic clarity and colors from the OLED. Only problem is the biggest screen available now is 11" made by Sony. 

Sounds cool but knowing Sony they're probably charging $2,500 for that 11-inch TV. Plus there's a shortage of organic compounds needed for OLED so I doubt they're going to be mass-produced anytime soon, especially at a reasonable price.

[4forty]

I just bought a 42" 1080 Panasonic Plasma and love it, My dad has a 52" inch Sony Bravia LCD and he likes his but I prefer the picture on mine, don't like the LCD pixelization on sports programs and fast movements, just research and check em out at the store, I went to 6 stores and OVER-researched them for 2 weeks.  Good luck!!!!