DLP, LCD, CRT, or PLASMA TV???

[stokey7873]

This is a little off topic but close. I was looking into the new technology in the TV industry and am somewhat overwhelmed by the display type options that exist now. I was wondering what your opinions were if you were to buy a large screen TV. This could be projection or panel, but something big +50". I am pretty amazed at the DLP technology because its saying that they can perform almost the same as a CRT (which I hear is the best).
What are you opinions on the new technology? Does CRT still hold the crown?

 

[SickBeast]

from what i've seen, plasma looks the best. i have been told that lcd is superior to plasma, but i have yet to see it in a large screen at a semi-reasonable price. i've never seen a dlp, and i know nothing of the technology so i can't really comment. if i had the money to spend right now i'd get a 16:9 aspect plasma.

 

[AllDressedUp]

You might wanna swing by the AVScience site, where the home theater buffs hang out. Lots of opinions on this stuff over there.

Each of the technologies has it's own wrinkles, so it's difficult to make any kind of blanket recommendations. Another new technology you left out is LCOS BTW, kind of a newer sexier incarnation of LCDs from what I gather. Plasmas may not be a bad place to start your search though. PQ has improved on them, and prices seem to be falling. Some Sears stores are now carrying quite a few different plasma displays in various price ranges. You can't get much more mainstream than that.

 

[SemperFi]

AVS is a great place for info as stated before. I just wanted to weigh in about the plasma. I was looking hard at them last year. Make sure you look at them closely before you buy. There is a lot of difference in quality. For example Gateway has a 42" for $3000. The picture on it sucks on everything except annimated movies. On the other side the pioneer lookd great but costs like $7000 for the same size.

I remember reading in the avsforum someone went to gateway store with his own dvd wanting to see how it looked on the plasma screen. They gave some bone head reason why they were not allowed to do it. But they were more than willing to play some disney movie for him.

Very cool but too rich for my blood.

 

[AllDressedUp]

I just wanted to weigh in about the plasma. I was looking hard at them last year. Make sure you look at them closely before you buy. There is a lot of difference in quality.

I'd concur with that. FWIW, the Panasonics seem to be among the favorites in terms of price/quality ratio. This was kind of an interesting thread on the subject BTW.

 

[Slammy1]

Yeah the Panasonic (or the Panny) seems to be the fav in the Plasma crowd. I put any decision about that on hold until LCD technology stabilizes and comes to a good price point. If you're looking for something to run as a computer monitor, consider LCD but they ghost like no computer monitor LCD can. Confronted with the decision, I decided to buy a decent 19" LCD and use that for my video until something 32" with DV-I and the features I want comes out in my price range. Given an average life expectancy of 72 years, this means I should have one before I die though I may be too arthritic to enjoy the flight sims then.

 

[stokey7873]

aight so it looks like the plasma's are the favorites in the TV world right now. Do you think these beat out the current tech of the other formats in terms of picture quality???

 

[SemperFi]

Make sure you go to the store and physiclly watch the tv. Plasma screens vary greatly as stated before. You may not buy it at that store. Just make sure you see the picture before you buy. That is a lot of money to spend then decide the picture sucks.

 

[AllDressedUp]

aight so it looks like the plasma's are the favorites in the TV world right now. Do you think these beat out the current tech of the other formats in terms of picture quality???

Different strokes for different folks I'd say. The biggest difference between the plasma and other technologies is that it's really the only "direct view" that approaches the size you're after. Most everything else in an ~50" screen would be projection, either front or rear. Allota nice high-end projection systems these days though, and they might run considerably less than the plasma.

The biggest difference between CRTs and the other technologies is the CRT is analog while the others should be digital. Analog and digital have different advantages. Somethin you might wanna explore further.

Something with an HDCP input would be groovy too. This enables high-definition digital RGB connectivity, which could be the wave of the future. A digital input will probably be a valuable thing for any kind of display, but doubly so for digital displays like plasmas and LCDs, to keep the signal "pure" all the way to the screen. Many older discounted digital displays will not have this capability, since HDCP is a relatively new phenomena, so caveat emptor. A dedicated computer input wouldn't be bad either, if you like playin games on a big-screen.

 

[Vich]

I have a thread about this too Link


I just went to Circuit City and fell absolutely in LOVE with the DLP 43". It was amazing the best quality ive seen ANYWHERE bar none!!


-Rich

 

[stokey7873]

cool thanks a lot guys. looks like i'll have to do a lot of research on my own into the individual screens before i think about buying something.

 

[SpaceHulk]

I'm about to purchase the HLN467W. I looked around at all of the technologies and DLP makes more sense to me.

It is rear projection with NONE of the bad parts of traditional rear projection units like:
NO Burn in
Long bulb life (6000-8000 hrs.)
150° viewing angle

It is 100% Digital. It is capable of 1080i, 720p, 720i, 480p, etc.
It has a DVI-I input, & 2 Component HD inputs (as well as composite, S-video, etc.)
1000:1 contrast ratio.
Blacker blacks and whiter whites than Plasma.

and its only $3800 for the 46" model.
Oh, and Samsung also makes a DVD Player (DVD-HD931) that has DVI output. Hook it up to your digital display and your DVDs never get translated to analog and then back to digital like every other solution.

g/l and try before you buy.

 

[hconnor2]

only 3800. still seems like a lot for a tv