plasma, dlp or lcd?

[zCypher]

My inlaws just got a 72" toshiba DLP which is very nice, and huge! It's a little blurry sometimes but it's a lot better than even 40-50" TVs from a few years ago. I was wondering if a Plasma or LCD tv is better than a DLP? From what I've read so far, today's plasma screens have the best contrast, the darkest blacks, the brightest whites and the richest colors... is this true?

Another question is regarding HD. Is HD only the flat connector, or can the red/blue/green ones be HD? I'm confused because it always says "colorstream HD", this is for the red/blue/green connectors. If it's not HD why does it say HD?

And finally... there are HDMI cables ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars. Is it really just a ripoff or does it really make that much of a difference to spend let's say $200-300 on an HDMI cable?

Thanks!

 

[DBL]

It's true that Plasma has the edge in picture quality.

HDMI is a digital connection while component (red/green/blue) is analog. Both support HD up to 1080p.

Don't even buy a $50 HDMI cable. got to monoprice.com and get yourself an HDMI cable form there.

 

[Diaonic]

When I went through the buying process of my HT setup, i decided that plasma just wasn't worth it. They are nice but for what I wanted they lack versitility.

I went with a 42" LCD the view range of this screen is incredible you can be standing at the worst angle of the room and still see the picture just as clear.

I've heard horror stories with plasma repairs / burned images, i just didn't want to deal with that. The picture quality is better.

HD connections come in several flavors:

The most common being:

DVI
HDMI
Component (rgb)
Firewire ( used for linking)

I use Monster cables for all my stuff, they seem to work well and are still somewhat affordable. I can't justify spending $300 on an HDMI cable.

 

[iRONic]

I considered the following prior to buying my Samsung 50" DLP from Amazon in Nov. '06:

-AVS forum feedback
-Viewing distance
-Viewing angle
-Room light levels
-PQ vs. LCD/Plasma
-Number of HDMI connections available
-Bang for my buck
-Quality of the retailer

 

[montypythizzle]

DLP, best budget projection TV (besides CRT) LCoS and LCD (I think..) ones have a little bit better PQ. Big hit of DLP is the rainbows on fast moving objects due to the color wheel.
LCD for cheap but better blacks/colors than DLP but DLP has bigger screens. Plasmas for LARGE displays and large pocketbooks. DLP LCoS or LCD projection TVs are fine.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
DLP, best budget projection TV (besides CRT) LCoS and LCD (I think..) ones have a little bit better PQ. Big hit of DLP is the rainbows on fast moving objects due to the color wheel.
LCD for cheap but better blacks/colors than DLP but DLP has bigger screens. Plasmas for LARGE displays and large pocketbooks. DLP LCoS or LCD projection TVs are fine.

Why do people think Plasmas are expensive? Sure they don't go much below 42" but they are generally cheaper than LCD panels at the same size. Can you get a 50" quality LCD panel for $1500?

 

[sdifox]

Size is my thing so I went with a Optoma HD6800 (Costco rebadge of HD72). 720P shooting 92" is great for me. Never liked plasma and lcd.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Last summer I did a lot of reading at AVSForum and elsewhere and picked a Samsung 50" 1080p DLP. I'm still happy with it.

My reasoning:
1. Cost. DLP was much cheaper than 1080p plasma and LCD at the 50" size.
2. Plasma still had (has?) burn-in issues if you are careless, even with pixel shifting
3. Weight. The 80 lb. DLP is 20+ pounds lighter than plasma & LCD and I could use the AV rack from my 32" tube TV.
4. Last year the closest LCD RPTV in performance to the Samsung DLP was a Sony that had "green blob" stuck pixel problems.

The main flaws with DLP are
1. the viewing angle, brightness drops off if you watch too far to one side
2. the rainbow effect, I never see it while watching, only once in a while if I glance away then back to the screen.

 

[zCypher]

Thanks for all the input so quickly. So far I haven't noticed any rainbow effect on the toshiba dlp, I did notice the viewing angle thing although it didn't bother me much, I guess the sofa is well placed. I've typically been biased towards computer screens as I always thought they were better quality. Is an LCD TV the same as a "computer screen" LCD panel? If you buy a really huge really expensive LCD that's made for computers (ie, Viewsonic, Samsung etc), will the quality be substantially better, or any better at all?

You see I am somewhat of a quality perfectionist... Slight imperfections really bother me especially over a long time. For example, I would have let's say a 17" CRT and I'd put the refresh rate at 85 or 90Hz and it would be too blurry so I'd put it back down to 60Hz but then it'd flicker too much (not everyone seems able to see the flicker). The sharpness of the text and images is as important to me as the color richness, the contrast and the brightness.

So far I have only seen a few LCDs that seem good quality, and they usually end up being Viewsonic or Samsung, although I'm sure the ones I haven't been satisfied with (just looking at a glance), are probably related to adjustments although I could be mistaken.

Another way I was considering is projectors. Are there any projectors that live up to quality expectations for people like us? I like the convenience factor.

I have a chance at getting an 52" Hitachi TV for $600 (friends of gf can't fit it in their basement). I'm not sure what type it is yet.

Are large LCDs worth the high price? I mean 37-42" LCDs from Viewsonic or Samsung or equally good.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: Diaonic
I use Monster cables for all my stuff, they seem to work well and are still somewhat affordable. I can't justify spending $300 on an HDMI cable.

Wow. Someone has admitted using Monster cables on this forum! Prepare to be flamed!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: zCypher
Another way I was considering is projectors. Are there any projectors that live up to quality expectations for people like us? I like the convenience factor.

I have a chance at getting an 52" Hitachi TV for $600 (friends of gf can't fit it in their basement). I'm not sure what type it is yet.
</end quote></div>

The Hitachi is probably a Rear Projection CRT.

Projectors should only be considered if you can get your room well light controlled. Unless you can get your room very dark, then you'll easily wash-out the picture. The darkest black a front projection set can produce is the color of the surface you're projecting on, so the darker the room, the better.

If you're looking for a cinematic experience, I don't think front projection can be beaten. That said, direct view / rear projection sets certainly have a lot of advantages over front projection so it's not for everyone.

Seating distance and number of people you want to watch with are big factors in addition to light control to deciding what route to take.

With any set you get, you should get a calibration disc and dial in the contrast, brightness, color, sharpness, etc. (if you're not having it ISF calibrated).

I have some low res pics of the kind of results I was getting from my 480p DLP projector and my 720p LCD projector hosted here
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/">https://mywebspace.wisc.edu......web/3%20Projector/</a>

EDIT: Just for example for what even a bit of light can do to image quality:
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...20by%209/Nemo%2005.JPG
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...2C%20light%20on%29.JPG

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: zCypher
So far I have only seen a few LCDs that seem good quality, and they usually end up being Viewsonic or Samsung, although I'm sure the ones I haven't been satisfied with (just looking at a glance), are probably related to adjustments although I could be mistaken.

Viewsonic? No way. The three big LCD players are Samsung, Sony, and Sharp. Plasma it's Pioneer and Panasonic. The three S's and two P's.

2007 looks like the year LCD catches up with Plasma at least in the contrast level and blacks department. You got the big gun, Pioneer, with their 8G Plasmas offering some amazing blacks. The question is if the locally dimmed LCDs can match or surpass it.

 

[Tiamat]

Plasma looks nice, but are available only for the larger screens, and carrys quite a price premium for 1080P! I ended up with a 37" 1080P LCD. Its not the best, but for 880$, I certainly can live with it. I needed something for viewing distance of 4-8', and this size seemed to work out the best.

Part of the decision making factor is "how far are you going to sit from the screen" then "how much money do you have". If you want larger screen, but can't shell out the big bucks, DLP with LED technology seems to be pretty nice for instance.

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: zCypher
Another way I was considering is projectors. Are there any projectors that live up to quality expectations for people like us? I like the convenience factor.

I have a chance at getting an 52" Hitachi TV for $600 (friends of gf can't fit it in their basement). I'm not sure what type it is yet.
</end quote></div>

The Hitachi is probably a Rear Projection CRT.

Projectors should only be considered if you can get your room well light controlled. Unless you can get your room very dark, then you'll easily wash-out the picture. The darkest black a front projection set can produce is the color of the surface you're projecting on, so the darker the room, the better.

If you're looking for a cinematic experience, I don't think front projection can be beaten. That said, direct view / rear projection sets certainly have a lot of advantages over front projection so it's not for everyone.

Seating distance and number of people you want to watch with are big factors in addition to light control to deciding what route to take.

With any set you get, you should get a calibration disc and dial in the contrast, brightness, color, sharpness, etc. (if you're not having it ISF calibrated).

I have some low res pics of the kind of results I was getting from my 480p DLP projector and my 720p LCD projector hosted here
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...lin/web/3%20Projector/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/">https://mywebspace.wisc..........3%20Projector/</a></a>

EDIT: Just for example for what even a bit of light can do to image quality:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/AE900U/New%20Room/Nemo%2016%20by%209/Nemo%2005.JPG">https://mywebspace.wisc.edu......%209/Nemo%2005.JPG</a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/AE900U/New%20Room/Nemo%2016%20by%209/Nemo%2005%20%28oops%2C%20light%20on%29.JPG">https://mywebspace.wisc.edu......0light%20on%29.JPG</a>

Did you have a HD CRT? Price?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: zCypher
Another way I was considering is projectors. Are there any projectors that live up to quality expectations for people like us? I like the convenience factor.

I have a chance at getting an 52" Hitachi TV for $600 (friends of gf can't fit it in their basement). I'm not sure what type it is yet.
</end quote></div>

The Hitachi is probably a Rear Projection CRT.

Projectors should only be considered if you can get your room well light controlled. Unless you can get your room very dark, then you'll easily wash-out the picture. The darkest black a front projection set can produce is the color of the surface you're projecting on, so the darker the room, the better.

If you're looking for a cinematic experience, I don't think front projection can be beaten. That said, direct view / rear projection sets certainly have a lot of advantages over front projection so it's not for everyone.

Seating distance and number of people you want to watch with are big factors in addition to light control to deciding what route to take.

With any set you get, you should get a calibration disc and dial in the contrast, brightness, color, sharpness, etc. (if you're not having it ISF calibrated).

I have some low res pics of the kind of results I was getting from my 480p DLP projector and my 720p LCD projector hosted here
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu......web/3%20Projector/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...lin/web/3%20Projector/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/">https://mywebspace.wi............Projector/</a></a></a>

EDIT: Just for example for what even a bit of light can do to image quality:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...20by%209/Nemo%2005.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/AE900U/New%20Room/Nemo%2016%20by%209/Nemo%2005.JPG">https://mywebspace.wisc........../Nemo%2005.JPG</a></a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...2C%20light%20on%29.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/AE900U/New%20Room/Nemo%2016%20by%209/Nemo%2005%20%28oops%2C%20light%20on%29.JPG">https://mywebspace.wisc..........ht%20on%29.JPG</a></a></end quote></div>

Did you have a HD CRT? Price?

Are you asking me?

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: montypythizzle
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: zCypher
Another way I was considering is projectors. Are there any projectors that live up to quality expectations for people like us? I like the convenience factor.

I have a chance at getting an 52" Hitachi TV for $600 (friends of gf can't fit it in their basement). I'm not sure what type it is yet.
</end quote></div>

The Hitachi is probably a Rear Projection CRT.

Projectors should only be considered if you can get your room well light controlled. Unless you can get your room very dark, then you'll easily wash-out the picture. The darkest black a front projection set can produce is the color of the surface you're projecting on, so the darker the room, the better.

If you're looking for a cinematic experience, I don't think front projection can be beaten. That said, direct view / rear projection sets certainly have a lot of advantages over front projection so it's not for everyone.

Seating distance and number of people you want to watch with are big factors in addition to light control to deciding what route to take.

With any set you get, you should get a calibration disc and dial in the contrast, brightness, color, sharpness, etc. (if you're not having it ISF calibrated).

I have some low res pics of the kind of results I was getting from my 480p DLP projector and my 720p LCD projector hosted here
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc..........3%20Projector/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu......web/3%20Projector/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...lin/web/3%20Projector/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/">https://mywebspace.wi............ector/</a></a></a></a>

EDIT: Just for example for what even a bit of light can do to image quality:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu......%209/Nemo%2005.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...20by%209/Nemo%2005.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/AE900U/New%20Room/Nemo%2016%20by%209/Nemo%2005.JPG">https://mywebspace.wi............o%2005.JPG</a></a></a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu......0light%20on%29.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...2C%20light%20on%29.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/AE900U/New%20Room/Nemo%2016%20by%209/Nemo%2005%20%28oops%2C%20light%20on%29.JPG">https://mywebspace.wi............0on%29.JPG</a></a></a></end quote></div>

Did you have a HD CRT? Price?</end quote></div>

Are you asking me?

Yeah I seen a direct view in some of those pics.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: montypythizzle
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: zCypher
Another way I was considering is projectors. Are there any projectors that live up to quality expectations for people like us? I like the convenience factor.

I have a chance at getting an 52" Hitachi TV for $600 (friends of gf can't fit it in their basement). I'm not sure what type it is yet.
</end quote></div>

The Hitachi is probably a Rear Projection CRT.

Projectors should only be considered if you can get your room well light controlled. Unless you can get your room very dark, then you'll easily wash-out the picture. The darkest black a front projection set can produce is the color of the surface you're projecting on, so the darker the room, the better.

If you're looking for a cinematic experience, I don't think front projection can be beaten. That said, direct view / rear projection sets certainly have a lot of advantages over front projection so it's not for everyone.

Seating distance and number of people you want to watch with are big factors in addition to light control to deciding what route to take.

With any set you get, you should get a calibration disc and dial in the contrast, brightness, color, sharpness, etc. (if you're not having it ISF calibrated).

I have some low res pics of the kind of results I was getting from my 480p DLP projector and my 720p LCD projector hosted here
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wi............Projector/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc..........3%20Projector/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu......web/3%20Projector/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...lin/web/3%20Projector/"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/">https://mywebspace.wi............r/</a></a></a></a></a>

EDIT: Just for example for what even a bit of light can do to image quality:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc........../Nemo%2005.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu......%209/Nemo%2005.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...20by%209/Nemo%2005.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/AE900U/New%20Room/Nemo%2016%20by%209/Nemo%2005.JPG">https://mywebspace.wi............05.JPG</a></a></a></a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc..........ht%20on%29.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu......0light%20on%29.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/sp...2C%20light%20on%29.JPG"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/3%20Projector/AE900U/New%20Room/Nemo%2016%20by%209/Nemo%2005%20%28oops%2C%20light%20on%29.JPG">https://mywebspace.wi............29.JPG</a></a></a></a></end quote></div>

Did you have a HD CRT? Price?</end quote></div>

Are you asking me?</end quote></div>

Yeah I seen a direct view in some of those pics.

Oh no, that was a 36" SD Wega. 210 pounds of fun

20" GE --> 24" Apex --> 36" Wega --> SP4805 (76") --> AE900U (102")

 

[microAmp]

I went with a Panasonic 42PX60U plasma last year. I read AVSForum to gather information about burn in issues and picture quality. PQ was said to be top notch and burn in wasn't an issue.

I'm very happy with the TV and don't have any burn in on it also, I ran the TV 100 hours on HBO with no bars on the side to make sure it didn't happen. All I get is image retention and that clears up in 10 minutes or so.