Plasma screen TV shopping

[Milkyman]

Hello OT goers
My sister is moving and planning to get a plasma screen TV setup and asked me for help on choosing one. However, I know next to nothing about AV equipment. I looked in the Video forum but it seems they talk about video cards not televisions. She specifically was looking at the displays for the Philips 42" 42FD9954 and the Samsung 42" SPN4235 at Best Buy. What issues do I have to keep in mind when choosing a plasma screen? What issues will there be with HDTV? Can you guys reccomend any TV sets or sites that I could find out more about them?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Don't plasma TVs "burn out" after about 5 years of usage?

- M4H

 

[Milkyman]

I don't think plasma screen TVs have been on the market for 5 years yet, but that would be very dissapointing if true.

 

[MrBond]

They have a lower lifetime compared to normal TVs, however, within daily useage, they'll last as long as any mid-quality CRTv.

Why plasma? Does she want to save space? If so, I guess that's a legit reason. If she's just buying it because it's expensive and the newest tech, she'd be better off buying a high end CRT HDTV and a projector for movies.

I thought I read somewhere that plasma TV's have the same "burn in" issues as projection TVs do with static images. So that's another consideration.

 

[Milkyman]

I think its because they look cool and are "gadgety" I'm sure I could convince her to go a different route if plasma looks like a bad bet.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: Milkyman
I think its because they look cool and are "gadgety" I'm sure I could convince her to go a different route if plasma looks like a bad bet.

If that's the case, nothing is cooler then a good projector and a nice motorized screen. Sure, plasma is cool, but a seven foot screen is SO much cooler

If lighting is really bad (ie: she has tons of windows) or doesn't want to put the screen down every time just to watch something (ie: this isn't just for movies, it's her everyday and only TV) then I'd suggest a lower end projector and a nice TV.

Right now, I would only buy a plasma display if I had a cool ten grand that I had no other use for (HA!). I think the tech is still pretty new, and the life issues I've heard about worry me a little to just drop 2-10k on a TV.

 

[CrazyHelloDeli]

Dont get Plasma. First off, theyre so GD expensive! Secondly, most people dont know, is that they have a very annoying problem of "humming". In loud places like Best Buy and Circut City, you cant here the hum, but in a quiet room its very noticable. You know that hum you get when you turn on youre CRT after its been in powersave for a while? Well it sounds like that but constant.

I know two people that have them, one being Pioneer other being Sony, and they both have the same thing. Would drive me nuts. Do a search on Google and you'll see what im talking about.

 

[Gunbuster]

Only get a plasma if you need to hang it on the wall, otherwise get a LCOS or DLP projo

 

[Milkyman]

what are LCOS and DLP?

 

[jagr10]

The gases in plasma tv do burn out after a certain period of time or hours of use. I don't know the exact details of it though. IMHO, i'd get the biggest tube tv you could find and use that. Nothing beats a tube. I think Sony has a 40" tube tv which is flat screen.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: Milkyman
what are LCOS and DLP?

I think that's a misprint, I think he ment LCD.

Here's an article done by a guy who works for monster cable (so ignore the 'Monster Cables are Better then God himself' propaganda), he talks about different options for large TV's for gamers. It's kind of vague though, so you may want to head over to http://www.hometheaterforum.com and read up there.

Article

 

[flot]

If she can afford the plasma, go for it. They don't have the best pictures available, but in terms of the "coolness factor" and the effect of having it in your room they can't be beat.

Do some reading over on http://www.avsforum.com - lots of good info there.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

CRT Front projection if you are able to tweak it every so often

DLP/LCD front projection if you want to set it and forget it.

Front projection > *

 

[thraxes]

Don't forget alot of Plasmas have cooling fans that are very annoying. Phosphor life is also not that great as someone already said. 5 Years of normal operating life is all you can expect with a plasma screen. Display still images alot and you take that lifespan down to about 2 years at the most.
They are cool, gotta say that and the cooling issue is not a problem with some tinkering: some just open up the thing and exchange the stock fans with quiet Panaflos or Papst fans - voids warranty though unless done by a professional TV repair guy. The image quality is also good when running off a high quality source but normal analog cable looks like crap. IMO plasma is a great technology with alot of potential but it is not 100% mature yet... maybe 80%.

If it where up to me though I would still get the Plasma, just because of space and coolness factors.

 

[Milkyman]

Originally posted by: MrBond

Originally posted by: Milkyman
what are LCOS and DLP?

I think that's a misprint, I think he ment LCD.

Here's an article done by a guy who works for monster cable (so ignore the 'Monster Cables are Better then God himself' propaganda), he talks about different options for large TV's for gamers. It's kind of vague though, so you may want to head over to http://www.hometheaterforum.com and read up there.

Article

Hey i read Penny-Arcade also, and I read the Hookup whenever its updated but thats pretty much where I got everything I DO know about av equipment.
Thanks guys, I'll check out the home theater forum and the avsforum.

 

[ElFenix]

plasmas are pretty nice. my roommate's parents have one. the picture is amazing. i wouldn't buy one though, simply because a projector is so much bigger for the same money

 

[Howard]

LCOS is a new type of TV/projector based on liquid crystal-on-silicon panels. Better resolution, greater contrast ratio, smaller pixel pitch, etc.

 

[0roo0roo]

tv's that can't display black? iew.

 

[Gunbuster]

I think that's a misprint, I think he ment LCD.

not a misprint
the Toshiba LCOS set has me drooling, 1920x1080 sounds yummy

Preview

Toshiba page

Now I just need a cool $9000

 

[stev0]

Originally posted by: NuclearFusi0n
CRT Front projection if you are able to tweak it every so often

DLP/LCD front projection if you want to set it and forget it.

Front projection > *

 

[toant103]

i want a plasma tv

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: thraxes
Don't forget alot of Plasmas have cooling fans that are very annoying. Phosphor life is also not that great as someone already said. 5 Years of normal operating life is all you can expect with a plasma screen. Display still images alot and you take that lifespan down to about 2 years at the most.
They are cool, gotta say that and the cooling issue is not a problem with some tinkering: some just open up the thing and exchange the stock fans with quiet Panaflos or Papst fans - voids warranty though unless done by a professional TV repair guy. The image quality is also good when running off a high quality source but normal analog cable looks like crap. IMO plasma is a great technology with alot of potential but it is not 100% mature yet... maybe 80%.

If it where up to me though I would still get the Plasma, just because of space and coolness factors.

It will last LONGER then 5 years with *standard* usage. Between 10'000-15'000 hrs of usage. Thats works out to be 5-6yrs WITH watching tv for *6 HOURS* EVERY single day. I'm sure it will get less then 6hrs usage a day.

Burn isn't an issue with current plasma screens now a days. Also guys WHEN are you goign to leave a static image on the screen for hours on end? Sureyou get a logo in the corner of a program but it will go away also. No worse then a CRT.