Plasma vs. LCD TVs

[pookguy88]

Thinking of getting a new TV in the near future and i'm pretty sure it will be a panel (i.e. no DLP), which do u guys think is better and why?

 

[QuantumPion]

The choice between LCD and Plasma is only about screen size, since these two don't share the same ranges. If you want a flat panel that is 30-42", you have to get an LCD. If you want a flat panel that is 42-60", then you have to get a plasma.

I have a 50" plasma, although I am going to sell it to get a projector, btw.

 

[halfadder]

Get a projector instead, best bang for the buck. If your room is dark enough, go for a 3 chip LCD projector. If your room has some ambient light, get a single or 3 chip DLP projector.

As for Plasma vs LCD... I have noticed that good plasmas look better than good LCDs. The good plasmas seem to have better color, better viewing angle, more even lighting, darker blacks. BUT... to match the resolution of LCD, you have to spend a small fortune on a Plasma. LCD is far cheaper for midrange quality.

I prefer rear projection TVs. I like CRT based projection TVs the best, but they require a darker room and are very heavy, very large. Second best is a DLP projection TV, but my eyes can see the "rainbow" effect on single chip DLP projectors, which means I would need a 3 chip model, which gets expensive again.

 

[AllGamer]

Not sure where you are.

But the best place to check this out is actually to go in Person to places like Best Buy, Future Shop, Circuit City, Radio Shack, etc... and compare them by your own eyes.

everybody has different perception to what is good or not in the LCD vs. Plasma vs. CRT vs. Projectors battle.

LCD last longer uses less power, but looks crappy to me

Plasma are Very Nice like CRT quality, but Plasma from what've read so far, dies very fast due heat, worse than CRTs

Projector is what seems to be the best of both worlds, the only draw back is that you need a dark place and a nice wall to get a Great Picture.

 

[halfadder]

Plasma is hot, heavy, and loud (due to the cooling fan). Burn-in is big problem with plasma too.

LCD is your best bet if you want a 32" widescreen TV.

Projector is pretty sweet if you have the space.

 

[QuantumPion]

Originally posted by: halfadder
Plasma is hot, heavy, and loud (due to the cooling fan). Burn-in is big problem with plasma too.

Not since the early 90's. Burn in is insignificant, and is just as susceptible as LCD's. They are not any bigger then LCD's, and they aren't all that heavy. The fan is nearly silent, I think mine is about 25 dB.

And again, if we are talking only about flat panels, your choice is limited by the size of the screen. In general, LCD's only go up to 42", and plasmas are 42" and up.

 

[AllGamer]

the Same size "price wise", Plasma are cheaper than LCD of the same size, even for high quality ones.

 

[Ken90630]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but does anyone know if the whole HDCP thing pertains to high-def televisions like it does to computer monitors? In other words, are we all gonna need "HDCP compliant" televisions to view high-def DVDs (Blu-Ray & HD DVD), or are all commercial high-def televisions already compliant and "legal"?

Along the same lines, are broadcasters going to start broadcasting their high-def TV signals (cable, satellite, whatever) with HDCP, thus requiring that even 'regular' high-def programming be viewed on an HDCP-compliant TV? :evil:

OP -- A word of advice: Try to get a set with a cable card, and, if you can (and can afford it), get one that's capable of displaying "true 1080p" resolution. 1080p is the highest resolution there is, and while there is little or no programming right now to take advantage of it, there may be in the future. You might as well get one now that's 1080p capable so you don't have to run the risk of needing/wanting to upgrade later on.

 

[hndsmpete]

I have a toshiba dlp and love it. It does 1080i, and 1080p is not worth it in my eyes . Hell most channels arent even digital yet, so once 2009 comes around i say get 1080p, but right now 1080p is way to expensive. I cant even really tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p at where i sit. Go to best buy or something look at what the price range is and then decide, thats how i came to the conclusion that my dlp was worth the 1800 bucks i spent on it. If you do deside to go dlp, make sure it has the hd2+ chip, much better.

 

[secretanchitman]

up to 37", LCD is the way to go.

42" and above, plasma is better.

i would go to stores (worst...i mean best buy, frys, and whomever else) and see the displays for yourself.

as for the 1080p, i would wait until blu-ray, hd-dvd, ps3 all come out. then you will see how true 1080p looks like. or you can just view a movie trailer from apple.com/trailers in 1080p.