Sharpest pixels? LED, LCD, or Plasma?

[shortylickens]

I'm thinking of getting us a new TV for Xmas, probably 42-46 inches. It will definitely be 1080p and a good name brand. Probably not Sony cuz they've been making me angry lately.

I got used to an HD CRT so I am kind of a stickler for image quality. Most of the models I see at Walmart have severe ghosting issues. Also many of them have big ugly pixels even when viewing HD content. I dont think I am going to learn much by window shopping, so I wanted to ask you guys what you think. Will probably be making my purchase online.

If I like it I will give my CRT to an old folks home or something.

 

[JAG87]

First things first, LCD = LED, it's the same thing.

Second of all, if you notice ghosting (and hence, loss of temporal resolution) in LCD, then plasma is the closest thing we have to a CRT. Go with a Panasonic ST before their plasmas are gone for good.

 

[shortylickens]

Are you sure ALL lcd has LED backlighting? Cuz I didnt think that was true.

 

[gus6464]

An LED backlit TV is still an LCD which is what he was trying to say. Plasma is for all intent and purposes dead as Panasonic has ceased production. Also the reason you see ghosting on store LCDs is because they are set to retina-burn demo mode. Once you set them to normal color levels it's not as noticeable. You also can't go wrong with a decent 120Hz Samsung, Sony, or LG set. Even the new Vizio's are not bad as long as you stick with 120Hz.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Best tv image quality = plasma

Best be a monitor, run Windows desktop at 40 inches = Nice LED

 

[sdifox]

Are you sure ALL lcd has LED backlighting? Cuz I didnt think that was true.

Unless you go for older model/lower brand, most new LCD TVs have LED lighting.

 

[shortylickens]

It looks like all Panasonic ever had was 50 inches and above. Thats too big and too expensive for me.

Looks like it will be LCD.

 

[gus6464]

It looks like all Panasonic ever had was 50 inches and above. Thats too big and too expensive for me.

Looks like it will be LCD.

Go to AVS forums and look at the different TV threads. On a lot of them people will get their sets calibrated and post the settings there. Months ago I recommended a Samsung 50" plasma to friends and was really cheap too at $500 on clearance. After using the calibrated settings from the thread the TV looked really damn good for the price.

This was the TV but it's 51" so might be too big.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/51-class-50-3-4-diag--plasma-1080p-600hz-hdtv/8239047.p?id=1218866283709&skuId=8239047&st=categoryid$abcat0101001&cp=1&lp=2#tab=overview

I think I still have the calibration settings if you want them.

 

[Crow550]

What do you plan to use this TV most for? Watching stuff or gaming? PC gaming?

How far will you be sitting from this TV?

Everyone has there own two cents on Plasma & LCD. Both have +'s and -'s. You need to come to a conclusion yourself really. Both are good just find what you really want out of a set....

If you get an LED based LCD make sure it has local dimming. <-- May be named something else depending on the brand. I keep mine on low and the black levels are great.

What about 3D? Which you don't need to use all the time. If you are a PC gamer then you can use something like Tridef and play most PC games in 3D. Most Smart TVs offer 3D rental services too. Plus Xbox One & PS4 will offer more 3D gaming support too.

Then there is Passive vs Active. If you sit far enough from the TV then any major difference between them will not be noticeable plus Passive has cheaper glasses. Again though this is something where you need to look at both, check peoples opinions if you want and decide yourself.

If you're a PC gamer if you get a set that can handle it you can game in 120hz: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2350107

If you have a Costco membership go see what they have as they give you a two year warranty plus you can extend it for a decent price. If you get a good deal on a set and adding in an extended warranty still makes it a good deal then consider it.

Also Costco often sells Display/Returned models for a discounted price with the same return/exchange and Warranty as the new boxed sets.

So let's say you get a set you love for an awesome price but it has back lighting issues and Costco doesn't carry that model anymore. You can have a repair person replace the panel on it or if they do have any in stock they will exchange it. Just an example.

Remember all this stuff is mass produced and sometimes defects can happen. Always check everything out and if it has an issue you can get it exchanged or fixed.

As far as brands go.... Most brands will have some great and alright models when they come out with there new ones each year.

So pick some TVs that look good to you then check out the Customer & Professional reviews online as well as tweak guides. Don't know what a "good name brand" is as I've seen crappy models from all of them. So just do research for sets you like in terms of features and your budget.

Most in store displays have brightness cranked too high and other settings out of whack too. Or crappy content. So it's kinda hard to judge on that alone.

If you need any additional Home Theater stuff check out Monoprice: www.monoprice.com as well as NewEgg & Amazon.

 

[poofyhairguy]

It looks like all Panasonic ever had was 50 inches and above.

Wrong

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/panason...0000318af192&gclid=COys_cCXvboCFURp7Aod8gwAYA

 

[desura]

IMO, plasma offered the best picture quality. Shame to see it get tossed away like so.

LCD is great for all reasons other than PQ. Lower energy consumption, slimmer/lighter, can achieve high resolutions more easily.

But plasma IMO is superior by a lot to LCD.

 

[Meghan54]

Wrong

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/panasoni...FURp7Aod8gwAYA

Yeah, that comment about 50" being the smallest made me laugh as I sit in my office, watching TV on my 42" Panasonic plasma.

 

[Crow550]

IMO, plasma offered the best picture quality. Shame to see it get tossed away like so.

LCD is great for all reasons other than PQ. Lower energy consumption, slimmer/lighter, can achieve high resolutions more easily.

But plasma IMO is superior by a lot to LCD.

What about image retention on Plasma which happens when an image is static for a bit then goes away. I recall when I was watching a friend's Plasma and we're watching The Descent 2 I think and when it faded to black you could still see the Woman that was still screaming for a little bit. Same with gaming.

I also recall a grey border when watching 4:3 content. Don't know if all Plasmas are like this. Otherwise it did look great.

I can see both sides on LCD & Plasma. It all depends what you're happy with really.

 

[Pacfanweb]

IMO, plasma offered the best picture quality. Shame to see it get tossed away like so.

LCD is great for all reasons other than PQ. Lower energy consumption, slimmer/lighter, can achieve high resolutions more easily.

But plasma IMO is superior by a lot to LCD.

Agree.

CNET's "best TV for picture quality" rankings for this year went like this:

1. Top Panasonic Plasma.
2. Second tier Panasonic Plasma
3. Top Samsung Plasma
4. Third Panasonic Plasma, the ST60, which was also their highest-rated TV ever, due to the price.

 

[Crow550]

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-tvs/

Well if you want 3D there top pick has the worst 3D performance. Also bad input lag if you're a gamer. Not good if you watch in a bright room at all. According to the review. So again it all depends on what you want out of a TV.... Everyone will have a different opinion.

Course that TV is a bit big for what the OP is looking for.... So: http://reviews.cnet.com/best-33-43-inch-tvs/
and http://reviews.cnet.com/best-44-49-inch-tvs/ if by Cnet. Don't just check one place. Look around. Also see what Customers think too.

 

[Meghan54]

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-tvs/

Well if you want 3D there top pick has the worst 3D performance. Also bad input lag if you're a gamer. Not good if you watch in a bright room at all. According to the review. So again it all depends on what you want out of a TV.... Everyone will have a different opinion.

I'm sorry, but that made me laugh coffee out my nose.

Worst for 3D.....as if anyone in their right mind has used 3D as a make-or-break decision point for buying a TV.

Despite the media and television manufacturers constantly trying to convince you that 3D is important, 3D as a current tech has flopped harder than an NBA star.....or even harder than a soccer player.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Plasma (especially modern Panasonic plasma) has the best motion resolution. It is just amazing watching an action movie or sports. I always nail the replay before the officials or announcers do. You can't get that in an LCD/LED.

 

[shortylickens]

I have no intention of using 3D. If the device doesnt include it and is cheaper that would make me very happy.

 

[Crow550]

I'm sorry, but that made me laugh coffee out my nose.

Worst for 3D.....as if anyone in their right mind has used 3D as a make-or-break decision point for buying a TV.

Despite the media and television manufacturers constantly trying to convince you that 3D is important, 3D as a current tech has flopped harder than an NBA star.....or even harder than a soccer player.

Well guess me brain is all crazy then.... I wanted a 3D set for my PC for my own reasons.

I use it often when playing PC games and picked Passive as with the Tridef software I can still play in 1080P 60hz without having to play in 720P 60hz with Active. Even sometimes take advantage of the two player split screen/full screen mode when playing some two player games. Do own a few 3D flicks and have rented some too.

I'm not claiming that 3D isn't currently a niche thing. For some like myself and the people at http://www.mtbs3d.com & http://www.avsforum.com/f/193/3d-central we enjoy our niche.

I don't see the 3D feature going away anytime soon.... As both Passive & Active is always improving and Glasses Free on the way.

I can easily see why 3D sets may not be flying off shelves for several reasons and they need to over come these to make it more worth it for the masses.... The main is content and the way it's offered.... Instead of just offering the 3D version on a regular Blu-Ray release they charge extra which unless you look for sales is ridiculous for the amount they charge for the 3D version.

Also disc based rentals.... Last I checked there are none. Digital rentals are spotty and again with an added price. Netflix Instant surprisingly does carry some decent 3D Titles. A few.... YouTube has some neat stuff....

3D TV channels.... Would be nice to have some OTA channels as well as cable / satellite but it just hasn't got there yet. Most content in either on disc or online.

Then comes gaming which the Xbox360 has a few and the PS3 has a few more.... Well see what the next gen offers....

Which is why I choose to use this with my PC as I can play most of my games in 3D and it looks awesome which was the main reason I got it and I am happy with it.

Everyone has there own reason on what they want out of a specific set. No need to call anyone who may enjoy 3D crazy because it doesn't fit your believe system.

 

[Crow550]

So OP do you have your eye on any specific sets? Go as big as you can. So according to your OP.... 46" or 47".

How far you will be sitting from the TV will determine if you're better off with a 720P or 1080P set like I explained in my previous posts.

On the whole Plasma VS. LCD.... Try doing a simple Google Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=plasma+vs+lcd

In the end find a set you know you'll be happy with and snag it. Seek deals as TVs are always having sales somewhere.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Agree.

CNET's "best TV for picture quality" rankings for this year went like this:

1. Top Panasonic Plasma.
2. Second tier Panasonic Plasma
3. Top Samsung Plasma
4. Third Panasonic Plasma, the ST60, which was also their highest-rated TV ever, due to the price.

From an enthusiast perspective, Panasonic's decision to stop making plasmas is baffling and disappointing.

I just checked the Consumer Reports "Recommended" TV list, and like CNET the top sets in all size categories above 42" are plasmas.

So I guess those of us who like to watch movies in the dark are going to be SOL for the next few years. I just bought a 50" ST50 last year and wish I could afford a larger one before they go extinct.

 

[Midwayman]

So I guess those of us who like to watch movies in the dark are going to be SOL for the next few years. I just bought a 50" ST50 last year and wish I could afford a larger one before they go extinct.

Yah its kinda sad. I wasn't planning on getting a TV just yet but had to order a ST60 before they went away for good. LCD just sucks ass if you like your dark to be dark.