What TV should I buy?

[Gunslinger08]

So, I currently have a smaller (26") LCD TV, which I'm looking to replace. It has trouble displaying deep blacks, so I lose out on a lot of detail in darker shows and movies. I'm looking to buy a 45-50" TV, but I'm not sure whether to get a newer LCD or Plasma. Has LCD contrast improved enough that I won't be squinting to see during dark scenes? Which models would you recommend?

For reference, I'll be viewing this in a room without windows, with one standard ceiling fan/light about 4 feet from the TV. My typical viewing distance is 5-8 feet.

 

[hans030390]

I'd think for bigger TVs you'd want plasma...usually TVs that big in LCD are LCD projection TVs...

We have an LCD projection TV, and we love it. Personally, I like it better than most plasma TVs.

But if it's between regular LCD and Plasma, I'd say plasma. It's probably cheaper too.

 

[QED]

LCD has come quite a way in their black level performance, but plasma is still quite a bit better in that regards.

LCD is also expensive for the larger screen-- in fact, I'm not even aware of a widely available 50" LCD (non-projection) TV. You could get a 42" LCD TV, but they are quite expensive ($2500+).

The major advantages of LCD over plasma is basically brightness (LCDs are brighter than most plasmas), glare (LCDs usually have good anti-glare coatings while plasma glass can be quite reflective), and power consumption. However, in your case it sounds like the first two won't really be issues at all given your room condition.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Have you looked at this year's Samsung DLPs, like the 46" HLS-4666? It's about $1,500 at Best Buy.

The 42" Panasonic plasmas are supposed to be quite good and reasonbly priced. 50" seems way too big for 4-5 foot distance.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: QED
LCD has come quite a way in their black level performance, but plasma is still quite a bit better in that regards.

LCD is also expensive for the larger screen-- in fact, I'm not even aware of a widely available 50" LCD (non-projection) TV. You could get a 42" LCD TV, but they are quite expensive ($2500+).

The major advantages of LCD over plasma is basically brightness (LCDs are brighter than most plasmas), glare (LCDs usually have good anti-glare coatings while plasma glass can be quite reflective), and power consumption. However, in your case it sounds like the first two won't really be issues at all given your room condition.

42" LCD panels will be >$2k this fall. If you hunt around you can find them at that price now.

The current generation of LCD has black level performance equal to that of most mid-priced plasmas. Hi-end plasma will still smoke LCD in that category but most people aren't looking for $3500+ 42" panels. In the $2k price range LCD wins. Comparable black levels, great color saturation and considerably longer life expectancy. The next generation (coming out right now) will be even better.

Expect LCD sizes in the 47" range to debut at the $4k price point with a rapid drop to $3500. Most major brands will have one available some time between August and October.

With the OP's viewing distance at less than 8' he should be thinking 42" LCD.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Have you looked at this year's Samsung DLPs, like the 46" HLS-4666? It's about $1,500 at Best Buy.

The 42" Panasonic plasmas are supposed to be quite good and reasonbly priced. 50" seems way too big for 4-5 foot distance.

DLP won't work for my viewing angle - about 2-3 below the TV, and about 4 feet off center.

 

[LanceM]

I'd suggest sticking closer to 40" than 50" if your viewing distance is 5-8 ft.

EDIT: What are you doing on this? Movies? Gaming? Any PC work?

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: LanceM
I'd suggest sticking closer to 40" than 50" if your viewing distance is 5-8 ft.

EDIT: What are you doing on this? Movies? Gaming? Any PC work?

90% of the time, watching TV. The rest of the time, watching movies. I go through phases of gaming, and I'm sure in the next few months I'll start playing PS2/PS3.

 

[igowerf]

I recently got the Samsung LN-S4095D (40" 1080p LCD). After tweaking it a bit, it looks gorgeous and comparable to plasmas. The only downside is that it only has VGA input for PC and there seems to be a bit of banding when viewing PC content. I have two large posts in the avsforum thread for the S4696D/S4096D TVs describing the pros and cons.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8011711&&#post8011711

My viewing distance is about 6 feet away and the 40" actually seems a bit too big. I'm considering returning it for the Aquos 37d90u.

 

[DaveSimmons]

^ good choice on the Samsung LCD, I considered it too before settling on a DLP.

The Westinghouse 42" LCD is supposed to be an excellent value as well, though it has some quirks that a recemt firmware upgrade is supposed to help with. A long thread on this one too at AVSForum.com

 

[microAmp]

I have a Panasonic 42PX60U, I love it. Head on over to www.AVSforum.com and see what people there recommend. Plasma is good for black levels, the 42PX60U was said to achieve BTB (Blacker Than Black) and I would imagine the 50"+ range of Panasonics might do the same, once again check AVSForum to see if people are saying BTB on 50"+ plasmas.

When you go to retail stores, don't forget to play around with the menus. My parents have a 32" Westinghouse LCD and I wasn't impressed with the menu compared the Panasonic one I have, mainly for adding or removing channels. Sometimes stores use Vivid mode which, IMO has bad skin tones, just change it to Standard or Cinema.

If you are worried about "burn in", one reviewer of the Panasonic 42PX60U tried to see if it would burn in by watching soccer game all day, with the black bars on left and right side, never had a problem.

The one bad thing about Panasonic plasma tv's, and not sure about other plasma makers, is that when using the Faroudja chip in DVD players, for upconversion, you will get macroblocking. Though one claimed on AVSForum that they were able to get rid of MB using this DVD Player. http://www.oppodigital.com/opdv971h.html

 

[MrChad]

I recently bought a Panasonic 42PX60U plasma and I love it. I found a great deal online as well; if you're interested, PM me.

 

[Blazin Trav]

LCD hands down. I have heard plasmas die out after a certain number of years.

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
LCD hands down. I have heard plasmas die out after a certain number of years.

LCDs do too, but they generally last longer than plasmas.

 

[0roo0roo]

my guess is at the cheaper end lcds have higher native resolution

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
LCD hands down. I have heard plasmas die out after a certain number of years.

Most modern plasmas have a half-life of 60,000 hours. That's 4 hours a day for over 40 years.

 

[Blazin Trav]

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
LCD hands down. I have heard plasmas die out after a certain number of years.

Most modern plasmas have a half-life of 60,000 hours. That's 4 hours a day for over 40 years.

I think it was the colors washing out... I'm not sure... I just remember a lot of complaints about them acting strange after a few years of life.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
LCD hands down. I have heard plasmas die out after a certain number of years.

Most modern plasmas have a half-life of 60,000 hours. That's 4 hours a day for over 40 years.

I think it was the colors washing out... I'm not sure... I just remember a lot of complaints about them acting strange after a few years of life.

That may have been true of earlier generations, but plasmas purchased within the last few years can last a long time with no image degradation. The key is to care for them properly, especially during the "break-in" period at the beginning. By calibrating the set and lowering the brightness and contrast, there's no reason a good plasma can't last for years.

Check out this white paper (PDF) on plasma myths.

 

[aeroguy]

Plasmas are much better for TV viewing and especially watching movies (I have both LCD and plasma) but if you have a lot of static images, like if you are a heavy gamer, I'd pick LCD.

 

[RichUK]

Plasma has a better picture IMO.

I have a philips 32inch Plasma and a Sony 32inch LCD. Both HD of course.

The philips plasma has better clarity and colour depth from my observation.

 

[Blazin Trav]

Depends what LCD you have.

If you have a nice LCD TV or not. The nicer ones have a high contrast ratio.

Example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16889102051

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: RichUK
Plasma has a better picture IMO.

I have a philips 32inch Plasma and a Sony 32inch LCD. Both HD of course.

The philips plasma has better clarity and colour depth from my observation.

I wasn't aware plasma tv's came in HD (1280x720) resolution at 32inches. The 1024x768 is 'technically' HD via the HD spec but f0ck me I'd feel robbed with them shafting 20% of the horizontal resolution!

Koing

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
my guess is at the cheaper end lcds have higher native resolution

Yes but resolution is not the be all and end all of 'image quality'.

Go list up a few of the brands in your price range and a few that are 200-300 over of LCD and Plasmas.

Look at them and see what looks 'best for your eyes' and situation. If LCD looked best for my eyes I'd sure as hell get that, but for me I like the image quality of Plasma tv's and will go that route.

This is like the Nikon Vs Canon debate. If you like ones image quality/ useability/ features more go with that one. It doesn't matter too much what other people think or so.

Like the speaker cable debate. Try a bunch out and if you can't tell the difference between $1 per metre cable to $10 or $50 cable go with the ones your happy paying a certain level for.

A lot of people like LCD images but for me it looks too plasticky and artificial on fleshtones.

Koing

 

[ultravox]

DLP ...Samsung to be exact.
Seeing is believing

 

[potato28]

The Sharp Aquos LCD's are amazing. I have a 26" one from last year, but the black levels are great, response time is good, and feature packed. Only prob is that it has 1 VGA port thats shared on the HDMI interface.