Plasma vs. LCD

[bigpern23]

Not really ready to make a purchase of a new flat screen TV, but I'm starting to do some research and thought I'd pose the question to the board: What are the plusses and minuses of LCD and Plasma screen TVs. Has there been a consensus of which is better? Which looks better? Lasts longer? If anyone knows some of the differences, the input would be useful.

 

[slappy4428]

Plasma burns out relatively quickly compared to LCD. However, the resolution is higher.
Saw a 37" Dell LCD tonight and while I like it, it was too damn high.
Look into Vizio... it's cheaper and picture clarity is solid...

 

[Lucas Wiseman]

I just bought a Samsung 32" LCD HDTV and I love it.... LOVE IT. The LCD's weigh less than the Plasma's I'm told... my TV probably weighs 40 pounds? A big difference from my old television. Once you watch HDTV, nothing ever looks the same again.

 

[bigpern23]

Plasma burns out relatively quickly compared to LCD. However, the resolution is higher.
Saw a 37" Dell LCD tonight and while I like it, it was too damn high.
Look into Vizio... it's cheaper and picture clarity is solid...

Any idea how quick you're looking at before a plasma burns out? Are we talking 2 years, 5 years, 10?

 

[slappy4428]

Plasma burns out relatively quickly compared to LCD. However, the resolution is higher.
Saw a 37" Dell LCD tonight and while I like it, it was too damn high.
Look into Vizio... it's cheaper and picture clarity is solid...

Any idea how quick you're looking at before a plasma burns out? Are we talking 2 years, 5 years, 10?

Tuesday...


Seriously, a good LCD screen should go for like 60,000 hours (they figure 27 years of normal use, but we'll see).
Plasma is not that much, but not sure how much it actually is.

 

[Matamoros Blues]

I'm looking at either a 46" or 50" LCD. You can get a screen burn with a Plasma. You know, that logo everyone has on the bottom right of the screen. Leave it on the same channel for a few hours and the logo is there forever. LCD's also do weigh much less than Plasmas.

 

[OTD]

The answer is neither--go with DLP. I've got a Samsung 50" DLP and the picture's great. Second choice would be LCD, third is plasma. Not only can you get burn-in, but if one of those tiny tubes goes out, you're hosed.

 

[Matamoros Blues]

OTD,

I need a side view. The room is 27' long and 16' wide. How many inches does your DLP come out from the wall?

 

[Jack_Kerouac]

The answer is neither--go with DLP. I've got a Samsung 50" DLP and the picture's great. Second choice would be LCD, third is plasma. Not only can you get burn-in, but if one of those tiny tubes goes out, you're hosed.

Yes, but DLPs require a new bulb every few years, which can run you as much as 300 bucks.

 

[Lugnuts]

I have a plasma and an LCD (hey - I work in TV, gotta be able to see HD.) ;D

My plasma is a Sony I got circa 2001. My LCD is the Sony Bravia I just got.

As far as HD goes, the plasma still has a better picture. Go figure.

Film looks about the same on both (this includes your 'CSIs,' your 'Grey's Anatomy' type shows, etc., as does relatively still video-- think "Sunrise Earth" and other such HD fare.

But as for sports, and let's face it, that's what most of us want to watch in HD... the "motion" is crisper on the plasma. LCD has a little more trouble with motion. I'm nitpicking, though.

Downside to the plasma (at least mine)... The whole TV heats up. You have to keep it well-ventilated. The TV comes with a fan on it, which, in my opinion, makes for less crisp audio. I love the audio on my LCD.

The Sony Bravia was rated very high by Consumer Reports, and so far, I have no complaints.

No burn-in whatsoever on my plasma, but I'm careful with it.

 

[DocTalk]

Where you put the Tv also makes a difference. Plasma screens have a glass covering and light reflection can be a problem. LCD doesn't have the glass and will do better in sunlit rooms, or thiose with overhead lights that can reflect.

Check out the difference at your local electronics store with its bright overhead lights and see how much reflection there is on the plasma set.

 

[shotglass]

I know we could throw every name in the world out there and really confuse him, but I've had a Sony 60-inch screen for about six months now that I believe has the best picture, best angled view, best HD image I've seen.

The technology is neither plasma nor LCD; it's called WEGA. Ask about it when you go look at big-screens.

 

[Trust NoOne]

ooohkay then.

Plasma and LCD both have their plusses and minuses. Although I have to say in general that plasmas tend to be slower than most LCDs in terms of motion (which is in opposition to what was written above). Plasma has better viewing angles and tends to have better color depth.

If you plan to watch sports and action movies, you'd be better off with an LCD, in my opinion. I plan to ditch the 55-inch CRT RPTV in my bedroom and replace it next year with an LCD panel.

And yes, DLP is great...but not for everyone. Some people see fringing, a momentary rainbow effect when they move their eyes...about 5 percent of the population. I see it, but still love my 62-inch Mits DLP. You might also consider a front projector...you can a much bigger picture now, even in a moderately lit room, and it takes up much less space and costs less. Plus, it's a blast to play games on. I have one lighting up a 72-inch 4x3 screen in my home office. It's quite cool.

 

[Overrated]

ooohkay then.

Plasma and LCD both have their plusses and minuses. Although I have to say in general that plasmas tend to be slower than most LCDs in terms of motion (which is in opposition to what was written above). Plasma has better viewing angles and tends to have better color depth.

If you plan to watch sports and action movies, you'd be better off with an LCD, in my opinion. I plan to ditch the 55-inch CRT RPTV in my bedroom and replace it next year with an LCD panel.

And yes, DLP is great...but not for everyone. Some people see fringing, a momentary rainbow effect when they move their eyes...about 5 percent of the population. I see it, but still love my 62-inch Mits DLP. You might also consider a front projector...you can a much bigger picture now, even in a moderately lit room, and it takes up much less space and costs less. Plus, it's a blast to play games on. I have one lighting up a 72-inch 4x3 screen in my home office. It's quite cool.

Did I see you on "Cribs?"

 

[bigpern23]

I know we could throw every name in the world out there and really confuse him, but I've had a Sony 60-inch screen for about six months now that I believe has the best picture, best angled view, best HD image I've seen.

The technology is neither plasma nor LCD; it's called WEGA. Ask about it when you go look at big-screens.

I own a WEGA now (actually, two). Heavy sumbitches. Great picture, but not HD ready and big and bulky. When I eventually upgrade, it will be to a flat-panel.

BTW, anybody seen the new blu-ray DVDs yet? The picture is unbelievable. I think they're running about $999 right now, but when they come down, I'll be picking one up (I'm assuming that with the head start it's getting, blu-ray is going to beat out the other new DVD platform -- can't remember the name -- that it's supposed to have a VHS/BetaMax-style war with).

 

[shotglass]

I own a WEGA now (actually, two). Heavy sumbitches. Great picture, but not HD ready and big and bulky. When I eventually upgrade, it will be to a flat-panel.

Hmmmm ... I'm watching the LLWS in HD right now.

 

[leo1]

damn this sure is complicated. i might be an old man (though i'm only 33) but i long for the old days when buying a TV was simpler.

this is probably an overly simplistic thought here but one thing i noticed with my brother's 32 inch TV (not sure if it's plasma, LCD, WEGA or what) is that you basically need a bigger TV than you needed with the old kind of TVs. in other the picture on his 32 incher is smaller than on my 32-inch massive old style TV, so i'd want a minimum 37-inches once i enter the flat screen realm.

 

[RAMBO]

A friend of mine gots the LCD flat screen tv and says the graphics are out of this world.

 

[Trust NoOne]

Did I see you on "Cribs?"

No, but you did see me in Home Theater magazine.

 

[FantasyAlliance.cm]

LSD is better.