LCD vs Plasma

[Tim Gray]

Okay, I'm finally ready to enter the flat screen HDTV world.

Any opinions on LCD vs Plasma?? Any good websites for research??

I'm shooting for around 36"-42" size.

Thanks

[davidre]

I would go for an LCD. The risk with plasma is getting a burn-in effect and having images hanging around the TV screen when you don't want them to. Although, they may have fixed that by now, I'm not sure. Also, I think LCD TVs have a longer lifespan than plasma. I have a Sharp Aquos 42 inch LCD and it's been great.

[Adam Gamradt]

My old 32 inch CRT style died last year, and we picked up a 42 inch LCD from Westinghouse. We're very happy with it.

Currently there's a 1080P version for sale at Best Buy for about 1k. I have the 1080i version, but paid less than that. To be honest, unless you have an HD DVD player, the 1080P doesn't do much, since the standard HD cable signal is only 1080i. 1080P is almost too real, to be honest, I don't want to see Denny Green's jowls in life like detail.

I would highly recommend Westinghouse, no frills, nice simple minimal case design and small footprint, and a great picture.

[Rob Graff]

I have LCD's as well, and have for around 2 years.

My Aquos 37 inch has worked quite well, although I'm having some issues with one internal technical glitch.

My Panasonic 32 inch is used less often, but has been great.

Adam's comments re: 1080i and p are spot on.

Rob

[LaxRef]

I had an LCD in a hotel room a few weeks ago and watched some football on it. I didn't like it; the motion was kind of jerky. I don't know if all LCD TVs are like that, but it made me have second thoughts.

[OAKS]

LCD tv's can suffer burn-in as well. Here's a good graphic to help you with what resolution you want.



In the end it's not going to matter too much between Plasma vs LCD. The technologies have both matured enough to the point that you're not going to see a big difference if you go with quality brands.

The biggest thing you need to do is to actually go see the TV somewhere. DO NOT buy a TV online without seeing it live in person. You'll find LCD's with lag and artifacts. You'll see some plasmas with them as well. There are no-name LCD's that look gorgeous, and some brand-name LCD's that look like garbage. Don't get hung up on what the salespeople tell you. Find the TVs with the inputs you need (HDMI? DVI? Component?, etc) and then find the best picture quality in your price range among those TVs.

[onpoint]

According to the salespeople (not necessarily reliable) but the burn-in has been pretty well eliminated in most of the new Plasma technology. We got a Panasonic 50" Plasma several months ago and we love it. Only problem is that we have to have Comcast, which is not the best HD option out there.

[Gvlax]

i dont know if i will ever trust a sales person on screen burn since they want you to buy a tv from them. I like the reviews of LCDs Plasma and Rear Projection tvs from cnet.com

[peterwho]

As Will said, look at the actual product (not even a close relative) that you are going to purchase.

When comparing two or more products, reset the picture parameters to "factory defaults" and go from there. I had a salesman "push" one set over another who took great offense when I reset the two sets only to discover that the one he said was so great had a couple of the parameters maxed out in a "positive" sense, while the other set was maxed out in a "negative" way. The contrast and brightness of his set was terrible compared to the other set.

Good luck!

[Gvlax]

i dont believe anything is being broad casted in 1080p as of yet because it is too much bandwidth. I read this on Cnet.com and found it interesting that sales people are pushing 1080p when you will be watching 780p on the tv. I believe the first thing to be broad casted in 1080p will be DVD's but when they find a way to increase bandwidth on cable it will then be offered.

[Sonny]

Only problem is that we have to have Comcast, which is not the best HD option out there.

Cable is horrible about compressing HD signals. Depending on where your live (in relation to the TV antennas), OTA (over the air antenna aka the good ole rabbit ears) is actually a better option for network HD programming.

[ZagGrad]

I'm doing the exact same thing now...

I've found that CNET offers the best write ups and ratings along with customer reviews. From there, I go to best buy or circuit city to read more reviews.

I've been researching for about 6 months now and, originally, I was sold on LCD, but because I'll primarily be watching sports and movies (not a gamer at all) I'm leaning towards a plasma. Most burn-in problems have been resolved and are really not as big of an issue anymore.

I've found that Panasonic and Samsung rank high for both LCDs and Plasma.

[laxfan25]

In the "distant past" plasma was the only option (outside of rear projection) for larger (50"+ screens) because they weren't making LCD panels that large yet. Reviews also tout the true blacks and richer colors with plasma. Last winter we bought a 50" Panansonic plasma for $1,600 after our other TV died and I'm very happy with it. I don't think there is a huge difference with LCD though, and if the price is cheaper I'd go that route. We did switch from Comcast cable to Dish Network - finally get CSTV but not ESPNU (another program level up). HD is amazing - watching Planet Earth on discovery HD is the best ad ever for HD. The big bummer is the local channels are not in HD on my system, although I know they're out there! I even tried the rabbit ears from Best Buy, bought a good set, and can't get jacksheet with it. I'm right in the city also - very disappointed about that.
It's such a revelation when Monday Night Football is on on ESPN HD - it just reinforces my PO'd-ness.
Plasma's great - but not that great if the price is right on equivalent LCD's.

[tamu33]

I have both a Pioneer Elite Plasma (50" and ~$5K) and a Vizio (42" ~$900). While the difference is noticable... I am very pleased with the cost to quality ratio I have with my vizio in my bedroom. I have had both for about 1yr now and have not seen any burnt in images. Sam's has amazing deals from time to time on these particular tvs.

A former roommate of mine got a DLP from Panasonic (72" -$3K) and he has had to replace the bulb twice during that same time span. He got this 72" DLP with stand for a little under 3K and a warranty on BUY.COM . The exact same tv at a national electronics store was close to 4500 with stand.

I agree with pretty much everyone on here when they say... the cost right now for a great plasma is just not worth it. I got a great deal because of a friend on the Elite (Pioneer's top verison.) I would suggest Vizio.

Make sure what ever your do just do your research on price comparison.

[Dan Wishengrad]

I'll stick with my 1954 RCA black-and-white with only three knobs. Like I need any excuse to watch more television?

On the specific question, though, I'm not sure what all this stuff really is but there's a local place nearby where the homeless winos can donate plasma if they need $$ for their next bottle of Ripple, so I'd vote for LCD. But I stay away from it myself because I tend to hallucinate without drugs anyway.