Plasma or LCD?

[Chris Anderson]

In the market for a new TV. I was looking at the Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR5 and the Pioneer PDP-5080HD or PDP-5010FD. Just wondering if anybody had any thoughts, on either and which way I should go!
thanks
Chris

[Cope]

If I was in the market, it would be a Samsung DLP. According to my local TV shop, about the only problem you will have is the lamp, which is available cheap on eBay and elsewhere. Texas Instruments worked with Samsung on the technology. My daughter and son-in-law have one, and it is a great picture. Son-in-law found a deal at Fry's, bought online at Circuit City for local pick up and wheeled and dealed them down lower than Fry's price.

[Wes]

I had always wanted plasma because I loved the gorgeous picture that they have, but I wasn't going to get one because of all of the bad stuff I had heard about the technology (burn-in, glare, etc.). Before I bought my new TV last March I did a LOT of researching about plasma, LCD, and DLP. For the most part, I did not like the off-angle viewing afforded by DLP but some manufacturers seem to have handled that better than others. I was getting ready to settle for the Sharp Aquous (sp?) until I started learning that the technology in plasma sets had improved to the point that most of the bugaboos had been ironed out. If you buy a plasma that was built within the last 3 years you can count on a set that should last 15-20 years (60,000 hours). That being said, I'm absolutely in love with my Hitachi 55" plasma. Sporting events that are broadcast in HD are beyond belief.

[PhotoByLeal]

Here is my .02 cents,

Which room is it going in?
(Lots of windows or no windows/ Light, Little light or no light)

Second, what are you going to do with this TV?
(Movies, games or sports or just TV)

LCD is a better deal for fast action movies, sports and games!
Plasma is good for movies and TV but IMO cannot hang in the game department.
If the LCD has a pixel burn out they can get it fixed, plasma cannot get recharged if I remember correct. I had the same discussion about a year go and I ended up buying a Sony LCD and my buddy just bought the Sony Bravia 50 LCD about a month ago and LOVES it! I don’t even watch TV, but my 10 year boy and 4 year girl loves playing games and watching there HD movies and shows on it!

LCD is better in a bright room and both are good in a dark room!

The best advice I give people when there wanting to buy a LCD or plasma, is to get take a DVD of what they usually watch and take it to there stores to see the quality of the TV. Have the store associate change the channels to sports, movies that dark and light to see the quality of the brightness, contrast and color ratio! That will let you determine which way you would like to lean towards, LCD or plasma. I hope this helps a bit…

Pretty much it’s like a car just takes a test drive!! People are scared to ask the associate to change the channel, pop in a movie or even plug in a game console! I did because it was not a cheap LCD for me to purchase!

Later,
Leal

[Detonate]

Panasonic 1080p Plasma's are the currently the crown winning TV's for most videophiles.

[Chris Anderson]

thanks guys! this one will go in our livingf room, that does have windows. I play very little games, but we do watch alot of movies.

[veritus]

I just had a plasma that was 2 years old die. After doing some research I decided to go with an LCD instead. I picked up a 47" LCD for $1,499 with a 3 year warranty. So far I love it!

[darktiger]

Depends on the size of the screen that you want. 42" and under I would say LCD, 43" and larger I would get plasma. Also you should look at the 120hz tv's. The old 60hz plasma's and LCD look like crap compared to the new 120hz......drool....

[rhodaddy]

If you have a preference for brands, get the Sony. Ninety-five percent of all my audio/video gear is Sony. So I never have the problem of lost remotes, etc. because the dozen or more remotes all work with everything. Anyway, I just picked up a Sony Bravia 40" (KDL-40S3000) 720p for my kitchen area and I got a sweet deal. It retails for $1,499 but Circuit City had it on sale for $1,299. They had an open box floor model for $999 with a 3 year warranty and when I signed up for DirecTV, I got another $300 off. I am a happy camper. Tomorrow they will install my satellite equipment and I can hardly wait.

[Chris Anderson]

I am looking at a 50-52 incher

[Torrey]

Something I've seen posted by a tv tech on another forum:

LCD's - good picture, not as good as plasma or DLP, but tough and very few issues to contend with.

Plasma - you're best off stretching your picture to fit the screen to avoid burn-in. Some plasma models now have a built-in mode to get rid of burn-in...it works by reversing the image and burning the rest of the screen to match the already-burned area, resulting in less brightness overall.

DLP - each time you turn it on you're using up about 2 hours of lamp life (and lamps aren't cheap). You're best off watching a series of shows rather than watching a 30-minute show and turning it off afterwards.

[Chris Anderson]

so plasma will loose brightness, and lcd will not?

[adirty1]

the new 120hz are great. The new Sony Bravia LCD looks like a Plasma. I couldnt believe the color on that LCD and at 60 inches. I am a photographer so either plasma/lcd it has to show a sharp image with great color. The Sony's where sharp and in the Plasma route I was impressed with the Pioneer Elite.


http://www.consumersearch.com/www/el...-tv/index.html

that site seems to have some pretty up to date links and info. I am going to have to take a look at the new 1080p Panasonic.

On a side note I read the other day that a new glass plant is coming on line shortly and should reduce the cost of the displays coming out after Christmas. There where 3 new glass plants that just came online this summer and we noticed a drop in prices for the larger displays. From what I read this new plant can make even bigger sheets with added ease of making multiple smaller displays from the same sheet. Thus meaning a lower cost per display.

I am holding out till after christmas and then buying a new tv.

[Torrey]

Originally Posted by Chris Anderson

so plasma will loose brightness, and lcd will not?

I don't know about generally over time, but if you experience burn-in, then it seems plasmas lose brightness. I don't know about LCD's...I've had a 42" Panasonic LCD for about a year and haven't noticed any change. I love it.

[DigiSLR]

DLP is my choice. Plasma is "sharp and crisp" but the seperation of the blacks is poor. LCDs don't have quite the same vivid color as the Plasmas.

DLP is the best of both.