PLASMA vs. LCD TV
 

It's time for me to upgrade from my CRT TV set. I've searched around and found strong opinions on both sides for the PLASMA vs. LCD debate. Anyone here have any particular good or bad experiences with either one?

One of my main reasons for upgrading is my toddler is starting to watch TV and likes to get quite close to the screen, so I want to reduce the exposure of radiation he gets. I've read LCD has no radiation, and Plasma only very slight -- much lower than CRTs.

Other factors to consider are:
Size: Anything at least 30" is fine, screen doesn't have to be huge.
Price: I'm thinking $2000 ~ $3000 range.
HDTV: Not a priority, since my analog cable channels are not HD anyway.

Thanks for any feedback.

I have several plasmas, projection and LCD's in my house now.. No tubes at all anymore these days.. I would say get a plasma.. LCD's still suck from most angles, are smaller, dark, have alot of washed out color issues with cable, and if you dont have HD anyway the only thing cool about you owning a thin tv is in fact its thin-ness..

Plasmas are bright great looking screens and cost alot less. Enjoy!

huh? i thought plasmas were the most expensive????
lcd's actually aren't that expensive anymore.

You thought wrong.

Go Plasma

i've got an lcd in my master bedroom, which is great for watching tv in bed, and using as a monitor for my laptop... but my 55 inch Sony XBR plasma that is used to watch films, is quite simply the most beautiful tv i've ever had the pleasure to use.

Go plasma, it's worth it

I agree with you guys plasma is much beter :thumbsup

yeah, it's so much cleared in a way

I also like plasma and the price is coming down big time

quit: what model do you have?
I'm looking around too. Not that I need one right now, but I like to browse around.

I have a 21" plasma that I use for my pc. To tell you the truth, I think it sux.

Why not see an eyedoctor with your toddler first? Getting close to the tv screen is often a sign of bad vision...

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I'm just recently bought 50' panasonic plasmas , I thought about LCD , but in my case it's ain't worth it. Also LCD big screens still kinda expencive. I'd say , go with plasma :thumbsup

Plasma screens have high contrast/brightness and low resolution..

LCD screens have high resolution and low brightness.

However, because of the higher resolution, the brightness doesn't need to be as high.

So I guess I really didn't help. Whenever I go into a TV store, I always get confused. I always end up liking the LCDs better for anything 42" and below.

Be wary of Plasma resolution ... many are actually only EDTV, especially in the smaller sizes (Plasma pixel size tends to be large and thus much of the reason), not true HDTV; even within that category, they are varying degrees of resolution - 1280(w)+ x 768(h)+ minimum is what a HDTV interested buyer should be seeking.

Have you consider getting a direct view LCD and then buying / making a protector screen for to put over it? That would solve the durability problem and likely save you many thousands.

The least expensive *quality* Plasma I could find in the ~60" size category (I realize you're seeking much smaller, but many Plasma buyers aren't, including in this thread) was around $8K and that's pushing it, since many are $12K+. Same size *quality* rear projection LCD with similar resolution way less than half the price, 1/3 even.

Way I figure it, considering Plasma continues to rapidly improve and near term steep price cuts, one does best to either wait -or- go rear projection LCD, etc instead in the meantime; in the end I'll end up with two nice big screens TVs for the price of one. Yes, for folks, with lots of free cash, I agree high-end $12K+ priced Plasma is the way to go ... I personally, with most here, am on a limited budget (recently added an addition to my house) so I went with the Sony Grand WEGA KDF60XS955 rear projection LCD 1386x788 resolution - surprisingly bright screen without the Plasma price.

In a nutshell, for a *quality* plasma you're looking at around $8K absolute minimum - consider the LCD protection screen option I mentioned ... that may do the trick; alternatively, just buy the direct view LCD you want with a credit card with a good warranty program that covers accidental damage, etc.

Hope this info helps.

Ron

Plasma everytime. Works well for TVs, and I love it for monitors too. :thumbsup

I would go with an LCD but they are more expensive. I had the same dilema as you a couple of months ago and did a little research. Plasma is much cheaper then LCD and that's because they don't last as long. After about two years plasmas will start to fade and the picture will gradually become darker and darker until you will not be able to see anything on the screen. This is because plasmas work by exciting gasses trapped in little tiny bubbles and the collective of those tiny gass bubbles make up your screen. Because of this plasmas can very easiily burn in (about about 20~30 minutes), very noisey because of the fans needed to cool the screen down and consume too much electricity because of the sheer number of gas bubbles that need to be manipulated.
LCD on the other hand is very expensive but it will last you practically forever. When your LCD screen goes dead all you have to do is change the light panel in the back (~$200 USD) and you are good as new. Panasonic and Samsung said they have broken the current LCD barrier and they are prioducing LCD screens with a size of 70 inces. Hopefully this will push the price down for smaller LCD TVs.
If you are looking for something stylish, durable and that will get your the most for your money I would go with a Sony XBR series TV (Rear Projection LCD) http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...ection&Dept=tv Hope this helped...

You obviously haven't got kids ...they all want to watch tv with their faces up close.

The bottom line is that most stores don't carry plasmas smaller than 42". I've seen a few with 37" plasmas, but that is still bigger than what you wanted.

If you're going smaller than 42", then LCD is really your best choice.

42" or bigger and you should be looking at plasma, because of the price difference.

I just bought a 26" Samsung LCD for above my fireplace. It is a nice set, and is high definition.

http://www.gateway.com/home/ce/tv_index.shtml?clv=LNav check out that link the 42inch gateway might be what you are looking for...

That Gateway plasma you mentioned is only EDTV *NOT* HDTV. When comparing apples to apples, plasma is very pricey too; HDTV version of that 42" gateway is $3499.99 ...

Ron

LCD i think

Agreed, I have many of both and the angles on most LCDs are still terrible. Plasmas I can basically get behind them and still see what's on.

its getting to be close to the time we should upgrade our tv too.
we just have a 27" right now. i don't want anything special...ok i do. i really want a plasma tv, but i'll be realistic. a 36" tubes tv would be wonderful!

Plasma.

Contrast.

Advantage: Plasma. For scenes with a lot of dark and light images shown simultaneously-as with content originating from DVDs, video games, and NTSC TV signals-plasma TVs will consistently outperform LCD TVs.

COLOR SATURATION

Advantage: Plasma, with the following caveat: While plasma displays are especially good for moving images, LCD technology is better at displaying static images with particular crispness and even coloration.


VIEWING ANGLE Advantage: Plasma

Plasma manufacturers have made much of their 160° viewing angles, which is about as good as horizontal and vertical viewing angles get. This owes to the fact that each pixel is lit by itself, not from some central light source. Hence, each pixel is more readily visible because its brightness is consistent with every other pixel on the screen.


VIDEO PLAYBACK Advantage: Plasma

PRODUCTION SIZE & COST Advantage:

Advantage: Plasma. Even though production costs and retails prices have come down for both technologies, plasma still has the edge as far as production cost and capacity go.





LCD.

FUNCTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS "Computer use"

Advantage: LCD, except at "harsh" viewing angles

LONGEVITY Advantage LCD X2

SCREEN INTEGRITY Advantage: LCD

VOLTAGE REQUIREMENTS Advantage LCD X2

Just switched up the projection LCD to Plasma which should be arriving in about a week. I saw my friends recently bought LCD as well, overall, I think there are a ton of options out there, just decide what fits your budget and what you are looking for and read a few reviews. You should be good to go. :thumbsup

totally agree! :thumbsup

Agreed. :upsidedow

is it that worth it knowing plasma will last only for 8-10 years?

I bought this for my bedroom a few months back. Really like it.

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...odel=TC-32LX20

I plan on dealing with the old tv that we have for another year or so. BY then, the price on thos will have dropped so low, that it wont matter what I get.

You're referring to rear projection LCDs....but if you go with a flat panel LCD the difference is Hugh.

I just picked the new 32 inch Sharp AQUOS from BestBuy....the difference between the AQUOS and a equal sized Panasonic is night and day. The AQUOS is so bright and crisp from every angle, it's ridiculous.

Although, if you're looking at a flat panel that's bigger then 45 inches...I'd go with Plasma

I've had no experiences with LCD televisions, but the hotel on staying at right now. I have a 42 inch plasma TV, and it is bad ass.

if money is an issue i would definitely wait as prices will come down...although there may be good after xmas sales now

FUCK PLASMA...GO WITH DLP TV or DLP PROJECTOR.....the projector is great because its about 1000 bucks for a good one..and you dont lose a bit of clairty if your not sitting directly in the middle of the screen at tv hieght...any angle you watch a projector ..is the same quality..

ive got a 42" panasonic plasma, love it. i had a sony grand wega 50" before this but wasn't happy with the picture quality, so i traded it in for the plasma. it's way better!

I love my 42" plasma.

if you odnt want HD then dont buy a new tv....well anyway they are all hdtv capable (well atleast 1080i or 720p) true full HD sets are not out or very expensive (10k) Id recommend a DLP in place of each. Samsug has some good ones. they are priced similar to LCD but way less than plasma. plasma will most likely be our of your price range for something decent. both lcd and dlp have advantages and problems. just go look at each and see what looks better. dlp has better contrast ratios but some people have problems with colorwheels and seeing rainbows. lcds may have a screen door effect and weaker contrast. www.avsforum.com is a great site to read up on all stuff audio video from low to very high end. definately check it out.

plasma however lcd's last longer

This isnt true about the 2 years thing. All Mine have a 40,000 hour guarentee.. Thats a lot longer than 2 years and I dont watch tv 24/7 either.

GO Go Plasma GO !!!

Dont forget to turn off all thelights! haha I have a $8000 projector and I still have to turn of the lights for a good pic.

That's it exactly.

personally I'm waiting for the price to drop.

Consider a projection TV. Low radiation I would think, quality is great, lasts forever.

for now I would go for plasma... http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/ for some reviews

LCD will be better, but I'm not buying one now.

I would suggest the PANASONIC TH-50PHD6UY -> little bit over your budget (6000$) but what a set! Seen to be believed.

or check out this one ->

http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/p...uy-review.html


around 2000-2300$

from everything that i've read
the latest generation plasma is better than LCD in terms of brightness, color and viewing angle.

you have to calibrate it after you get it from the store and turn down the "torch" settings it comes with from the factory to avoid burn-in.


DLP's are high maintenance since if your bulb burns you'll have to pay an additional $200-400 for a new bulb\

LCDs last longer, allegedly, and have no burn-in issues

and if you go with plasma, go with the latest sets, not something made 2 years ago

Thanks for all the comments.
I'm leaning towards plasma right now.
Any good recommendations for a reliable online seller? I like CircuitCity's 30-day return policy at their physical stores, although their prices are regular retail price, and I would imagine there are better deals on the web.