LCD Vs Plasma
 

Im interested if anybody out there has got both and in that case how much does the quality really differ? :confused:

We are looking to ge a new flatscreen (probably about 50")and are torn between the cheaper plasma, which we are told by salesmen are of lesser quality and dont last as long, or splurging a bit more (and maybe missing out with a few other nice things for the house).

I'm not a technologically-minded bunny so please dont quote loads of data at me (brain might explode) - just an opinion of cost vs quality analysis by someone who is not trying to squeeze every last dollar out of me:rolleyes:.

Much appreciated!:)

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

I prefer LCD, just because I do, but you are going to get a stream of 'experts' yaddaing on about why plasma is better. It comes down to personal choice - some of the new Sony and Samsung LCDs are as cheap as plasma.

My favourite TV at the moment is the Samsung 8 series LED LCD - an amazing product.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

When I was looking for a new Flatscreen I went into a shop and compared the two (although I bought online, where it was cheap). To me the LCD came out best, when properly adjusted. You might see things differently.

However, if you don't need one this minute, it might be useful to see what the launch of 3D TV brings. Its due during this year and at least for some technologies should be a minimally priced extra. Sony will be upgrading the firmware on the PS3 to support it, so Avatar 3D in your living room for Christmas is a distinct possibility.

My plan is a normal sized flatscreen for everyday use, and a 3D DLP Projector covering a wall for watching those movies or special sporting events.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

We bought a plasma when we arrived 3 years ago. At the time we were worried about the burn in problems but we were assured that the newer models were just fine and no issues. The plasma was cheaper so we went with that.

Within 3 months we managed to have a bit of a burn in problem despite being very careful just in case. So the tv looks totally normal unless the screen is very dark, in which case you can see a big white circle on the left side. It's possible I could have got it fixed but with two little kids at home I couldn't imagine trying to bring bag a rather large plasma tv that we had trouble getting home in the first place.

So... I would suggest going with the LCD even if it's more money. You'd also save costs on electricity as well because plasma's get fairly hot when they run and therefore cost more to operate. Plus, you won't have a potential problem with burning in of images.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

LCD still suffer from ghosting and the the bigger the TV the more noticeable the ghosting is. I have a 46 inch Sony Bravia LCD with the 200Hz refresh rate and it still gets ghosting. Does my head in.

Can't beat a plasma for picture quality.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Can you imagine getting all your mates around to watch a movie/footy wearing 3D goggles... Only to realise you don't have enough and don't want to spend an extra $200 each for more.

For some reason I can't see 3D TV taking off.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

MY LG LCD has developed dull colour and a big blue patch down a large portion of the screen. All I know is its just out of warranty:rolleyes: bloody always happens to me.

Rang repair service really helpful, not, said could be $200 to fix it could be $1200, and its the sort of TV size you cant just stuff in the car of course.

Probably cheaper to buy another one, they must bank on that I think:sneaky:

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Get a Panasonic Viera (Plasma). Superb televisions.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Was it an LG, Samsung or other cheap and cheerful brand?

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

If only Pioneer were still making plasmas. Best TV's ever made...

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

LG

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

That says it all.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Yes, probably does. But we didn't want to buy a really expensive one if there was a possibility that we might move in a few years.

As we'll be buying a new one within the next year what would your choice in brands be?

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Well:

• For particular technologies, its about another $50 to allow it to do 3D (although I'm sure they will put a price premium on at first)
• The shutter glasses need be no more than $50 each, although designer versions will be more.
• The TV still works as a 2D HDTV for non 3D content.
• There's 3D movies, 3D games, and probably eventually 3D broadcast TV.
• As anyone who's been to a 3D movie will attest, its much more involving.

So yep, I think it will take off. I'm going to guess that people will get their own glasses (probably to show off).

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Bert Newton in 3D?

Think I'll stick to my 'cheap' and cheerful Sanyo 32" LCD for now ... :D

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Now that is a scary scary thought... imagine old moonface looming out at you in the dark.:eek::eek:

Thanks for all the input folks - we hadn't even thought about the 3-d technology aspect. Not in a super hurry -have to wait til tax refund time anyway at least - so may just hold on and see what happens. :thumbup:

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Apparently the free to air TV studios in Australia are not planning on supporting it.
Not that much more involving to warrant the cost. My personal opinion is that it is highly overrated.

The price point for the active shutter lens glasses from Sony and Samsung is c$160 -$200 each. Although this will come down over time especially as no one will be buying the tellys.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

My old man had an LCD and it was a right load of old crap.We've got a Panasonic Veira Plasma and excellent it is to :thumbup:

IMHO 3D is a gimmick.Its nothing new and after a while the novelty of the 3D dissapears just like it does when you watch a 3D movie at the cinema.Plus wearing those glasses would get right on my tits after a while.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

I have a 2 year old 46" Samsung LCD and it's superb.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Plasma used to be better than LCD by a long shot but now a good LCD beats a good plasma. (the very best plasmas still beat the very best LCD's - but the difference in picture quality isn't that huge).

LCDs also have several other advantages over Plasmas. They are generally much lighter, and the latest models are pretty thin. They consume far less power and the brightness can be adjusted so that viewing in a fairly well lit room is still enjoyable (plasma's big disadvantage is the drop in viewing quality during the day if you have natural light coming into the room). They are far better than plasmas if you play any computer games.

Easy choice I reckon. :thumbup:

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

It's obviously personal preference, but it's LCD for me every time. But do get a LED backlit one - the "punch" is very much better and the backlighting will probably last far longer, as well as using less power.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

My sentiments exactly. Those born post 70's and so on don't seem to realise that 3D was done to death in the 60's. It didn't take off then and it won't now. Think it has something to do with the glasses.

Now if they could get rid of the specs then they'd be on to something.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Still doesn't eliminate the ghosting problems inherent in LCD TV's although the LED backlit does give them a more natural image rather than a stark flourescent one.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

"Ghosting" is something that really relates to analogue reception (signal reflections/delays). If you mean the effect of slow refresh rates, the latest LCDs are far better than those of only a couple of years ago. My main Sony is a year old and I don't see any "jumpiness" even in fast moving objects, nor do I on a Panasonic in the bedroom.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

I agree. HD (from a good source) is simply stunning on them. :thumbup:

They also playback HD video from panasonic cameras natively via the SD card slot, which I find very useful.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Yes, ghosting due to the refresh rate (the Superman blur!). LCDs are far better than what they were however the problem is still there. My LCD refreshes at 200Hz (Sony Bravia) and it still gets ghosting with dynamic/fast content. I've also notived a lot of blurring and pixelation with standard def content. (TV's 12 months old as well)

I wouldn't buy another LCD put it that way. Right now I am trying to see if I can find a Pioneer 9th Gen Kuro to replace.

LCD's are OK for the average person but I wouldn't recommend them for the videophiles out there.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

As someone born pre 70s, I do remember the previous attempts at 3D. These had some big problems relative to a good shutter glasses versions - and where we will be with fullHD projectors.

We'll see where we are by next Christmas, but I'll bet that 3D becomes the norm for the big event viewing by the time of the Olympics in 2012. Would you prefer to watch the football in 2D, or on a big screen 3D?

And on the specs front, there is no good reason for $200 prices - they are two LCD shutters and an IR sync signal, maybe $10 of parts. We had them for Silicon Graphics workstations over a decade ago, at lower prices. I'm betting they become a fashion item, like sunglasses though.

As I said, I'd suggest a reasonably sized, cheap LCD screen for general viewing, and a 3D projector (once they are out there) for movies.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Hologram TV is on its way.

10 years now.

A decent LCD should last that long and Holograms will make 3D defunct quicker than the 2D version.

There should be people buying TV's today that will be replaced directly by Hologram TV.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science...ion/index.html


Not everyone can see 3D TV either.

Re Plasma v LCD.... I used to be in favour of LCD's but screen size is everything to me, so Plasma for that reason.... cheaper for larger.

54 inch Panasonic Viera's are now sub 2,000 Aud.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

The data content required for true holographic TV is frightening. Maybe by 2020 someone will have got to grips with the how-the-f*** aspects, but in the meantime transmitting stereo pair 3D is *much* easier (main picture+low rate difference channel). That's why I think it will take off, its well within the capabilities of blu-ray, HDMI, DVB-T2, etc.

Only problem is LCD isn't the best match technology-wise. However they aren't that far of delivering fast enough refresh rates cheaply, so maybe it will get there before 2012.

Main thing to remember, the sets are backwards compatible and the extra cost of adding it to existing designs is low if your technology is right.

Oh, and there as all that new 3D content from the cinemas, and they are adding 3D to old as we speak.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

have 46" samsung which im very happy with. i think its horses for courses regarding plasma over LCD and vice versa.

choose one you like. but remember when they set them up in shops or a dealer for say panasonic but stock other makes, they tend to adjust the settings on the pannies to make them look better; ditto with a sony/samsung dealer etc.

go to an independant or check out http://stuff.tv/ very good unbiased advice :thumbup:

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

I think the big push for 3D at the moment has more to do with a push for a product that's difficult to pirate. The movies studios will love 3D; for a while.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

I reckon someone was saying the exact thing about 720 Xvid under the MKV format over the net 12 to 15 years ago.

As for the 3D and the ability to pirate.... there will always be someone like the following to rise to the challenge.

PS3 now Hacked.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8478764.stm

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Agreed, I'm bringing my Pioneer 8G over, just wish I'd bought the bigger model when they where available.

The general arguments on plasma vs LCD are...

LCD -

Pro
Lower power usage, cheaper, available in smaller sizes

Con
Lesser black levels, motion blur, worse SD pic quality

Plasma -

Pro
Deeper blacks, better motion handling, better SD pic quality

Con
Can suffer screen burn (pixel orbiters help), use more power

My next TV will also be a plasma

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Well..welll..well tomorrow we get a 42inch Panasonic Plasma.

Out CRT developed a blur on Sunday after only 6 years - my wife suspected sabotage.

We got the plasma for AUS999 plus a free blue ray.

A mate paid 8k for his 5 years ago and had to buy a huge set top box.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

If you find a supplier still selling the 9G could you let me know, I assumed TV;s would continue to improve, but I was wrong, its never been bettered.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

If I find one I'll be keeping it all to myself. Wouldn't be surprised if the Pios now start going up in price.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

I did say a supplier! if I find just one I'll be buying it too! They never seem to appear on ebay, the thread got me thinking, these guys are serious high end former Pio dealers and seem to have a high opinion of the Panny G20, saying it "picks up where Kuro left off", I'm sceptical but will do some research... http://www.tlcbroadcast.co.uk/vision...v-c-94_45.html

EDIT - Hmm maybe not...http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/panas...0100308169.htm

Oh yeah and I have no interest at all in 3D ATM

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Ho ho ho this is very good and difficult question.

Firstly, have a look at this video below for some informed and general advice. Now this was made in 2008 and of course technology has moved on.


The difference between the two is getting smaller but differences do exist.
Be careful with the "LED" TV being put about at the moment and what you are really looking at. There is a new technology called OLED which is potentially brilliant - its not the same as an LED TV which is still LCD but with different back light.

Also, depending on how serious you are, be careful in shops like Harvey Norman, Retravision etc - most people in there know nothing. If you serious about best quality get a TV which can be ISF calibrated.
When comparing TV sets in shops be very careful of how they are setup. In bright shop fluro lighting they often turn settings right up in whats often called "dynamic" mode which makes things look very vivid which seems great when first seen but at home you'll find very harsh over the period of the evening - its not how they were designed to be watched.
Even if for info, go to proper home cinema shops for advice.

Personally I'm a plasma fan but I must admit some of the recent large size LCDs are impressive.

If you fancy plasma I'd go Panasonic only. Now Pioneer are out, they are No1. However I did see recently a Pioneer 9the Gen Kuro being advertised; must be oldish stock but if you can get one its probably the best panel (LCD or plasma) ever made.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

Funny that, ours did a similar thing last year but it was only 3 yrs old. :lol:

Rushed out and bought a Panasonic plasma then got the CRT fixed under extended warranty and sold it on ebay. :thumbup:

A month later John Lewis had dropped their price on it by £100, so I phoned them up and they sent me cheque for £100.

Re: LCD Vs Plasma
 

I was told a while back that LCD is better for the smaller size screens and that plasma is better for the larger screens, I presume 42" and over.