Plasma TV vs LCD. Which to Buy?

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by Videoskooter

Bernie, can you explain that last sentence a little more plz?

Johan,

Consumer level plasmas use real glass for their panels, which gives a better image, but can give off pretty severe glare from bright lights making the picture un-watchable in extreme situations. An LCD uses a cheaper and matte plastic screen, which reflects less and since it has a higher light output it works better in rooms with lots of sunlight or bright lighting.

If you look at the back of both panels you'll find that plasmas are made out of metal whereas the LCDs are all plastic. As long as you keep either away from drapes or anything flammable there should be no danger of fire from their heat output.

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by paul

Hey Bernie, I'd appreciate more info on 1080i vs 1080p. I have a vague knowledge but not enough to know what the hell I'm talking about :oops:
Thanks.

Paul,

Originally television could not show all of the lines that made up a picture at one time. In other words if a TV's resolution was 1,080 lines one would only see 540 lines for the first split second then immediately see the other 540 lines. it would happen so fast that the human eye is fooled into thinking it is seeing the entire 1,080 lines at once. The TV is only capable of alternating each half of the picture hence the term "interlace" or simply "i" as in 1080i.

Computers on the other hand enjoy a much sharper image because they are able to show all 1,080 (or higher) at one time. This is called "progressive" or simply "p" as in 1080p. Now that we have high definition (HD) TV that can output in progressive you are getting more of the image at once and with less flicker. I'd wait just a little longer and get 1080p as Sony's Blu-Ray will output a full 1080p stream.

[Videoskooter]

Bernie,

And what about DVD-Recorders? Mine has 160 GB on the hard disk. Of course I could have bought the one with 250GB but does that make any difference, except for the number of hours you can record (and I don't record that much).

I mean qualitywise?

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by Videoskooter

Bernie,

And what about DVD-Recorders? Mine has 160 GB on the hard disk. Of course I could have bought the one with 250GB but does that make any difference, except for the number of hours you can record (and I don't record that much).

I mean qualitywise?

Johan,

Have never dealt with DVD recorders so I can't provide much. Besides the hard drive size difference I'm sure there must have been some extra features on the step-up model as it is rarely just one thing. I would also imagine that you can upgrade the drive itself if you were to open the unit-at least I think.

[Bernie]

Here's a link to Pioneer's new 1080p plasma: PRO-FHD1
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...tailsComponent

and the 1080i PRO-940HD
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...624916,00.html

[Mixmachine]

Here are some of my personal findings on this subject..

After all my readings I find serious issues with all this micro digital displays technologies, and once again ‘convenience’ trumps quality as CRT based RPTV, after 30+ years of refinement are almost faced out..

I still recommend that if one doesn’t mind the boxy look (reduced in latest models) and can afford the extra space needed CRT based RPTV still is the best bang for your buck. You’ll get the best HD picture quality of any displays with the latest bells and whistles including HDMI connectivity for a fraction of the competitor's price, a 1080i 55-57 Hitachi and Mitsus are selling for around $1200, but hurry, this is apparently the last year (parts will be available by law for years to come), this way you can safe your money for about five years until better technology and more reliable displays come to market. Other pluses : Cheapest extended warranties and analog cable still looks ok.

Plasmas are next in PQ, if you must have 1080i they come at a premium, although 768P resolution still is considered HD and looks great. Costco has a 50” Vizio for $1899 that received great reviews on the Perfect Vision Mag, they use top of the line components and look great, Plasmas sharpness is said to fade over time, manufacturers claim the problem has been fixed, but you won’t know for sure until about 3 or four years later down the line, another issue here is ‘heat’, make sure you get a UPS as the unit could get fried during power outrage since they need two fans to cool down, also video games could cause ‘screen burn’ issues if brightness is kept to high. (just like CRT)

DLP/RPTV is next in line (1080p now), almost as good as plasmas, make sure your extended warranties covers several bulbs replacements, as they will blow!!! Black level are much better than LCD with rich colors, latest models are said to be much better. Check to see if you are susceptible to the "rainbow" effect, a phenomenom native to this technology. Forget analog Cable, you’ll need at least a Digital Package, probably nothing less than HDTV channels (and dvd) will do. (same for Plasma)

LCD has the worse reviews, they have the worse Black levels, this is important for film color accuracy (DVD) and instrumental in giving the HD image a 3D look (shadows, shades). They have problems with blown pixels that are not covered by warranty (unless a huge number of them), not good for video games, viewing angle is another problem., tip: if you turn off the display the immediate “black level” you see is the best the unit can do.

There is also JVC’s HD-ILA , 1080P , but I never followed this technology closely, lots of posters swear by it though…

I wouldn’t worry about 1080P as of yet, not even the latest HD-DVD players are able to reproduce this content yet (imbedded in current HD-DVD/Blue Ray disks for future use) the next player generation will reproduce 1080P (expensive at first) but HDTV Broadcasters have no plans to upgrade as of yet. In any case if you must have 1080P now make sure the display will accept a 1080P source, as the labeling can be confusing and /or mis-leading, many current advertised 1080p displays can only up-convert a signal to 1080p, not the same thing…

edit; I forgot, there is also the LCos displays, Sony has improved on this technology and calls it SXRD, many posters rave about the PQ. but again I 'm not up to date with this one.:roll:



PS: Bernie I dind't know you are an electronic salesman :p

[Videoskooter]

Mix, thx for the info but is this info of yours based on recent models? I think the latest Sony's (LCD) have dealt with the problems you describe.

But...since our new one is not yet delivered I can't give you a full test-result. Of course I can always change my order!

BERNIE, H-E-L-P P-L-Z

[Mixmachine]

Video, my friend , I hate to be the source of any buyers remorse:( but I can just report to you what I still read in oher forums and from my trusted "The Perfect vision" Magazine, the only one I bother with after trying all others for years.
Here is a piece from the Vizio Plasma review on issue 69 from the 2006 July/august edition by Lawrance E. Ullman

"...The flat panel Vizio even costs less than some DLP Rear projectors, and it doesn't exhbit the dreaded "rainbows" that viewers report when watching those sets. And in case you are wondering, no LCD panel even comes close, since they are smaller, more expensive and can't do black worth spit.":o
A bit to dramatic ? I was shock they are still saying this about LCD, but remember this guys review all kind of displays everyday.

let me check and see if they have a review of your sony model.

[Videoskooter]

Mix, "C-Net" has the following review:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_KDL_32S...1694898-2.html

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by Videoskooter

Mix, "C-Net" has the following review:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_KDL_32S...1694898-2.html

Johan,

The photo you showed several posts up was of the Bravia "XBR" series which is their top of the line Bravia that has a higher quality panel and a cable card slot. The C-Net review is of their lower Bravia "S" series.

Nonetheless, the Sony LCDs are very nice sets, but they are not on par with a good plasma.

Mix,

I'm a vinyl and analogue lover so I'm always open to older and superior technologies, but when it comes to TVs the CRT is pretty much dead and not worth the hassle. The few CRTs left are not of the highest quality anymore and getting a CRT based rear projection TV (RPTV) even less so with the issue of having to constantly set convergence, narrow viewing angles...

[Videoskooter]

Bernie, you're right, I'm considering the KDL32V2000. My mistake here.

But....I'm willing to believe you on the Plasma-stuff but this one is for our trailer, that has a lot of windows and so a glass panel is not a good idea I suppose.



Mix scared me with the "Ghosting" of the images, that's why I'm hesitating.

[Mixmachine]

Originally Posted by Bernie

Johan,

Mix,

I'm a vinyl and analogue lover so I'm always open to older and superior technologies, but when it comes to TVs the CRT is pretty much dead and not worth the hassle. The few CRTs left are not of the highest quality anymore and getting a CRT based rear projection TV (RPTV) even less so with the issue of having to constantly set convergence, narrow viewing angles...

My three year old 57" RPTV Hitachi SWX still going strong , not a single issue, viewing angles on this models were improved and convergence is auto, although I do it manually for better results and they can be tweaked in the tech menu if you want to achieve even a better image quality.

Last time I checked Hits were still available, but mainly online, any way it may be to late as you say, but my point is that they dropped CRT just when they reached the best picture ever at the lowest cost, (to sell you more expensive digital displays instead) now we need to buy inferior, untested (long term) and constantly changing technology for a lot more money, and all this displays are going to be replaced by LED displays soon!!!! And the whole cycle begins again,:-x

[Videoskooter]

Well, today I did what a real man has to do. I drove to the shop, I went straight to the salesman and while I looked him in the eyes I had my right hand under my coat, ready to grab my piece!

I said: "Just between you and me pal, exactly what is the ghoststory behind the LCD-screens?"

He stumbled, heavily sweating: "But sir, there is no ghoststory!"

I kept looking him in the eyes:" Hey pal, don't make me do this! Just don't ask for it!"

He fell down on his knees and begged: "Please, I'll do anything you ask me"

As I can not stand a wheeping man I opened my coat and slowly took out my "Any Given Sunday"-DVD. Okay, I told him, "let the games begin!"

With shaking hands he inserted the disc, pushed on the play-button and....MAN! WHAT A VIEW! WHAT A SMOOTH IMAGE! COLOURFUL, GREENGRASSED! PACINO-WORTHY!

I bought 1 Sony LCD :o

You see, boyz & girlz, violence is a universal language !!!!

[paul]

Whoa...I missed some of this because it's been relocated.
Johan, were you able to compare the Sony to a plasma?
Thanks for the clear and concise explanation Bernie and Mix.
I want this big investment to hold up after 20 years. I still have a NEC monitor I purchased 20 years ago.
Mix, have you been following SED TVs?

[Videoskooter]

Paul,

Yes I managed to compare them. Just like Bernie said: plasma is better. But I would have to buy a special anti-reflection-screen and that was very very expensive(6.354 U.S. dollar). And in the trailer I only have room for a 32". Another issue is the transport. Don't forget tht we travel from fair to fair and so the set will have his shocks and bumps when on the road. Maybe I'll buy a Plasma for our house, but the new car comes first and than it's a little money saving period :lol:

I tested the Pioneer, LG and the Sharp-plasma's. Pioneer was the best image IMO.

As we don't watch that much television we decided not to go for that. The Sony surprised me when watching the "AGS"-Dvd and took away the fears that Mix was talking about. However cheaper LCD's still have the "Ghosting" problem I was told in the store.

But, buddy, I doubt that the new generation of TV's are build to last 20 years. I have a JVC (widescreen tele) right now and after only 5 years it's already beguinning to cause problems.

But I wish you all the luck with it ;-)