Difference between LCD and Plasma?

[Rusterson]

I'm in the market for a big new TV. Anyone have any basic recommendations for this overwhelming process? Thanks in advance.

[Rusterson]

Bumped.....

[DDBowdoin]

Bumped.....

plasma has a better picture but retains more light, if you have a lot of windows in the room avoid plasma. LCD is cheaper in price but not really in quality, great for games and avoids any issues with burn in.

[immts007]

I decided to go with Plasma after doing a lot of research and looking at a lot of different sets.

Plasma Pros:

1. Richer saturation and colors - with deeper 'darks/black'
2. Better for viewing in low-light situations
3. Much wider angle of view

Cons:

1. units are heavier
2. higher power-consumption
3. not available in smaller than 42" screen size
4. plasma 'ghosting'

the wider viewing angle and better movie-watching experience under low lighting were the selling points for me.

[Dent]

plasma has a better picture but retains more light, if you have a lot of windows in the room avoid plasma. LCD is cheaper in price but not really in quality, great for games and avoids any issues with burn in.

Definatly, if you have a video game system do not buy a Plasma!

If there is an image in the game that stays in one spot long enough the image can burn into the TV and it will permenatly be there no matter what you do.

[immts007]

Definatly, if you have a video game system do not buy a Plasma!

Not really true with modern plasma sets:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6844370-1.html

[Pinseeker81]

Having used all of the hi-def tvs there are, I'm an LCD or DLP man. Not a big fan of plasma.

[Rusterson]

THanks for the feedback...keep it coming.

[Rusterson]

What is plasma ghosting?

[immts007]

What is plasma ghosting?

The residual from a high-contrast image like white on black lettering. It can be a little annoying, but in my experience it's gone as soon after the pixels are flushed with other colors.

Again, the richness of a plasma picture is really striking especially when seen next to an LCD. And it doesn't vary much even when you move your viewing angle far to either side of the screen. LCD's have a very limited range of optimum viewing both side to side and up and down.

[michaeljames92]

we have a 50 inch plasma NEC, a 42 inch plasma phillips and a 30 inch generic brand LCD. judging by the quality of the LCD, it has much sharper colours compared with the plasma(although our plasmas are in rooms with many windows.

[choran]

As far as the burn in on the plasmas, most of the newer model plasmas have a feature that "alternates pixels" every few seconds in order to prevent burn in...I know that Samsung has this feature and it works very well. From my experience with both, plasma has the better picture imho, as well as a wider view angle. As of now it really just depends on the size of the television you want to purchase as the plasma's are only in 42" or larger. I also read earlier that someone said not to buy a plasma if your going to play video games. I'm assuming the reason they said this is because unless your watching a movie/tv/playing a video game in HD, then the picture is not much better (if not worse) than on a standard tube television. This is in part because of the large screen size, and also just because everything is going digital, so they are building these newer plasma TV's for digital. A good example of this would be that a PS2's picture on a plasma is not all that great. But the Xbox 360 (because of the HD capabilities) is amazing. I don't know if LCD's are the same as plasmas in this aspect or not.

To sum up, a plasma screen in HD is simply breathtaking (especially for watching golf )

[Pinseeker81]

Plasma's do not only come in 50" and up. You can get them in at least as small as 42".
Or just do what I did and get a 61" DLP

[Rusterson]

Woah!!! Those broads are about to kiss...

[j0npeterson]

This has come up a couple times at GolfWRX. I've kinda got a thing for TVs, almost as bad as my thing for clubs.

I'll copy/paste exactly what I said there:

First off, do your homework. Start reading now.

Secondly, how big do you want to go? More importantly, what is your screen viewing distance now?

Thirdly, after you've read and read (... and read) about the differences in the type of technology, you'll need to decide on what your needs are and how they fit into your budget. Between projection (DLP, LCoS), LCD, and plasma.. try not to get overwhelmed.

Don't get all turned up about 1080p, unless you have a hi-def media player... you won't reap the actual benefits for at least a couple more years (nobody broadcasts in 1080p yet).

If you wanna go big (we all do!) and keep it under $2k, you might look into a projection-tech tv. Whether it's DLP or LCoS (Sony's SXRD) you can't really go wrong with either. You get your most bang for the buck and can easily find a nice 56" HDTV for sub-$2000. With price matching and shopping around, I wouldn't be surprised if you could find a 65" for around the same price.

If you want something thin (like a wallhanger) and are looking at a set smaller than 50", LCDs and Plasmas are probably right up your alley.

I could go on and on, but I'll let you do the research... you'll learn more that way and be able to make an informed decision.

Last but not least... shop around! Check your Sunday ads and visit some of your local retailers. Make them price match and you'll save a ton. Don't let them rope you in on some cheesy warranty either.

[LottaBalata]

I personally, went a little cheaper with a $400 to $500 31" LCD. I was more interested in price.

This is only what I've heard--Because they are cheaper, they will only last a couple of years. That's LCD's.

Pay more for Plasma, they supposedly last longer


Once again, this is just something I heard from a friend.


I basically walked into SUPERWALLYWORLD, and looked for the best 2 or 3 pics under their lighting. I picked the ONE with the best pic, and have loved my inexpensive Polaroid, yes. . .Polaroid T.V. for about 2 years.