Plasma or LCD???

[Dub]

I need a new TV and have some time off this week to shop around.

Looking for a 50" or something close.

Would appreciate suggestions!

[misty_mountainhop]

LCD. Plasma have better contrast ratios but burn out much quicker....often can't get insurance of 3 years or beyond over here on plasma.

As for make, try a Sony Bravia - more expensive but very good picture/sound.

[jamo]

  misty_mountainhop said:

lcd. Plasma have better contrast ratios but burn out much quicker....often can't get insurance of 3 years or beyond over here on plasma.

+1

  misty_mountainhop said:

as for make, try a sony bravia - more expensive but very good picture/sound.

+1

[Dub]

Wish I could spring for LED but my wife would be pissed if I spent that kind of $$$.

I'll certainly look into the Sony Bravia.

[Stickbo]

I would definatly go with LCD. I few months ago i bought a 55 inch Samsung LCD. Can;t beat the picture. It is in direct sunlight most of the day and it is still looks good. Tons of compliments.

[retexan599]

I have had a 50" plasma for about three years now; still great picture and performance. I got the extended warranty and used it once. Otherwise trouble free. I especially like that the picture does not fade out when viewed at a side angle. HDTV big screen is worth it for the Masters if nothing else....

There is a great web site that discusses all such things about AV equipment:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php?

[mkoreiwo]

AVS forums are a very good start...

IMHO, whatever you choose, and there are valid arguments for both, if you are serious about your HD set and how the picture looks: get a set that has a user accessible complete Color Management System (CMS). I know the mid/high end Samsung sets do, as I have one and the CMS is tremendous for calibrating it.

Your viewing habits and show preferences should guide you. And btw, plasmas will last longer than you'll want them too. That old saw of dimming is just that. The technology has come a long way - as has that for LCD. Go bigger than you want, you won't ever regret that!

[Dub]

Thanks for all the information and insight.


I'm going to go hunting around in the morning.....I think. It looks like a missed some of the big local sales this weekend.....couldn't help it as we were out of town for the holidays.


I've had great luck with Sony products in the past...certainly will look them up first.

[Jay-Bird]

buy LCD, give plasma.

[Dub]

How important is the swivel feature of the Samsung vs Sony?

It will be angled in a corner in our den.

[woodzie264]

LCD; we got it because
1. we put it above our gas fireplace and was told a plasma wouldn't tolerate the heat if we used it with any regularity
2. that the plasma would burn out faster...

[Leftygolfer]

I recently got a Panasonic Plasma, 50 inch, 720. It was pretty darn cheap. I researched this pretty much and plamsa have better color and picture. I would put my 720 up against a 1080 LCD. The picture is better, it looks amazing, the price is now 700. As far as life, they are both rated the same now. I have a big bay window and have never noticed the "glare" they talk about with plasmas. It is better in the dark but what TV isn't? For the money I just don't see you going wrong. You aren't going to touch a 50 inch or even 46 LCD for that price and it is the best plasma out since Pioneer got out making them. Everyone that comes over compliments me. I have watched blue ray on mine and on friends 1080 LCD and the picture of a plasma kills them. Also, 600 hz speed. Sports rule.

[MrKadash]

I have a Sony Bravia as well. Excellent, highly recommended.

[Dub]

Went HHGregg and BestBuy a few minutes ago.

It was a dizzying experience. There are pros and cons each way.

Found a 58" Samsung plasma that was awesome.

Also really liked the 52" Sony Bravia 120 hz.

[Leftygolfer]

It is fun. That is the greatest single purchase I have ever made. I enjoy it every night. Watching movies is great. Highly recommend getting surround sound. The only thing that makes LCDs better now is energy efficiency (or at least what they say in all the geek articles I read). They say the life span is the same in both, I think 25,000 hours or 7 years. I was going to purchase the LCD when I first was looking into it since it is a highly lit room and life things I heard. But after I read and looked around, I was like "wow" I can get a 50 inch TV for that??? I would like to see what the high end plasmas look like. I have the base model and it looks great. They have the THX certified models that are twice the price and I wonder if you could truely see the difference. Not sure. I just couldn't be more happy. I have surround sound, blue ray, and it is a great experience watching movies now. The glass screen is nice to me since it is more durable against touch (toddler). You also get the 600 hz processor so action is crystal clear.

[Danny Noonan]

I've got 2 plasmas, both Samsung. Love them.

Only negative is the glare. The one in the living room during the daytime gets bad glares, but we have big windows. Other than that, love the plasmas.

Both of mine are 5+ years old and absolutely no problems at all on either. Hell, I think my oldest one is around 7 years old or so. I was an early adopter of flat screen TV sets.

[Dub]

Man, what a day.

I'm not much of a shopper and the crowds were intense but my son and I struggled through.

The decision was made after much debate and could have gone either way. I decided on a Sony 1080p 120hz. We were both smitten with the Samsung plasmas but 75% of the front wall of our den is a window. Glare would have been an issue for us. Had that not been a factor then I things would have gone the other direction.

I guess after- Christmas has local inventories very low. Both shops would have had to order. I went with Crutchfield this time...as I've had great experiences in the past with them.

All of your help was appreciated!!!!

[Zeph]

Now you should find the appropriate settings to give the best possible image.

On my Samsung I changed a lot of settings, included turning off the 100Hz (Europe) to get a good picture.