Plasma or LCD?

[SMELTN]

First off HAPPY Turkey Day guys/gals..

I have finally talked my wife into letting us get a new TV, but of course price is everything in our decision. I am looking at spending no more than $800 US. I am thinking 32" is ok, but would love a 42". We went last Saturday and looked around, and seen a ton of models, especially in this price range now that everything is going down..

My question to you guys. Plasma or LCD? Or does it really matter now a days. I know the TV's we see in our price range are 99% 720p..which is fine for us, I am not worried about 1080... We have a dvd player, Wii, and Dish Network...

What about brands? I hear alot of people talk about Samsung being good, and Walmart has one on sell this weekend.

$698 Samsung 42" Plasma HDTV While Supplies Last

* 42.0" diagonal viewing area

* 2 HDMI, 2 component, 1 PC, and 2 A/V inputs

* Model #PN42A400C2DXZA

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?...uct_id=10333896

We have seen some Samsungs, LG's and Vizio's.. Any suggestions and please explain Plasma over LCD and why I should choose 1 over the other?

Thanks guys

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Samsung LCD. Plasma is an old technology that has some very specific purposes. Home TV is no longer one of them really.

[Coldgunner]

As above, LCD hands down. better resolution and imho a sharper image.

[+Mystic MVC]

Can't go wrong with a Samsung LCD.

[Sethos]

Pioneer Plasmas are the only decent Plasma TVs out there, also far superior to most LCDs.

[LTD]

LCD.

Go with Samsung, Panny, or LG.

Though I'd go with Samsung. I'm a Panasonic guy myself, but Samsung has really impressed me over the last year.

[gnuman]

Do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT buy Vizio. They are garbage.

Although if you're using it just for that then that unit should be good enough.

BTW. Vizio is garbage :D

Edited November 27, 2008 by gnuman

[CHALE]

Check the Panasonic Plasma no other since most others suck really bad, but I agree LCD over all is a better buy. And the series 4 from samsung like the one you are looking at is a very good set for the money.

[DaDude]

Can't go wrong with a Samsung LCD.

I second that. I just bought one yesterday and it's by far the best looking HDTV I've ever seen. It beats my cousin's Sony Bravia.

[DrunkenMaster]

I have finally talked my wife into letting us get a new TV......

Letting us? I love being single! :)

Seems to me though the prices are going to drop another 30% by spring. Save your pennies and you'll end up with a 42" for the same price as a 32" IMO.

[kawasabi]

LCD for sure but it must have 5ms or less with 120hz.

[HawkMan]

42 inches and up Get plasma, it's not old technology and it still far superior to LCD.

I'd personally suggest the Panasonic thoughh, it's a lot better than the Samsung plasma's. If you do get some other type of plasma, do make sure it uses proper HD Resoltuion though, and not the silly fake 1024 non square pixel resoltuions they used to use on 42 inch plasma's before.

lower than 42 though, LCD is pretty much the only choice, and I don't think LED LCD's are out yet, certainly not at a reasonable price level.

of course if you want the absolutely best, get a Pioneer Kuro Plasma :)

but if you want a real big screen home "cinema" get a projector :)

[DaDude]

Seems to me though the prices are going to drop another 30% by spring. Save your pennies and you'll end up with a 42" for the same price as a 32" IMO.

It only seems that way because this guy is looking at a Plasma TV, which is cheaper than an LCD. A 42" LCD is still around $1,100 for a good brand (probably a little less for cheaper brands).

Personally, I prefer LCDs because they're lighter and you can easily find a small size.

[HawkMan]

It only seems that way because this guy is looking at a Plasma TV, which is cheaper than an LCD. A 42" LCD is still around $1,100 for a good brand (probably a little less for cheaper brands).

Personally, I prefer LCDs because they're lighter and you can easily find a small size.

That confused me for a moment, then I realized you're that guy

[winrez]

Do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT buy Vizio. They are garbage.

Although if you're using it just for that then that unit should be good enough.

BTW. Vizio is garbage :D

From what I have seen everyone that I know that has a Visio is happy with it and the picture beats out most of its competitors at the same price range

To be honest you are the first person that I have heard speak bad about Visio. Do you have any reason for saying that first hand?

The Visio that I tested passed the pantone test hands down (Along with a samsung)

[Inctye]

Hands down LCD. Samsung is best followed by Panasonic and LG (Sony is just way too overpriced for what they offer). If you were on the market for a new LCD, I would say now is the time. In fact, I hope you didn't miss the best deals already from Black Friday. There were some really good 42in models selling for less $800. Might want to keep an eye out for Cyber Monday deals tomorrow.

[HawkMan]

Why on earth would you choose any LCD over a Panazone 42 inch PZ85 or PZ86 Plasma ?

At the store I currently work, no LCD is even close to the panasonic Plasma's, The 50 inch Samsung plasma we set up the other day though... that didn't impress me.

[Inctye]

Why on earth would you choose any LCD over a Panazone 42 inch PZ85 or PZ86 Plasma ?

Plasma may be slightly better in only a couple aspects, but recent improvements in lcd tech have made the differences between the two more unnoticeable. When you factor in the prices (ex. 42in lcd vs 42 plasma), I just don't believe those small benefits from plasma is worth my money. I would just rather go for a bigger LCD of Samsung's best model line instead and get more bang for the buck.

[the1himself]

okay...

plasma or LCD?

it's a very good question and also the most asked when buying a TV and in the end, it really depends on what you'll be using it for (not to mention its all personal preference).

LCD:

- LCD's are good because they use less energy then plasma's and generate less heat.

- they also don't have glass as they're surface which some people find annoying as theycan see reflections off the're tv

- LCD's are also a little bit more expensive than plasma's (above 42 inches) but LCD's dominate the market below 42"

- generally speaking, LCD's are good for everyday/all-around purposes (gaming, computing, TV etc) but lack a lot important features that hardcore cinema enthusiant hunger for

like...

LCD's aren't asgood as plasma's when it comes to action packed scenes: they have a slower refresh rate and often produce a "ghost" image in a fast paced scene, when compared to a plasma

LCD's do not produce realistic colours and have been often described as "vivid" or "too bright" when compared to plasmas

LCD's also do not produce deep blacks like plasmas do which might be the most vital aspect of buying a tv because the deeper the black, the better the contrast ratio and over all colour. however, the only tv that has come close to even creating a deep black like a plasma can is a samsung... http://www.ultimateavmag.com/flatpaneldisplays/1207sam5281/

LCD's also do not have a wide of a viewing range as a plasma. plasma's havea 175 degree angle viewing range whereas a LCD has somwhere between 150 to 165 or sometime more..

plasmas...

- generate too much heat and use more energy

- have a glass surface which may annoying some people

- cannot be used as a computer monitor

plasmas create better and realistic colours

create the deepest blacks

better for action scenes

the number one rated tv in the world is a pioneer Kuro series http://www.ultimateavmag.com/flatpaneldisplays/1007piok60/

be careful what people say about either LCD or plasma: they're diff technologies that offer both pros and cons. neither one is better than the other its what you prefer that matters. do your own researchand find what best for you!

if you're going for smaller than 42" i'd recommend a sharp aquos...simply beautiful...

[DaDude]

That confused me for a moment, then I realized you're that guy

Well, it's weight is not the only reason why I find LCDs better. I wanted a 32" HDTV and getting that size on a Plasma is very hard. Some brands do carry 32" Plasmas, but not a lot. I don't think Samsung has that size. Also, a lot of sunlight comes into my apartment, so glare is also a problem. And yeah, LCDs are lighter than Plasmas. All I got to say is that I have a 32" LCD and I couldn't be any happier with it. It was worth the money and I would not trade it in for a plasma.

[HawkMan]

Plasma may be slightly better in only a couple aspects, but recent improvements in lcd tech have made the differences between the two more unnoticeable. When you factor in the prices (ex. 42in lcd vs 42 plasma), I just don't believe those small benefits from plasma is worth my money. I would just rather go for a bigger LCD of Samsung's best model line instead and get more bang for the buck.

Actually unless you use LED LCD's wich are more expensive than Plasma's if you can get one, Plasma's are siginificantly better than LCD's you don't have to think of the ms speed, wich you really shouldn't anyway, the screen don't get crappy if you gt a fast (low ms) screen. Far superior contrast and black levels., doesn't lose all the details in the dark areas as an LCD does.

As for energy use and heat generation it's not something I'd really set up as a huge consequence, on warm days you won't notice it in winter it helps heat up the room :) and a plasma actually has variabl energy use whreas a LCD is allways 100%., again provided it's not one of the epensive LED's wich are still inferior to a panasonic plasma.

As for the glass screen, the LCD gives a reflection too, only it spreads it out wich can be more anoying for lights, a glass/glossy scren is atually a lot easier to get rid of reflections on , and most are anti reflective anyway, heck even in the store I an't notice reflections on the panasonic and that's pretty damn incredible considering the enviroment, the Samsung 50inch plasma I haven't checked out so much yet but I didn't notice any reflections, however it has a stupid glass that blurs stuff if you look at an angle.

The only point where LCD's have really gotten close to plasma's is on viwing angle, where LCD's are no good anough on t least any angle it'd be sane to watch the TV at :)

plasmas...

- generate too much heat and use more energy

- have a glass surface which may annoying some people

- cannot be used as a computer monitor

Err, yes they can. Very well in fact.

If you're talking about burn in here, Burn in is no longer an issue with plasma's and haven't been for a long time. Heck I get more image retention on my own 42 inch LCD than the new plasma's

[Matrix XII]

I guess I'll add to the +1 Samsung LCD TV's. My family has 3 of them and they've all served us well. My friend also has one as well that has been good, the panel had to be replaced but Samsung did it without hesitation.

[SMELTN]

Thanks for all the help guys. We ended up getting a LG 42" LCD. It wasn't plasma but meh.. We are pretty pleased so far.

[HawkMan]

LG makes good LCD's my 42 inch LG has served and still is serving me well.

[t0mbi]

samsung LCD! or Toshiba LCD, i use to work for samsung and if one of the tvs was broken they simply swap it over ! id never go with a LG TV til the day i die, ask any salesman and they all say that same joke "LG=Low Grade"

lol LCD! LCD!