LCD or Plasma Television? help me out!

[Donza]

My father is after a 50 inch TV.

I have an LCD, and i without doubt recommend it.

HOWEVER, i have never had a plasma.

He can get a fully kitted 50" plasma for 1000 pounds.

Compare this to an LCD, which retails in the UK at 1200 minimum.

Which type should he buy...

 

[crockers]

My understanding was that LCD was better for smaller sized tvs and once one got over 32" then Plasma.... but perhaps LCD has moved on.

I have a Plasma 42" and have no complaints.....dont think I can honestly vote on this on - suggest he goes into a shop and watches both -- take a DVD in with some fast action to see how the screen refreshes. (if refresh is the right word)?

 

[television]

LCD has caught up now with advantages, I got one last week for a friend, sadly not a 50" it was only 49½"
With a resolution 1900 x 1300 contrast ratio of 1000 to I, CDm of 1000 its nice. it cost £850 from Macro + vat

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

I just bought a projector for £599 and it gives a great picture, current I have it set small at 72" but it can go up to over 100".

 

[Juddian]

We bought a lcd 40'' sony about 2 years ago, we were told that the plasma screens have a limited life, apparently much shorter than the plasmas but we'll see. It does have a big advantage in that as long as you can see the screen even from almost the side view you can still see a superb picture. Strangely enough we thought 40'' would be plenty big enough but sometimes we wish we'd bought a 50.
Just a suggestion pop into somewhere like Richer Sounds if theres one in your area and look at both(it was the lads there if i recall correctly who told me about the lifespan on the plasma and they didn't really do lcd at the time so i find them very fair) and at the same time have a listen to their surround set ups they may do your dad a deal on a full system, at least you'll get some fair advice.

 

[kelvyn]

Any extra cost in buying LCD will be offset by the lower electricity bill.
My understanding is that plasma screens are heavy on power ( they run quite hot apparently) hence the call to ban them. http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/ianmorris/0,139101819,49292726,00.htm.

 

[gl boy]

we have a 42"panosonic plasma and a 40"samsung lcd and i would say the plasma is a better picture and what kelvyn says tha plasma run hotter i disagree with( not that it isnt right) as the plasma runs a lot cooler (it seems too anyway)..also you can stand at the side of the plasma screen and still see the picture...also decide how many scart plugs,hdmi plugs,audio in plugs you will need this was a factor when we got the plasma ....hope it helps regards jon

 

[television]

Progress is moving very fast, LCD and plasma now have the same specs with plasma using 300W and LCD 50W LCD gives a better picture on moving shots, the way that plasma can go out of focus would irritate me.

Do bare in mind that what was sold last year for both cannot be compared with the latest models offered today

 

[kingsize]

My father is after a 50 inch TV.

I have an LCD, and i without doubt recommend it.

HOWEVER, i have never had a plasma.

He can get a fully kitted 50" plasma for 1000 pounds.

Compare this to an LCD, which retails in the UK at 1200 minimum.

Which type should he buy...

Plasma generally superior for fast moving material - sports, action movies etc.

Plasma generally has better colours and blacks to LCD which can look 'washed out' from certain viewing angles.


But, but, but don't buy any set just because it's cheap - you should test view any potential purchase, and check reviews of individual sets on the web. What Plasma, AVForums etc.....see what you like then google it.

 

[SimonsMerc]

At that price range, Plasma. Cheap plasma TV's can be good quality; cheap LCD sets not likely. Yes there are some very good LCD tv's, but they are far more expensive!

-simon

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


I thought it has a lot to do with the contrast rate and viewing angles also. I also thought the largest lcd was 40" without spending silly money.

Depends what you watch also.

If I were you buy some what Home Entertainment type mags or google the model you are after and read real life reports.

I'm undecided on two Samsung models one LCD 40" one Plasma 42" (cannot remember which way round but one has a contrast rate of 8000:1 and the other 15000:1)

I'm probably waiting until after chrimbo, the price is dropping weekly...

 

[shilzo]

My understanding was that LCD was better for smaller sized tvs and once one got over 32" then Plasma.... but perhaps LCD has moved on.

I have a Plasma 42" and have no complaints.....dont think I can honestly vote on this on - suggest he goes into a shop and watches both -- take a DVD in with some fast action to see how the screen refreshes. (if refresh is the right word)?

refresh is the correct work

 

[kingsize]

I'm undecided on two Samsung models one LCD 40" one Plasma 42" (cannot remember which way round but one has a contrast rate of 8000:1 and the other 15000:1)

I'm probably waiting until after chrimbo, the price is dropping weekly...

honestly, do not have any regard to the quoted contrast ratios.

The specialist mags do authoritative contrast measurement which generally shows up the manufacturers quoted stats.

 

[television]

honestly, do not have any regard to the quoted contrast ratios.

The specialist mags do authoritative contrast measurement which generally shows up the manufacturers quoted stats.

Very true, manufactures do publish all kinds of figures. It was my job when with Yamaha and Nakamichi to test and set up everything before a review.

I see that Sony have stopped putting figures out, saying that who do you trust, we even knew the publishers and we got things changed before they went to press.

 

[trooper]

for that size of screen I would strongly suggest Plasma.

What ever technology you go for, get a good one. You're gonna have this for several years so don't buy some crappy cheapo model.

 

[verytalldave]

The ONE area that LCD wins over plasma is if your TV sits where it catches direct sunlight.
If a Plasma screen stands in direct sunshine, you more or less lose the picture, whereas with LCD it remains bright and viewable. Which is why so many people with plasmas have their curtains drawn during the day.
If thats not an issue, then get whichever suits your pocket/preference.

 

[PAPA]

I have a 50" plasma 42 lcd, The plasma is much better then the lcd, You will see it the most in the blacks, Much darker in the plasma, The colour is also amazing, mine is fine in the sunlight and has a massive viewing angle.

I have a panasonic here is a link to there site

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/technology/viera-explained.html


Hope it helps

 

[Muppetz]

Go here - www.avforums.co.uk and do some research, I spent months researching before deciding on my 42" Panasonic Plasma and am extremely happy with it - sports and movies look great, sunlight does not affect it anymore than would a CRT, very happy

 

[crockers]

Here's a good page to look at

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/technology/buyguide.html

 

[nickcc101]

I have a friend who works for a well known electrical retailer and when i wanted to buy a plasma tv he advised against as the new LCD tv's have cured the problem of poor picture ie unless you view from directly in front of the screen. He also said that plasma has a max life expectancy of 10 years as the plasma drops towards the bottom of the screen over time. After saying all this it would be nice if other home electrical goods lasted more than 5 years in my house.