Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

I'm with DSM_420 on this one, DLP's are superior. The only downfall is they don't fit on the wall.

I have a nice projector with a 106" screen and that works really well too, but if I were going to get a TV it would be a DLP, I've done a lot of research on these lately for friends buying TV's and pretty much everything DSM_420 said is right on.

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

Ooooh a projector, those are super nice but can cost quite a bit unless you find a deal on a reliable used one.

If money wasn't an option, a projector for the win!

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

There are a lot of different options for DLP/LCoS. The new JVC's and Sony's are pretty kick ass. The Sony doesn't have an old school color wheel like the Samsung either. The new XBR2 is awesome, but more than what you are looking at spenging probably. They do have a 70" though! :D

Since it is for your dad and he isn't the one doing the research, he probably isn't into HD anyway, so a plasma would be fine as long as the doesn't burn anything into it. I am going with LCoS or DLP, unless something better comes out soon. Probably buying in the spring.

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

What is the average life expectency of a DLP?

Not being able to hang it on the wall is fine, the plan is to put it on a stand anyways.

Thanks DSM_420 for all that info!

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

Where do you buy your TVs?

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

plasmabay.com

don't tell anyone it is my little secret!!!

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

Average life span of a DLP TV is based on its lamp life, which usually on average will last all of 20,000 hours.

So like 26 years if it is on 6 hours a day lol.

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

Find me a good 42" :)

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

I was either buying my 42" LCD, or a 42" DLP. They were side by side, and the LCD was tremendously better. The DLP was 100 bucks cheaper, but the difference was pretty noticable. The DLP looked like it constantly was had this speckle effect.

Looks like they aren't selling my TV, but here is mine in a 46" version...

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/OID/...d/addToCart.do

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

Thanks B, I was really impressed with your TV.

Why did you decide against plasma?

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

Here is a nice DLP, Sears has a nice sale going on right now.

Samsung 42" DLP for $1200 and 50" is $1500.

A top notch LCD will be a bit higher and a plasma will be similar to the DLP price.

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

Thanks to you too JET!

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

Are these widescreen HDTV's measured the same way conventional TV's are (diagonal corner-to-corner)?

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

yep, but they are widescreen so they are wider in dimension than your standard tube would be for same screen size.

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

Not sure if that's the same one, but it was a Samsung DLP I compared my LCD to, and like I said, it was a pretty noticable difference. My LCD was way better. I actually went to the store looking to get a DLP since I had heard it was superior. But after seeing the difference, my and my buddy both agreed that the LCD had a better picture, and was worth the extra few bucks more. When spending that much money, i figured just make sure it's what I like. So I went with LCD, and I love mine. LCoS seems like it'll be real good too, just seems like it's not as available as the others.

Chris, Plasma was never even an option for me. It can get burn in like CRT TV's can, every one I've ever put my hands on are noticably heavier then my LCD, also like someone menioned, if they go bad, they go bad. You can't replace a bulb, nothing, they are done. Also, I guess I just didn't like the picture. Like with DLP, it seemed like pixels were always moving slightly in the Plasma's I was looking at in my price range. I searched lots of HDTV forums, and it seemed that the general population wasn't all that impressed with Plasma's. I'm very happy with my LCD. I'd say just go to the store, and find what you think looks best, and use what everyones told you about advantages and disadvantages. They all have theirs. Good luck man!

BTW with stores, I never shop at circuit city, but when I bought mine they had by far the cheapest prices out of them, best buy, and Ultimate. I also ended up buying a TV stand, and a Samsung upconverting DVD player while I was at it. And Circuit City had a 13month zero interest plan, so that helped too! Also HDMI ports were a good selling point too!

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

I bought a Sony LCD projection TV. It is a flat screen but is about 10 inches deep. I got it as a display from work so I got it for about half off but I am really happy with it. Perfect picture and you can look at it from any angle. It gets a little dark if you look at it from a top angle but not to bad.

I work with the parts and service guys a lot and everyone of them swears by the portection agreements no matter where you decide to buy a tv. With the cost of repairs on these things a 3 or 5 year protection plan can save you a lot of money.

It is the Sony Grand Wega like this.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...cemldffidfmg.0

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

Ju-on you must have been compairing your TV to a very low grade DLP. There are always multiple versions of the same size / model TV and you must have been compairing yours to the lowest grade of that model. That is usually what stores like Best Buy have laying around and displaying since the high end models barely sell.

Unless you buy it online your not gonna get anything special from a store like best buy for only 1,500 dollars you have to spend into the 4,000 dollar range which is a 1,800 dollar tv online.

I just don't see how it would be possible for your projection lcd to be better than a DLP unless it was a very low end model that is also 720p and has a bad contrast ratio. When thin panel LCDs, plasmas, and DLPs are all better technology. Plus most new DLPs these days are 1080p atleast the high end versions. 1080p is 4 times more clear than 1080i which is about 10 times more clear than your 720p tv.

I wish walking into a store and compairing what they looked like there worked, but it really doesn't, half the tvs arn't even hooked up right or arn't "tuned". Only way to get a good tv is to do research about each tv you are considering and than buy it from a reliable online site for dirt cheap and avoid sales tax.


edit - and about you being able to see the pixel on the DLP... on new high end samsungs DLPs pixels arn't visible from even 6 inches away.

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

The only problem with an LCD is they can't react as fast as a projection or plasma, so you can get some jumpiness in fast scenes. The main thing about them is you do not get the 3D depth. CRT is best for that, then plasma, DLP/LCoS and lastly LCD.

Alway be wary of comparing models in a store. Any TV can look like the best, it depends on how they are set up in the store.

We are about a year or 2 out on getting new projection units that will have the best of LCoS and LCD. The new Sony XBR2's are a step in that direction.

No problem on the help Chris! I have been keeping an eye on this stuff for myself too.

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

I understand the nicer ones are 4000 dollars. But I was comparing 2 TV's, that were both in MY price range. Comparing my $1700 LCD TV to a $1600 DLP TV sounds fair to me. Comparing my 1700 LCD TV to a $4000 DLP, well then ya I'd sure hope the DLP one looks better. Chris, are you looking to buy a $4000 TV?

Jet, yes I totally understand what you are getting at. Especially when the stores setup nice slow nature scenes, to really show off that 1080i. Both these TV's were setup for 720p, and they both had an NFL game on, and we later switched it to Black Hawk Down. I think it was a very fair comparison. 2 TV's, damn near identical in price (my price range too, $4000 is not my price range), same size, same movies, side by side. The Sony LCD was better then the Samsung DLP by far.

Again, sure I bet there are some better DLP's out there then the one I was watching, but don't compare that to my LCD, compare it to something that is in the same league as it, like some of the new Mitsubishi LCD TV's.

Also, yes LCD's are known to react slower, and sometimes cause traces. But on mine, it's very negligable. I don't notice traces at all on mine. On my friends Panasonic 50", yes I could see traces on his, and it drove me nuts. On mine, nada!

GOod luck with it though Chris, I'm sure you'll end up with whatever works best for you!

Re: 42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD
 

that is what im saying, cant ever judge how they look in the store