DEBATE: Plasma or LCD?

gstjoker · 11-30-2008

Story goes:

I won a free Insignia 32" 720p Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV from work. Checked on google and worth: $547.99 at BestBuy, around that area. With it being a plasma, you think I should sell it and get a real picture size tv around 42" is what I want, that's LCD and not plasma or just keep it?

I want to sell it right now cause it's still in very mint condition as I just took it out of the box to see how cool it was, and the fact that it's a Plasma tv. I've searched around and what's concerning me the most is the plasma burning out on me. The tv will be used a lot as it's in the living room being used close to around 5-6 hours daily through all family members. Gaming is in the future with limited hours.

Just trying to figure out what to do before value drops even more on the tv so let me know what you think.

brando · 12-01-2008

with plasma you constantly have to have an image on the screen correct?

EclipseGST · 12-01-2008

1080p LCD w/ 120Hz...

Amazing!

INTRIGUED · 12-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by EclipseGST

1080p LCD w/ 120Hz...

Amazing!

I have to agree, In all of the tv's I have seen. This combo is by far the best I've seen. Hence why I just bought a 52 inch sammy with 120hz. My parents have a mid level plasma and I'm not impressed at all. But just like the salesmen that sell them. Each person has their own bias opinion about which is better. I feel as if I have seen enough out there and for what I think looks "good" LCD seems to take the medal.

GsXtUrBo98 · 12-01-2008

**cmspaz** · 12-01-2008

+1 for LCD.

The usage restrictions surrounding plasma suck major cock.

brando · 12-01-2008

what are the useage restriction's?

**JET** · 12-01-2008

LCD if it is 120hz, that takes care of the big complaint I have always had with LCD. The new LCD's are getting a very good contrast ratio also, the blacks are getting about as good as plasma. I am still looking at a DLP set though, they still are the best bang for the buck.

INTRIGUED · 12-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

LCD if it is 120hz, that takes care of the big complaint I have always had with LCD. The new LCD's are getting a very good contrast ratio also, the blacks are getting about as good as plasma. I am still looking at a DLP set though, they still are the best bang for the buck.

DLP is such an old and dated tech. Viewing angle is horseshit and a design like that is only worth the dollar amount they ask for. You pay for what you get, I looked at DLP and thats like buying a porsche 944.. The poor mans porsche..

**JET** · 12-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by INTRIGUED

DLP is such an old and dated tech. Viewing angle is horseshit and a design like that is only worth the dollar amount they ask for. You pay for what you get, I looked at DLP and thats like buying a porsche 944.. The poor mans porsche..

Obviously you haven't looked into the subject much. 140* horizontal viewing angle is horseshit? Vertical does have more limitations at 60*, but when is that seriously a problem? Check out the Samsung A750 series, it uses LED light engines, so no bulbs to burn out. 61" for $1,500 delivered to your door, 67" for a few hundred more. 10,000:1 contrast ratio is top notch also. It also uses less electricity by a long ways over LCD or Plasma. Mitsu also came out with the LaserVue recently, which is interesting also.

OLED is the future of TV's, 1,000,000:1 contrast ration, can be made flexible so you can roll it up. Very cool stuff and they are making several new plants for it right now.

52" and under, 120hz LCD. 60"+ Samsung A750 series DLP unless you are loaded, then get a LCD for 2x the money.

INTRIGUED · 12-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

Obviously you haven't looked into the subject much. 140* horizontal viewing angle is horseshit? Vertical does have more limitations at 60*, but when is that seriously a problem? Check out the Samsung A750 series, it uses LED light engines, so no bulbs to burn out. 61" for $1,500 delivered to your door, 67" for a few hundred more. 10,000:1 contrast ratio is top notch also. It also uses less electricity by a long ways over LCD or Plasma. Mitsu also came out with the LaserVue recently, which is interesting also.

OLED is the future of TV's, 1,000,000:1 contrast ration, can be made flexible so you can roll it up. Very cool stuff and they are making several new plants for it right now.

52" and under, 120hz LCD. 60"+ Samsung A750 series DLP unless you are loaded, then get a LCD for 2x the money.

I suppose there could be a few out there that are good. I don't really pay much attention to them at I guess. So I don't really have to much of a valid opinion about them. I've always been "sold" on LCD ever since I've looked into buying a new tv.

I do agree though, OLED is going to be amazing that is fo sho.

vassil · 12-01-2008

I like plasmas. More than 1.5 years ago I bought a Panasonic 42" professional series montor. No speakers, tuners, etc. The thing is awesome. Picture is crystal clear and I cannot even count how many times I have passed out before the movie is over and left the monitor with the media center on. No burn in problems at all. The first few weeks of "breaking it in" were important, after that its been smooth sailing.

mdost03 · 12-01-2008

LCD>Plasma

311evo · 12-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by totaleclipse_05

LCD>Plasma

+1

the days of the plasma are comming to an end.

TheBlizzard · 12-01-2008

Here is my take on the whole deal; the thing nobody has mentioned in durability and longevity.

LCD tv's use pixels which vary depending on what resolution you buy; 1080p for example means 1080 vertical lines, the "P" just stands for progressive scan which is just a means for transmitting moving images to the screen in sequence. Depending on the size of the LCD there will be a certain amount of CCFL's (cold cathode flourescent) bulb that back light the pixels. An LCD can have one of more of the bulbs go out and still work, sure you might notice some areas that aren't as bright but it will still work. And you can have the CCFL's replaced by a TV shop or a experience technician. I have fix countless LCD's at my job by replacing the CCFL's. This is what makes LCD's a bit more pratical; when all teh CCFL's are working the tv is 100% at all times.

Plasma tv's are quite a bit different; but are commonly confused with LCD's, plasma's use electronically charged gas to display the image, the technology is very cool but there is a major draw back. From the time you power on a plasma it is not 100% anymore; slowly over time the gas will break down and the picture will not be as vibrant. Sure it might take a year or so of use to see a difference but it is definetly there. I think the image quality initially will be better with a plasma but it will slowly get worse. And if the screen is damaged at all you risk the chance of the gases leaking out and basically making the tv junk. To the best of my knowledge you cannot repair a plasma when it dies.

I agree that DLP is the best bang for the buck; there are a few slight drawbacks but when you can get one for half the price they aren't that significant.

We exclusively use LCD monitors for our slot machines; there have been some manufactures that used plasmas for signs and what not but soon found out that all the continous use wears them out very fast. The LCD's are a far better option overall in my opinion.

desolate · 12-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlizzard

Plasma tv's are quite a bit different; but are commonly confused with LCD's, plasma's use electronically charged gas to display the image, the technology is very cool but there is a major draw back. From the time you power on a plasma it is not 100% anymore; slowly over time the gas will break down and the picture will not be as vibrant. Sure it might take a year or so of use to see a difference but it is definetly there. I think the image quality initially will be better with a plasma but it will slowly get worse. And if the screen is damaged at all you risk the chance of the gases leaking out and basically making the tv junk. To the best of my knowledge you cannot repair a plasma when it dies.

Plasmas do lose their brightness from initial start up. However they have a lifespan of 60,000 hours. That's at least 12 years at moderately high usage. The TV probably would be replaced by then.

I vote plasma. Primarily for the no loss in brightness when viewed from the sides.

niterydr · 12-01-2008

I've been very happy with my 50" DLP 1080p 120hz Samsung. Got it at Circuit City last season "open box" (pretty much what the first poster did) for $1089. Sure I can't sit to the side of my tv and see it, but I usually sit infront of the TV. The picture is great, it is fun for gaming, movies are awesome, and watching hockey, baseball, football is awesome.

For $1000, I couldn't go wrong.

curt_gendron · 12-01-2008

The problem with selling that 32" TV that you won, is you probably won't get what its worth. If you can sell it for $500, then do it and put that money towards a 42" or bigger LCD. LCD is really the way to go, unless you want something really big like a 65" or 73". Then DLP makes more sense and are a lot cheaper in the big sizes.

And if you can afford it, get a 1080p LCD with 120hz. The 120 frame rate makes a big difference anytime the picture is panning or you are watching sports.

later,
Curt

A//// Guy · 12-01-2008

Doubtful.

Plasmas are still rated better for picture quality and true color over LCD's. The new refresh rate is helping LCD's alot, but picture quality is more important than resolution.

For smaller TVs id go with a LCD, 50" and up id go with a plasma.

And of course a $4000 LCD is going to look better than a $2000 Plasma. For similar price ranges, plasma wins.

JustROLLIN · 12-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by M/// Guy

Doubtful.

Plasmas are still rated better for picture quality and true color over LCD's. The new refresh rate is helping LCD's alot, but picture quality is more important than resolution.

For smaller TVs id go with a LCD, 50" and up id go with a plasma.

And of course a $4000 LCD is going to look better than a $2000 Plasma. For similar price ranges, plasma wins.

My friend who is an engineer at 3M in their graphics and displays dept said LCD for anything below 42" and plasma for all those above.

I have a 42" Plasma Panasonic and it dominates a lot of other TVs I have seen in a similar size with LCD. Granted, I dont really know how many were 120hz.