42" HDTV: Plasma vs. LCD - Page 3

INTRIGUED · 12-01-2006

Hughes, Take JET's link and get that one. We have a 42 inch plasma tv here and I hate it. Honestly could careless about the brand. The link JET presented, Get that one. LCD - DLP is the way to go. DLP from what I have heard through DADS is the way to go. Anything DLP you will be happy with, if need be I will try to hook you up here with one.

**Kracka** · 12-01-2006

Why do you hate the plasma?

ABV · 12-01-2006

Wow, this is some good info. I may be looking at getting a new TV in a couple of months. I made a bet with my roomate (he owns the house) that if he finished the basement by Jan. 28th, one week before the Super Bowl, then I would buy a TV to put down there.

Right now, I think I'm most interested in a flat panel LCD, because I would like to be able to mount it on the wall. I would consider the DLP rear projection as well. I just have to go out and start looking at some.

One thing that I really want, as long as it doesn't add a lot of cost, is the ability to hook up a PC to the TV. I think that would be awesome to be able to listen to music, watch movies, or go online while lounging on the sofa. PC games would be pretty cool too. Does anyone know if there's a way to do this, or do you pretty much need a giant TV/Monitor?

INTRIGUED · 12-01-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by S2kracka

Why do you hate the plasma?

Because unless the channel is in HD it looks like shit. Very grainy and just all around shitty picture. All the LCD tv's I have seen are so much then any plasma tv.

**Halon** · 12-01-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABV

Wow, this is some good info. I may be looking at getting a new TV in a couple of months. I made a bet with my roomate (he owns the house) that if he finished the basement by Jan. 28th, one week before the Super Bowl, then I would buy a TV to put down there.

Right now, I think I'm most interested in a flat panel LCD, because I would like to be able to mount it on the wall. I would consider the DLP rear projection as well. I just have to go out and start looking at some.

One thing that I really want, as long as it doesn't add a lot of cost, is the ability to hook up a PC to the TV. I think that would be awesome to be able to listen to music, watch movies, or go online while lounging on the sofa. PC games would be pretty cool too. Does anyone know if there's a way to do this, or do you pretty much need a giant TV/Monitor?

Pretty much all TV's come with S-Video, DVI, HDMI, Component, plug-ins. Not sure what kinda computer you have, but my computer has dvi, and s-video outputs, so I can hook it up to the tv no problem. Even if you don't have that kind of output on your computer, you can either get a video card that does, or just get little converter plug that'll convert the output to whatever kinda cable you want.

**JET** · 12-02-2006

A good chunk of the TV's will have a VGA input also, but not all.

Also, when I was talking about comparing TV's in a store, most are not setup well (color, contrast, etc.). That makes a huge difference. I was in BB and by looking at the TV's the Panasonic looked better than the Sony and Samsung, but I know they aren't better, it was just the way they are set up. Went to CC and the Samsung looked the best. Do a little research and you will be fine. Basically all of the Sony and Samsung TV's are top notch (be slightly wary of the Sony XBR line, not XBR2). Plasma is going to be basically gone in 2 years.

Pushit2.0 · 12-04-2006

Also room size plays a part in how big you want to go, and I have looked at ither the Mitsu DLP or LCD Tvs and both look awsome to me. The only problem with DLP is size it might be a little to big for my space at home but the LCD tvs are made in smaller screens and look awsome.

~John

ABV · 12-04-2006

I've been doing a little looking around, and I'm not convinced that 1080p is necessarily the way to go right now. The only reason to go for it is if you have a source that will output in 1080p. You will not get a 1080p signal from cable anytime soon because it takes about twice the bandwith of 720p. You could get a signal from a blu-ray or HD-DVD or whatever it's called, but then again you need the equipment to do that, which right now, is pretty expensive. And even if you did have the equipment, there's a good chance that it's still being upconverted from 720p.

I guess what it boils down to, is what you're willing to pay. The TV I'm looking at right now (Samsung 46" LCD Flat Panel 720p) has a cousin that's 1080p, but costs $500 more. To me, that's not worth it. I will still get amazing image quality while watching DVD's or the few HD channels available from Comcast. With the screen size that I'm looking at, and the distance I'll be sitting from the TV, I most likely would not be able to tell the difference between the two. And since standard cable wouldn't even come close to using the TV's full capabilities, the image would probably look the same on a 720p and a 1080p from 10ft away with a 46" screen.

A//// Guy · 12-04-2006

How often do you replace your TV though.. if you keep it for 5+ years, by then 1080 will probably be the norm and some other super high def technology will emerge.

If I were going to spend 1000+ on a TV, might as well get it will all the features I could use.

**Kracka** · 12-04-2006

Is 1080p even available? From what I've learned, it really sounds like 720p is better than 1080i for most things.

A//// Guy · 12-04-2006

No there is nothing available in 1080P right now because of the bandwidth issues. 1080i is available though, and alot of content is broadcast in this format.

1080i vs 720p: http://reviewdots.com/1080i-vs-720p....FRc6SQodZz-T3w

ABV · 12-04-2006

I guess you could argue it either way, but it comes down to what you're willing to spend. I feel that it I would be spending an extra $500 for a feature that I will not be able to fully utilize, while at the same time the picture quality of the 720p is so far superior to what I have now that I would be nothing less than amazed with the image. Again, some people would be willing to pay for it; however, I would not. If in five years the capability is there to broadcast a 1080p signal and I feel that I need something new, then I'll move this to my bedroom, and get something new for out there.

Here's the detail as I understand them as far as resolution goes.

720p - 720 lines of resolution, progressive, 60 frames per second.
1080i - 1080 lines of resolution, interlaced, 30 frames per second
1080p - 1080 lines of resolution, progressive, 60 frames per second

Cnet has a decent buyers guide to help you understand some of the technology better and help you make an informed decision.

Steeltwo · 12-04-2006

what an age old debate this is :-D

here are some of my thoughts.

i'm going to be buying a big screen soon, not quite sure which one or which type.

it is between LCD and Plasma.
Originally I wanted a DLP tv, but their viewing angles aren't good enough for me. Not to mention their color isn't as good as a LCD or Magma. Don't try to tell me different. Well you can try, I just won't listen

plasma burn-in, that is mainly a thing of the past. It can still happen, but the duration required to burn an image in, is about 13x as long. But you know if the plasma owner has a xbox 360, that halo 3 radar will be burnt in

one thing I haven't seen is the mention of Direct view lcd vs projection.
direct view looks better than. But a 50 inch direct view LCD is in the 5-8k range. Where a 50 inch lcd projection is in the 1800-2500 range.

a 32 inch LCD is a direct view, which is why it looks so crisp. Where a 50 incher from the same company, won't look as nice and won't really be that much more expensive.

someone mentioned the 50 inch toshiba for 1700 they had on black friday, they sold out of them and I couldn't get one

that is a KILLER tv.

as for getting a tv with 1080p or sticking with 720p

my friend bought a big screen last year when 1080p was going to come out, his TV doesn't have a digital reciever in it. Know why?
because they change the formats so much that it is more economically viable(for him) to just get an external convertor for 400, then when the new res becomes a standard, he just buys another and sells the old one.

shit 480p looks better than anything I have right now, much less 720 and 1080.

Steeltwo · 12-04-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by M/// Guy

No there is nothing available in 1080P right now because of the bandwidth issues. 1080i is available though, and alot of content is broadcast in this format.

1080i vs 720p: http://reviewdots.com/1080i-vs-720p....FRc6SQodZz-T3w

good article.

**JET** · 12-04-2006

Mark, the 1080p is basically the standard all new models are made to. If it isn't 1080i it is the lower end or a carryover model from last year. You will get more in the TV than just 1080p.

The biggest thing people need to be aware of is the upconverter. This will take your signal and convert it up to 1080i/p. This technology has made drastic improvements in the last 2 years, especially this year. This is the biggest reason I would get a nice TV vs. a cheaper one. Some of the cheaper TV's actually look worse when upconverting than a standard CRT that isn't hi-def.

As others said, we may not be using 1080p much right now, but it is coming fast. HD-DVD or blu-ray is going to be the standard very soon and DVD's will be like VHS is now. The upconverter is one of the most important things for us normal folk that don't run HD all the time (direct TV is 1080i already).

Also, LCD projection is basically dead, DLP and LCoS are far superior.

AJ · 12-13-2006

Sticking with opinions on TVs, Any thoughts on this one?

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...373&redirect=1

The price would actually be closed to $1360 vs $1599 though with 15% off.

ABV · 12-13-2006

The two things that I see are the contrast ratio and the viewing angle. 1000:1 contrast isn't bad, but there is much better out there for that price. And the Viewing angle is a pitiful 88 degrees.

For the money I think you would be much better off with something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LNS405...&s=audio-video

It's larger, has a 4000:1 contrast ratio, a 178 degree viewing angle, and best of all it's not a Dell.

Plus when you factor in the shipping and tax you would pay through Dell, this Samsung is probably cheaper with no tax (as far as I know anyway) and free shipping from Amazon.

AJ · 12-13-2006

Hummm, mark you don't like to make things easy! lol

What's wrong with a Dell? One other advantage is we already have an accoung with Dell so instead of having to put it all on a CC or pay up front for it, we could pay 3 or 4 or 24 payments to it through Dell.

With our living space setup I don't know if Viewing angle is all that important.

**JET** · 12-17-2006

Here is a kick ass deal on a nice 61" samsung DLP, $1,797 shipped, no tax!! 1080p and all that jazz.

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4855040