OT: Need Opinions On Plasma vs. LCD

[Madi100]

We are going to buy a TV today. Had it in our mind that we were getting a LCD. But there are some really good deals on plasma in the ads I'm looking at. Anyone want to give me an opinion?

 

[stitchlover]

We had someone tell us a good rule of thumb is less than 42" you are okay to go with LCD. Over 42" you need to go with Plasma.

We have two Plasma TV's in our house, both Vizio brands, and we absolutely love them. We have had one for 2-3 years and the other for just over a year. I highly recommend this brand and their are very nicely priced compared to some of the units on the market.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

If you are going to have video gmes or computer on it then go with lcd.

 

[Madi100]

We had someone tell us a good rule of thumb is less than 42" you are okay to go with LCD. Over 42" you need to go with Plasma.

We have two Plasma TV's in our house, both Vizio brands, and we absolutely love them. We have had one for 2-3 years and the other for just over a year. I highly recommend this brand and their are very nicely priced compared to some of the units on the market.

We are going with a 50" so your opinion says plasma.

If you are going to have video gmes or computer on it then go with lcd.

We will have our Wii hooked up, so your opinion says LCD. Why LCD with video games?

 

[StuartJax]

Many video games have static images on the screen. Over time this can cause burn-in on plasma displays, but not LCD. When we bought our plasma tv, we just made sure we took time to break-in the screen and we have never had burn-in issues.

We just ran a break-in dvd on the tv while we were at work the first 100-200 hours and didn't watch standard def shows with bars for that time.

I would post a link, but I am too new. You can find it at avsforums under the Master Burn-in/break-in Thread.

We love our plasma television.

 

[pdmac]

We have a 42 inch plasma never had trouble with it in 5 years the picture is good, i would recommend going into the store and look at a lcd and a plasma side by side and you can see the quality for yourself. Good luck

 

[daneenm]

We have a 50" Sony rear projection DLP and have really enjoyed it. We bought it a couple of years ago and plasma at that time for that size was really cost prohibitive. I am not a TV expert but I think the picture quality is beautiful.

 

[jcb]

We have a 42" plasma and a 36" LCD. The key point to the difference (to me) isn't so much the quality but the fact that a plasma screen reflects images (such as light from a window). An LCD will of course reflect light but the reflection is much more diffuse. The plasma TV uses a glass screen (at least it looks like glass). I had the plasma opposite a large window and am much happier with it in the corner where it is perpendicular to the window.

What I also find important is the contrast ratio. If you want vivid movies of Wishes in all its colors, look at that as well.

 

[kmk1180]

We had someone tell us a good rule of thumb is less than 42" you are okay to go with LCD. Over 42" you need to go with Plasma.

.

FYI, recent articles about this say that is no longer true.
While it used to be true because the picture quality, better technogy
in the last couple years have voided this issue.
Some suggest LCD's is the future and plasma will go the way of VHS
But who cares? If a plasma is a better value and to you better picture, get that. It's not like it's going to have trade in value like a car.
One big Difference is LCD's are much lighter, thus easier to install.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'm going to jump in and say that I agree with Jack (jcb).

We have a 42in plasma and Mom has a 47 inch LCD.

The plasma screen is a much more reflective surface. If the plasma TV will be facing a window or other light source, that's all you are going to see.

The LCD screen diffuses the light much better and doesnt have the reflection issue.

Look at an LCD and Plasma in the store and you will see what we mean.

When buying my Mom's LCD, I did a lot of research and found that Vizio is a high quality TV at a lower cost than the big names.

The TV is made to sell at the "Big Box" stores like BJ's, Sam's and Costco.

The reviews were equal or better to some of the more well known TV makers.

She's had her 47in Vizio for a couple of years and is very happy.

Good luck.

 

[dgthree]

When buying my Mom's LCD, I did a lot of research and found that Vizio is a high quality TV at a lower cost than the big names.

That's really good to know. The price on the Vizio TV's I've seen at Costco has certainly been appealing, but I've been hearing that little annoying voice in my head - you know the one that whispers you get what you pay for?

But if the quality is there, well, there's never anything wrong with saving a few pennies!

Thanks, Kevin!

 

[Alztybrn]

If you can control the light in the room, i.e have it darker without bright lights, Plasma will be the way to go. Conversely, in a very bright room, you will have better results with LCD.

If you get a Plasma, definitely go through the break in period as mentioned earlier. There are disagreements if it is still needed, but after spending that much money on Plasma, I felt I could spend the time to go through the break in period.

If you watch a lot of sports and action, plasma will be the way to go. Plasma also gives you much better blacks on the screen.

If you need, spend a bunch of time over on the AVS forums. A wealth of info over there.

 

[WDWAurora]

We had a horrible experience with our plasma. It was a 42in. and the picture was beautiful. We followed all the rules about breaking it in, and still experienced terrible burn in, especially from DH's video games, as well as tv channels that have their logo in the bottom right corner. We were just never thrilled with it. After a while, all the burn in made the picture always fuzzy. Recently, it went out. I wasn't disapointed, other than the money issue!

Meanwhile, DH's parents bought an LCD of the same size. No burn-in, no fuzziness, still a beautiful picture. It was stolen last year (about a week before we took them to WDW for the first time) so they replaced it with a Samsung 46in LCD. It is perfect. DH's brother was ready for an upgrade and got the same one. Ours was delivered on Friday! I LOVE this tv. The LCD is at least equal to the quality of the plasma, and no burn in issues.

I would consider buying on Amazon. We got ours with a free netbook (350 dollar value) and the price was a couple hundred less than in stores for the same model. Free delivery AND they bring it in the house and set it up. Fabulous. They will remove your old tv if you want, and the box if you want (we kept ours for now). Can't beat it!

 

[stitchlover]

My husband is a big gamer and we have never had any problems with burn in on our tv. My husband makes sure anytime he pauses the game he turns the tv itself. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[wdwfreeksince88]

If you are going to have video gmes or computer on it then go with lcd.

We have a 50in Plasma with a Wii and a Playstation 3 hooked up and have had no problems with burn in. Newer models don't have the problems that first ones did. Our is little over 2 years old, and we love it.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

Also. Think about the angles you will be sitting from the TV. Do you have people way off to the side? Looking up or down.

while at the store looking at the TVs stand at the worse angle somebody would be at your house.

LCD TVs have gotten better with the angle issue. I bought our plasma due to the shape of my living room puts a 4Th person off to the side.


Also you need to look at TV ratings based on the type of signal you are gonna get. They like to show High quality signals at the store and then people get home and try to watch square shaped analog cable signals and stretch it wide and wonders why it looks like crap. Some TVs do better with non digital signal.

And yes your cable company still sends Analog signals. If you plug a cable straight from the wall into the TV you are still watching analog.

 

[Madi100]

We decided on a 50" Samsung Plasma. But, now I'm second guessing after coming back and seeing the reviews. My biggest concern is the glare factor. We have a lot of windows, and we don't know where we will be living next. Hmmm, I wonder if I should change my mind before we pick it up.

 

[Alztybrn]

Samsung makes a great plasma, but if you have a lot of windows, it certainly can affect your viewing experience. Just be familiar with the return policy before you pick it up.

 

[Madi100]

Samsung makes a great plasma, but if you have a lot of windows, it certainly can affect your viewing experience. Just be familiar with the return policy before you pick it up.

I guess it's not so much windows, it's a window and a door. Glass door that goes to the screened in porch

 

[scoot241]

I'm a big plasma fan. I've had no problems with burn-in, and I play Xbox 360 and Wii as well as watch shows in many different aspect ratios and have yet to see anything resembling burn-in. Just use it like you would normally use a TV and don't leave anything paused on it for a long period of time.

I recommend Panasonic. With Pioneer getting out of the plasma game (plus the premium price), Panasonic is the best affordable option; the colors and black levels are excellent and the pictures are crisp.