Plasma or LCD

[martin]

What's the better of the two? I've been reading that Plasma is the better (something to do with pixel speed changing capabillity) but don't know how un-bias the info was. Any techies out there?

[kinny]

I had this problem, i have a 40 inch samsung lcd, and its great for whatever im watching, what size are you getting as if its under 30 inch there wont be much disernable difference. Thing with plasma's too is that if you offset them from the "right way up" it can stuff the screen permenantly, When i was buying mine i seem to remember it being the other way round , lcd gives a more clear picture for fast moving images and stuff like footy where its blobs of colour (players) over the predominantly green pitch.

 

Ill try and find the link pal.

[kinny]

i may have been wrong about lcd's lol, but in all fairness i cant fault mine!

 

link > http://www.plasma-lcd-facts.co.uk/ - Cant find the exact page but have a scan on this one, tbh its actually sponsored by one company that makes soley plasmas and two that make both but the facts are about right .

[Spyke]

i thought one was better 32"....not sure which was which though

[martin]

That's what i mean about un-bias advise, you've got to be carefull who's giving it.

I was looking at 42", i want to be able to get it in the door;).

[kinny]

logic would say 32 plasma as little monitors for pc and small tv's are tft which is similar to lcd is it not? Might be well out there but thats my though process.

[GrolschUK]

To be hoenst there isn't much difference between the two these days.

 

Plasma tends to be better for larger screens (42"+) and does not have as much motion blur as LCD's do. But LCD's have a higher resolution, allowing 1080p HD.

[kinny]

http://www.cnet.com.au/tvs/0,239035250,240036500,00.htm

 

Thats the link i used to decide it says over 50 inch get a plasma but anything up to 42 inch et an lcd and you'll be laughing. hope that helps

[daZZa-S]

Know a few people who have plasma's and they have said that they eat a hell of a lot more electric then LCD/TFT. They have found them pretty expensive to run

[MIn]

Unless you are going to be watching a lot of HD or have a very large room keep the size down to 32" or 37" & make sure it has ALL the inputs you might need.

[craig.w1599968638]

Plazma is better for the bigger sizes of 42+ but the qaulty difference is amazing between different models of both LCD's & Plazma

 

Dont choose between LCD or Plazma until you have looked at the actual pictures real time...

Your best bet is to find a local large size Comet as they mornally have loads of screens, go in and look at all the screens and pick the one with the picture you like, forget the makes etc, just choose the picture quality you like best...go from there,

then ask the assistant to show you with a sky picture/normal digi input and a HiDef input as well....that way you get to see it before you buy.....

find the one you like, take the model number and go online and see what you can get it for....

 

....last tip, stand in the shop the same distance away from the screen as you will have it at home if possible.

 

hth

[GrolschUK]

I've heard that looking at screens under the bright lights of a shop is not the best way to go as it's quite different to how it will look under normal conditions at home. unless they have a "home from home" section that is darkened out.

[martin]

That sounds good advice Craig;), i've noticed that some cheaper brands have a better picture than the top names.

 

Is this any good?

• Auto Tuning System Multi Screen Aspect Ratio
  
• PAL/SECAM Multi Tuner
  
• TELETEXT
  
• 1100 cd
  
• Stereo
  
• Auto Power Off
  
• 16.7M Colours
  
• HDMI inputs x 2
  
• Scart x 2

Not a clue:confused:

 

I won't be watching HD for a few years

[MIn]

Have a look in novatech, there near PS. http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/products/a933x1y0z1p0s0n0m0

[Anne1599968726]

Know a few people who have plasma's and they have said that they eat a hell of a lot more electric then LCD/TFT. They have found them pretty expensive to run

 

I've heard that as well. Big expensive telly mean big expensive leccy bill kemosabe

Look for energy efficiency ratings.

[Simon Bailey]

Just back from New York and Samsung have an "Experience" store there...everything they make basically.

 

They had a lot of 37" LCD's up to the range topping 80" plasmas and the new "Cinema" widescreen Plasma (foooking HUUUUGE!)...there were no prices!...lol

 

They even had a 3DTV (one of those ones you wear stupid flickering glasses...but in HD) the picture was fantastic and by jingo it jumped out at you!

[Sparhawk]

and by jingo

 

Have no interest in televisions, but had to quote that!

 

What on earth have you been on in New York ??

[martin]

Thanks all, 5ms responce time on LCD is the fastest i can find so far. This seems to determine picture quality when it comes to moving objects (which is what telly's about). + LCD is advertised as being cheaper to run.

[Mechhead]

yes

 

and LCD is cheeper, and a Plasa will have a better responce time, due the nature of the way they display their pictures.

 

I would suggest craigs idea, but i would choose Richersounds in soton, they have a large wall of TV's, both plasma and LCD mounted together with the same picture on them all.

 

This mean you get a fair balance between all the screen, and they are not arranged in rows, or small isles like in commet.

 

Also in RS, unlike comit, they have no issue with getting a a DVD player and plugging it dorectly into the tv you are looking at.

 

I say this as most places use sliptters, and multi changers for tvs to show the same picture, this will cause signal damage and youw ill not be getting a clear picture on what you are buying.

 

RS will attach a dvd player, and you can see the final best quality.

 

Also think about in terms of longevity, LCD's have made a amssive jump in the tech they use, and the abilities they have in the past two years, where as LCD's have not seemed to make as much of a jump.

 

Yes it is (or at least was true that anything 40" plus was plasma only, but this is not so true anymore.

 

also as has been suggested, stand as far back from teh tv as you would in your loung if you can, but also think about how far away form teh tv you are going to be, there is good and bad viewing distances for different size screens

 

ie - Read me

 

this might help you understand what i mean.

 

also are you wall amouting it, or are you planning on having it on a stand.

 

personally, i would choose a tv i liked, wetahre its plasma or lcd, i have to look at the think every day

 

[Spyke]

make sure you get one wiv a matt screen so you dont get any reflection

[martin]

That viewing distance table is handy, most people i know just went for the biggest they could afford. The bigger the better isn't always so.....

[MiDnight]

plasmas can suffer from picture burn in(have a look here http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatv/plasmatv-burnin.html

should tell you what i mean)

[Farno]

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=91

[neilj37]

You also need to look at the contrast ratio which determies the colour range and whether you will get a "true black". A lot of the plasma screens are 15000:1 but the majority of LCD's are only 10000:1 and less.

 

I was looking at a Samsung 42" 1080p LCD which has a contrast ratio of 15000:1 and has a special setting for playing games

[kinny]

I was looking at a Samsung 42" 1080p LCD which has a contrast ratio of 15000:1 and has a special setting for playing games

 

That sounds like mine, what model was it? If its the same as mine or similar then its a fantastic tv, picture and sound quality is fantastic my only gripe is that the remote does.nt look as futuristic as i would like but thats not a huge issue really!