What is better a PLASMA or LCD?
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at
11:23 am
I am going to buy a T.V this weekend whats should I get? A 50 inch Plasma for $1093 with sound system or 52 inch LCD Samsung for $1300. Dose a plasma really burn the pic. on to the screen?
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Plasma has better contrast ratio (and therefore better picture quality) than LCD, so I would get that, even though it’s a bit smaller. Also it would only burn the pic onto the screen if it was left on the same pic for 10 mins or more, so I wouldn’t worry about that as long as you’re careful.
Plasma
Based on my experience I wouldn’t purchase an LCD. My LCD failed 4 months after I purchased it. A line just appeared right down the screen. I don’t believe I would purchase a LCD again.
I would suggest LCD TV.They are not burn-in and last longer.I recommend Samsung LN52A650 1080p 120Hz.Excellent picture.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001413DF8?ie=UTF8&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001413DF8
Samsung is the top dog in LCD. So at the price you’re quoting, I’m figuring that’s one of their better LCDs. It will be a very solid choice as far as an LCD goes.
Plasma, stick with Pioneer, Panasonic, and/or Samsung at the size you’re talking about. If you’re going with one of those brands, I would lean towards the Plasma. But that’s a personal preference rather than better or worse. Modern Plasma’s don’t suffer burn-in the way they used to as long as you condition them (see below).
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LCD – is the everyman HDTV. It is cost effective, hence its popularity. It is also lighter than Plasma. It tends to draw less power than Plasmas as well. It has a matte finish so is useful for rooms that have too much ambient light which can not be controlled. LCD whites are a bit brighter than Plasma whites (but how often do you crank your brightness to 100%). LCDs are considered better for gaming (but I don’t think you’d be disappointed with gaming on a Plasma). LCDs are sharper in SD (think evening news instead of film); this isn’t a good vs bad, its just a personal preference thing.
It has problems with fast motion though. That is why you see ones advertised with 120Hz refresh rates. This does not come close to Plasma though. So they aren’t as good for fast motion (sports and movies).
Plasma – they have better blacks, contrast, and motion blur. They are better TVs, but you must pay a premium for them. Images look smoother. They have grader ranges in blacks/whites so you get greys instead of clumps of black and white. The colors in Plasmas tend to have more “pop” to them; this isn’t a good vs bad thing, its just personal preference. Plasmas are great for fast motion (sports and action movies).
Plasma’s are glass though so are glossy. They can have reflection issues if you are in a room with lots of light that you can’t control (you can’t turn off the lights and you don’t own any blinds). Also for SD viewing they are a bit “softer” (think more like film less like the evening news). This isn’t a good vs bad thing, its personal preference. Most plasma owners get used to it and don’t mind it.
They do have to be conditioned. The gasses of new Plasmas need to be conditioned. All you have to do is keep the brightness/contrast cranked way down for the first 100 hours, then optimize, and you’ll have a TV that blows LCD out of the water.
Plasma myth (1) – They experience burn-in. This is BS, those days are gone. Just condition the gasses and then use it as normal and you’re fine. Also, the better sets have built-in features to prevent this (on top of the technology just generally being better now than say 5 years ago).
Plasma myth (2) – They have short life spans. This is more BS. You can leave your Plasma on 24/7 for 34 years before killing it. So do you think you’ll still want/own the same TV in 15 years, let alone 30?
Plasma myth (3) – They won’t work in high altitude because of problems for the gasses. This is again no longer an issue. Current Plasmas can be purchased and used in mile high Denver, and above, so you’ll be fine where ever you are (unless you’re living in the Himalayas).
Plasma vs LCD – One important note though is TV size. In 42″ and above you see and get the benefit of the Plasma advantages. But 40″ and smaller and the benefits are diminishing. So if you’re going way smaller than LCD is likely the better option.
Plasma brands – Pioneer Kuro Elite is the best, followed by Pioneer Kuro. But these can cost as much as a small car. Panasonic Viera is the next best and is much more cost effective. Then I would go with Samsung.
LCD brands – I would stick with Samsung, Sharp Aquos, and Sony (but only Sony if its on sale, otherwise it tends to be overpriced). Sony stopped manufacturing LCD panels, they now buy/use the same ones used in the Sharp Aquos sets.
Depends on how you are going to use it:
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