Plasma or LCD?
I will soon buy a TV, but I don't know what kind to get.
I will probably get something in the 32 -37 - 42 inch range for about $1000-1500. In this price range there are both plasma screens and Full HD LCD screens.
I've heard that plasmas give better pictures but can have problems with screen burn and other reliability issues.
So, any advice/suggestions/anecdotes/snide remarks?
I think plasma screens use a lot more electricity and have a shorter life. This is all rumor and speculation, but that's what the internet is for.
I prefer plasma, personally. I find them to have more satisfying color saturation and black levels. YMMV.
Before shelling out a lot of money for a full resolution (1080P) TV, take a look at the charts that show what resolution the human eye is physically capable of seeing at different screen sizes and viewing distances. And think about how you are likely going to be using this TV.
I was all gung-ho about getting a 1080P TV until I saw such a chart. I'm now the happy owner of a 32" 720P TV that I view from across the room. It's lower resolution, but I can't tell the difference from my couch, and neither would you.
(Basically the charts will tell you that for a 32" screen it's only at the 4-6 foot range that you can tell the difference between a 1080P and a 720P resolution screen. If you sit further away than that, you can't see the difference.)
I was all gung-ho about getting a 1080P TV until I saw such a chart.
Since nothing in broadcast in highest resolution, then how would you know? Highest resolution is only displayed by DVDs.
Meanwhile, many HD broadcasters are only broadcasting a conventional low resolution screen in higher definition. We buy TVs today for the resolutions that will be future available. When those better resolutions are broadcast, then the clarity will be obvious.
Currently, most have a widescreen TV that really has no better resolution. But it is a wide screen - therefore it must be better - their reasoning. All that wide screen does in most situations is make faces fatter.
DVDs are standard def. Only 1080p content is Blu-ray -- and downloads.
We enjoy many HD channels in this household. Widescreen is better. It offers movies in their original aspect ratio and all HD content in correct aspect ratio. Things are increasingly framed for 16x9 and standard def 3x2 displays will cut off content on the sides.
We did LCD when I was originally all about plasma. The plasma attraction is hanging it on the wall, although they are quite heavy and they do have less of a life. Plasma screens hung on the wall need major reinforcement which may result in additional work on the house, too (my parents are going to put beams held/reinforced with cement before hanging their 47-inch - and because of the lack of reinforced walls in my house, I didn't get a plasma to risk hanging). The burn-in occurs only if you are sitting on a still image for a long period of time, or if you have flashing images for a long period of time (i.e. DVD screen savers). It's relatively inexpensive to replace the LCD lamp, much less expensive for the screen-size in comparison to the Plasma. We went with a 50' Sony Bravia LCD in the end because of cost, weight, and burn in but I do agree with Elspode...I think the plasma is a bit more crisp...but I love our TV (eh, it might be a bit too big, I admit).
I bought my BF a PS3 for his Bday last year so we often enjoy watching Blu-Ray DVDs and damn - the picture quality is amazing!! So, if you buy a HD capable TV, I really recommend getting a Blu-Ray player to go with it!
Since nothing in broadcast in highest resolution, then how would you know? Highest resolution is only displayed by DVDs.
Meanwhile, many HD broadcasters are only broadcasting a conventional low resolution screen in higher definition. We buy TVs today for the resolutions that will be future available. When those better resolutions are broadcast, then the clarity will be obvious.
Currently, most have a widescreen TV that really has no better resolution. But it is a wide screen - therefore it must be better - their reasoning. All that wide screen does in most situations is make faces fatter.
There is a distinct difference in quality of a native HD broadcast and a DVD, even on a 720p set like mine...with the HD broadcast content being far superior, I suppose I should add.
I've heard that plasmas give better pictures but can have problems with screen burn and other reliability issues.
So, any advice/suggestions/anecdotes/snide remarks?
While this may have been the case at one time there have been significant technological improvements for both plasma and lcd. The newer plasmas boast up to 100,000 hours to half life. Even the 60,000 hrs rated plasma will outlast many of its owners.
Plasma TV life span expectancy has long been a hot topic and rightly so. Most early plasma monitor models from 1999 and early 2000 have already been delivered to the electronics graveyard. Manufacturers were doing well to deliver a plasma product that fired up. An early adaptor could purchase a plasma TV that was 6" in depth, was hot enough to fry an egg on, and had fans that sounded like it was going to take off and fly through the roof - all for a modest $10,000.
However, improvements in the longevity of plasma TVs and displays have been rapidly effective. The green phosphors are claimed by some manufacturers as the reason behind the incredible increase. Lower power usage and motion adaptive anti burn-in technology are also contributors.
In fact, many plasma manufacturers boast a life span of 60,000 hours to half life! This is a longer life than a tube based television. The specification is somewhat suspect since the process of determining longevity of the product is based on deductive mathematical calculation of phosphor dissipation, and does not take into account the electronic components and the myriad of problems that can occur. Panasonic was the first to claim the 60,000 hour life span, up from a previous 30,000 just a year prior.
Within months after Panasonic announced this new life span, other manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon announcing that their plasma television is now rated to 60,000.
So how long will a plasma last? The long and short of it is that it depends upon your daily hourly usage as well as how you use the monitor. 12 to 55 years is my new short answer.
more here:
http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatv/plasmatv-lifespan.htmlWe have a 106cm LCD. We're really happy with it. Have had it for a couple of years now and have had not one complaint with it.
We got LCD because with the kids playing games, we didn't want plasma because of the screen burn, which can be fixed, but it's expensive.
Things probably have changed as people above have mentioned, but I'd probably still stick with LCD in the future.
ETA: It's a panasonic. I've always found panasonic to be pretty good as far as TV's go.
I watch my programs on a 19" b&w. I feel that is the prudent thing to do so I can redistribute my unneeded wealth to the less fortunate. Obama said I should.
You're so thoughtful lookout...and obedient too. ;)
you can have my pc.....vista
22"hd lcd hp..p I cant look away please stop me..
I watch my programs on a 19" b&w. I feel that is the prudent thing to do so I can redistribute my unneeded wealth to the less fortunate. Obama said I should.
You think you are good! When we lived in the hole in the lake we only watched puppet shows so we could give our TV to the poor.
There is a distinct difference in quality of a native HD broadcast and a DVD, even on a 720p set like mine...
UT accurately corrected my previous post. Where I said DVD, I should have said Blue Ray.
Meanwhile, I vaguely remember HD-DVD (Tohsiba's version) only did 1080i.
How long is the life expectancy of a video screen? How long does your computer or laptop flat screen last?
I've never had an LCD display go bad. My plasma TV is two years old this month with no appreciable difference in display quality. We probably only put about 20 hours a week on it, though.
Plasma or LSD anyone? Ok backing out now.
Plasma!
Haven't had LSD in nearly 20 years, but mushrooms made the last episode of Friends send me private messages (made me laugh for the first time ever though).
So, I've bought a large HD LCD TV. (Next I will buy a vowel).
I thought I would take a photo to show you all, and I thought it would be cool to connect it to my laptop computer and get the cellar on the screen, and photograph that.
So, cue 15 pin VGA cable, plug, plug ... no success. I can't get the TV to receive any signal from the PC.
The cable goes from the "video out" socket on the PC (dell inspiron running windows XP) to the "PC video in" socket on the back of the TV (Samsung). Using the "source" button on the TV remote, I selected "PC", and "scan for signal" ... and it said "no signal found".
My current guess is that either the PC is not actually sending a signal out through that socket, or it is sending a signal that the TV cannot recognise.
I've fooled around with the Control Panel in Windows, but with no luck.
Do any of you tech-savvy types have any suggestions?
My Nvidia driver has a screen for setting up multiple displays. I'm guessing that your driver will not send your screen to the 'video out' unless told to do so and also given some device information.
BTW, last week was the first time I set foot in a home theatre store. We were in the shopping center for something else and I thought I would take a look since they also had a 'tent sale' outside.
A 'low end' option including low-end hi-def projector, screen, and theatre seats was about $6,000 or something like $200 a month.
I admit, going into the demo small room and seeing a high-def Dave Matthews concert on the projection screen was amazing, especially sitting in the leather theatre seats.
I ended up buying 5 slightly used tin poster reproductions from their tent sale for $15.:cool:
On the dell, see if there is a "CRT/LCD" mark on the F8 key. If so, you can use "Fn-F8" to toggle the laptop's screen or another connected screen or both.
Thanks rich, that's the kind of theory I was working on.
Thanks Pie, I tried the FnF8 combo, and while it did change the appearance of my screen on the laptop, it still didn't send to the TV.
I also resized the PC screen to a ratio the TV was comfortable with but that didn't help either.
As for Rich's shopping style, buying the VGA cable took about half an hour because, not only did the shop have a really good driving simulator game all set up for customers to play on, there was a pet shop next door with puppies and kittens in the window. Awwwwwww.... :)
Zen ,
Got to the InPut screen on yer tv ( Menu , Inputs ), select Vga,
Plug in your cable ,
turn on Puter
Right click on yer desk top ,
go to Personalize , display settings
Thats How I did it
LCD is best for me because it does not relflect light coming in windows opposite the screen. Detail is great and features are more than I need. Glad I waited, and glad we have it.
On the dell, see if there is a "CRT/LCD" mark on the F8 key. If so, you can use "Fn-F8" to toggle the laptop's screen or another connected screen or both.
Thanks, Pie, you were right!
Thanks to all for your advice! I can haz BIG interwebz now!
[ATTACH]20561[/ATTACH]
Thanks, Pie, you were right!
Thanks to all for your advice! I can haz BIG interwebz now!
The dual screen output is also selected in the Control Panel as part of the video display options. I don't remember. May be other display options on that page, although it does not appear you need them. That is how one might do same for other non-Dells.
An LCD TV is far better with it coming from the front - Plasma is much better when the light is from behind the unit. The plasma also displays a much deeper "black" than the LCD's. Glad you like it Zen!
At first I was all about plasma, but after about 5 years, you they start getting blurry. I like the fact that they have a wider viewing angle and that they have higher contrast ratios...blacker blacks, and whiter whites.
I started thinking to myself that I'm using the same television right now, that my first wife and I bought in 1991. Chances are I'm going to keep my next tv for a very long time. That being the case, I'm going with the most amazing LCD I've ever seen....
I'm going to get the Sony Bravia 52" LCD with 120 Hertz refresh rate. They call it "Motion Flow". Costco sells this particular TV at a pretty good price. I watched this TV several times at the Costco near my house. They had a blue-ray hooked up and were playing a Ice Age 2. I nearly had an accident on myself it looked so good. They have this television side-by-side with many other televisions, including others with 120Hz refresh rate, and this one simply beats all the others by a mile.
CHECK IT OUTThe dual screen output is also selected in the Control Panel as part of the video display options. I don't remember. May be other display options on that page, although it does not appear you need them. That is how one might do same for other non-Dells.
On Dell Computers when you hit the FN-F8 combo, it cycles through 3 modes.
[INDENT][LIST]
[*]Only the Laptop's screen
[*]Only the projector or external screen
[*]Both[/LIST][/INDENT]
So if you tap the combination one more time, you should see it on both.
Thanks, Pie, you were right!
Thanks to all for your advice! I can haz BIG interwebz now!
Glad to be helpful, for once!
:3eye:
We went with an LCD. 52 inch Being delivered on Friday.
Are you trying to give me screenus envy?
I'm not trying, but if you get it anyway, Merry Christmas. :angel: I blame Mrs. Dallas. (Quite rightly, since she's not here to defend herself.) I was shooting much smaller till she saw one at a friend's house.
Which 52" LCD did you get?
The recession is real, man... we had to lay off all but two of our chambermaids.
The recession is real, man... we had to lay off all but two of our chambermaids.
And the Royal Piss Boy is hoping for a call back!
The royal penis is clean, sire.
You know what I hate about big screen TV displays at Costco or Sam's Club...pretty much anywhere? They have dozens of examples of these things all lined up side by side, but *none* of them have been adjusted to their optimal display quality.
They are usually all playing the same program material, so ostensibly, the idea is to allow you to make one to one comparisons between individual models, but some of the units are so obviously showing overblown saturation or ultra high contrast or brightness or whatever, that it is totally meaningless.
I keep trying to figure out how to snag a 52" for the living room so I can move the 42" in the bedroom.
My wife has told me more than once that she likes a big one in the bedroom.
You know what I hate about big screen TV displays at Costco or Sam's Club...pretty much anywhere? They have dozens of examples of these things all lined up side by side, but *none* of them have been adjusted to their optimal display quality.
They are usually all playing the same program material, so ostensibly, the idea is to allow you to make one to one comparisons between individual models, but some of the units are so obviously showing overblown saturation or ultra high contrast or brightness or whatever, that it is totally meaningless.
Good point. This is why television manufacturers should make a tv that can automatically detect the best display quality for the media it happens to be playing, and then adjust to it. If you're playing a DVD, it adjusts to the best quality it can for that. If it's playing blue-ray, it changes for that. HD TV, done, etc.
You know what I hate about big screen TV displays at Costco or Sam's Club...pretty much anywhere? They have dozens of examples of these things all lined up side by side, but *none* of them have been adjusted to their optimal display quality.
They are usually all playing the same program material, so ostensibly, the idea is to allow you to make one to one comparisons between individual models, but some of the units are so obviously showing overblown saturation or ultra high contrast or brightness or whatever, that it is totally meaningless.
Customers playing with the controls + minimal staff to keep costs low.
Customers playing with the controls + minimal staff to keep costs low.
Or, if you're conspiracy minded, you might think that they put proper adjustments on the ones they're currently getting the best margin/incentives on for selling, and make sure the other ones are out of whack.
They make some look better than others because there are different profit margins on different brands...
I'm not buying it. That would imply that there were sales people and that they took enough interest to do this.
We're all prisoners of the lowest price.
Or perhaps, the over-saturated images are simply the plasma displays, doing their thing.
Before shelling out a lot of money for a full resolution (1080P) TV, take a look at the charts that show what resolution the human eye is physically capable of seeing at different screen sizes and viewing distances. And think about how you are likely going to be using this TV.
I was all gung-ho about getting a 1080P TV until I saw such a chart. I'm now the happy owner of a 32" 720P TV that I view from across the room. It's lower resolution, but I can't tell the difference from my couch, and neither would you.
(Basically the charts will tell you that for a 32" screen it's only at the 4-6 foot range that you can tell the difference between a 1080P and a 720P resolution screen. If you sit further away than that, you can't see the difference.)
I want to buy a LCD tv. My budget is for a 32". I have a 14 foot veiwing area but the veiwing charts call for a much larger set. My apartment is small so I can't imagine needing anything larger than a 37" . Huge TVs in small areas just seem so monolithic and tv worshiping. ( personal hang-up I know )
I can or I might go up to a 37" set but do not want a 42" set. It is just too big even if I could afford it. The maximum veiwing distance for a 42" was 8 feet. I am thinking no way! I should be able to see a 32 or 37" television from 14 feet easy.
What is a comfortable viewing distance?
...the veiwing charts call for a much larger set.
Aren't the viewing charts created by the people who want to sell you the biggest set they can? If so, for each distance I would suspect they would specify the biggest screen you can use, without being just too big.
You know best what suits
your needs. ;)
Aren't the viewing charts created by the people who want to sell you the biggest set they can? If so, for each distance I would suspect they would specify the biggest screen you can use, without being just too big.
You know best what suits your needs. ;)
I thought the same thing!
I just thought I was being a conspirist.
thanks
We have a 32 and sit about 10-12 feet away and it's nice. At that distance, you only need 720P. But if you sit closer, a 1080P would be better.
I want to buy a LCD tv. My budget is for a 32". I have a 14 foot veiwing area but the veiwing charts call for a much larger set. My apartment is small so I can't imagine needing anything larger than a 37" . Huge TVs in small areas just seem so monolithic and tv worshiping. ( personal hang-up I know )
I can or I might go up to a 37" set but do not want a 42" set. It is just too big even if I could afford it. The maximum veiwing distance for a 42" was 8 feet. I am thinking no way! I should be able to see a 32 or 37" television from 14 feet easy.
What size TV do you have now?
A
42" flatscreen will display normal TV content at the size of a
conventional 34" TV.
This page explains why flatscreen TVs display content SMALLER than conventional TVs.
I don't know about viewing charts/distance; but I do know your new "bigger" TV might be
smaller.
Huge TVs in small areas just seem so monolithic and tv worshiping.
That's why I bought the optional prie-dieu package with mine.
I'll give you my thoughts after Christmas... I'm going to visit my parents, and they got a 37" set.
I have a 37" I'll be setting up Xmas Eve, in our little 1950s house. I'll report back.
Thanks Steve and Flint Please do.
I had a regular tube 27" or 32" but it died.
SO NOW I am watching a teeny tiny 16" flat screen with one of those large cabinets.
I'm still watching a 27" TV I bought in 1991 with my first wife. I really want to get a new TV, but my wife says I have to wait until we buy a house. I told her she's crazy if she thinks I'm going to wait another 3 years.
I'm still watching a 27" TV I bought in 1991 with my first wife.
That's absolutely brilliant... I admit I never thought to try to trade Mrs. Dallas for a new TV.
That's why I bought the optional prie-dieu package with mine.
I'll give you my thoughts after Christmas... I'm going to visit my parents, and they got a 37" set.
I have a 37" I'll be setting up Xmas Eve, in our little 1950s house. I'll report back.
lol and ok....
I'll be waiting to hear....
Flint- How exciting to get your new flatscreen on Christmas eve. I am looking forward to hearing how you guys like it.
Steve- I just bought a little white stuffed kneeling praying angel bear. Well, the Cherry Vanilla perfume
was attached so I had to to get the stuffed animal !
It's very
prie-dieu if I get what you mean. I just don't know what around here to pay homage to.
That's absolutely brilliant... I admit I never thought to try to trade Mrs. Dallas for a new TV.
I gave her the new house and new car, but I kept the damned tv. She got me back though. She gave away my dog.
I am still waiting for the reports. :)
Report[LIST]
[*]37" is not too big, at all.
[*]Star Trek TNG looks awesome.
[*]I got WALL-E and the Police reunion tour DVD for Xmas!
[*]It takes some configuring to get the right aspect ratio etc. for each signal source.
... (The TV doesn't "know" how you would prefer an inferior signal to be displayed)
[*]I will be upgrading my DirectTV, and getting an upconverting DVD player.
[/LIST]
Question: Can I get a DVD player that upconverts standard DVDs--and also plays BluRay discs?
No but you can get a Blu-Ray player that upscales standard DVDs. :)
In fact in a quick review of standalone Blu-Ray players, none of them does NOT upscale DVD. And none of them below $200 yet.
There's always something new.
They are so good sky, that they are still watching them.
The Panasonic plasma is awesome. You gotta account for the surround sound too - that makes all the difference in the world.
Question: Can I get a DVD player that upconverts standard DVDs--and also plays BluRay discs?
Just get a PS3 - and a couple games... It plays both BluRay, music cd's and DVD's, but once you get a couple games you may never watch tv again. These things are HIGHLY addicting.
They are so good sky, that they are still watching them.
The Panasonic plasma is awesome. You gotta account for the surround sound too - that makes all the difference in the world.
So if I got an HD cable package I could get either the plasma or the LCD and it would look as good?
I don't know anything about blue ray. Blue ray will not replace dvd players I hope.
We have my son's woofer attached to my current TV. At least I can hear it.
My parents got us a 42" LCD for Christmas. It was a shock, because we had absolutely no idea they were getting it and it must have been expensive (!!!) We certainly wouldn't have been able to afford it ourselves. Anyway, the living room we have is monstrous, so, it actually looks kind of small, but the couch is sort of in the middle of the room, so it isn't so far away. probably 10 ft away at most. And yes, the couch is the only place to sit in our enormous living room. it looks kind of barren in there.
My dad said he asked the people at Sears whether or not plasma would be better. Apparently the salesperson told him that people who live at higher altitude tend to have trouble with the plasmas. That made the decision, since we live at 9000 ft above sea level. Has anyone else ever heard that about plasmas and altitude? Not that I don't like the LCD...I love it, but the altitude thing was curious to me.
Apparently the salesperson told him that people who live at higher altitude tend to have trouble with the plasmas. That made the decision, since we live at 9000 ft above sea level. Has anyone else ever heard that about plasmas and altitude? Not that I don't like the LCD...I love it, but the altitude thing was curious to me.
This was news to me, but it looks like
this site agrees with that statement.
From Sperlock's link;
The thinner air at higher elevations causes an air-pressure differential-an imbalance between inner and outer air pressures-and [COLOR="Red"]the pressure of the gases inside the plasma display panel (PDP) increases as the outside air pressure decreases[/COLOR].
What? I don't think so. :headshake
If the tiny glass envelopes are rigid, a drop exterior pressure will not affect the internal pressure.
If the tiny glass envelopes can flex enough to change size, a drop in exterior pressure would cause the tiny glass envelopes to grow which would actually
decrease the internal pressure.
Yeah, yeah, I realize the problem comes with an imbalance of pressures, I'm just taking issue with that highlighted statement .