Thoughts on Plasma TVs?

1) Plasma burn-in is still possible, but nowhere near as probable as in the early-gen units. I've accidentally left my 2-2.5 year old plasma on for over 3 hours straight on the same frozen screen with no permanent burn-in. Here's a test that Pioneer did where they did the same thing for 48 hours.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/p.../273087528Pioneer DTV White Paper - FINAL.pdf

There was burn-in, but they played a movie for about 24 hours on the tv to fix the burn-in. I wouldn't worry about it. Many modern sets even have screensavers built into them, from what I recall.

The document also refers to a test done to test the theory that plasmas fade in brightness after years of use. Oddly enough, after testing this LCD's faired the worst. They also add that a plasma tv often won't reach half brightness for over 10 years if you watch it 8 hours a day. I, personally, don't have have my tv on for that many hours a day, and even then I expect to replace it by 10 years.

FYI : the tests in that document were done back a couple of years ago and technology has improved since then.

2) It depends on the set and your signal really and depends on what you're used to watching before you bought the new set. I think the picture quality is less than my previous tube set.

3) Many manufacturers suggest this and it basically amounts to only watching the tv in a mode that fills the screen and don't jack up the brightness to nuclear blast levels. Not many people follow the advice and their sets still last.

4) Glare on plasmas can be a pain. In your case, if you can't or don't want to shut the windows when the tv is on, you may have a problem. I have glare on mine, but it isn't bad since I have a covered patio (I have a similar situation to yours) and the sun doesn't get in much through my 3 large back windows. The unit I have also has a motor that can swivel the set left or right so I can somewhat point it away from the glare. This may actually end up being your deciding factor more than anything else you've mentioned above.

The Panasonic TH-50PX600U gets good reviews. About the only modern negative I can think of is the lack of 1080p, but if you're like me, you don't care. Make sure it has all the connections you need. Go to http://www.avsforum.com and do a search for that model in their forums. That is the best source for learning and opinions on the model.

Why are you dead-set on plasma? I love plasma and think it still produces the best color and HD picture quality short of a CRT, but LCD's are good, too, and don't have quite the glare factor.

 

I always loved the picture plasmas provided but all the negatives lead me towards the LCD in the end. Some random blurbs...

One thing not mentioned is that Plasmas use more energy/electricity=heat, than LCDs. Not sure if its a big deal to you though.

In my experience brights fade on LCDs too. I don't buy that its a plasma vs LCD debate in this aspect, rather a manufacturing quality issue you must research on an individual basis.

The LCDs higher performance in glare, and generally higher range of quality viewing area can not be stressed enough. LCDs kick plasma's ass in that regard.

Burn in is a problem with any HD, especially plasma. Like DoD mentioned screensavers are common now but I noticed in certain modes (like DVD or games)they don't always initiate. Its important that you pamper the TV, make sure family and friends understand burn in.

 

I'm looking to get a 42 inch lcd soon, i remember there was a thread about it but can't find it. Does anyone have any recommendations on model, website recommendations or the link to that old thread?

 

I prefer LCD over Plasma.



That being said, I thought that the burn in on the plasma problem was pretty much over, but not the "can't work at altitude" problem?

Really not sure.

Anyway, I use mine for computer hookups as well so 1080p is a plus.....

Either way, I don't think you will be dissappointed.

DD

 

I get some minor burn in on my HP 42" Plasma ($1300 at Circuit City), but it has a 'white wash' function that you use to take care of that problem.

I am tickled with the HD picture on it. Out of all the plasmas we looked at @ CC, we felt this was the most clear and rich.

I too was concerned w/ how SD would look. We had CC switch the incoming signal to SD on all their units, and again, we thought the HP was either the best or 2nd best.

Dish Network has a ton of HD channels now, including HGTV, TNT, A&E, TLC and Discovery (not just the Discovery HD; as of last week, all their regular programming is simulcast in HD w/ the new channel) so we felt that we bought at the right time and I would say at least 70% of what we watch is in HD.

 

LCDs have improved tremendously. Plasmas used to kick their butts in picture quality, but in my opinion, that's no longer true. I agree that burn-in has been addressed and shouldn't be a problem with quality plasmas today, but if you have any kind of potential glare problem, LCD is the way to go. I have a huge wall of windows in my living room, with those "half moon" windows above the large standard ones, that have no shade of any kind, and there simply isn't any glare on my LCD. It's like it absorbs it. Mine has a wide range of viewing without losing picture quality (being able to see it from an angle) and I have an inexpensive off-brand 42" 1080p, a Westinghouse.

I'd go with an LCD, unless you have ideal conditions for a plasma. Both have great pictures compared to what they used to have. LCDs have gone down a LOT in price, especially those under 40". Economy of scale. They are cranking out more and more larger screens. Pretty soon, a 42" LCD will cost the same or less than what a 30-something inch model does now.

Like codell said with his plasma, I get excellent SD quality with my LCD.

 

the main reason i'm looking at lcd are the price drops and the fact that my living room is surrounded by windows. I still think plasma looks better in certain conditions, but its simply not an option for me.

deckard, for a 42" what are the specifications I should be looking for? which ones don't matter that much? I can't really tell the difference between a $1000 toshiba and a $1600 sharp that have the same specs.

 

2 questions:

1. Is ghosting a problem with LCDs when you play games any more than it is on plasmas?



2. If I have a ps3, would it look better on a 1080p than on a 720p if we are talking 40 or 42 in sets?

 

what dr of dunk said.
I think glare will be your biggest concern. Just compare. Sounds like you don't need to wall mount? If not, theres other options besides lcd and plasma. If you are in austin I can tell you of a good store and sales guy

 

I'm really not an "expert" of any kind. DoD knows his stuff, for example, but some things I looked for... angle of viewing range, how far off center you can sit and still see a great picture. Check them out, and there should be a range listed in the specs. Things like how black the blacks are (an area plasmas always killed LCDs on, but LCDs have pretty much caught up). The color range. A lot of these things you just have to see to decide on. A store like the Home Theater Store has their displays adjusted right. Most Best Buys and Circuit City stores have the settings on "store display mode" (whatever they call it!), which is very vivid, and doesn't really show what the display will do. They're designed to get your attention in a bright, terribly lit store. Properly adjusted, a display can look far better in your home. Scope out the avsforums for more info than you will ever need. They have 100 page threads discussing one display model. It's nuts. Spend a day looking through there for some ideas. DoD turned me on to that, which led to my getting a very good deal on an off-brand that has given excellent service. I got it at Best Buy, but purchased it online (look into that with other stores, as well... better prices, and you can pick the displays up at the store), saving hundreds of dollars and getting a DVD recorder tossed in. Go to a coupon site and scope out what's available, another way to save money.

You really have to look at them and see what appeals to you. At avsforums, you can get the right adjustments for a particular model. Tell the guy at the store that you want to adjust the display and use those numbers, see if you like it. Good luck!

 

I prefer LCD, plasma's picture doesn't look as good to me, however, some people like it over LCD, it's subjective. Plasmas are a lot cheaper than LCD, but they are supposed to have shorter lifespans

 

Not as much as it used to be about 2-3 years ago. Back then the biggest disadvantage to LCD's were the latency/ghosting and the black levels on LCD's sucked compared to plasma - which is why I chose plasma. Today, I'd probably flip a coin or lean toward LCD's. The ghosting may still be an issue, but if you get a screen that has less than 10 ms latency, you might be ok. I honestly am not sure. Anything around 16ms and above, and you're pretty much screwed.


For the OP, a couple of other things :

I think the best plasmas are still better than LCD's, but it's much closer now. Also consider the fact that plasmas are heavier and much more of a pain to repair (if you're lucky enough to be able to repair them) than LCD's.

Viewing angle was another big disadvantage of LCD's back then. Now, not as much, although plasmas are still better in this regard, I think.

I'll let the gameboys answer this, but I'm guessing at normal viewing distance of about 8-10 feet, on a set that size, you wouldn't be able to tell too much of a difference.

 

Thats the same model thats I'm about to buy. All the reviews of it are great, and more importantly, its so cheap right now. The only thing I'm hesitant on is the silver and black bezel -- I would prefer it to be all black.

 

I have 2 Westinghouse LCD's the 1080p models, and they are great for gaming....the 32" is in my office for X-Box 360...and I have never seen ghosting. The 37" was in the office, but I was too close to it...no ghosting but motion sickness when playing games..

The 47" LCD upstairs in the playroom is a Visio...also 1080p and again, no ghosting.

That one we just got for $1500 at Sam's club.

The best picture in our house though belongs to the NEC DLP projector on our back porch....watching a game in HD (when it is not ball sweat hot) is AWESOME !

DD

 

I have a friend who has this TV. Says its been awesome. The only gripe i would have is that if you are in a room full of windows you might get some glare.