Plasma vs LCD

[indyjoe]

I had to get to a $1500 LCD to get anywhere close to my $600 Panasonic Plasma in color quality, when both were calibrated properly. The Dynamic range of LCDs is still lacking. Yes, I asked the store to play a calibration DVD for me, while I adjusted the settings. Luckily they didn't have the TV viewing area completely blown out with lighting and the brightness cranked, like most places do.

We have now enjoyed our 720p 50" Plasma for 2 years. BluRay looks phenomenal and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference at 20 feet with 1080p anyway.

 

[Bigum1969]

I had a hard time finding facts when I bought my new tv last year. After sifting through all the outdated and bs info. I bought an LG plasma. It was cheaper, had a better picture, and a better refresh rate. I have never had an issue viewing in the middle of the day. Tv sits across from a patio door, and still looks great. I vote plasma! Loving my LG!

I have an LG plasma and love it!

 

[38special]

The plasma misinformation is rampant, because early plasmas had some trouble.

I got a used Sanyo 50" plasma a few years. It has no problems at all.

As for image retention - If I leave it paused for about an hour the little bar on the bottom (dish network) stays on the screen (very faintly) for about 5 minutes. Screen Burn-in is nearly non-existent on a modern plasma.

 

[UncleMike]

The plasma misinformation is rampant, because early plasmas had some trouble.

I got a used Sanyo 50" plasma a few years. It has no problems at all.

As for image retention - If I leave it paused for about an hour the little bar on the bottom (dish network) stays on the screen (very faintly) for about 5 minutes. Screen Burn-in is nearly non-existent on a modern plasma.

Yup!
My Wife watches the Hallmark Channel's Christmas Specials for hours on end and that "Countdown to Christmas" clock that is on the screen constantly doesn't leave an after image either.

 

[lovemachine]

UPDATE

Thanks for all the info guys! It helped a lot! I did a lot more research like you all suggested also.

Tonight, my wife and I drove to HHGregg to check out the tv's in person. We looked at each and every one. We saw a lot that we liked, and a lot that we didn't. Surprisingly, the one's we absolutely disliked were the LED's. They just gave me a headache. We loved the Plasma's. They just seemed to have a MUCH better picture.

So, we brought home a Samsung 58in Plasma. I'll probably hear crap from Bigum, but we just couldn't afford the 60in. Tomorrow we're going shopping for a stand.

Next item, HDMI cables, and call Dish Network to upgrade to HD!

Thanks again guys!

 

[Cru]

did you get 3D? I looked at a 63" 3D plasma at HHgreg. Haven't got it yet because apparently the 3d gives kimmi a headache.

 

[lovemachine]

did you get 3D? I looked at a 63" 3D plasma at HHgreg. Haven't got it yet because apparently the 3d gives kimmi a headache.

Nah, I didn't like them that much. None of the other ones didn't even compare to the regular Plasma. And we really looked at all of them. Wanted to make sure this is the one we wanted. Whatever we'd purchase will last 20 years. Wanted to get the right one the first time

 

[Darkist 240sx]

Id take led then lcd then plasma... Just my opinion tho

 

[Bigum1969]

Thanks for all the info guys! It helped a lot! I did a lot more research like you all suggested also.

Tonight, my wife and I drove to HHGregg to check out the tv's in person. We looked at each and every one. We saw a lot that we liked, and a lot that we didn't. Surprisingly, the one's we absolutely disliked were the LED's. They just gave me a headache. We loved the Plasma's. They just seemed to have a MUCH better picture.

So, we brought home a Samsung 58in Plasma. I'll probably hear crap from Bigum, but we just couldn't afford the 60in. Tomorrow we're going shopping for a stand.

Next item, HDMI cables, and call Dish Network to upgrade to HD!

Thanks again guys!

Congratulations!

Samsung makes a great television. And, 58 inches isn't too shabby...

Make sure and buy your HDMI cables online or buy the cheaper ones at the store.

There is no reason to spend a lot of $$$ on cables... unless you're running 25+ feet with the HDMI cable, it won't matter.

 

[lovemachine]

Congratulations!

Samsung makes a great television. And, 58 inches isn't too shabby...

Make sure and buy your HDMI cables online or buy the cheaper ones at the store.

There is no reason to spend a lot of $$$ on cables... unless you're running 25+ feet with the HDMI cable, it won't matter.

Yeah, HHGregg had them for $60 a piece. I hear walmart is $40.

 

[Bigum1969]

Check out this place for cables...

HDMI Cable

 

[lovemachine]

Dang that's cheap. Thanks!

By the way, my wife wanted the 50 inch. I was lucky that the 58inch was only $300 more. She thought the 58 was WAY too big!

Not big enough! But I can live with it

 

[Mr. Habib]

Yeah, HHGregg had them for $60 a piece. I hear walmart is $40.

I got mine at Big Lots in Bloomington for about $12.00.

 

[cburnworth]

don't forget to check buy.com for the tv's you want, often cheaper & free shipping no tax. now as for plasma, I just had a customer with a samsung ( i don't remember what size) it blew up & cracked the display. We are trying to get it repaired(under warranty).

 

[deer hunter]

I just bought an LG 1080 50" Plasma at HH Gregg last night. I haven't got it set up yet, but it had a great picture at the store. I can't wait. Going from a 27" old tv to this.

 

[femurphy77]

At the last home show down at the state fairgrounds a vendor had a conventional t.v., a plasma, lcd and led t.v. all set up next to each other playing the same programming.

LED. No contest. YMMV

And the prices will come down after the first of the year.

 

[lyric911]

Next item, HDMI cables, and call Dish Network to upgrade to HD!

Thanks again guys!

Assuming you can handle the wait, order your cables from HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more!

Cables are cables. They are super expensive at any store and generally < $10 from monoprice.

Edit: Seems they were already linked. Oops.

 

[IndyBeerman]

Guys if you're near Fry's, you can get HDMI cables from super expensive Monster's to cheap off brands. I've never spent more than 19.99 for any cable shorter than 3 meters or 10 foot, and they have performed flawlessly.

I went with ComputerGeek a couple of weeks ago to BestBuy and was in the TV section and the sales guy keep trying to sell him a 175.00 12 foot Monster cable.

I really po'd the guy off when I handed him a cheaper HDMI cable and he touts off "You'll get poor video quality".

I said "Oh Really" and reached around to a plasma screen they had on the end and watched his expression as I unplugged the HDMI cable from it and said "Wow, Dynex, got a real quality cable there to show off this superior image on this Plasma you're trying to sell, bet their piling up because you can't sell them with this crappy image on here".

He was speechless as CompterGeek handed him the Dynex package and I handed him the unplugged HDMI cable. Man I wish I could have had a video of me doing that to him, it was a Master Card moment.

 

[ATF Consumer]

Also one thing to note, Plasma's are rated at 600 hertz, where as LCD's and LED's range from 60 to 240.

The faster it's rated, the less blur you will get on fast moving images or sports related viewing.

This is what sealed the deal for me...sure LCD and LED are nice, but the speed is terrible compared to plasma and I can't see paying more money for taking such a drastic step back. If you watch sports or any fast action or play video games, you'll appreciate the plasma for it's refresh rate.
Even to watch a ticker across the bottom of the screen, there is major difference in how it appears...LCD/LED just can't compete.

 

[ATF Consumer]

Guys if you're near Fry's, you can get HDMI cables from super expensive Monster's to cheap off brands. I've never spent more than 19.99 for any cable shorter than 3 meters or 10 foot, and they have performed flawlessly.

I went with ComputerGeek a couple of weeks ago to BestBuy and was in the TV section and the sales guy keep trying to sell him a 175.00 12 foot Monster cable.

I bought 2 5 footers online for under $6 combined with shipping from Singnapore..took about 7 days to get them