Welcome to the Invelos forums. Please read the forum rules before posting.

Read access to our public forums is open to everyone. To post messages, a free registration is required.

If you have an Invelos account, sign in to post.

    Invelos Forums->General: General Home Theater Discussion Page: 1  Previous   Next
Advice on flat screen purchase - Plasma vs. LCD
Author Message
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantChazcdc54
Registered: March 19, 2007
United States Posts: 302
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
I've posted elsewhere in this forum about Sony hardware. I'm contemplating the transition to a high definition flat screen soon, though I'm torn between Plasma and LCD. As space considerations are a prime factor, I can't go larger than 40" which for me is pushing it.

PLASMA Displays:
Plasmas seem to begin at 42" though I did find one smaller that might work - the Panasonic TH-37PX60U.  This would probably fit in my proposed setup.  Any reviews/comments on this one?

Plasma would probably do better for me. I have controlled lighting. However, I worry about the power consumption (325 W).  That's almost double an LCD I'm considering and I also wonder how it does in warmer environments.

Most of all is the dreaded "burn-in" issue. Their site documents a 100 hour "break-in" period (1-1.5 months for me I think).The prospect of ever stretching or distorting the image seems repellant to me (replacing one problem with another - why do people settle for this nonsense!).

A question here: are the bars at sides (for coventional 1.33:1 TV) and at top and bottom for widescreen films a problem over 2 or 3 hours viewing? Also, let's say you do fill the screen what do you do about the blasted network logos that sit there in the corner while you watch shows possibly for hours (movies, etc.). You can't eliminate those. Is any of this a worry?

LCD Displays:

I'm also looking at a SONY KDLV32XBR2 (XBR3 soon?) and some of the Sharp displays at this size (32").  I'm leaning towards the LCDs for enhanced selected and size, which would fit my setup better.

My first concerns here are Response Rate & Refresh time. An A/V salesman with some smarts informed me that this has come to a point where it isn't all that noticeable anymore.  The smears and other gross artifacts of yesterday are mostly gone. Is this true? It's mostly a lack of detail or softness that betrays inferior rates now.

The other problem is of course black level and the contrast, which I don't think can ever be resolved completely.  It is simply a built-in weakness of the format.  It's nice that they're making progress (by very small degrees in my view) but it's ultimately a fruitless exercise.

I'm writing another novel folks, sorry.  Bringing this all to a close: any personal advice on Plasma vs. LCD and the models I listed (Panasonic TH-37PX60U, SONY KDLV32XBR2 and the Sharp 32" line) is very much appreciated.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantAscended_Saiyan
A Blu-ray crack fiend
Registered: March 13, 2007
Posts: 1,127
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
If you want, I will help you do the research for you and list the best reviewed HDTVs (Plasma and LCD) in your price range.  I would give you breakdown on which ones I think is best for your situation.  Then you can agree or not.  If you want this, I will need a few things.

Are there a lot of windows where this is going?
If so, can you control the sunlighting coming into the area?

What are the exact dimensions (L x W x H) you are working with?

Will this be a wall mount or placed on a stand?

Will you be using any surround sound equipment with the HDTV?

What region of the world are you in?


The answers to these questions will get me started.  Let me know.
To err is human...
-----------
473 Blu-ray Titles
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantRifter
Reg. Jan 27, 2002
Registered: March 13, 2007
United States Posts: 2,694
Posted:
PM this userEmail this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
I have a Sharp LCD and love it.

LCDs are typically 42" and below, although I've read that they have recently overcome the problems that led to that upper limit.  37" is a great size for the average size living room.

The black bars won't hurt a thing.  No matter what size you get, you'll get them on 1.33:1 format, and across the top and bottom depending on what ratio widescreen movie you're watching.  My Sharp has 4 format settings depending on what you're watching.  I find myself often bumping the 1.33 TV format up to fill the screen most of the time.  You lose the text crawl along the bottom or most of it, but that is no a problem.

Brand wise, give a hard look at the LG model lineup.  Sharp is good, and so is Toshiba. 

Make sure you get one with HDMI inputs, and a full range of the more standard connectors.  I opted for a model with a tuner, so its HD capable.  Also make sure it can handle at least 1080i.

If you look around, you should be able to find something along those lines well under $1200.  TigerDirect and New Egg both have extensive selections of 16:9 LCD and Plasma models.
John

"Extremism in the defense of Liberty is no vice!" Senator Barry Goldwater, 1964
Make America Great Again!
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantDr. Killpatient
Here's my card
Registered: May 19, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
United States Posts: 5,918
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
I have a Phillips 37" HDTV LCD mounted on my bedroom wall for a year now and I've been quite happy with it.  I don't notice artifacts at all.

I liked the LCD because I felt less heat coming off the back of the display models than I felt from the Plasma.  Plus with the Plasma displays I examined, I did see artifacts and the like but not as much as with the LCD.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantChazcdc54
Registered: March 19, 2007
United States Posts: 302
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
To answer Saiyan,

1. I have a few windows but the curtains I use cuts the light fine. Light is controlled.
2. I probably mislead you on space considerations. I can definitely fit in anything under 40"
3. The display will be on a stand
4.  Yes, I have a 5.1 surround system (Klipsch)
5. I live in the Philadelphia suburbs (USA)
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantRichiev4
Since: June 1, 2005
Registered: March 18, 2007
United Kingdom Posts: 13
Posted:
PM this userVisit this user's homepageView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Hi

I've just purchased the Samsung LE40M87 LCD from BeyondTelevision.co.uk after about 4-5 months of looking around. The reasons I went for this over, say, a plasma where:

1. The burn in problem worried me, There was a Pioneer plasma at our locat electronics store which had been running Motor Storm on a PS3 connected to it and the logo had burnt into the screen

2. The Samsung has a technology called 'Super Clear Panel' which gives near plasma quality black levels, and after watching it for a few days I have to say I'm very impressed.

3. HDMI 1.3 x 3 = Future Proof to some extent.

Hope this helps

Richard
Original Sign up date: June 1, 2005
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantAscended_Saiyan
A Blu-ray crack fiend
Registered: March 13, 2007
Posts: 1,127
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Quoting Chazcdc54:
Quote:
To answer Saiyan,

1. I have a few windows but the curtains I use cuts the light fine. Light is controlled.
2. I probably mislead you on space considerations. I can definitely fit in anything under 40"
3. The display will be on a stand
4.  Yes, I have a 5.1 surround system (Klipsch)
5. I live in the Philadelphia suburbs (USA)

I just saw your response.  I am working on it now.  Actual dimensions of the space you are working with would help a lot.  For instance, some 40" TVs are made small enough to fit in the footprint of a 37" TVs and some 42" TVs are made small enough to fit in the footprint of a 40" TV.

Oh yeah...and price range.  You can PM me if you are uncomfortable posting that kind of thing on the boards.
To err is human...
-----------
473 Blu-ray Titles
 Last edited: by Ascended_Saiyan
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantGraveworm
Registered: April 7, 2007
United Kingdom Posts: 357
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
http://www.plasma-lcd-facts.co.uk/ is quite useful for the differences between plasma and LCD.
DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantxradman
Registered: June 17, 2002
Registered: March 14, 2007
United States Posts: 1,328
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
I don't know if 1080P or 720P is important to you.  Currently you can't get 1080P in any reasonable price range for a Plasma (there may be none at less than 40").  There are many 1080P LCD panels, and at under 40", you can get them for much cheaper than comparably sized 720P plasma.
My Home Theater
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorGSyren
Profiling since 2001
Registered: March 14, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
Sweden Posts: 4,694
Posted:
PM this userVisit this user's homepageView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
I've got a Sony 40" 1080p LCD, and it's awesome.
My freeware tools for DVD Profiler users.
Gunnar
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorSrehtims
Registered: March 13, 2007
United States Posts: 1,796
Posted:
PM this userView this user's DVD collectionDirect link to this postReply with quote
Quoting GSyren:
Quote:
I've got a Sony 40" 1080p LCD, and it's awesome.


For my bed room I bought one also for the 1080p, but also I liked the picture on Panasonic 42" plasma.
spent a couple of months trying to make up my mind.
We don't need stinkin' IMDB's errors, we make our own.
Ineptocracy, You got to love it.
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln
    Invelos Forums->General: General Home Theater Discussion Page: 1  Previous   Next