Thread: Big TV's

Hmmm...

Plasma vs LCD: Which is right for you?
Plasma vs LCD: Six things you need to know
Plasma vs. LCD

...and google 'plasma vs lcd tv' for plenty more...

was in taking to a pro vision guy the other day and he says that LCD are best if you use for mainly Xbox, games, PC as well as some movies...

and Plasma if you don't do games and prefer movies and HDTV...

i don't play games at all so plasma would be my choice...

there lifespan is about the same too...

plasma is cheaper than LCD, especially in the 50in size...look around , pick the model you like and can afford and shop around for the best deal, there can be a few hundred $$$ difference between stores on the same brand, use the savings to get an extended warranty...

ask the guys in each store about the ins and outs of the models, they will be more than happy to explain what you get for you money...

hope this helps

I'm very happy with our 101cm LCD TV.
One of the things that influenced our decision to buy a LCD was the amount of light that would be reflected of it from a large window behind the viewing position.
Our previous CRT TV resembled a Piet Mondrain abstract painting at times, due to reflections.
In the stores the plasmas are always kept away from windows, however the LCD TVs have no such problems, they reflect very little light.
On the plus side for the plasma is the bright picture and great detail in the shadow areas.
I have not owned a plasma, so my opinion will be of limited value.
I'm sure there is plenty of websites the can inform you of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Poloris

Originally Posted by Poloris

I'm very happy with our 101cm LCD TV.
One of the things that influenced our decision to buy a LCD was the amount of light that would be reflected of it from a large window behind the viewing position.

Poloris

if plasma has reflection problems then go with the LCD, with daylight saving here in summer, it would be anoying if i was watching Inspecter Rex on a couple of grands worth of telly and i could'nt see the picture properly...

The reflexion problems depend on the finish as well, some models have a high gloss piano finish that will reflect more than others.

In the 50inch sizes your looking $4-5K for a good plasma and perhaps $8Kish for a LCD.

Personally I find LCD picture to hard for my eyes and I dont have a spare 8K

I have just been looking for a unit and from what I have seen I like the Pioneer (suposedly the best but the most reflective screen) , phillips (fancy backlighting, good screen, not sold by as many retailers) and there is a new panasonic which stacks up pretty well against the Pioneer (great screen, ugly looking imo).

Dont forget to compare warrantys when comparing units, the pioneer has a 5 year warranty and you might be up for an extra $600 to extend it with another manufacturer. I have heard a lot of horror storey about unit dying after 12 months, so I think an extended wty is a good idea.

There is also a deal on the 60inch LG's at the moment, they were 10K a few months ago but LG are dumping them (no one wanted one for 10K) and you can pick them up for 4.5K-5K! I am undecided on these plasmas though, sometimes the picture looks great other times it looks crap.

If you can find one there are 55inch hitachi's which look pretty good and have a motorised swivell base, apparently there are not longer being made, but there quiet a few still around.


I am about 2 months away from getting a new set, but i'll probably end up getting the panasonic.


joez

unless you have a money tree in the backyard i can't justify spending up in the range of $8k on a tv, you could go to the movies a lot of times for that..

good quality 42in sets are now available for around $2k, a more realistic price for the normal tv/movie watcher, i saw a Samsung the other day, one of there new shapes, (glossy surround, v-shape bottom and round disc base) it was a stunning sexy piece of design, a lot nicer looking plasma than any other brand, picture was great, good warranty, long hr life, best of all it was only $1900...

how long do you really want to keep it for too, i mean in 7-10yrs time they'll be so much more advanced that the ones now, so why not by a cheaper one then upgrade once in a while for the latest model...

Thanks for the input guys
Ive decided Im going with the plasma
http://panasonic.com.au/products/det...?objectID=3406
This one has just become the superseded model, but I can pick one up for just
under $3k
Regards
dayvo

Originally Posted by dayvo

Thanks for the input guys
Ive decided Im going with the plasma
http://panasonic.com.au/products/det...?objectID=3406
This one has just become the superseded model, but I can pick one up for just
under $3k
Regards
dayvo

yeh baby yeh !!!

Originally Posted by dayvo

Thanks for the input guys
Ive decided Im going with the plasma
http://panasonic.com.au/products/det...?objectID=3406
This one has just become the superseded model, but I can pick one up for just
under $3k
Regards
dayvo

I've got that one Dayvo and very happy with it. We chose Plasma over LCD for a much simpler reason. We have two kids 6 and 4 and decided that a glass front would be a good idea due to the odd projectile in our house. We have it on the stand on a corner unit where the sun has no impact so haven't experienced reflection issue.

Just one tip make sure you use the straps that screw into the top of your tv cabinet, these are to prevent it toppling forward should it get a knock.

Also get the supplier to install if possible or get a friend round they are very heavy and you don't want to drop it.

HH.

I'd say that is a wise choice too. We have a 42" JVC Plasma and very happy with the picture. Just don't hook up an X Box or similar. The burn in problems they cause Plasma TV's is a problem.

They have a tendancy to emit a slight buzzing noise from the back and in some cases it can be loud enough to be annoying. It's a similar sound to that made by a fluoro tube, only louder. Panasonic is a good brand. You need to stick to the Japanese made Plasma panels for the moment.

They are getting cheaper all the time. It will be lees than $2K next year, but If you keep waiting, you'll never get one. I'm not a huge TV fan but the footy, cricket etc is amazing.

This is an interesting time to be buying a flat panel TV...... I would say, if you can delay your purchase.... you will find things change shortly

the price point crossover between plasma and LCD currently sits arround 42"
the prices are changing weekly.
I do work for a company that sells mostly to commercial users.... this time last year plasma was the go anywhere above 30 inch

i looked thru some price lists while I was working thru some quotes with my contact and prices are steadily dropping.... I was dumfounded..... I remember when a 42"plasma was $12k
Now LCD is something you have to consider.

also consider this
a 50 inch plasma will use up to 600 watts...... thats a lot of heat and a serious consideration in running cost.... an LCD will consume a fraction of that.

If we are going into a commercial client with multiple units the heating load and electricity cost is a real factor in their decision.

Oh LCD's bounce a littel better than plasmas (not much but a little) plasmas dont bounce at all.

On the other hand there are some screaming deals on plasma at the moment... I have seen 42" for $1400 retail.....low res units admittedly but still.

Be carefull you are comparing apples with apples too..... check out the resolution.

I agree LCD can look quite agressive...... but like anything you have to adjust them corectly.

I have 2 new LG monitors that I;m typing on at the moment.... when they came out of the box they were so bright I could hardly look at them.... I'm running the brightness on about 24% & i'm seeing if I get used to it.... probaly a bit bright still at night.


have a real good look arround, and wait if you can.

cheers

As a matter of interest, the power consumption for a Plasma may not necessarily be the full amount quoted by the manufacturer, but for LCD this is certainly the case!

The reason is that Plasma works by being a light source and as such will have times of higher power consumption ( lots of light output ) and times of very low power consumption ( low level light output ) and the average of this will be the consumption of the unit.

By comparision an LCD is generating its full light output potential all the time ( via the backlighting ) and the scene ( picture ) brightness changes are done by the LCD being a "filter" of sorts obstructing the light being able to be seen from the unit. Its actually runing all the time but you only get to see the bits you need to.

Another consideration is that Plasma doesnt have a limited "view angle" like LCD. Because Plasma is a light source you get to see what is on and what isnt. But with LCD it kinda works in reverse in that you only get to see the bits of light that get through the LCD filter, it only lets you see the bits you need to, rather than the whole lot, the LCD filter works on polarization which is also what is responsible for the limited "view angle" quoted for LCD. This can very much be a consideration depending on your room layout...

great for sports and the likes of action movies , and your choice of a viera plasma panel is brilliant, but if you haven't already bought one , wait and get the new model has better contrast, black levels and candelbras. Does not have the recording sd card capabilties, but get a Dmrex75 to go with for all your recording capabilities, followed by a Crest HDMI cable at about $79 cheap but better than spending a fortune on something that does the same job, this will also upscaling to 1080i for top quality dvd playback without a blu ray 1080p price tag, good luck

[QUOTE=Mick C.;519758]As a matter of interest, the power consumption for a Plasma may not necessarily be the full amount quoted by the manufacturer, but for LCD this is certainly the case!

The reason is that Plasma works by being a light source and as such will have times of higher power consumption ( lots of light output ) and times of very low power consumption ( low level light output ) and the average of this will be the consumption of the unit.

By comparision an LCD is generating its full light output potential all the time ( via the backlighting ) and the scene ( picture ) brightness changes are done by the LCD being a "filter" of sorts obstructing the light being able to be seen from the unit. Its actually runing all the time but you only get to see the bits you need to.

[QUOTE]

The power consumption of an LCD may also not be as high as quoted.... it will be dependent on the "set" brightness of the backlight.

More correctly the power consumption of a plasma will be dependent on both the average brightness of the programe being displayed and the brightness setting of the machine....... it will therefore vary with programe.
Regardles of what you might read.. plasmas produce a lot of heat... that has to mean the consume a proportunate amount of energy.
ventilation is a real consideration when installing a plasma..... much less so with LCD

the power consumption of an LCD will be largely dependent on the brightness setting of the backlight ( various methods of manipulation considered) but will be largly constant.

I note ... if you have been reading the panasonic blurb..... they most certainly are "pro plasma" because they have some of the most competitive plasma screens on the market.

There are other manufactures who are very much more competitive in LCD.

some people make a big deal of the viewing angle thing..... for many domestic applications... this is prety irrelivant as the viewer sits directly in front of the screen.... the remainder of the " home theatre experience" will be pretty dodgy if you are out at a wide viewing angle.

the contrast thing... yeh all right.... but for most people they wont notice or care.. apart from the fact that most of our living rooms are pretty bright these days and a lot of our viewing is done daytime with curtains open.
this tends to tip the ballance in favor of a LCD.

then there is the colour.... plasma is suposed to render more and better colours...... again most people will not see or notice the difference.

With a lot of this stuff it is realy a personal choice dependent on your perception and how fussy you are.

it is still a close run thing between plasma and LCD when the price is ignored.
the two technologies have their advantages & disadvantages.
Additionaly the technology and the price changes weekly... if you are fussy it is no longer ( and never realy was) a matter of comparing plasma with LCD.... but comparing individual offerings and individual machines.

be aware also that certain ( well most) sellers of this sort of equipment will have brands and models that they stock and favour.

Adding another complication to the mix... if you want a big picture... projection is a much cheaper way to get a BIG picture..... as long as you have a suitable projection path and a mounting point.
Hell I;ve installed a few mitsubishi 3500 lumin machines of late & they are very nice & go for about $3200 retail..... on a 2.4 metre screen they look good.... not quite " daylight viewable" but pretty damn close.

certainly in this market you need to look carefully if making a " good decision" is important to you...... dont believe anything a salesman tells you... read the specifications and use your eyes & ears.
there is a big variability in the products offered.

cheers