LCD or Plasma...need help deciding please
- Thread starter Steelman
- Start date
FantasySage
Dormin'
This is why I <3 being on a forum with adults.
Brian
An Old Geezer
The final decision may be as much related to where the screen will reside as anything else. My current tele sits next to a pair of French Doors leading outside with plenty of light introduced during the day so, though I lean towards plasma based on reading and what I've seen, it may not be practical as the screen will be going where the tele currently resides.
I bought the Panasonic TH-46PZ850U on Superbowl week-end for under $1200 and couldn't be happier, I shied away from LCD because much of my viewing is at an angle, the picture is still excellent from the sides, no gray cast, very similar to old phosphorous tubes. Yes, power consumption is a drag, I added a separate 20 amp circuit to the TV as bright images dimmed the house lights when plugged into the general lighting 15 amp circuit, not to mention the stove with its hot surface ignitor was on the same circuit. I think it uses abut 600 - 700 watts but hell, I enjoy the picture so much that I find my self watching the "technology" instead of the programs sometimes, pretty weird, aye?? If I was buying another right now, I'd snag the Panasonic TC-P50G15 from USAppliance for $1279 delivered, like mine, it has an ethernet connection for firmware upgrades, movie downloads, and other features. :thmbsp:
Steelman
Super Member
Thanks again all,
The wall I will be hanging the TV is very bright during the evening hours. That was one of my concerns. Viewing will be at only a slight angle.
Checking the picture quality at the local chain stores is somewhat deceptive. They are all placed in dimly lit areas with bluray and HD sources for the very best picture quality they can display. What makes a big difference it the real world opinions of owners with real opinions not based on sales commissions.
Your opinions have been great...
Thanks again.
Vincent
The wall I will be hanging the TV is very bright during the evening hours. That was one of my concerns. Viewing will be at only a slight angle.
Checking the picture quality at the local chain stores is somewhat deceptive. They are all placed in dimly lit areas with bluray and HD sources for the very best picture quality they can display. What makes a big difference it the real world opinions of owners with real opinions not based on sales commissions.
Your opinions have been great...
Thanks again.
Vincent
whoaru99
Epic Member
Dude....if your plasma TV causes the lights to dim, you need an electrician to take a serious look at that 15A circuit.
My 50" Panasonic plasma draws only 200W or so on average, a bit more like 250W, give or take, with bright images according to Kill-A-Watt.
The 50" version of your TV draws only 163.8W on average according to the tests done here.
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I wish mine only drew that much, the TH-46PZ850U draws 573 watts, add three bedrooms, about 15 outlets, a kitchen, computer and a stove to one 15amp circuit and believe me, there's not much left for the TV, the house was built 15 years ago and I guess that's typical. I have a Kill-a-Watt, I'll test it this week-end and see what it shows. One thing that improved the 15amp circuit somewhat was replacing all the outlets and using pro-grade ones from Leviton, using the screw terminals in place of the "stick it in the back" versions they used to get the job done quicker.
I got rid of this type of wiring and used the screw terminals on my new outlets, all outlets are connected together so one lousy connection affects the rest in the chain.
whoaru99
Epic Member
Have you taken the TV out of "torch mode" (slang for the ultra bright typical out of box display settings)?
Huh? I would have thought a house that new would have had better segregation of the wiring circuits. I thought the practice (or maybe code) is to wire for "X" number of VAs per "Y" square feet of area. Often, too, and it may be a regional thing, the receptacles are usually pigtailed in, rather than relying on the screws or back wiring to maintain the circuit chain. That way, when a receptacle is removed the chain isn't broken.
What you describe would explain it, I guess.
Huh? I would have thought a house that new would have had better segregation of the wiring circuits. I thought the practice (or maybe code) is to wire for "X" number of VAs per "Y" square feet of area. Often, too, and it may be a regional thing, the receptacles are usually pigtailed in, rather than relying on the screws or back wiring to maintain the circuit chain. That way, when a receptacle is removed the chain isn't broken.
What you describe would explain it, I guess.
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Cosmic
Well-Known Member
Strongly consider a plasma.
No motion artifacts (thus no elaborate ciruitry to try to compensate for what shouldn't be there to begin with.)
Deep blacks and overall great texture in the image. To me, a plasma looks more like a good tube TV.
My 58-inch Panasonic 700-series just glows. I watch next to no network TV, but Blu-Rays or upscaling regular DVDs from my PS3 through HDMI...
And then put the TV into 'custom' mode (no presets) and dial it in; there is plenty of help on-line for that.
(For reference, I work in broadcast TV, so monitors are part of my daily job.)
C.
No motion artifacts (thus no elaborate ciruitry to try to compensate for what shouldn't be there to begin with.)
Deep blacks and overall great texture in the image. To me, a plasma looks more like a good tube TV.
My 58-inch Panasonic 700-series just glows. I watch next to no network TV, but Blu-Rays or upscaling regular DVDs from my PS3 through HDMI...
And then put the TV into 'custom' mode (no presets) and dial it in; there is plenty of help on-line for that.
(For reference, I work in broadcast TV, so monitors are part of my daily job.)
C.
CUlater
Member #287, thereabouts
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned screen reflectivity.
I have a 50" Philips plasma in the basement, great picture but it has a glossy screen and the light leaking around the blinds on the french doors behind my seating position reflect badly during the day...and otherwise my basement family room is already fairly dark and cavelike anyways.
OTOH, I have a 42" 120hz Vizio upstairs in the LR that has a bay window and gets much more ambient light, but since it has a matte screen there's no reflection and always looks good day or night.
BTW, I highly recommend looking a lot and judging for yourself as well. While many are pretty equivalent, when I was looking last year I noted that the 8 series Samsung LCD just looked more 'live' and it was a hugely noticeable difference.
As it turns out, I think that the noticeable difference was mainly due to 120hz refresh and associated image processing - my 120hz Vizio has the same 'wow' 3-D-like image depth and fast motion precision effects that the Samsung 8 series had, but at about 1/4 the price. YMMV.
Best of luck, and have fun researching and comparing!
I have a 50" Philips plasma in the basement, great picture but it has a glossy screen and the light leaking around the blinds on the french doors behind my seating position reflect badly during the day...and otherwise my basement family room is already fairly dark and cavelike anyways.
OTOH, I have a 42" 120hz Vizio upstairs in the LR that has a bay window and gets much more ambient light, but since it has a matte screen there's no reflection and always looks good day or night.
BTW, I highly recommend looking a lot and judging for yourself as well. While many are pretty equivalent, when I was looking last year I noted that the 8 series Samsung LCD just looked more 'live' and it was a hugely noticeable difference.
As it turns out, I think that the noticeable difference was mainly due to 120hz refresh and associated image processing - my 120hz Vizio has the same 'wow' 3-D-like image depth and fast motion precision effects that the Samsung 8 series had, but at about 1/4 the price. YMMV.
Best of luck, and have fun researching and comparing!
Snade
humble AK member
Not really your question, but the best "value" right now in hi-def TV is a 720p LCD under 42" screen size. Everyone buying today thinks they need a 1080p and 42" or bigger screen. Demand for 720p TVs has fallen and prices have fallen big time.
I picked up a 32" 720p Sharp LCD from Costco for $420 (including tax) and could not be happier with this TV. The TV faces a large window and I get no reflection in the screen and I toned down the sharpness and brightness from the presets and get an excellent, warm picture without the flatness you sometimes associate with LCD.
Just my experience. Good luck. Snade
I picked up a 32" 720p Sharp LCD from Costco for $420 (including tax) and could not be happier with this TV. The TV faces a large window and I get no reflection in the screen and I toned down the sharpness and brightness from the presets and get an excellent, warm picture without the flatness you sometimes associate with LCD.
Just my experience. Good luck. Snade
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diddlybopper
Super Member
My Samsung 47" LCD blows away my 55" Hitachi LCD....However the new Samsung LED blows away everything else.Check it out for yourself but it ain't cheap $2800.or thereabouts.
whoaru99
Epic Member
So I take it you've seen everything else, or do you really mean everything else you've seen?
So true.
Good post.
I just can't get past the motion blur on a LCD. I have yet to see one that doesn't do it, and once you have seen it, there is no "un-seeing" it.
Zeromancer
Super Member
I'm so tempted to buy a 60" LG Plasma.
or 54" Panasonic Plasma.
I might just stick with the Panasonic since I own a Panasonic 42" and love it, I just want a bigger tv.
or 54" Panasonic Plasma.
I might just stick with the Panasonic since I own a Panasonic 42" and love it, I just want a bigger tv.
52" Sony XBR lcd here. I really didn't look at plasmas but I chose the lcd because of the sorta mat screen which all but eliminates reflections, lower power consumption (resulting in less heat in the room) and the stunning picture. Also, no worries about burn-in although I understand that that isn't much of an issue anymore. Oh, and I like the way the tee-vee looks, too.
Even though this is a 120hz set, the motion blur can be annoying.
Murray
Even though this is a 120hz set, the motion blur can be annoying.
Murray
I really hate the way they're marketing the new "LED" sets.
They are LCD displays. The way they display the picture is 100% the same as it's always been.
The only reason "LED" comes into the name is because the lights required to allow you to see the picture (LCD only - Plasma is self-lighting) are white LEDs instead of fluorescent bulbs.
They still have all of the limitations that LCD sets have always had, because they ARE LCD sets...all of the motion blur...all of the poor off-axis viewing...struggles with greyscale, black levels, and lighting uniformity in EDGElit sets (the majority of "LED" LCD displays are EDGElit).
The only LCD sets that have managed to almost match Kuro & Panasonic performance are Local-Dimming LED-BACKlit LCD displays. The operative terms there are Local Dimming...and most importantly, BACKlit. All of the super-thin "LED" LCD displays you see are EDGElit. Picture a strip of LEDs all the way around an LCD screen. That's pretty much it. But the BACKlit displays are just that. A panel of LEDs behind the LCD panel. And the Local Dimming part means that where there is a darker area on the screen, the LEDs dim, greatly enhancing the appearance of blacks. Out of all available "LED" LCD displays in a product line, maybe ONE will be Local-Dimming BACKlit, and it will be the flagship model (Sony XBR8, Samsung A950 (now 8500), LG H90, Toshiba SV670). The Sony XBR8 series is the best of the best, and it's extremely pricey (about twice the price of a top-end Panasonic Plasma).
To sum - "LED" sets are just LCD sets that are lit differently, and unless they're BACKlit, Plasma picture quality walks all over them just as easily as it does fluorescent-lit LCD tvs. IF they're Local Dimming BACKlit, some manage to match the black levels/saturation/uniformity of Plasmas, but the motion blur is still there.
Link
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
When shopping for TV's at the local big box store or wherever one has to remember that the sets are usually set to get your attention in the store and they are also not connected in an optimal way. That's why the Panny Plasma's often draw less attention by folks looking for a picture that jumps out at you. They look more natural and that means they are often passed over for the brighter LCD's. That said videofiles looking for the best pictue often see the LCD's as too bight with less than ideal black levels which is supported by their in store setting.
Doing some research at home before you set out to shop for a TV is critical. My brother and I are both research nuts...we study a purchase pretty good before we make a big ticket buy. He bought a 42 inch Panasonic and I bought a 46 inch Samsung. I have adjusted the "LCD like" picture out of my set and get fabulous blacks and very natural color, no motions artifacts that I noticed. My brother is thrilled with his set as well. Something for everyone.
Doing some research at home before you set out to shop for a TV is critical. My brother and I are both research nuts...we study a purchase pretty good before we make a big ticket buy. He bought a 42 inch Panasonic and I bought a 46 inch Samsung. I have adjusted the "LCD like" picture out of my set and get fabulous blacks and very natural color, no motions artifacts that I noticed. My brother is thrilled with his set as well. Something for everyone.
I don't get this motion blur thing, I just don't pick up on it. But both my Samsung LCD sets are new and from the higher end of the line, an A-850 and a B-650.
The off angle picture with both these sets is very good and much better than earlier LCDs.
The A-850 has a little clouding on a pure black screen, the B-650 has none.
Dough was not a subject with either TV, I bought exactly what I wanted regardless of cost. If I thought plasmas were better I would have bought plasmas. As I've said, TVs are like hi-fi gear and since there are no perfect devices one must go with one's preference. I would never be so bold as to make bald pronouncements about what "walks all over" something else and only state preference.
The off angle picture with both these sets is very good and much better than earlier LCDs.
The A-850 has a little clouding on a pure black screen, the B-650 has none.
Dough was not a subject with either TV, I bought exactly what I wanted regardless of cost. If I thought plasmas were better I would have bought plasmas. As I've said, TVs are like hi-fi gear and since there are no perfect devices one must go with one's preference. I would never be so bold as to make bald pronouncements about what "walks all over" something else and only state preference.