Televisions

[puhcface]

Someone in here has to know about tv's. Im lookin to upgrade from my dinosaur big screen. Cant afford LED, so whats better, Plasma or LCD (50 inch range)?

Thx alot.

[Grizzly Joe]

Check out these threads:

Plasma or LCD 37"-40"

DLP, LCD, or Plasma?

Panasonic Viera Plasma....58"

[smet9772]

Also it depends on what type of lighting you have in the room you are going to put into your TV into. I went with an LCD because I have a little more lighting coming into my living room. It looks great. Also if you are a gamer I think LCD's are better also.

But those threads should give you some insight on what was said in the past.

[QuadzillaXXX]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

check out that site, it's incredibly informative but also remember most of these guys are techno geeks so they're overly critical when they review something

[GFootsXtreme]

I own the TV that is rated as having the very highest quality picture available, it is a Plasma.

But unless you have a dark basement to use for your TV, do not buy one. They are becoming obsolete as LCDs are lighter, are less reflective (** key issue), and have come close to matching the plasmas without having burn-in problems.

Best value today is a 120hz LCD. LEDs are simply a different way of lighting the LCD, and are better but not worth the difference in price. LEDs are slimmer and often have a refresh of 240hz, but at 240 there is little improvement from 120.

60hz, you must avoid. Motion looks bad, especially with sports and that's what you're going to watch, along with movies and such

Buy a plasma if you have a dark room without windows because they look the best, and are very inexpensive

Buy an LCD in any other circumstance because of lighting issues combined with other elements that are making LCDs the prefered choice, but make sure it's at least 120hz

[GFootsXtreme]

zdnet.com does the best job of reviewing picture quality and value, you won't go wrong with their suggestions and if it gets too technical, skip that part if you don't care

[Keith]

Originally Posted by GFootsXtreme

I own the TV that is rated as having the very highest quality picture available, it is a Plasma.

But unless you have a dark basement to use for your TV, do not buy one. They are becoming obsolete as LCDs are lighter, are less reflective (** key issue), and have come close to matching the plasmas without having burn-in problems.

Best value today is a 120hz LCD. LEDs are simply a different way of lighting the LCD, and are better but not worth the difference in price. LEDs are slimmer and often have a refresh of 240hz, but at 240 there is little improvement from 120.

60hz, you must avoid. Motion looks bad, especially with sports and that's what you're going to watch, along with movies and such

Buy a plasma if you have a dark room without windows because they look the best, and are very inexpensive

Buy an LCD in any other circumstance because of lighting issues combined with other elements that are making LCDs the prefered choice, but make sure it's at least 120hz

I have a fairly well-lit den, and I just recently went for the 55 inch Samsung LCD. I too did not feel the need to spend the extra $600-700 when the primary feature I could discern for LED was that you can "update your Facebook and Twitter WHILE WATCHING TV !!!" I don't do Facebook or Twitter, but why the f*ck would I want to update them WHILE I WAS WATCHING TV ??!!?

Anyway, the picture is GREAT (I was coming from an old 36 inch big-ass tube ProScan TV). I mean like really great. With the hi-def dish and package (thank you DirecTV), it almost gives it a 3-D effect. Not just for sports, but for movies too.

I highly recommend the Samsung 55" LCD.

[dhunter]

The main advantage of LED is not Facebook and Twitter lol

it's the ability to achieve deeper blacks giving you a higher contrast ratio. Regular LCDs look a dark grey.

Just compare the contrast ratios. LEDs blow the regular LCDs out of the water. I own one and love it

[Bisket]

panny plasmas

[walk066]

I love my Samsung DLP that I;ve had for four years. I believe it's the best picture out there.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by dhunter

The main advantage of LED is not Facebook and Twitter lol

it's the ability to achieve deeper blacks giving you a higher contrast ratio. Regular LCDs look a dark grey.

Just compare the contrast ratios. LEDs blow the regular LCDs out of the water. I own one and love it

I know I was exaggerating (although that is apparently one of the things they hype about the LED). Is the picture THAT much better though dhunter ?? It is substantially more $$$, that's for certain.

[dhunter]

Originally Posted by Keith

I know I was exaggerating (although that is apparently one of the things they hype about the LED). Is the picture THAT much better though dhunter ?? It is substantially more $$$, that's for certain.

yeah the LED really is much better. especially when playing a bluray. check them out the next time you're in best buy.

the prices aren't that much higher.

40" LED samsung is $1200.
40" LCD samsung is $1000

it's worth the extra $200

[TheHippieRipper]

Before the technological advances in plasma TV's... they were thought to have half the life span of a LCD tv which to me was the difference maker in my purchase. Now-a-days plasmas have better cooling features and they refresh lines more often so you don't have ghosting effects (as bad). the only downside of a plasma is that you need to have a room that is fairly dark because the glare on them is really bad. that's something you need not worry about an LCD.
the plasma is going to have deeper and richer colors and usually a higher contrast ratio (individual colors between black and white the TV individualizes) but the LCD has more of a selection and are far more durable.

really it all comes down to how much bang you are getting for your buck.
if you do decide to go with a plasma, I wouldn't buy anything manufactured pre-2008 just because that's about the time they started upgrading most of them. (be sure to check the date of manufacturing before you buy because some stores still have really old ones in stock <cough> kmart <cough>)