Plasma TVs get the axe

[rpm]

Plasma TVs get the axe (http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Hardware/6552.html)


The European Union is looking at banning the sale of plasma screen television sets.

[atomcrusher]

About time ... LCD, and soon to be OLED, screens are the way of the future, at least for a few more years.

[MoHaG]

About time ... LCD, and soon to be OLED, screens are the way of the future, at least for a few more years.
But banning plasma? It has a few advantages (higher contrast) / disadvantages (power consumption, phosphor burn in) compared to LCDs...

Taxing them might work just as well without limiting customer choice...

[zambussi]

What's next ? Banning electric heaters ?

[Xarog]

Give me a 100w lightbulb over those mercury filled "energy savers" any day.

[Tns]

saving energy is a good idea, but hell you can't get all stupid about it either

[wezhira]

gotta save the environment so what about high contrast ratios how many people who can afford those tv sets actually notice that high contrast ratio

[the_lobe]

Good, now that that's out of the way. Now for all the households that have 4 normal television sets. These power hungry maniacs should be stopped. Ooh ooh, and these households with two 60watt lightbulbs, because 60+60 = 120 which uses WAY more than these 100watt lightbulbs.

[jetlee]

Good, now that that's out of the way. Now for all the households that have 4 normal television sets. These power hungry maniacs should be stopped. Ooh ooh, and these households with two 60watt lightbulbs, because 60+60 = 120 which uses WAY more than these 100watt lightbulbs.

+1

I have gas heaters and a 800cc car .. they can come claw my plasma from my cold dead fingers

[Nuro]

This is a very thin line. I'm getting tired of people using energy excessively despite global warming and the looming energy crisis. People simply don't care. They don't realise that their usage is affecting other people and future generations. If they have the money, they will waste energy without thinking.

On the other hand, people should be able to buy products they like, and use it responsibly.

[Nuro]

Give me a 100w lightbulb over those mercury filled "energy savers" any day.

Burning coal to power those old style lightbulbs releases mercury. In countries where coal is still the main power source, CFLs will release less mercury into landfills than the mercury released from burning coal. In mainly nuclear powered countries it's a different story.

[Garyvdh]

welcome to 1984

[undesign]

plasma ftw!

Burn-in? That's was a problem years ago.

[spiderz]

I'm actually considering buying a plasma at this stage. Their picture just looks better.
(must still test with laptop on it thou)

[timgaul]

Give me a 100w lightbulb over those mercury filled "energy savers" any day.

Ah! Mercury scares the carp out of me! How long till we see LED bulbs replace CFLs?

[timgaul]

I'm actually considering buying a plasma at this stage. Their picture just looks better.
(must still test with laptop on it thou)

Just remember you can get a better resolution from an LCD screen, plus no burn in.

[tinman]

Go LCD...save the whales...

*EDIT - no seriously..Im actually glad they are doing this. If there is a more environmentally friendly way of watching stuff in HD, Im all for it..

[timgaul]

plasma ftw!

Burn-in? That's was a problem years ago.

It is still a problem to this day, the nature of the beast. And image retention is still very visible even if it doesn't burn in.

[plugger123]

plasma screens looks much better than lcs screens but they'll probably figure out a way to reduce the power consumption on that.. hopefully anywayz..

[CHURCHILL]

From my experience, watching normal SD DSTV content, the plasma does better then the LCD, due to the black/white levels and the refresh rate.

For Full HD content though, the LCD is a step up an plasma.

[Rouxenator]

Plasma and OLED sucks donkey.

Plasma is to power hungry and dies after a short while. OLED is more effiecient but also dies after a will. The just have to stop making them and they will sort themself out cause it is inferior to LCD.

Long live LCD !

[ToxicBunny]

Rouxenator : you'll have to justify that statement.

Current OLED technology by Toshiba and Panasonic has OLED lifespan on blue (the shortest lasting colour substrate) at around 62000 hours, which is longer than the typical lifespan of any of the other systems like LCD, Plasma or LED.

[Rouxenator]

The only thing that goes in the LCD is the backlight - which you can replace. You cannot "regas" your OLEDs :p
Plasma also goes after a while and you cannot do anything about it. Plus it sucks too much juice.
Justification enough? Or should I add the line "because I say so".

[antowan]

This is a very thin line. I'm getting tired of people using energy excessively despite global warming and the looming energy crisis. People simply don't care. They don't realise that their usage is affecting other people and future generations. If they have the money, they will waste energy without thinking.

On the other hand, people should be able to buy products they like, and use it responsibly.

Yup. If you power that plasma tv with a solar panel you put up with your own money, who the hell cares how much power it uses... :D

[Rouxenator]

I don't care if you power it with a exercise bike - it is plasma and plasma is wrong. It has to go. No buts or ifs, just get a real screen, you will easily be able to identify them with the letters LCD. Not bright enough? Get your eyes tested - you may not be fit to drive a car anymore.

[Tns]

+1

I have gas heaters and a 800cc car .. they can come claw my plasma from my cold dead fingers

haven't got any of those but hell i agree with you there!

[undesign]

From my experience, watching normal SD DSTV content, the plasma does better than the LCD

+1

It's subjective, but SD DSTV looks distinctly sharper and less blocky to me on plasma.

[Nuro]

Waiting (probably in vain) for SED (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-conduction_Electron-emitter_Display)

[EtienneK]

I really like what I've seen from the OLED space.

OLED can take Plasma's spot.

[adsl3g]

+1

It's subjective, but SD DSTV looks distinctly sharper and less blocky to me on plasma.

Thats due to the lower resolution of the plasma you are viewing it on.

[undesign]

Thats due to the lower resolution of the plasma you are viewing it on.

Do you mean 1,024x768 (my plasma) vs. typical LCD resolution of 1,366x768? I never thought of that, interesting!

[apogeeza]

If that offends you, then you deserve to be offended - Gareth Cliff, 5FM (12-Jan-2009 8:09am)

fyi on the side: Years ago there was a local SA band called Rabbi Adolf and the disclaimer on their CD said something along the lines of: "No offense intended except to those offended." ;)

[apogeeza]

The moment they ban it here, let the prices drop, then ... BUY :D

off-set it's inherent environmental hazard by not using light bulbs at all (mercury energy saving or not : ... you'll get enough light and radiation etc. from the plasma screen itself :D )

[Rouxenator]

I really like what I've seen from the OLED space.

OLED can take Plasma's spot.

Yes - in terms of technology that dies after x amount of time in service. LCD is easy to fix and can go on forever I dare say.


fyi on the side: Years ago there was a local SA band called Rabbi Adolf and the disclaimer on their CD said something along the lines of: "No offense intended except to those offended." ;)
He must have stolen if from there and now I stole it from him :D

[Vitesse]

Save energy. Save money. Save the planet.
OK, so maybe the saving the planet bit is a bit of a stretch, but it's got to start somewhere, right?
Here's a link to a booklet full of energy conservation tips from The Alliance to Save Energy: http://www.ase.org/uploaded_files/powersmart/PowerSmartBklt-web.pdf
Wouldn't it be great if our Forum could take the lead in DOING something for a change...?

[MrSmith]

Panasonic is already upping its game on the Eco front with these new Plasma's and LCD's
http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/08/panasonic-talks-up-ultrathin-neolcd-neopdp-displays/

[Syndyre]

But banning plasma? It has a few advantages (higher contrast) / disadvantages (power consumption, phosphor burn in) compared to LCDs...

Taxing them might work just as well without limiting customer choice...



This is a very thin line. I'm getting tired of people using energy excessively despite global warming and the looming energy crisis. People simply don't care. They don't realise that their usage is affecting other people and future generations. If they have the money, they will waste energy without thinking.

On the other hand, people should be able to buy products they like, and use it responsibly.


Just tax carbon, then people can use what they like. The EU's a typical nanny state.

[killadoob]

Less plasma's cheaper lcd's :)

Bring it on :)

[ToxicBunny]

Rouxenator : Unless you've been living under a rock, LCD's also have an average lifespan of about 60000 hours give or take, and I can guarantee you they're not as easy to fix as you think.

[Hosehead]

Plasma at least you can see from any angle clearly- not so with LCD. And for sports watching- nothing beats Plasma.

[PeterCH]

Hopefully this won't occur. European Commission will hopefully get bogged down and no member will ratify this BS.

BTW it seems that Laser TV is a better looking upcoming TV display tech.

[Cloud]

Rouxenator, I'm sure you could refill a plasma. Just open your mouth and blow into the vents...

[Rouxenator]

Rouxenator : Unless you've been living under a rock, LCD's also have an average lifespan of about 60000 hours give or take, and I can guarantee you they're not as easy to fix as you think.
Still easier than plasma and OLED. I mean, for a start, it is actually possible to fix LCD - something that is impossible for plasma and OLED. If they go you have to throw it away, which means all the energy spent to make it also goes to waste.


Plasma at least you can see from any angle clearly- not so with LCD. And for sports watching- nothing beats Plasma.
Sports is gay and LCD has excellent viewing angles these days. If you still cannot see get a bigger LCD.


Hopefully this won't occur. European Commission will hopefully get bogged down and no member will ratify this BS.
"This" is not BS. Plasma is BS.


Rouxenator, I'm sure you could refill a plasma. Just open your mouth and blow into the vents...
All that comes out of me is just a lot of hot air.... :D

[PeterCH]

"This" is not BS. Plasma is BS.



LOL, you obviously don't know how the Commission works. I have a cousin high up in it's hierarchy and he's skeptical himself.

As for repairing plasma, that's BS. Modern plasmas (ones from the last 5 years or so) don't need to be repaired,
the burn in and loss of brightness you fear will outlast the life of the other components and you'll be needing an Ultra High Def TV before you'll notice
any problems.

The best set on the market right now in terms of picture is a Plasma from Pioneer.

[Rouxenator]

The best set on the market right now in terms of picture is a Plasma from Pioneer.

Do they give you discount on a 5kVA (minimum) generator with that one? :confused:

[PeterCH]

Does BMW or Daimmler give discounts to it's V6/V8 engine purchasing customers?

The Kuro is a premier Home Theater plasma. The picture quality is at this moment (supposedly) better than anything else on the market. It's not a cheap
piece of kit, I noticed in the catalog B&H sent me it retails for about USD 5000
for a 65 inch version.

[ToxicBunny]

Rouxenator : Just a question, how old are you?..

You're incredibly opinionated and refuse to accept any other opinion may be right, and you attack ideas when they differ from your opinion.

[Rouxenator]

You guys can argue all you want, and sure, there are many other ways to save tons of CO2 emissions, but the underlying point is that plasma is, has, and will always be, inferior compared to other technologies. Even CRT has a few advantages over plasma.

While it maybe a questionable move from the EU to try and enforce such policies it does not change the fact that plasma really is a pile of crap. The EU just needs a good excuse to get rid of it as you always get stupid folk that spend money on plasma (cause they just can get the extra few Ks for LCD) and then they try to convince themselves it is better.

This is not an attack, just fact.

[ToxicBunny]

Just has CRT has a few advantages over Plasma, so does Plasma have a few advantages over CRT.

This is the fact that happens with pretty much every technology, they're better in some areas, and worse in others, and PeterCH is correct.. the best Home Cinema display on the market at the moment is the Pioneer Kuro which is a Plasma.

Therefore your "fact" is not entirely a fact but more of an opinion.

[Tweak]

The quality in alot of these 'flat' panels you see in shop windows just didn't look as advanced for yout to be spending 40 000 rand on them. Why do people feel the need to buy these gadgets? You can just as well get a dozen projectors for R4 000 and have much better quality and higher resolution at home.

[milomak]

I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject (Plasma v LCD of late) and it seems the real major disadvantage plasma has these days is that it is heavy. burn in is a possibility but seemingly way down the life of the set if it does happen .

in fact i am pretty i will be purchasing a plasma shortly.

[ToxicBunny]

oh no, milo...how could you do that?

Rouxenator has proclaimed that plasma is BS...why would you go against this? :p

[Rouxenator]

Actually its cool you know. Buy Plasmsa instead of LCD. There is no way in hell I could say my 86cm CRT TV is better than yours if you had LCD. With plasma that changes :p

[arf9999]

Therefore your "fact" is not entirely a fact but more of an opinion.


Rouxenator

QED

[ToxicBunny]

There is less than no way your 86cm CRT TV is better than a WS HDReady(at least) Plasma Rouxenator....

Not in any reality.