3D LCD or Plasma

G

goofball

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
1,574
Reaction score
0
Hey guys,

I'm looking to buy a new TV and was wondering what your opinions are on the 3D tv's?

I'm looking for at least a 42".
Does not necessarily have to be a 3D tv which is why i'm asking you for your opinions on this first.
And if you do say yes, go for 3d then which model tv? Is HD ready fine for 3d?
What is the picture like when not watching a movie in 3d?
 
Well in my honest opinion 3D is still a bit of a gimmick at the moment. I was also very keen on 3D when I was deciding on an HDTV however when I sat down and thought logically about it I realized that almost non of the content I would be watching in the forseeable future would be in 3D so there was no way I could justify the additional cost of a 3D HDTV.

A couple of things you also need to consider:

1. 3D technology is not standardized across the board i.e. different brands require different 3D glasses so for example, your mate won't be able to use the glasses he got with his LG with your Samsung. Also there are other manufacturing companies who are busy developing 3D panels without the need for glasses so in 3 or 4 years the whole glasses thing might become completely redundant.

2. Although more 3D content is becoming available it is still very limited so ultimately you would have to go out and buy 3D Blu-Ray titles to make proper use of the 3D functionality on the TV....assuming of course you already have a Blu-ray player capable of playing 3D movies. If not, well then you'll have to buy one.

3. HD is still very much in it's infancy in South Africa so I doubt DSTV (or any other broadcaster in SA) will be broadcasting 3D content in the foreseeable future.

4. There are little to no TV shows/series available in 3D at the moment.

At the end it comes down to how much 3D content you will be viewing and whether or not you're willing to pay extra for a "nice-to-have" technology.
 
Last edited:
Thank for that info.

How about the picture quality ij 3d and picture quality in a movie that is not 3d or even normal tv?
 
I got the plasma for a few reasons....
It's better to watch TV on ....SD that is....
They say sport is better but i havn't owned an LED so don't know...
LED TV's make the movies look like they are too "real" if you know what i mean?
Plasma has a refresh rate of 600mhz

If you have the cash get a 3d capable tv.
I download all my 3d movies so no need to buy them :)
got the lion king in 3d this weekend.

you can convert 2d to 3d ....it's adds a little depth but not worth it.

Also LG is selling the new passive 3d tv's meaning you can use the cheap glasses you get in cinemas.
I read somewhere though that the quality is not the same as with active shutter glasses.


I bough my glasses on ebay for $30 a pop....bargain. i have 8 :)

oh and i got this app...will try it out tonight...

DVDFab 2D to 3D Converter 8.0.9.2
 
3D Might be a gimmick but its a great one. I started with an Optoma HD66 and have subsequently purchased a 3D plasma. I have most of the 3D Bluray movies that are available. I am waiting for Lion King 3D and Thor at the moment. Even watching something like Rio in 3D vs 2D adds a lot to the movie. Our (my daughter and I) first viewing was in 2D at the cinema and we subsequently watched it in 3D at home and it was a very different experience. The Lg's do have a picture quality issue, The it splits resolution from 1080p per eye to 540p per eye. They say u dont notice it but I do especially when there is text on screen or subtitles.
 
So is HD ready 3d fine or is it pretty much a must to go for full hd 3d?
 
goofball said:
So is HD ready 3d fine or is it pretty much a must to go for full hd 3d?
Click to expand...

Depends on how anal you are... One of the biggest arguments is at the entry level and ±R5,000 budget. Contenders are 42" HD Ready plasma, or 40" FHD LCD. The general consensus is that the plasma will provide better picture quality (blacks, colours, motion) while the LCD slightly more definition when watching close. Whether you notice this or not depends on you, your eyes, what you appreciate/are willing to sacrifice... How anal you are...

Also your viewing distance. What is it?

What will you be using the TV for?

How much 1080p media have you got?

Budget?

Some forumites have been getting the Samsung PS43D490 43" HD Ready 3D plasma at about R6,000. There is also a kit available (think Dion Wired) which includes the glasses and some movies for around R6,800. Next up would be PS51D550 FHD 3D plasma...

LCD/LED-LCD will be a lot more expensive, per size.
 
Last edited:
PostmanPot said:
Depends on how anal you are... One of the biggest arguments is at the entry level and ±R5,000 budget. Contenders are 42" HD Ready plasma, or 40" FHD LCD. The general consensus is that the plasma will provide better picture quality (blacks, colours, motion) while the LCD slightly more definition when watching close. Whether you notice this or not depends on you, your eyes, what you appreciate/are willing to sacrifice... How anal you are...

Also your viewing distance. What is it?

What will you be using the TV for?

How much 1080p media have you got?

Budget?

Some forumites have been getting the Samsung PS43D490 43" HD Ready 3D plasma at about R6,000. There is also a kit available (think Dion Wired) which includes the glasses and some movies for around R6,800. Next up would be PS51D550 FHD 3D plasma...

LCD/LED-LCD will be a lot more expensive, per size.
Click to expand...

How much does the PS51D550 go for?

I'll be using it mostly for movies and series from my laptop but will also be using it for some Xbox gaming. But the gaming i'm not worried about. Happy with the games just being HD so the picture in games doesnt bother me too much.

I have some HD media on my laptop which I'd like to watch on the tv. Also heard you can get 3d movies on your laptop and watch this on your 3d tv then.

Based on my budget I can either afford a HD ready 3d tv or a Full hd LED. Which would you recommend? Am i going to be unhappy in 2 yrs that i did not take a 3d tv?

Also, is Plasma a alright type?
 
PS51D550 is R8,999 - R9,999.

Honestly, sounds like 43" plasma would be best for you. Sounds like you have mainly SD content, which it will be the best at. Better at SD than mid-high end plasma/LCD even due to its lower resolution. Less 'stretch'.

I don't think you will regret not having 3D. Personal opinion. I'm not phased by it. Glasses suck. That means 43" HDR plasma for R4,999 or less would suit you. There's also 51" HDR plasma for R6,500 - R6,999 (PS51D450).

The only thing you might regret is the resolution, as you may have more 1080p media in 2 years time. Perhaps not though? With HDR you're covered up to 720p. Perhaps you can tell the difference from your viewing distance though. Go and test your media at Audio Vision (or another professional AV shop with dark room). Take some HD stuff on your Xbox.
 
PostmanPot said:
PS51D550 is R8,999 - R9,999.

Honestly, sounds like 43" plasma would be best for you. Sounds like you have mainly SD content, which it will be the best at. Better at SD than mid-high end plasma/LCD even due to its lower resolution. Less 'stretch'.

I don't think you will regret not having 3D. Personal opinion. I'm not phased by it. Glasses suck. That means 43" HDR plasma for R4,999 or less would suit you. There's also 51" HDR plasma for R6,500 - R6,999 (PS51D450).

The only thing you might regret is the resolution, as you may have more 1080p media in 2 years time. Perhaps not though? With HDR you're covered up to 720p. Perhaps you can tell the difference from your viewing distance though. Go and test your media at Audio Vision (or another professional AV shop with dark room). Take some HD stuff on your Xbox.
Click to expand...

Thanx for all the awesome info man!

TBH i'd want to go with one or the other.l'll be a little mad at myself if i didnt get either 3d or full hd.
Which FullHD LCD or LED would you recommend?
 
goofball said:
Thanx for all the awesome info man!

TBH i'd want to go with one or the other.l'll be a little mad at myself if i didnt get either 3d or full hd.
Which FullHD LCD or LED would you recommend?
Click to expand...

Rather go and test as to whether you 1) need FHD 2) need 3D. You may be surprised. You may be surprised at the fight a HDR plasma puts up, IMO wins unless you have tons of 1080p media.

If going LCD, personally I would only settle for mid range. Most likely Samsung - last year's 6 Series LA4xC6x0 with 100Hz.

LG looks like a good deal with its 100Hz.
 
I have a D550 51" 3D Plasma and can tell you 3D is no gimmick unless you have bad eyes or have only watched a badly done 3D movie like Green Hornet 3D.

3D looks amazing on this TV! I have about 15 3D Blu-Rays and I am hooked. I've been playing quite a few games in 3D and it adds a whole lot more fun to the gaming experience.

The LG passive TVs only display half a 1080P picture when watching blu-rays compared to a full 1080P picture on the Samsungs and Panasonics because of the difference 3D tech. But the glasses are much cheaper.

Plasmas have a lot more glare than LCD/LED TVs but 3D movies look quite a bit better on a plasma. Google it if you don't believe it.

I say go for 3D! It's awesome!
 
PostmanPot said:
Rather go and test as to whether you 1) need FHD 2) need 3D. You may be surprised. You may be surprised at the fight a HDR plasma puts up, IMO wins unless you have tons of 1080p media.

If going LCD, personally I would only settle for mid range. Most likely Samsung - last year's 6 Series LA4xC6x0 with 100Hz.

LG looks like a good deal with its 100Hz.
Click to expand...

Hey man.

I'm reading the posts on plasmas and wondering if this wont be best.
I play some games on xbox and further than that i hook up my laptop and watch some HD stuff and normal downloaded tv series. I dont even have dstv or a aerial hooked up to my current tv.

Do you think the plasma is better for this?

Also which plasma would then fit in my budget of between 5k and 7k?

and... wat is the furthest you can sit from a 42"?
 
goofball said:
Hey man.

I'm reading the posts on plasmas and wondering if this wont be best.
I play some games on xbox and further than that i hook up my laptop and watch some HD stuff and normal downloaded tv series. I dont even have dstv or a aerial hooked up to my current tv.

Do you think the plasma is better for this?

Also which plasma would then fit in my budget of between 5k and 7k?

and... wat is the furthest you can sit from a 42"?
Click to expand...

42/43" plasma particularly suits you because of its low resolution (1024x768 with rectangular pixels for 16:9/wide screen aspect ratio/720p). This means it will handle SD content (like your non-HD series/movies) the best because SD content is 4:3/square and due to the lower pixel count there is less stress, this is why SD looks good on CRT box/tube TVs because they are 4:3 AR.

And because the pixels are rectangular, 42/43" plasma handles HD/720p very well with plenty detail due to being able to natively display more than 720 vertical lines. Its lower resolution would only be a problem if you were running mostly 1080p media. So you basically have the best of both worlds, and I and many still argue 42/43" entry plasma beats 1080p entry LCD at 720p and in some cases (particularly animated) even 1080p.

Plasma picture quality is just so much better (unless you have double - triple your budget for mid-high end LCD/LED-LCD).

I sit 3m from my 42". For a full FHD experience, it's recommended to sit 1.5m from a FHD 40" TV...

Between R5k and R7k, either the PS43D450 43" 1024x768 @ R4,599 - R4,999; PS43D490 43" 1024x768 3D @ R6,500; or PS51D450 51" 1366x768 @ R6,599 - R6,999.

Test yourself against the LA40D550 and LA46D550 FHD LCDs.
 
Last edited:
PostmanPot said:
42/43" plasma particularly suits you because of its low resolution (1024x768 with rectangular pixels for 16:9/wide screen aspect ratio/720p). This means it will handle SD content (like your non-HD series/movies) the best because SD content is 4:3/square and due to the lower pixel count there is less stress, this is why SD looks good on CRT box/tube TVs because they are 4:3 AR.

And because the pixels are rectangular, 42/43" plasma handles HD/720p very well with plenty detail due to being able to natively display more than 720 vertical lines. Its lower resolution would only be a problem if you were running mostly 1080p media. So you basically have the best of both worlds, and I and many still argue 42/43" entry plasma beats 1080p entry LCD at 720p and in some cases (particularly animated) even 1080p.

Plasma picture quality is just so much better (unless you have double - triple your budget for mid-high end LCD/LED-LCD).

I sit 3m from my 42". For a full FHD experience, it's recommended to sit 1.5m from a FHD 40" TV...

Between R5k and R7k, either the PS43D450 43" 1024x768 @ R4,599 - R4,999; PS43D490 43" 1024x768 3D @ R6,500; or PS51D450 51" 1366x768 @ R6,599 - R6,999.

Test yourself against the LA40D550 and LA46D550 FHD LCDs.
Click to expand...

How much do the 42" Full HD plasmas go for?

I'll be doing some serious shopping this weekend...
 
Ahhhh alright... so Plasma 720p or full hd LCD/LED.

But plasma is better for SD and Sport

and LCD/LED is better for xbox, and 1080p movies/series.

Tough decision this...
 
goofball said:
Ahhhh alright... so Plasma 720p or full hd LCD/LED.

But plasma is better for SD and Sport

and LCD/LED is better for xbox, and 1080p movies/series.

Tough decision this...
Click to expand...

Plasma is the preferred tech for gaming due to its faster response time and lower input lag, although it probably wouldn't matter for most. LCDs have 'Game Mode' which reduces input lag, if there was ever a problem. Where I'd say plasma wins more noticeably is at colours/blacks, which is generally where plasma tech is better.

99% of Xbox/PS3 games are 720p (often upscaled to 1080p) so a 1080p/FHD screen isn't entirely necessary. Although I would say that when it comes to 720p vs 1080p the difference is more noticeable in games than in movies/series.

It really boils down to resolution. If you think you need 1080p and your budget is R6k, then plasma can't be an option because the cheapest FHD plasma is 51" @ R8,999 - R9,999.

But, FHD is often over marketed, so it's best to compare media yourself from your viewing distance. Many 720p plasma owners are more than happy, even with 1080p media. Some have even compared FHD movies on entry plasma (1024x768) vs entry LCD (1920x1080) and said the plasma was better...
 
get the PS51D550...it's awesome! and it's huge!
I paid 12 for it but expect to pay R11,000..haven't seen it cheaper as mentioned above...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X