HD Ready Plasma versus Full HD LCD

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twiga

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I'm sure this question must have come up before, but prices being equal which one should you rather buy?

I am leaning towards the plasma (hate the way blacks are presented on LCD screens), and their bleeding backlights (LCD) are a joke (imho).

Primary application is watching movies on my media centre.

My budget is about R8k, which can get you either a 42" HD Ready plasma or Full-HD LCD.

Which would you choose?
 
LCD, but only as I plan to use it with a PC at some point too. Most folk will prolly advise you to go plasma if it's only for movie viewing.
 
I have a 42" Full HD 1080p LCD and movies are great on it, so are games and TV.
HD ready is not worth it in my opinion.
 
Indeed, full HD is a must.

I prefer LCD over plasma because most LCD screens are matt black, so they don't reflect. Plasmas normally have a glass surface so you get screen reflections from whatever is happening in front of the TV. But I'd rather go LED ;)
 
Thanks for the feedback!

I'll go check out a number of set the weekend,
 
Mmm - not so sure the answer is that simple as many of the posters here are suggesting.

It really depends what source material you will be watching. If you'll primarily be watching DSTV HD, then full HD will be no benefit. If, like you say, you'll be watching movies, then it really depends on the quality of the source. If it's the run of the mill DVD rip, or download, it's most likely DVD quality at best, or probably 720p (even then, at a low bitstream, heavily compressed). Again, if that's the case, the full HD will be overkill.

You will only get the benefit of full HD if you're watching Blu-Rays - even then, you'll only tell if you have a screen 52" or bigger.

I was in the same boat recently. I have a 5 year old HD ready 42" Sony Grand Wega, and was in the market for a new panel. I ended up buying a full HD Sony Bravia LCD(40S400a), mainly because I got it at a steal - R6k. It's an awesome TV, but I'm hard pressed to see the benefit over my old HD-ready Sony LCD. I even ran Blu Ray's side by side on the 2 panels, and struggled to tell them apart. LCD's are cheaper, more wide-spread, have improved on most of the issues that you mention as complaints - but an HD ready plasma, with say a 46"+ screen, offers you way more bang for your buck, and a better quality viewing experience.

All that said, I love my Bravia, and still hooked on HD DSTV. You'll get by just fine on an HD ready plasma though.
 
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doobyscoo said:
I have a 42" Full HD 1080p LCD and movies are great on it, so are games and TV.
HD ready is not worth it in my opinion.
Click to expand...

If you can see a real difference between 720 and 1080 I will suck your balls blue :D

@ the OP
Search the forum for Plasma vs LCD threads ;)
 
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I have a HD Ready Sony plasma and it works well.

It displays Blu-ray at 1080/60i and it looks super. Yes, I know that the actual resolution of the display is lower but it still looks great.

The biggest problem was only DVI & component ports, but I found a dongle that would convert HDMI to Component - works well !
 
@ sybawoods

Stellar advice!

Also some people mentioned the glass reflection issue on the plasma. I think the glass is better/harder. My cat easily scratched one of my LCD PC monitors. Those things are "soft".

My source material is mostly < 720p. (DVD-Rips etc). Like I said I will be hooking up to my media centre.

thanks!
 
Pitbull said:
If you can see a real difference between 720 and 1080 I will suck your balls blue :D

@ the OP
Search the forum for Plasma vs LCD threads ;)
Click to expand...

Ok... go stand with your face 1cm from the screen. Can you now see the difference between 720p and 1080p? Yes you can. Its all about viewing distance.
 
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I would go plasma. but Game did have a 47 inch Logik LCD for 8K this weekend if you are looking for the extra size...
 
Archer said:
Ok... go stand with your face 1cm from the screen. Can you now see the difference between 720p and 1080p? Yes you can. Its all about viewing distance.
Click to expand...

Yip, I know plenty of people who watch their TVs from a distance of 1cm ;)

Screen reflection is often mentioned as a problem with plasmas but if you are going to spend good money on a nice new big TV and an expensive surround sound system surely it is not too much to ask that you ensure the viewing environment is conducive to watching TV? How many outdoor, day time cinemas do you know of? Or ones with bright lights on during the movies? All it takes is some nice thick curtains and screen reflection is not an issue any more!
 
Archer said:
Ok... go stand with your face 1cm from the screen. Can you now see the difference between 720p and 1080p? Yes you can. Its all about viewing distance.
Click to expand...

The biggest difference is between Plasma and LCD. 720 vs 1080 is so minimal should not even be a factor tbh ;)
 
LancelotSA said:
Yip, I know plenty of people who watch their TVs from a distance of 1cm ;)

Screen reflection is often mentioned as a problem with plasmas but if you are going to spend good money on a nice new big TV and an expensive surround sound system surely it is not too much to ask that you ensure the viewing environment is conducive to watching TV? How many outdoor, day time cinemas do you know of? Or ones with bright lights on during the movies? All it takes is some nice thick curtains and screen reflection is not an issue any more!
Click to expand...

How about if you have a partner who objects to the lounge being in darkness during the afternoon when you want to watch a rugby match? We have blackout curtains, but that doesn't mean you're always allowed to use them ;)
 
Sinbad said:
How about if you have a partner who objects to the lounge being in darkness during the afternoon when you want to watch a rugby match? We have blackout curtains, but that doesn't mean you're always allowed to use them ;)
Click to expand...

Doesn't need to be dark, just no direct sunlight on the TV and you're ok :)

But if you have heavy sunlight during the day, get an LCD.
 
Twiga,

Ask yourself these questions.
1. Source material - 720 / 1080 - you say more 720 in your post.
2. Viewing distance - how far are you watching from the screen. The closer you are, the higher the required res.
3. Are you planning on any static uses - PC / Gaming - Plasma is awesome for gaming, but doesn't like static images. If for PC, then rather go LCD.
4. How much sun enters the room, and from where - Plasma does reflect, but it depends on how you manage the light and at what angle it comes in against your viewing angle
5. For 8K, you can shop hard and get a 50" plasma for about that price.
6. It's not always the resolution, but the black levels, gradiation, depth and smoothness of the picture
7. LCD is very bright, Plasma is darker
8. LCD is "clinical" picture and Plasma is "organic"

Your personal choice. I was hung up about 720 v 1080, and couldn't find enough argument, at my use, to warrant 1080.
 
Pitbull said:
The biggest difference is between Plasma and LCD. 720 vs 1080 is so minimal should not even be a factor tbh ;)
Click to expand...

I have to agree, i replaced my high-end samsung lcd (full hd) with a plasma (hd ready) and its the best decision i ever made this year i also have a phillips 7000 series (full hd) in the bedroom, nothing compares to my plasma.
 
Sinbad said:
How about if you have a partner who objects to the lounge being in darkness during the afternoon when you want to watch a rugby match? We have blackout curtains, but that doesn't mean you're always allowed to use them ;)
Click to expand...

Well then you need to get yourself a new partner! ;)
 
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