Plasma or LCD?

[kang]

Now I'm in a panic.
I'm going out in a few days to get my new Philips 42" LCD (42PFL7403) for use with my HDPVR but I've read in other posts that Plasma would be better with SD content.
The thing is, I'm fully aware of the SD picture quality being so bad on an LCD screen which is why I've decided on this model because of the 100Hz refresh rate. Response time is 3ms. My budget is 15K max so the "W" series Sony is out of my league.
Problem is, I know Plasmas have better PQ with SD content but I'm a bit worried about the rumour that they will no longer be manufactured. I'm not too concerned about the burn in thing because I hear that isn't an issue these days.
So now I'm just stuck. Most of my viewing will be normal DSTV, the occasional PS2 game and maybe an hour of sport on the weekend therefore I'd want good picture quality. Will the 100Hz do me justice?

What should I do? LCD or Plasma? I've only researched LCD so there's a spanner in the works now.
How bad is the glare issue on a Plasma with its glass screen? Just the same as a normal CRT?

 

[Gundam]

If your LCD screen does a good job of upscaling the SD content there is no need to worry.

I noticed that a friend's 42" LG Scarlet LCD screen does a very decent job of upscaling stuff downloaded from the Internet that is not even SD resolution.

Also, plasmas consume way more power than LCD screens - up to three times more.

I used to be hard set on plasma screens, but after seeing the improvements made to LCD screens recently, I have started to reconsider this.

 

[TYR]

Plasma will beat any LCD with SD content, hands down.
Your hour of sport over the weekend will be better on plasma.
Don't know where you heard that plasmas will not be manufactured any longer ... complete and utter BS.
At 42", there is absolutely no need to go for a FullHD screen, but with a 15K budget you still can.
Plasma will definitely give you the best "bang for your buck".
Get a Panasonic plasma, 1080p or 720p, their anti-reflective coating does a great job ... you will never look back.

 

[Leftfoot]

LED screen FTW!

 

[SpaceKadet]

Countries to ban plasma screens?

If your LCD screen does a good job of upscaling the SD content there is no need to worry.

I noticed that a friend's 42" LG Scarlet LCD screen does a very decent job of upscaling stuff downloaded from the Internet that is not even SD resolution.

Also, plasmas consume way more power than LCD screens - up to three times more.

I used to be hard set on plasma screens, but after seeing the improvements made to LCD screens recently, I have started to reconsider this.

FYI

Power hungry plasma screen televisions to be banned under new EU legislation:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/4222445/Power-hungry-plasma-screen-televisions-to-be-banned-under-new-EU-legislation.html

New California Rules to Make TVs Greener:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125857362513954193.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond

 

[atomcrusher]

If you are looking at plasma, you are looking at old technology. But then again if you wait for the OLEDS to arrive at an affordable price you will never get on the technological wagon. So, go for a LCD, a good brand name, and you will be happy.

Of course you will NOT be happy with the HDPVR ... it is so full of inherent bugs it should be sold bundled with a can of Doom.

 

[Jedijo]

I heard Plasma TV's are or soon will be banned in Europe. It is said that this is because plasma's consume more energy than LCD. So much different are the two that it will save you hundreds if not thousands of rands a year depending on your usage.That will probably drive the price down here even further.
Also, depending on the light in the TV room you may find plasma reflection window light more so than LCD.
I have a plasma and also chose it because of the picture argument, but if I get another, it will definately be the LED.

 

[Silver82]

It really comes down to personal preference, because both LCD and Plasma have advantages and disadvantages. Being told that your Plasma only has a 'lifespan' of around 10 years is a moot point, way before 10 years is up you'll be buying a new tv.

Plasma DEFINTELY reflects way more than an LCD. SD is old school, soon we'll have HD, so prepare for the future, don't accomodate the past.

WRT to the EU thing, yes, they're looking at banning plasmas, they're way more power hungry than LCDs, so buying an LCD would be the responsible thing to do.

I have an LCD, and when I buy my next tv it's going to be LCD again (maybe LED, but only when the price drops, I really don't care that it's only 10mm thin, I mean, from which angle do you watch the tv... the front or the side?)

 

[avr-rulez]

Plasma sets have been banned in EU for the past 3 months...Plasma's being sold cheaply here are being dumped.

LED TV is a marketing smokkel - LED TV = LCD PANEL with LED BACKLIGHT - got it?

TRUE LED tv is still a couple of years away - lest you want to pay R40k for a 42" Sammy.
btw - TRUE LED tv is OLED pixels

The problem with SD is that the current HD boxes have NO idea about up-scaling.

Dreambox DM800 and DM8000 are the only true SD up scaling boxes that show a major improvement in picture on a LCD. Even the low res. channels - like RTL etc - are watchable.

 

[ipodmusicman]

I just got myself a 50" Samsung plasma (PS50B550) and I am really happy with it. I mostly watch SD content on DSTV and the occational SD and HD content on downloaded TV shows. HDPVR hopefully coming next year.

What drove me to plasma was the picture quality of SD content, no motion blur while watching the boks score that winning try (well, not lately) and good off angle viewing.

HD looks amazing and you cannot go wrong there. Also, was the price. I paid around R15,800 for it. Plasmas are good bang for the buck at the moment. I found that if I wanted a 52" LED bacllit LCD, I would of had to pay over R45k for one which was totally out of my budget. A normal 52" LCD would of costed me over R20k. Of course, I wanted a 50" TV, nothing smaller, nothing bigger.

So, I got the best of both worlds. Yeah, my plasma is going to consume on average of 300w which is double that of my old CRT, and the glare is there, which isn't NEARLY as bad as my old CRT - a huge improvement - but I was able to get into the flat panel TV game at a good price.

Will I buy an LED backlit LCD in the future? I'll strongly consider it if the price is right. OLED is still years away from being mainstream and I would suggest that you get a flat panel TV now and not wait for OLED.

Plasma still has a lot of life in it and don't let that discourage you.

Good luck and let us know what you've decided.

 

[iceman23]

Agree with ipodmusician. Got a 50" full hd plasma myself. perfect for SD, sport, HD, actually anything. Hardly any reflection, or burn in. Also, the new sammy plasmas use 1/3 the power of the older ones. If you add 1K to the 15K you can get the PS50B550. You will get a monster size full hd plasma.

IMO.

HD Ready Plasma > HD Ready LCD
HD Ready Plasma > Full HD LCD for SD content
Full HD LCD > HD Ready Plasma for HD Content, PS3, PC
Full HD Plasma > Full HD LCD

Further reading on LCD, Plasma comparisons

http://www.displaymate.com/LCD_Plasma_ShootOut.htm

http://technabob.com/blog/2009/07/14/plasma-vs-lcd-tv-test/

http://hd.engadget.com/2009/07/13/numbers-be-damned-plasma-eats-lcds-cake-in-displaymates-tests/

 

[Silver82]

I just got myself a 50" Samsung plasma (PS50B550) and I am really happy with it. I mostly watch SD content on DSTV and the occational SD and HD content on downloaded TV shows. HDPVR hopefully coming next year.

Plasmas are good bang for the buck at the moment. I found that if I wanted a 52" LED bacllit LCD, I would of had to pay over R45k for one which was totally out of my budget. A normal 52" LCD would of costed me over R20k. Of course, I wanted a 50" TV, nothing smaller, nothing bigger.
but I was able to get into the flat panel TV game at a good price.

Plasma still has a lot of life in it and don't let that discourage you.

Good luck and let us know what you've decided.

- Totally agree, plasmas are far more affordable than LCDs, and i.t.o picture quality, it really is a preference thing, I don't agree that either is better, I like both, and anyone who tells you that the one has a better picture over the other doesn't know what they're talking about.

I own a 50" Sony Bravia LCD, you can't downscale once you've enjoyed this size tv, welcome to the club

 

[Dolby]

The 100hz makes the picture more fluid - not increases the quality :/

 

[Silver82]

The 100hz does add a new dimension though, it brings a whole new experience to film. I couldn't get over the Dark Knight bluray playing at the Canal Walk Audio Vision on a Motion Flow tv, wow!

 

[titeroper]

And this is why Panasonic could have made such great inroads into the S.A market in terms of plasma offerings - instead we get botched management, no marketing,and plasma prices only big business can afford

While LCD's continue to improve, I would also lean towards the plasma camp for S.A use for now - I have been fortunate to live with a 42inch Pioneer Kuro 8g for 2 months, and while this set was released in 2007, NOTHING has come close to its pic quality,accuracy, build quailty and sheer enjoyment on all sources, SD, HD, gaming...such a pity the Pioneers are no more (or a lot more if you happen to get the last few here in S.A)

I would wait to see what happens at CES 2010 - all the TV manufacturers release news on their 2010 sets, by March they start filtering in and you can make an informed decision form there - if you can wait that long

MY bet for 2010 - Sharps new UV2a panels for lcd - Sony will be using them in their 2010 W, X, and Z lines. Samsung may surprise again, but I feel their auto-dimming LED sets are way overhyped...

And panasonic 2010 plasma power usage improvements, better ABL levels, better user calibration and far more accurate colours. Now please bring these out in S.A soonest at reasonable prices dammit

 

[soldierboi]

I was in the same situation, not sure what set to by (LCD vs Plasma). Eventually, I bought a 50" inch full hd LG and have not looked back since. Exactly as mentioned above you can get a monster plasma for R15k-R17k (if your willing to fork out an xtra 2k). I will a considerable amount of PS3 and believe me when I say, Bigger is Better...FTW

 

[TYR]

And this is why Panasonic could have made such great inroads into the S.A market in terms of plasma offerings - instead we get botched management, no marketing,and plasma prices only big business can afford

While LCD's continue to improve, I would also lean towards the plasma camp for S.A use for now - I have been fortunate to live with a 42inch Pioneer Kuro 8g for 2 months, and while this set was released in 2007, NOTHING has come close to its pic quality,accuracy, build quailty and sheer enjoyment on all sources, SD, HD, gaming...such a pity the Pioneers are no more (or a lot more if you happen to get the last few here in S.A)

I would wait to see what happens at CES 2010 - all the TV manufacturers release news on their 2010 sets, by March they start filtering in and you can make an informed decision form there - if you can wait that long

MY bet for 2010 - Sharps new UV2a panels for lcd - Sony will be using them in their 2010 W, X, and Z lines. Samsung may surprise again, but I feel their auto-dimming LED sets are way overhyped...

And panasonic 2010 plasma power usage improvements, better ABL levels, better user calibration and far more accurate colours. Now please bring these out in S.A soonest at reasonable prices dammit

Yeah, I have the 50" KURO and I actually ordered another one from the US (KRP-500M, best they ever made), but have cancelled my order until Panasonic announces their 2010 line. They have bought Pioneer's KURO tech/patents, but nobody is sure yet whether the tech would make it into their 2010 line ... http://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1257521076

 

[PeterCH]

I heard Plasma TV's are or soon will be banned in Europe. It is said that this is because plasma's consume more energy than LCD. So much different are the two that it will save you hundreds if not thousands of rands a year depending on your usage.That will probably drive the price down here even further.
Also, depending on the light in the TV room you may find plasma reflection window light more so than LCD.
I have a plasma and also chose it because of the picture argument, but if I get another, it will definately be the LED.

The older gen plasma's consummed more power. The current ones don't.

They aren't being banned in the EU. They just want the newer less power hungry ones to be sold.

 

[PeterCH]

And this is why Panasonic could have made such great inroads into the S.A market in terms of plasma offerings - instead we get botched management, no marketing,and plasma prices only big business can afford

While LCD's continue to improve, I would also lean towards the plasma camp for S.A use for now - I have been fortunate to live with a 42inch Pioneer Kuro 8g for 2 months, and while this set was released in 2007, NOTHING has come close to its pic quality,accuracy, build quailty and sheer enjoyment on all sources, SD, HD, gaming...such a pity the Pioneers are no more (or a lot more if you happen to get the last few here in S.A)

I would wait to see what happens at CES 2010 - all the TV manufacturers release news on their 2010 sets, by March they start filtering in and you can make an informed decision form there - if you can wait that long

MY bet for 2010 - Sharps new UV2a panels for lcd - Sony will be using them in their 2010 W, X, and Z lines. Samsung may surprise again, but I feel their auto-dimming LED sets are way overhyped...

And panasonic 2010 plasma power usage improvements, better ABL levels, better user calibration and far more accurate colours. Now please bring these out in S.A soonest at reasonable prices dammit

Sharp makes really good displays. I have 2 of their Japanese market cell phones, the displays are so beautiful they put BlackBerry/iPhone/Nokia to shame.

 

[kang]

Thanks guys.
I picked up the LCD today and I'm really impressed. I think all stores should have a "lounge" section with no harsh flourescent lights and they shouldn't have the DSTV signal split to so many other TV sets because at home the picture is superb. I just wonder if its the 100Hz thing or not.
So sorry to all the Plasma fans but I couldn't handle the reflective glass. Like most people say, let your eyes decide.