Plasma vs LCD

[PostmanPot]

You are partly correct on the differences. I don't feel it's a 720 vs 1080 issues though

720 vs 1080 isn't that large, as I'm sure you know.

I feel strongly that it is a 720p vs 1080p issue. You are a gamer.

720p vs 1080p isn't that large to your average consumer who watches telly, but I'm sorry, there is definitely a huge difference between the two for us tech people in the know.

I wouldn't say as the only reason. I chose LCD over plasmas for my own personal needs. I had a choice of many plasmas under R25,000.00 but as pointed out, 3 of the 3 sources I used were static and as IR was a concern.

Then an LCD was probably suited to you because firstly, the LCD was full HD and the plasmas weren't; and secondly, everything that you were throwing at it was not TV. You never tried a full HD plasma for your static feeds...

You're saying the same price? R10,000 plasma vs R10,000 LCD and R20,000.00 plasma vs R20,000.00 LCD?

Yes, and no - what I'm really saying is the fact that plasma has better IQ - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_display#Advantages.

Plasma 720p IQ > LCD 720p IQ
Plasma 1080p IQ > LCD 1080p IQ

...in the same price brackets, of course.

... so it depends on the individual needs?

I don't have TV - neither DSTV or terrestrial TV. My TV is only used for PC, gaming and media streaming. In 2007 LCD's were terrible. I was the only one in my family that went the plasma route of LCD and I believe then it was (just about) the only choice. Fast foward to 2010 and I don't think it's as clear cut.

You would first need to compare your "static" feeds with a 1080p [similarly-priced] plasma in order say that it is only up to the individuals' needs as to whether LCD/plasma is better.

If the individual needs lower IQ, then get LCD.

Plasma is definitely the best bet for SD TV/DSTV, HD DSTV and all HD content, and sport.

 

[Dolby]

If the individual needs lower IQ, then get LCD.

hehe

A debate with humour!

But you're not winning with me I still think it isn't as clear cut as you make out. Otherwise there'd be no manufacturers of LCD screens :/

Don't some brands only make LCD - after LCD/plasma upfront?

 

[LancelotSA]

I still think it isn't as clear cut as you make out. Otherwise there'd be no manufacturers of LCD screens :/

I know technology is changing and the gap has shrunk but I think this explains that...

Due to the more difficult construction of Plasma displays, they have generally been relagated to larger, more expensive HDTVs. But as costs have come down, we are beginning to see smaller Plasma displays and they have become more competitive with LCD displays in that market.

Finally LCD televisions are relatively inexpensive to produce, something that has vaulted them to a dominant position in the HDTV market.

http://www.televisioninfo.com/d/reviews/plasma.htm
http://www.televisioninfo.com/d/reviews/lcd.htm

By the way that website does some great in depth reviews of various models. Out of interest what is your old plasma model, Dolby, and what is your new TV?

 

[PostmanPot]

But you're not winning with me I still think it isn't as clear cut as you make out. Otherwise there'd be no manufacturers of LCD screens :/

Why not? LCD is a cheaper technology, and I guarantee you 75%+ of SA/the world incorrectly thinks LCD is better...

It is a fact that plasma's IQ is superior. It doesn't get any more clear cut than that.

 

[LancelotSA]

Dolby, Postman, what sets do you have? I want to have a pissing contest!

 

[Dolby]

http://www.televisioninfo.com/d/reviews/plasma.htm
http://www.televisioninfo.com/d/reviews/lcd.htm

By the way that website does some great in depth reviews of various models. Out of interest what is your old plasma model, Dolby, and what is your new TV?

I'll go read that link shortly - thanks.

The old was a an LG 42" (42PC7RVH) and the new is a Samsung 46" (LN 46B650)

Why not? LCD is a cheaper technology, and I guarantee you 75%+ of SA/the world incorrectly thinks LCD is better...

It is a fact that plasma's IQ is superior. It doesn't get any more clear cut than that.

Well,

a) I did my own virtual research on the technologies (reviews, forums etc). Quite a bit of money to throw into the 'wrong' technology.
b) Apart from comparing my own plasma, I went to the store and compared against all there plasmas - twice.

http://electronicsgeekz.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/samsung-ln46b650-new-samsung-lcd-hdtv/

This review puts the IQ at comparable to a Panasonic TC-P46G10 (plasma) - which is roughly the same price.

This again mentions how it's comparable to the same Panasonic (http://www.besthdtvscreen.com/tag/samsung-ln-b650-lcd-tvs)

They don't quite mention how clear cut the difference is ...

 

[PostmanPot]

Dolby, Postman, what sets do you have? I want to have a pissing contest!

24" LCD.

My PC screen at least...

I would get a Sammy B430 plasma @ R6999 from game at the drop of a hat though over any other fairly priced 42" LCD.

 

[LancelotSA]

The old was a an LG 42" (42PC7RVH) and the new is a Samsung 46" (LN 46B650)

According to those in depth reviews we have the following scores :

The 46B650 gets a score of 647.42 (they actually review the 40B650)
My R5999 42B430 Samsung plasma gets a score of 665.47 (they actually review the 50B430)

Sometimes they only review one size of a specific model... that is the case here. But it would be interesting to go through each sector and see where the one is better than the other.

My cheapy plasma wins this one!

 

[Dolby]

Lancelot - maybe not my technology of choice, but you're using my brand of choice

Postman - did I kill the debate with a link, showing LCD and plasma at the same price - and comparable?

 

[PostmanPot]

Lancelot - maybe not my technology of choice, but you're using my brand of choice

Postman - did I kill the debate with a link, showing LCD and plasma at the same price - and comparable?

Nope. You killed it when you admitted you've never tried full HD plasma, and further when you ignored facts on Wikipedia.

 

[Dolby]

So reviews showing how wrong most thread are ignored, eh?

OK - debate over

 

[LancelotSA]

So reviews showing how wrong most thread are ignored, eh?

OK - debate over

Oi, but the review I posted showed that my R5,999 plasma was superior to your R25,000 LCD

 

[Pitbull]

Oi, but the review I posted showed that my R5,999 plasma was superior to your R25,000 LCD

I beg to differ.

Could be that the Plasma was just a little better suited to the person's needs when doing the reviews (I'll admit I didn't check what they where rated on)

To me there is nothing between a Palsma and a LCD appart from the required needs of the viewer.

 

[LancelotSA]

I beg to differ.

Could be that the Plasma was just a little better suited to the person's needs when doing the reviews (I'll admit I didn't check what they where rated on)

To me there is nothing between a Palsma and a LCD appart from the required needs of the viewer.

.... nope I don't think it had anything to do with the person's needs...

Samsung PN50B430 Ratings
Tour Score Weight
In The Box 6.00 1
Aesthetics 5.00 2
Performance: Black and White
Black Level 6.72 3.5
Peak White 7.21 3.5
Contrast Ratio 6.34 3
Tunnel Contrast 8.10 1
White Falloff 5.81 1
Uniformity 9.00 3
Greyscale Gamma 9.28 2
Performance: Color
Color Temperature 9.82 8
RGB Curves 6.81 6
Color Gamut 4.20 6
Performance: Motion
Motion Smoothness 7.50 7
Motion Artifacting 4.75 7
3:2 Pulldown & 24fps 8.50 6
Resolution Scaling 6.25 3
Performance: Viewing Effects
Formats 6.00 1
Viewing Angle 11.37 5
Reflectance 6.00 5
Video Processing 4.00 5
Remote
Ergonomics & Durability 7.10 1
Button Layout and Use 6.00 1
Programming and Flexibility 1.00 1
Connectivity
Input Ports 4.25 0.5
Output Ports 2.00 0.5
Other Connections 0.00 0.5
Media 0.00 0.25
Placement 6.50 0.25
Audio & Menus
Audio Quality 7.00 5
Menus 7.00 5
Manual 6.00 1
Formats & Media
Streaming Playback 0.00 1
Photo Playback 0.00 1
Video and Music Playback 0.00 1
Other Media 0.00 1
Power
Power Consumption Cost ($USD) 7.20 2
Total 665.47

 

[Pitbull]

.... nope I don't think it had anything to do with the person's needs...

As I said, I didn't look at the specs they where testing.

I just can't swallow this tbh. a R 25k Tv being out played by a R6k Tv.

 

[LancelotSA]

As I said, I didn't look at the specs they where testing.

I just can't swallow this tbh. a R 25k Tv being out played by a R6k Tv.

In truth my plasma is meant to retail at R8000+, but yeah still quite a difference in price. Those reviews do appear to be based on objective "scientific" rather than subjective measurements. They do weight certain things as you can see from those results.

 

[Pitbull]

In truth my plasma is meant to retail at R8000+, but yeah still quite a difference in price. Those reviews do appear to be based on objective "scientific" rather than subjective measurements. They do weight certain things as you can see from those results.

Do you know how many HDMI ports the R25k TV has?
Your Sammy should have 2 as it's the same as mine. I have seen TV prices that seem to be linked to the amount of HDMI ports. My reason behind it is that a TV with more HDMI ports actually cost more. I might be wrong again though.

 

[LancelotSA]

Do you know how many HDMI ports the R25k TV has?
Your Sammy should have 2 as it's the same as mine. I have seen TV prices that seem to be linked to the amount of HDMI ports. My reason behind it is that a TV with more HDMI ports actually cost more. I might be wrong again though.

I just tried to check the results out side by side and the LCD scores more points in connectivity and formats & media (photo playback etc). It has 4 HDMI slots, a LAN port and two USB ports. So this is where the cost probably comes in. It also means that it must score badly in more other areas for my plasma to still come out wiht a higher total - but connectivity is given a low weighting.

At the end of the day though what effect does this have on the actual DSTV viewing experience. I will have to go out and buy a media player but if I throw in another R2000 I am still better off.

 

[Dolby]

Just checked those links (haven't read the full reviews - only summary score) :

The results don't quite seem to add up :/ I mean when we're taking Performance into account (matters bigtime), the LCD is ahead 5 of 7 catagories (black level, peak white, contrast ratio, tunnel contrast and white fall off) - far ahead actually. Aren't these the points everyone was arguing about?

The plasma scores on - amoungst others - button layout and use, manual, what's in the box and audio quality ...

 

[Dolby]

For fun, compared my LCD to this more expensvie Panasonic Viera http://www.televisioninfo.com/conte...Plasma-HDTV-Review-595/Ratings-amp;-Specs.htm I think this TV is almost double mine pricewise?

Black Level 9.11
Peak White 2.81
Contrast Ratio 6.06
Tunnel Contrast 8.90
White Falloff 7.66
Uniformity 8.00
Greyscale Gamma 9.04

The bolded area's are where the LCD is ahead ... that's 4 out of 7.

It scores 656.11 total - also beating the LCD on *hic* button layout, manual and audi quality.

I ask again - where is this plasma landslide victory?