Plasma or LCD

note235

Supreme [H]ardness
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May 23, 2005
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If i buy a new HDTV
should i go for a 720p plasma at like 3x inches or
42 inch 1080p lcd?

contrast ratio?
 
I plan on going LCD, when the time comes. I like the color better, and LCD's are suppose to last longer, or so the experts say.
 
It really depends on your needs.

The advantages to LCDs are: Better in rooms that have light (mate screen==no reflections, whereas plasmas can have all kinds of reflection issues), Lighter in weight for the same size (easier to mount on a wall, etc..), Higher resolution (not much of an issue unless you are hooking up to a computer), some say LCDs are better for watching HD sports, No need to worry about burn-in like on a plasma.

The advantages of Plasmas are: Cheaper for larger screens, Higher contrast ratio, better blacks, some say better/more vivid colors, though in my comparisons I found them both to look great.

Personally, I am going the LCD route, as the room it will be in has lots of light, and it will be run through a HTPC, and the higher res will be nice for surfing the web from the couch, etc.

But if I had a darkish room, and was trying to set up more of a home theater, I'd definitely go the Plasma route for the bigger screens.
 
actually i meant since i can get a 42 inch lcd with 1080p but plasma have better contrast but can only get x>40 at 720p
 
I'll go ahead and admit I'm a plasma fan *strokes 42" Panny* but....like the gentleman above said, if it is for a home theater then plasma is your best bet not only because of the better black levels but also a softer more "filmlike" quality to the picture. All the fears about plasma ownership are unfounded with the current generations made in the last 5 years or so...although you still have to have common sense when it comes to burn-in. The great thing about going plasma is the current prices...since lcd's have gained in popularity (and screen size) it has forced the price of plasma screens down. You can actually get the same technology (actually better) that cost 5k+ a couple years ago for around 2k now.
 
well the thing is i cant find a 40 or above plasma with 1080p for 1300 or less but with lcd i can

right now i have a sony 42 big screen tv
 
well the thing is i cant find a 40 or above plasma with 1080p for 1300 or less but with lcd i can

right now i have a sony 42 big screen tv

The question is...do you really need 1080p? Even seasoned videophiles have trouble telling the difference between 720p and 1080p on anything smaller than say a 60" screen. There is a difference in quality between 720p (preferrable to 1080i imo..) and 1080p but it doesn't really come into play until you get into the REALLY big screens...it's all a bit of clever marketing right now to buy a 42" 1080p set. Personally I would take a quality 720p screen over a budget 1080p. (keep in mind I am talking about home theater..not pc use)
 
I have to say it. A well setup, high end plasma simply blows away an LCD in all respects.
color, blacks, contrast, response time - this is the most obvious - its like watching on the best CRT you've ever seen.

drawbacks:
lifetime
power consumptin
price (1080p models pricey)
 
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