Need serious info regarding buying lcd OR Plasma

[ice2hot]

Hey everyone. I did a lot of research trying to find out which one to go for, LCD or PLASMA. I did my own and found out that the new samsung plasma one mega pixel is my best bet for watching movies HD based and also playing the ps3 as well. I was planning on buying the 42 inches samsung plasma with anti burn in feature . Now can anyone suggest me that whether what i found out that plasma is better than LCD or is it otherwise. If thats the case then ill go for the 40 inches lcd one mega pixel samsung the new one. So please if anyone can give me some good info I would highly appreciate it. Thanks alot. Which would look better to play my ps3 games and to watch HD bases movies considering a one megapixel lcd or plasma, not two megapixle since i cant afford that one right now. Thannks for all the help.

[galson]

Plasmas have generally more vivid colours and sharper picture, but they are much more expensive than LCDs. LCDs on the other hand while cheaper, still have some issues with displaying correctly black and white colours and the viewing angle is smaller than plasmas'. Some screens (Sony and Samsung) also suffer from clouding. Also SD picture looks horrible on some LCDs. I can say this: if I had that kind of money I'd go for plasma (absolutely with anti burn), otherwise a good LCD isn't bad at all. In my opinion the best brands at the moment are Sony Bravia and Sharp Aquos. I don't trust Samsung after two of my LCDs suffered the same problem which was integrated power circuit failure.

[tuanming]

Actually, it the other way around... LCD cost more, especially the ones that does 1080p. Most or all LCD have a native 1366/1360 x 768 resolution if you connect it to your pc, on the hand plasma only does 1024 x 768 And LCD quality look better on pc than plasma, but that just me I'd go for lcd if I were you, if you can try get an 1080p lcd because they the quality are amazing! You get what you pay.

[galson]

Originally Posted by tuanming

Actually, it the other way around... LCD cost more, especially the ones that does 1080p. Most or all LCD have a native 1366/1360 x 768 resolution if you connect it to your pc, on the hand plasma only does 1024 x 768 And LCD quality look better on pc than plasma, but that just me

He didn't state anywhere he wants it for PC. Good plasma costs way more than good LCD, which even 1080p aren't that expensive. Sharp Aquos LC37XD1E which is a full HD display and the very, very decent one costs £700 in UK. Now find me a good full HD plasma in this price and I'll be runnig to the store

[tuanming]

Originally Posted by galson

He didn't state anywhere he wants it for PC. Good plasma costs way more than good LCD, which even 1080p aren't that expensive. Sharp Aquos LC37XD1E which is a full HD display and the very, very decent one costs £700 in UK. Now find me a good full HD plasma in this price and I'll be runnig to the store

Sony LCD pricing
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

Sony Plasma pricing
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

Nuff said.

[ice2hot]

guys since i live in Dubai thus these deals wont do me any good what i really want is a plasma or a LCD. which is better. Im looking for a one mega pixel Screen not a two megapixel since that has no comparison with the plasma. So in terms of one mega pixel which one should i go for plasma or lcd. Secondly from time to time ill be connecting my laptop to it
im looking for 40 inches and above.
Thanks for the help.

[ice2hot]

Any help guys ??

[dukenukem]

if you find a good deal go with plasma,just take precaution when using a plasma for pc use and you will be fine.Just try and see what deals you can find and go with whatever one you can afford.

[ice2hot]

Well I want my Plasma or LCD serve two purpose. Im talking about a 1 mega pixel plasma or LCD. I intend to get a PS3 so would it be better if I bought the 1 mega pixel plasma for the ps3 or the LCD same implies for hooking up my computer with a DVI to hdmi converter for my plasma or LCD. which one should i get plasma or LCD and why ?? thanks

[Spyhop]

Originally Posted by ice2hot

guys since i live in Dubai thus these deals wont do me any good what i really want is a plasma or a LCD. which is better. Im looking for a one mega pixel Screen not a two megapixel since that has no comparison with the plasma. So in terms of one mega pixel which one should i go for plasma or lcd. Secondly from time to time ill be connecting my laptop to it
im looking for 40 inches and above.
Thanks for the help.

K, to start with, you're looking for a TV, not a digital camera. So stop calling it one megapixel and ask for the resolution you mean. Now in regards to resolution, there are 2 things people always mix up. Supported resolutions and native resolutions. Supported resolutions mean nothing if the native resolution doesn't match. For example, you'll notice nearly all 720 native res TV's (1280x720 or 1366x768) will "support" 1080i. The 1080 in this case meaning very little since the TV will scale it down anyway.

That said, there's not a whole lot of 1080 content out there. Something to consider when choosing your resolution is that any lower def content displayed on a higher def TV won't look as nice. For example, if you displayed 720P content on a 1080P native res TV, it won't look as nice. Because most content is 720, I intentionally chose a 720P TV. When 1080 is predominant, I'll upgrade again.

Now, in reagrds to LCD vs Plasma.......if you have the money (and if you really live in Dubai I'm guessing you do) get a PROPER plasma. By proper I mean one they didn't neuter the resolution on to make it cheaper. If you look at the native resolution on a lot of "720p" plasmas out there then you'll find they're actualy 1024x768. I'm guessing this was to make them more cost effective. If you actually find a plasma with a higher native res it will be much more expensive. If you want something cheaper, though, LCD is almost as nice. I have a Sharp Aquos 720P set and I love it.

[runawayprisoner]

I had used both plasma and LCD TVs. From my own experience:
- LCD is more expensive than Plasma, at least for those at the same resolution.
- LCD can operate at a higher native resolution than Plasma.
- LCD can be brighter and more vivid than Plasma.
- LCD is a little bit thinner than Plasma.

But on the bright side, you get what you pay for. I exchanged a Panasonic Plasma HDTV for a Sony LCD HDTV. Never... ever... regretted my purchase ever since.

Oh yeah, and they were both 1080p, and they can both output 1920 x 1080 from PC. The Sony LCD can do 1920 x 1200, though.

[skoreanime]

Plasmas also have a smaller lifetime then LCDs from what I recall. I remember a friend having a plasma monitor and the colours started getting weird after 3-4years of having it.

[ice2hot]

Well these days the life span is about 60000 hours of plasmas with the newer models. Secondly they're supporting anti burn in tech. Third well the HDTV PLASMA are expensive and the only one in the market over is hitachi 50 inches which is quite big and expensive. Fourth LCD two mega pixel well they're good no doubt but cost more. So keeping in my budget for a plasma i can afford a 40 inches with HD support or LCD. My main concern the PS3 would look better on the plasma or the lCD. I plan on getting a higher contrast based plasma if im going for one. On an LCD i can get something about 8000: 1 whereas on the plasma for the same price same size 15000: 1 with all the other features. Now when it comes to pixeling which one would be better to play your ps3 on and hooking up your laptop through a dvi to hdmi connector. Would be really great if I could get the answer to these question and yeah i was planning on going for 1366x768 version

[skoreanime]

I thought Plasmas are never a good idea for gaming? The intense movements and colour changes can burn in the plasma, no?... And why do you keep saying mega pixels? That's for digital cameras, not LCD monitors

[Spyhop]

Originally Posted by runawayprisoner

- LCD is more expensive than Plasma, at least for those at the same resolution.

Not true. You're talking about supported resolutions, which doesn't count for much. If you compare a plasma of the same NATIVE resolution as an LCD, the plasma is much much more expensive. Read my post.

- LCD can operate at a higher native resolution than Plasma.

Also not true. They can make (and they do make) plasmas with the same native resolution as LCD. But they're VERY expensive. A true 1080 plasma (1920x1080) can cost as much as twice the price as a similarly spec'ed LCD.

- LCD can be brighter and more vivid than Plasma.

LCD is nice, I have one, but the crown for vivid color goes to plasma, if you can afford it.

[runawayprisoner]

Originally Posted by Spyhop

Not true. You're talking about supported resolutions, which doesn't count for much. If you compare a plasma of the same NATIVE resolution as an LCD, the plasma is much much more expensive. Read my post.

That's native resolution, not supported resolution. If you want to know what they are, just take the HDTV apart and read the product number of the LCD panel that the HDTV uses. Then you can contact their manufacturers and ask for a spec sheet... but seriously, native resolution is something you don't need a spec sheet for.

Another way to do it is put a picture with 1920 steps of pixels into your PC and try to output it on the screen, then put in a picture with 1080 steps (or 1200) and output it. Best way to check for native resolution. If the steps are broken somewhere, you'll know immediately that the screen is scaling.

Also not true. They can make (and they do make) plasmas with the same native resolution as LCD. But they're VERY expensive. A true 1080 plasma (1920x1080) can cost as much as twice the price as a similarly spec'ed LCD.

My dad assembles LCD HDTVs, and a whole lot of other conceptual machines. He's the one who told me the initial costs for building an LCD.

It won't be long before they showcase some 3D projective frames... He just built it last year.

[Spyhop]

Originally Posted by runawayprisoner

That's native resolution, not supported resolution. If you want to know what they are, just take the HDTV apart and read the product number of the LCD panel that the HDTV uses. Then you can contact their manufacturers and ask for a spec sheet... but seriously, native resolution is something you don't need a spec sheet for.

Another way to do it is put a picture with 1920 steps of pixels into your PC and try to output it on the screen, then put in a picture with 1080 steps (or 1200) and output it. Best way to check for native resolution. If the steps are broken somewhere, you'll know immediately that the screen is scaling.

Yes, I know what native resolution is. That was my point, as I thought I had made very clear on both my posts. And Plasma of equivalent native res to LCD is much much more expensive. Not cheaper.

And your "test" would only work if your PC monitor had a native res of 1920x1200.....which most under 24" don't. Tests aren't needed though. Native resolution on panels is openly advertised. For example, I know the NATIVE RESOLUTION on my Aquos is 1366x768. It will SUPPORT A RESOLUTION of 1080...which is pointless as it will scale it down anyway.

The point I was making is if you're comparing a 720p plasma vs a 720p LCD, the plasma will likely be cheaper as it's native resolution is typically 1024x768, where the LCD would be 1366x768. You CAN get higher native res Plasmas, but they're way more money.

Also, just FYI, the price of LCDs is about to undergo a very large price cut, lead by Sony. You can expect to see them up to 25% cheaper in the next month or two. So they'll be even cheaper still.

A 1920x1080 plasma, a good one, will easily look more vivid than it's LCD counterpart. But it's usually more money.

[PCXL-Fan]

Prices on LCDs and Plasma's are due to fall 20-30% in a couple weeks. Sony is going to initiate a price war that will cause other companies to drop their prices as well.


Wait about 15 days and you could save yourself $300-600.

[skoreanime]

Sweet. It was about time to upgrade to dual HD monitors

[runawayprisoner]

Originally Posted by Spyhop

Yes, I know what native resolution is. That was my point, as I thought I had made very clear on both my posts. And Plasma of equivalent native res to LCD is much much more expensive. Not cheaper.

And your "test" would only work if your PC monitor had a native res of 1920x1200.....which most under 24" don't. Tests aren't needed though. Native resolution on panels is openly advertised. For example, I know the NATIVE RESOLUTION on my Aquos is 1366x768. It will SUPPORT A RESOLUTION of 1080...which is pointless as it will scale it down anyway.

I meant that you can use a PC and that method to test HDTVs. And possibly monitors, or anything else you want to test as well. Better than having to count yourself. lol

The point I was making is if you're comparing a 720p plasma vs a 720p LCD, the plasma will likely be cheaper as it's native resolution is typically 1024x768, where the LCD would be 1366x768. You CAN get higher native res Plasmas, but they're way more money.

Also, just FYI, the price of LCDs is about to undergo a very large price cut, lead by Sony. You can expect to see them up to 25% cheaper in the next month or two. So they'll be even cheaper still.

A 1920x1080 plasma, a good one, will easily look more vivid than it's LCD counterpart. But it's usually more money.

The point I was making, also, is that the 1080p plasma I got was cheaper than the 1080p LCD I got, and using the image test, I found out that their native resolution was exactly 1920 x 1080. Or maybe Panasonic just sells cheaper HDTVs compared to Sony. Also according to my dad, LCD just costs more to produce.

Here's the Panasonic one:
Newegg.com - Panasonic Viera 50" 1080p Plasma HDTV w/ EZ Sync and Built-in Gallery Player - TH50PZ77U

And here's the Sony one:
Buy the Sony 46" Bravia W-Series LCD HDTV and other LCD & Plasma TVs at circuitcity.com

I got that one for $1999.99 at CostCo, though. Returning the Panasonic back to Newegg was a pain... seriously. But I'm very satisfied with the Sony one, even if it's 4" smaller.

Edit: If Phil asks: no, buddy. I don't deal HDTVs... I can fix them with my dad's help, though.