I Need Help!!!

[JacksonStone]

Hey all, I've decided to finally try and put a decent home theater system together. Nothing too fancy-- this is just a start. But I need some info before I can do anything. First off, what is the difference between Plasma Screen and LCD? Is there a big difference in price? Is one generally accepted as being better than the other? By that I mean, does one have superior picture quality over the other? anything would help...

 

[jaxvon]

Hey all, I've decided to finally try and put a decent home theater system together. Nothing too fancy-- this is just a start. But I need some info before I can do anything. First off, what is the difference between Plasma Screen and LCD? Is there a big difference in price? Is one generally accepted as being better than the other? By that I mean, does one have superior picture quality over the other? anything would help...

They're two different display technologies. LCDs are generally cheaper, but that also comes with, in my opinion, decreased image quality. LCDs use liquid crystals and a backlight to display the image, while plasmas use, well, plasma. Read up on Wikipedia if you want more technical info. The point is, Plasma TVs have much better black levels than LCDs, as well as more even lighting. The downside is that they consume more energy and give off more heat. As for pricing, you can find some high quality Panasonic units that won't break the bank (plasma, that is).

What about the rest of your home theater? Remember, good sound is part of the equation, too!

 

[MDS]

There are 3 main types of high definition displays:

- Plasma
- LCD flat panel
- Rear projection: LCD, DLP, LCoS, etc.

Every type has its advantages and disadvantages. They differ in how they create the image and you can read more detailed info about the various types on the web.

Plasma is a lot cheaper than LCD flat panel in the larger sizes. It's advantages are very good black level and color fidelity but may not be great for a room with lots of light.

LCD flat panel is expensive relative to Plasma but is very bright, so good for a room where you cannot control the lighting very well. They don't have the deepest blacks compared to Plasma but are getting better all the time.

The rear projection types, like LCD and DLP, are the cheapest on a cost vs size basis. Their picture is similar to LCD flat panel but they rely on a bulb that will eventually burn out. The bulbs can be replaced and that is one advantage as you basically restore it to new just by replacing the bulb.

 

[The Dukester]

Try reading this to help you understand more. http://www.audioholics.com/education/display-formats-technology/display-technologies-guide-lcd-plasma-dlp-lcos-d-ila-crt FWIW, I like the plasmas best of all. They have a glass front similar to a regular old CRT set, though, so if you have windows in the room, there may be a reflection on the screen in daylight.

Check out some of the other articles in the "AV University" section of this site for more intresting reading and info.

Your seating distance and viewing angles will also affect your choice of display and screen size.

Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[Frugal]

They're two different display technologies. LCDs are generally cheaper, but that also comes with, in my opinion, decreased image quality. LCDs use liquid crystals and a backlight to display the image, while plasmas use, well, plasma. Read up on Wikipedia if you want more technical info. The point is, Plasma TVs have much better black levels than LCDs, as well as more even lighting. The downside is that they consume more energy and give off more heat. As for pricing, you can find some high quality Panasonic units that won't break the bank (plasma, that is).

What about the rest of your home theater? Remember, good sound is part of the equation, too!

Sorry, but I don't agree about power consumtion. While plasma's do draw more power full on (white screen) than LCD they draw very little power displaying a dark sceen. On average they use less power over the course of an average movie than an LCD which is full on even with a black screen. As for heat, plasma radiates most of it's heat forward off the screen while LCDs convect heat out the back. I don't think there's much difference on balance. As for image quality, LCDs with a poor processesor and slow refresh rate look terrible. Check out the Sharp Aquos LC-46D92U with 120hz refresh rate and good processing. I'm a plasma fan but these new LCDs are looking really good. Having said all that my first choice when it comes to best picture is LCOS rear projection. Have a look at the JVC HD-52G787.