is plasma still the way to go?

[LostnProjection]

I just started working for a major electronics retailer, but I have been around the home theater scene for some time now. I consider myself more knowledgeable about displays than most of the staff in the store. Despite the knowledge I have I can't believe how much our store is pushing LCD displays. I always thought plasma was the way to go for home theater and they always try to push custumers into an LCD. The other interesting thing is that the LCD displays in the store all look substantially better than the plasmas we have set up. The sony XBR4 is the most impressive looking display we have set up , but I just always thought that a really good plasma (Pioneer and Panasonic) would always outshine the LCDs. So is LCD surpassing plasma or is there something else going on?

Sorry for the lengthy question.
Thanks in advance for the replys.

 

[MDS]

Each of the display technologies have advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage of LCD over Plasma is LCDs are brighter, thinner, use less energy, generate less heat, and are immune to screen burn-in.

The disadvantage of LCD over Plasma is that LCD cannot produce as deep a level of black, have relatively poor off-axis viewing angles, sometimes suffer screen uniformity issues, and sometimes suffer from motion blur in fast moving scenes. All of those disadvantages are slowly going away as the techology improves.

I believe LCD will win in the long run but as for why the store is pushing LCD over Plasma I'd take the cynical viewpoint that the profit margin on the LCD models is greater than the Plasma models.

 

[avaserfi]

While the situation changes which display type would be better. Plasma TVs have a hands down better picture quality than LCDs. While LCDs certainly are catching up they still cannot match the black levels, tonal level and gradient. This is ofcourse assuming we are comparing top of the line from both the plasma world (Pioneer and Panasonic) and LCD world (Sharp and Toshiba).

LCDs are generally better than Plasmas for areas where light cannot be controlled as well due to the material that is used on the screen. Some plasmas have been coming out with an anti-reflective screens that work well and combat this problem.

Also, I wouldn't take much thought into the sets you guys have on display. Often times displays at big box stores aren't properly set with high contrasts and they are set with blindingly high contrasts for extra pop. If you really want to do consumers justice and tell which displays are the best get Avia and calibrate all of them .

 

[LostnProjection]

Thanks for the replys guys. I think you're right about the LCD displays giving a better profit margin, I know the LCD's are more expensive. As far as getting the TVs calibrated goes I think I would be laughed at by my manager for asking to do that. I personally am partial to plasma because I really only watch movies in a light controlled room. But, I always try to asess what the customer will use the display for and where. If they are in a bright room and they watch a lot of TV then I will ussually suggest an LCD (who wants the NBC logo burned into the display right). But I do have a dilema because I want to stay on message with the rest of the store, but I also want to give the customer the right information. I'll just figure it out as I go I guess.

Thanks again for the replys and If you have any more advice please keep it coming.

 

[The Dukester]

I don't think LCDs are up to par with plasmas yet in picture quality, myself. Both have their advantages, as stated above, but in an even somewhat light controlled room, especially if way off axis viewing is required, I'd go with a plasma nearly every time. Screen size will come into play, though. The bigger the screen the more I would go with plasma, mainly because of pricing. I would probably have a hard time selling someone a really cheap brand of plasma vs a really good brand of LCD, though.

I think you are on the right track with assessing your customer's needs, viewing habbits and expectations to come up with a suggestion. Good for you! By giving customers good advice, you'll have a happy customer that's going to come back to do more business with you. So, in the long run the company makes more money.

 

[Fred333]

If I had my choice of either an LCD or Plasma I would go with the LCD. From the fact that the plasma has more maintenance involved.

 

[annunaki]

If I had my choice of either an LCD or Plasma I would go with the LCD. From the fact that the plasma has more maintenance involved.

Please explain the extra maintenance.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Plasma comes the closest to matching the picture quality of a good, direct-view CRT. It still has a ways to go yet, though.

 

[jonnythan]

There is no maintenance required on plasmas. I don't know where that comes from.

In any case, plasma IMO gives, by far, the most lifelike picture and that's all that matters to me. LCDs do get points for efficiencty, brightness, and remaining watchable in direct sunlight.

I do own a plasma, but if I were buying again today I'd still go with plasma.

However, keep in mind your customer's priorities. They may be more than willing to sacrifice a small amount of picture quality for a somewhat brighter that can be put in a room full of curtainless windows.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Plasma most definitely maintains an edge on overall image quality, but lcd is a safe bet when stores are selling.

1. LCD is a lot lighter - it's easier for people to move around, hang on walls, etc. I recently installed a 46" LCD by myself - no help when it came time to hang it on the wall mount. No way could I do that with plasma.

2. LCD is brighter - always a plus for a room the sales person hasn't seen before.

3. LCD is anti-glare - once again, since the sales guy doesn't see the room, it makes it safer to sell into LCD than plasma.

4. No burn-in - As good as plasma is, I still wouldn't want to play 10 or 20 hours of the same game with a score card in the corner, on a plasma TV. It just still has that potential for burn-in.

Plasma on the other hand still manages motion better, has better color accuracy, and off axis, maintains image uniformity far better.

Oh, and above 52" the LCD pickings start to get very slim - and VERY expensive.

When I buy, likely later this year, it will be another plasma.

 

[Hi Ho]

I would definetely take a plasma over an LCD at this point. If you were to ask me a few months ago I would have said LCD.

After seeing the new Panasonic plasma models with the matte finish anti-glare screen I was sold. Screen glare was the main thing holding me back from plasma and now they're finally adressing that issue.

 

[jonnythan]

Panasonics with matte finish anti-glare screen?

Ooooh.

I have to check these things out.

1080p Panasonic plasma with matte finish screen = teh sexiness