Can't decide on which display...

[mitch57]

I continue to vacillate on which display to buy. I originally narrowed it down to plasma 42/43 - 50" displays due to space considerations. I also decided that I wanted the best which from what I read is either Pioneer or Fujitsu.

I'm now having second thoughts and am thinking that since technology changes so rapidly why should I spend that amount of money on something that I might upgrade within two or three years.

So... now I am considering looking at the Panasonic line of plasma displays since they can be had for considerbly less money. I still want a good picture, discretes, and something that will last me several years in case I decide to keep it and not upgrade to the latest and greatest in a few years.

Should I be looking at other technologies such as DLP, LCD, etc? I have been leaning towards the plasma because of the better black levels, no screen door issues, off axis viewing, bright room viewing, and other issues which the plasmas seem to handle better then other types of sets.

Any suggestions? Should I also consider LG, Mitsubishi, and others? I'm beginning to like the idea of spending $3000.00 or less on a decent display.

 

[droeses58]

I liked the plasmas too until I read of all the supposed drawbacks of them, the worst of which are the price and I also heard that the picture quality start to deteriorate after like two years.

I then decided to just get a Toshiba rear projection that is now two years old and I have not had a problem with it.

My next display purchase is going to be a projector, probably a dlp projector if this interest you check out the optoma line they have gotten pretty good reviews.

 

[Pyrrho]

I continue to vacillate on which display to buy. I originally narrowed it down to plasma 42/43 - 50" displays due to space considerations. I also decided that I wanted the best which from what I read is either Pioneer or Fujitsu.

I'm now having second thoughts and am thinking that since technology changes so rapidly why should I spend that amount of money on something that I might upgrade within two or three years.

So... now I am considering looking at the Panasonic line of plasma displays since they can be had for considerbly less money. I still want a good picture, discretes, and something that will last me several years in case I decide to keep it and not upgrade to the latest and greatest in a few years.

Should I be looking at other technologies such as DLP, LCD, etc? I have been leaning towards the plasma because of the better black levels, no screen door issues, off axis viewing, bright room viewing, and other issues which the plasmas seem to handle better then other types of sets.

Any suggestions? Should I also consider LG, Mitsubishi, and others? I'm beginning to like the idea of spending $3000.00 or less on a decent display.

You should always consider alternatives, as all of the different types of TVs have their advantages and disadvantages. There is no perfect type of TV; if there were, then probably all TVs would use that technology instead of the variety one sees now. Here is a link to a chart that details some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type:

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/learningcenter/home/TV_chart.html

They also use differing amounts of power, generate differing amounts of heat, and weigh different amounts even if they seem the same size (e.g., LCD vs. plasma, plasma uses more power, generates more heat, and weighs more, for the same size screen).

Another thing to remember is that you are buying a specific TV, not one that necessarily is most like others of its type. Thus you need to consider the picture qualities of the particular model of TV you are considering and compare that one with others of all types. Additionally, it is often the case that people judge one type to generally give a better picture than other types, but that does not mean that it is generally regarded as better in every way. For example, picture tubes are generally considered to be able to give the best picture quality overall, but they are not generally regarded as best for picture geometry. So you need to pick a TV whose flaws are such that you are most satisfied, not such that someone else regards it as "best".