LCD vs plasma

[Phil Taylor]

The new LCD panels from Samsung are indeed VERY nice, attractively priced and get glowing owner reviews -- so count me in among the Sammy fans.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Well.. before LCD's caught up to Plasma in terms of black level, it was a choice of "You need to avoid burn-in" or "You want the best picture".

Now, at least from what I've seen with the new Sammy's, it's damn hard for me to recommend a plasma, unless you are a black level fanatic (which plasma still has the best black levels at this point in time) or hate dead/stuck LCD pixels (like me).

LCD has just improved so much in so little time; a year ago or longer, I would have laughed at the thought of LCD TV's, because Plasma was where PQ was at, hands down.

The best part; LCD does not burn in. If you get an LCD with LED backlighting, the brightness and contrast ratio should stay rather consistent over the life of the set.

But hey, I have no problem with plasma set's at all. Kuro's and Pannys look just as great as the Samsung or LG LCD's.


As far as LCD brands (in no particular order)
Samsung
LG
Sharp (they at one point were makers of all kinds of LCD panels for other companies)
Sony

It's a pretty safe bet with any of those guys. Out of the list, I would probably venture to say that Samsung is probably the first one to break... but I've had quite a few encounters and experiences with Samsung sets, and they work longer than a Mitsu WD-57732

LCD's have not caught up in black levels...especially off-axis. Getting better though.
Until they can get rid of sample and hold completely I could never watch a live sports event.
Plasma burn-in...I thought you said you researched?

Plasmas all the way for IQ.
Pioneer
Panasonic
Samsung
All are nice and that's the order I'd buy in, although the Sammy has more acuurate colors.

-jmo

 

[TheFactor]

One thing ive noticed about plasmas are the amount of heat they throw off, one time I walked into a room that was filled with them and it felt like it was a 100 degrees hotter in there than the other rooms. Obviously your not going to have 20 plasmas in your house but even one you can feel the heat coming off just standing in front of it. It makes you wonder how efficient they are not that it would matter to most that are even considering a plasma because they are at the top of the food chain LOL . The picture is incredible on one but for me the heat it throws off is ridiculous just my 2 cents

 

[bandphan]

One thing ive noticed about plasmas are the amount of heat they throw off, one time I walked into a room that was filled with them and it felt like it was a 100 degrees hotter in there than the other rooms. Obviously your not going to have 20 plasmas in your house but even one you can feel the heat coming off just standing in front of it. It makes you wonder how efficient they are not that it would matter to most that are even considering a plasma because they are at the top of the food chain LOL . The picture is incredible on one but for me the heat it throws off is ridiculous just my 2 cents

I find this strange. Ive never walked into my home (in Florida) and found the display to be causing a noticable difference in temps

 

[TheFactor]

I find this strange. Ive never walked into my home (in Florida) and found the display to be causing a noticable difference in temps

This was a little over a year ago so unless they've changed they do throw off a lot of heat especially if your within a few feet of one and again depending the size of your room and with your ac running which im sure you have going if your in florida during the summer months there might not be a noticeable difference . Also like I said when I noticed it was when I walked into a room that was full of them and it was air conditioned and that room was warm, were the rooms that had Just lcd's and dlp's the Rooms were cool. Please dont misunderstand me im not trying to bad mouth a plasma TV and im sure it might not bother some it does me so again its just my oppinion. They do have the best picture out there . Im pretty sure if you stood in front of yours after its been on while you could feel a large amount of heat unless they have changed within the last year or so.

 

[jostenmeat]

I find LCD flat panels also throw off a lot of heat.

A lot of people like to state one of many "questionable" strengths of LCDs as being more efficient power-wise. I've heard that plasmas are rated for max power usage, but this is misleading. Nobody watches a bright white screen all day. IOW, I believe LCDs actually do use their entire power consumption rating, but plasmas only use a small portion of their own rating. In real world usage, its supposed to be pretty darn similar from what I've read.

 

[annunaki]

There are few LCD's that carry the energy star compliant sticker that I am aware of. However, many plasmas now carry the designation.

LCD back lights are on the whole time the set is on. They definitely can draw a fair amount of electricity.

With any of these sets, the consumption is not that heavy. Do remember that in a show room, if the sets were cranked up for max output, they may be drawing more current than normal and wasting more energy.

 

[TheFactor]

MY main thing I was pointing out was just the heat that I felt from them and never noticed that amount from a dlp or lcd and as far as power consumption I just thought because of the heat plasmas generated that they wouldn't be very efficient but again it was the heat that I felt from them that I didnt like. Maybe its just me and im allergic to them lol