Screen Glare (Plasma vs. CRT)

[angstadt530]

I have a question for all you plasma owners out there: In my seemingly never-ending search for a new TV, the one thing that keeps bringing me back to LCDs is the issue with glare on plasma screens. (The only possible locations for a TV in my apartment are at 90 degree angles to large windows, which of course ruled out front projection all-together. I could tilt-mount a flat screen above my fireplace between the two windows, but then it would probably be too high. Anyway,) I'm wondering how the screen glare on plasmas compares to that on CRT sets. I swung by Circuit City to take a look today, but didn't come to any hard conclusions. Obviously, I can handle the current glare on my CRT, but will it get worse on a plasma screen? My assumption is that glass is glass and it will reflect light the same way, but I just want to be sure. Thanks!

 

[The Dukester]

The glare should be the same. My plasma is, anyway. About the only difference is the glass on my old CRT was slightly curved and the plasma is not. If it really bugs you now, it won't get any better with a plasma.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Plasmas have glass on the front, which is the same as CRT displays. Rear projection units should be similar to LCD flat panel displays as they do not have glass on the front.

LCD has come a long way with image qualty, but you still have to go with one of the better brands if you want the best image and quality. Plasma tends to have a bit better image quality overall, but you definitely will have glare and burn-in is still a possibility.

 

[angstadt530]

My CRT is a standard tube (non-projection) television, but it has a flat screen, and the glare is never too bad (depending on time of day and what lights I have on); I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't get any worse! Since the glare will be about the same...maybe I'll go back to considering plasma? So confusing! Ultimately I'll be waiting a few more months to see if all the new 1080p sets will bring down current prices a little more. (I won't really want/need more than 720p for several years.)

BMXTRIX: You mentioned plasma burn-in. On the newer models (FYI, I'd probably be heading toward a Panasonic), at what lengths of viewing can this become an issue? I'll probably spend less time viewing it than the typical Audioholic, but I do play a view video games (but probably never more than two hours a day, three days a week) and am considering using my new display as a computer monitor--both of which are known for causing ghosting at long lengths of viewing.

 

[Hi Ho]

Pioneer Elite has a plasma with a similar finish to LCD but it is $7,000+. I don't get why manufacturers can simply put a plastic film on top of the glass to reduce glare on plasmas.

 

[Mort Corey]

If you're going to use the display for gaming and as a computer monitor, then plasma probably isn't your best choice......even though the problems of burn-in, etc, have been largely mitigated/lessened. Not sure what size screen you have now, but a larger glass surface area is going to capture more reflections...at least be more noticeable since it's bigger.

Consider at least viewing some of the new 1080p LCD displays from Sharp or Sony. They appear pretty impressive at first glance and are sure at an attractive price point in the dollar per inch department.

All that said, I've been enjoying my plasma display for a little over three years. When I get daytime glare I either pull the shade (mostly) or crank it up a notch into torch mode under certain circumstances (though not for extended periods of time).

Mort

 

[angstadt530]

I've seen those 1080p LCDs from Sharp and I would LOVE to have one! ...A little out of my price range, though.

Unless LCD prices drop some more in the next few months, I think I'll end up getting one of the Panny 42" plasmas, and just not use it as a computer monitor. I don't have much time to game anymore, so I doubt I'd be playing enough to cause any burn in issues. I'm going to wait for a good deal on them though, so I still have some time to think.

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[evilkat]

I notice a few reflections on my plasma at night sometimes, but I hardly ever notice them if I'm watching the movie. There's nothing during the day and my windows are slightly angled from my plasma too.

Since most of my TV viewing is done during the night anyway, there's really no problem. Better colors and the price won me over for Plasma.