We're doing to be doing some re-modeling and now I have the opportunity to get a flat panel TV (had space limitations before). I currently have a Toshiba 34HFX84 CRT, and was thinking about getting a 42-46" flat panel. (sofa is about 10' away)

What are the real differences between a plasma and an LCD?

Color, black levels.. are important to me. I calibrated my Toshiba (with the Avia DVD). I can tell the difference between a TV the has been calibrated (to some extent), and one that has come right out of the box.

I watch mostly HD (kids watch SD), and may get blu-ray at some point (sooner than later). I watch a lot of sci-fi and action movies. No gaming.

Thoughts..

color and black levels will be better on a plasma... motion will be better on a plasma...

from 10 feet, i'd go at least 50" though...

ymmv.

No matter what the Plasma or LCD fanboys tell you about motion blur, black levels, burn in, image retention, you should do your own investigation.

Look at your how your home works and see if the kids now run the TV as their own playtoy and leave a video paused for long periods, if this happens then that is a point against plasma. If you enjoy sitting down at night with the wife for a good movie in a dark room, point for plasma.

In the end it is all up to what level of commitment you want to make to your TV. Plasma and LCD are two diffrent beasts, LCD is a plug in, adjust and forget type of thing. Plasmas still should be treated with some care and will reward you for it as well.
Let your eyes decide.

CCOTENJ is correct, if you can go with a bigger set then do it. You will be surprised how the set will "shrink" once it makes it home and is mounted to the wall. At 10 feet 50" and above is a must.

color and black levels will be better on a plasma... motion will be better on a plasma...
ymmv.

if this is true, why does it seem that LCDs are more popular?

if this is true, why does it seem that LCDs are more popular?

because in a big box store, with nasty flourescent lighting and all tv's on "torch", they "look better"...

don't confuse "popularity" with "better"...

ymmv. buy what you like. you asked a question, i gave you an answer. fwiw, there's only about a cabillion threads on this topic... ;)

if this is true, why does it seem that LCDs are more popular?
I'm also wondering about this too. But then I think: Toyota car is more popular than a Ferrari; Wii is more popular than PS3; Guess jean is more popular than Versace.

I think that's because that most of LCD are small size, and cheaper than Plasma. That may explain why the sale of LCD is greater than Plasma.

We're doing to be doing some re-modeling and now I have the opportunity to get a flat panel TV (had space limitations before). I currently have a Toshiba 34HFX84 CRT, and was thinking about getting a 42-46" flat panel. (sofa is about 10' away)

What are the real differences between a plasma and an LCD?

Color, black levels.. are important to me. I calibrated my Toshiba (with the Avia DVD). I can tell the difference between a TV the has been calibrated (to some extent), and one that has come right out of the box.

I watch mostly HD (kids watch SD), and may get blu-ray at some point (sooner than later). I watch a lot of sci-fi and action movies. No gaming.

Thoughts..

Coming from a CRT, plasma will certainly appeal to you more. At 10 feet viewing you can also get a bigger display, or simply sit closer if you elect smaller. Movie viewing is also an endorsement for plasma. Good hunting.
PS: Don't overlook 720p displays either.

if this is true, why does it seem that LCDs are more popular?

Generally, LCDs tend to 'look' better in stores. They overcome the ambient light assault better. At home, in a darkened room, plasmas show their stuff.
The public buys in showrooms, not living rooms.

Also consider the marketing hype regarding "Full HDTV" (1080p) resolution... this misled some consumers into thinking that LCDs were inherently superior to plasmas which mostly offered 720p (or 768p) until recently. Many consumers don't understand that TV resolution means nothing without taking into consideration screen size and viewing distance.

Comparing these two technologies has always been much more than just about resolution... but not everyone understood that.

Also consider the marketing hype regarding "Full HDTV" (1080p) resolution... this misled some consumers into thinking that LCDs were inherently superior to plasmas which mostly offered 720p (or 768p) until recently. Many consumers don't understand that TV resolution means nothing without taking into consideration screen size and viewing distance.

Comparing these two technologies has always been much more than just about resolution... but not everyone understood that.

Don't most mid/high end plasmas come in 1080P anyway?

The TVs I'm considering are all 1080P (Samsung LN46A650 and Panasonic TH-46PZ85U), but that's not the reason why I was considering them.

BTW would blu-ray look any different on a 720P set?

Don't most mid/high end plasmas come in 1080P anyway?

The TVs I'm considering are all 1080P (Samsung LN46A650 and Panasonic TH-46PZ85U), but that's not the reason why I was considering them.

BTW would blu-ray look any different on a 720P set?

They are now but have not been for very long.

When the big "1080p craze" hit it was all LCD. YOu could not find a 1080p plasma.

Another thing is the fact that most people are already familiar with LCD from using computers. Plasma on the other hand, is new to alot of people shopping for a TV. And when they read up or talk to salesmen about plasma, The dreaded BURN-IN word gets mentioned which scares them to death even though burn-in is nearly impossible to do with a top-of-the-line plasma unless you are intentionally trying to do it.

They are now but have not been for very long.

When the big "1080p craze" hit it was all LCD. YOu could not find a 1080p plasma.

Another thing is the fact that most people are already familiar with LCD from using computers. Plasma on the other hand, is new to alot of people shopping for a TV. And when they read up or talk to salesmen about plasma, The dreaded BURN-IN word gets mentioned which scares them to death even though burn-in is nearly impossible to do with a top-of-the-line plasma unless you are intentionally trying to do it.

I'm way more familiar with plasmas then I am with LCDs. My parents have a older Panisonic 720P 50", looks amazing.

You might want to determine a price range and go to the store and compare what LCDs and plasmas are available in your price range. People typically say that plasmas are better for black levels, however some of the new Samsung LCDs have caught up to about all plasmas out there with Pioneer being the exception. Both technologies have different looks so I wouldn't rule out either one. Check them out in the store and see what looks best to your eyes.

Good luck!

You might want to determine a price range and go to the store and compare what LCDs and plasmas are available in your price range. People typically say that plasmas are better for black levels, however some of the new Samsung LCDs have caught up to about all plasmas out there with Pioneer being the exception. Both technologies have different looks so I wouldn't rule out either one. Check them out in the store and see what looks best to your eyes.

Good luck!

If I go with a 46", I'm willing to spend up to $1,700. If I can go up to 50" (have to measure - see if it would fit), then I would spend a little more.

Don't most mid/high end plasmas come in 1080P anyway?

The TVs I'm considering are all 1080P (Samsung LN46A650 and Panasonic TH-46PZ85U), but that's not the reason why I was considering them.

BTW would blu-ray look any different on a 720P set?

I bought a Pioneer 5080 last year - it is a 768p set.... this year, 1080p (even in plasmas) is more common. Last year, you could get the 1080p plasma sets... but they were pretty expensive.

I posted a reply here on another thread. Please read it before you buy anything. It could save you some $$.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1065039

I came from a Sony XBR picture tube.
This depends all on watch you watch, and what you expect. I decided what to get reading forums and specs and all the stuff you shouldn't do on deciding what to get. Go and look at both of them IN PERSON in a store and do it for a few hours. Blue ray is neat, but if you want to watch tv from a tuner box, then it's a different ball game. I am no audio/videophile, trust me. The layman looking to upgrade his tv is me. Watch as much as you can, on the type of input (regular tv box signal, blue ray, dvd, whatever) you will normally want to watch is they only thing to do. Numbers, specs and opinions mean nothing. Get what you like the look and performance of.
I have been reading a lot of posts trying to put to words what I experienced when I bought the LN46a650, and chadmak09 can explain it better than I can, what lcd's do to film and regular tuner box content. (been reading a lot of posts to make sure I wasn't going crazy with the whole "soap opera effect" and motion artifact on lcds)
What your friend likes, may not be for you.......

Its all about enviornment. If you are in a moderately lit room, go with a top quality LCD, they will look better. If you are in a dark room, go with top quality plasma they will look better.

Top quality plasmas: Pioneer, Panasonic, Samsungs.

Top quality LCD's: Samsung A series, Sony XBR's.