It's hard to get the whole topic in the title, but here it is:

If Plasmas, LCD's and DLP/LCOS TV's were to cost the same, which would you buy?

Let's say you could buy a 50", 55" or 60" TV, whichever size you prefer, in either a Plasma, LCD or RPTV microdisplay for the same price. Which would you buy? What if cost was not a factor? I'm not saying they're free - and you still have to save your pennies to get one. But lets say the plasmas and LCD's came down to the same price as your favorite DLP/LCOS.

I was at Circuit City today and though I'm bent on buying a Sony LCOS TV because of the price/performance ratio, I was really amazed at the picture quality of the LCD's and Plasmas, even from viewing across the whole store. Of course, I'd barely see a RPTV correctly from across the store. For the same price as a 55" or 60" Sony SXRD I'm considering, I could get a 47" LCD. Better picture to my eyes, but a lot smaller.

So without cost as a factor, which would you buy?

Would the pixel response time keep you away from an LCD?
Would the RBE and viewing angles finally rid you of the DLP choice?
Would the IR of a plasma make you go for a big 60" LCD?

You have to wonder, in a few years when this could possibly happen, will LCD be our only major player? (Not counting vaporware like SED).

-Robert

This is just a matter of personal preference. IMO, screen door effects and glare prevent me from going with a plasma, and poor response time and poor blacks prevent me from going with flat panel LCD. I don't see rainbows with DLP, so either DLP or LCOS are my top choices. Since price is not equal, your question is kind of moot.

Since price is not equal, your question is kind of moot.

Not necessarily, since there is nothing wrong with asking hypothetical questions in a forum. To many people, including myself, it helps with those on the fence about quantity vs quality. Some may prefer to go with a smaller (subjectively "better") display over a bigger one. I'm not saying that DLP is necessarily worse, but to some it may be. I actually like Sony LCOS screens, but I certainly wouldn't turn down a 60" 1080p Plasma for $2200 either.

For the same price, some people may be deciding between a 46" LCD and 55" RPTV. If I remove price as a factor, would those same people still choose the RPTV?

Robert

While your paying, buy me a plasma. Let me know when it'll be shipped so I can be home. :p

For the same price, some people may be deciding between a 46" LCD and 55" RPTV. If I remove price as a factor, would those same people still choose the RPTV?
But then price is a factor since the flat panel is much smaller. IMO, size is very important and going 46" instead of 55" (at 11' from the display, for example) dramatically reduces the viewing experience. As I said above, I actually prefer DLP and LCOS over flat panel anyway.

But then price is a factor since the flat panel is much smaller. IMO, size is very important and going 46" instead of 55" (at 11' from the display, for example) dramatically reduces the viewing experience. As I said above, I actually prefer DLP and LCOS over flat panel anyway.

Perhaps I misquoted myself. If price were not a factor, would you choose a 55" DLP/LCOS over a 55" LCD/Plasma? But in the real world, would you choose a 55" DLP/LCOS over a 46" LCD/Plasma?

For the former, I think people would say maybe - with a trend towards the Plasma. For the latter, I'm sure more people would choose the RPTV, since that's the forum I'm in and we all know bigger is better. :D

-Robert

had to order my second lamp replacement for a mits 62" dlp today, a new $250 lamp ever 15 months sucks. and it needs another internal mirror cleaning also. next purchase a pioneer 60" plasma when released in september.

Money no object? Pioneer plasma. Period.

I voted Plasma....but this is assuming 1080p plasma. I think the screen door effect is much reduced at 1080p and you can't beat the color reproduction and viewing angles. I also think asthetically, flat panels have the edge and you have the flexibility to hang them on the wall. I think LCD has a long way to go as a technology though it seems to get somewhat better every year.

Right now, I'm looking at another RP set due to price/size and also waiting for the maturity/price reduction of 1080p Plasmas. The DLP/LCOS sets have a fantastic picture but are a compromise from what I really want out of my next TV (not necessarily in "sweet spot" picture quality but in cabinet size and viewing angles). One of these RP sets will last me 3-5 years and I'll be ready to upgrade when the plasma prices are more reasonable (or some other new tech that comes along to take the prize).

LCD, due to form factor and acceptable balance of performance. I own two DLPs and a small LCD now, based on prices primarily.

As of this post the responses are 13 LCD, 17 Plasma and 13 RPTV. I'm surprised they are so close. I really expected Plasma to take it all with reducing price as a factor. What this also means is about a third of the 43 responses would still stick with RPTV, which is a testament to its' pros over the cons.

-Robert

Nope, it's a testament to the fact that this thread's located in the "Rear Projection Units" subforum of the AVS Forum, both of whose members are very different from the general public.

Those who've voted on the matter come from a very tiny self-selected group that's already highly biased toward rear-projection, in addition to the biases of the general AVS Forum members.

If you want to really know which is most popular, look at the market sales figures for each technology.

If you want to really know which is most popular, look at the market sales figures for each technology.

Yah... but that includes reality (price as a factor).

Robert

You mean the lower pricing per diagonal inch of RPTV models compared to plasma & flat-panel LCD?

I've never seen a plasma tv that looked good up close.

Plasmas aren't really meant to be viewed up close. Mine looks crappy from up close but at a reasonable viewing distance is gorgeous.

I'll tell you what, I love my Panny but I do kinda miss the "run it as hard as you want", no burn-in possible DLP. But rainbows suck. LCD flat panels aren't that hot either. I'll go with LCOS, think I'm going to put one in my new gaming room.

Baby you want to come over and watch my Plasma?
Sounds sexy don't it :)

I always wanted a Plasma, and size and price is getting there.

A 46" to 50" Plasma will be my next TV for the Bedroom..............Football season

had to order my second lamp replacement for a mits 62" dlp today, a new $250 lamp ever 15 months sucks. and it needs another internal mirror cleaning also. next purchase a pioneer 60" plasma when released in september.

I'm feeling ya.
As far as lamp based TV's go...........................Never Again :rolleyes:

$600 in bulbs over 3 year for my DLP. :eek:

Don't forget that for plasma the brightness halflife is ~4 years and uses lots of power...LCD is terrible with motion blur...the Plasmas and LCDs in the store are at their brightest levels to attract your attention because they cost the most...DLP lamps are no longer an issue with the LED sets out now...to me DLP wins hands down.

Don't forget that for plasma the brightness halflife is ~4 years and uses lots of power...

My parents kept the same 25" TV for over 18 years, NEVER a problem with it. It was still working when they put it on the sidewalk with a "Free" sign on it. :p

But
As far as Plasma's "short" lifespan go, Do any of us plan on having the same TV for 8 years or more. The Plasma's life span is a non- issue.

Plasma halflife would be an issue for me...I plan on keeping a TV more than 4 years and I suspect most people would agree.

Plasmas aren't really meant to be viewed up close. Mine looks crappy from up close but at a reasonable viewing distance is gorgeous.

I'll tell you what, I love my Panny but I do kinda miss the "run it as hard as you want", no burn-in possible DLP. But rainbows suck.

Plasma has a rainbow effect too. Watch a black and white movie to see if you can see it.

Are folks still seeing DLP rainbows with the LED sets? I don't think it is an issue anymore.........DLP RULES :p

Are folks still seeing DLP rainbows with the LED sets? I don't think it is an issue anymore.........DLP RULES :p
Some people who are very susceptible to RBE have claimed to still see them on the LED models. I suspect it affects far fewer people than with lamp-based models. Since I don't see RBE on lamp-based DLPs, I can't tell you from 1st-hand experience.

I'm feeling ya.
As far as lamp based TV's go...........................Never Again :rolleyes:

$600 in bulbs over 3 year for my DLP. :eek:
Yeah I hear Ya, I just need to fix My WD-57731 TV and so I have to spend about $175 on a new Lamp(Includes shipping, A 3 year Warranty will be another $15(10%) or so dollars from Square Trade (http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/warranty-buy-now)), I should have sprung for an LED based unit, It'll be My last Mitsubishi unit, If It wasn't for the lamp It wouldn't be a problem, Of course where I live most repair places won't come out here for a service call cause of the distance(Their in Victorville CA), As It's at least 45 miles one way, There is one guy nearby in Barstow CA and that's It, Is He certified for a Mits or for that matter any Large HD TV? I don't know, The Name of the place is Russell's VCR, Hopefully He's good, As He's the only game in town nearby and If anything more serious than a mere burned out Lamp I'd have to call Him and pay out of My pocket as He's not an authorized repair place, The nearest won't come as It's 45 miles at least(Con job on Lamp lifetime I think[Now there's no reference anywhere that Google can find], Back before I bought the TV I read the lamps would have between 5000 and 8000 hours[No mention of the price of what is an Arc Lamp], Of course mine quit after about 4000[8 months]), The screen in the Lamp Carrier had dust on It, I may have to once a month inspect It and vacuum It of dust, One website named Fix Your DLP (http://fixyourdlp.com/blog/?p=30#more-30) I found recommends a good $100 Air Purifier among other things, I found a list of Air Purifiers that do seem to work at this website here (http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/air-purifiers/index.html).

Are folks still seeing DLP rainbows with the LED sets? I don't think it is an issue anymore.........DLP RULES :p

Rainbow is caused by single CHIP DLP. Until you get 3-chip DLP set in consumer TV ($$$), you will still get rainbow regardless how you light up your TV.

Plasma panel bringness life has been greatly improved over the year. It should be non-issue for most unless you watch TV 24/7.

Having suffered through multiple lamp failures over the years (almost one per year), I'll never buy another RPTV again. The hassle to wait the TV lamp to warm up and cool down is also a big factor. My LCD TV can turn on/off as fast/many times as I want without fearing blowing up the lamp.

I voted LCD since both of my LCD sets are flawless while my 56" Samsung DLP 1080p has been in the shop twice over the twelve months I've owned it.

Quality is a big issue for me.

Plasma for me. I have a good DLP (Mitsubishi 57732) plus a low-end LCD Westinghouse LTV-32w6. Every time I see my friends 1080P plasma--even uncalibrated--I get jealous. It's gorgeous. LCD's are good for "small" (read:bathroom, kitchen, computer desk etc.) applications. However, plasma wins due to better blacks, contrast, etc., etc. RPTV is great for the huge living room display on a budget. If money is no object, give me plasma every time!

Having suffered through multiple lamp failures over the years (almost one per year), I'll never buy another RPTV again. The hassle to wait the TV lamp to warm up and cool down is also a big factor. My LCD TV can turn on/off as fast/many times as I want without fearing blowing up the lamp.

Next to lamp replacement, the wait for my TV lamp to warm up is the worst. Now it's recycling two or 3 time before it does lite-up. .............ahhhhh

That's what I get for buying first generation technology :p

Yesterday, after chancing upon Valnar's statement: "What this also means is about a third of the 43 responses would still stick with RPTV, which is a testament to its' pros over the cons." in response to the results of the poll in this thread, I decided to not only reply but started two identical polls in the LCD and Plasma subforums, in order to measure their relative biases.

The results are in, and not unexpectedly, the current numbers are:

Plasma Forum Results (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=4966)
LCD Forum Results (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=4968)

One might be temped to sum the numbers in the above polls with those generated by this thread's poll, to see the real relative popularity of these 'big three' display devices on the AVS Forum:

LCD: 37 (28.7%)
Plasma: 62 (48.1%)
RP: 30 (23.3%)

Total: 129 (100%)

Interestingly, RPTV only managed to get any votes at all in the RPTV subforum.

Adding up the results from polls in 3 separate areas is not really correct since you may be double counting many votes.

Oh but that's why I made both votes public. You can see exactly who voted in both polls. I haven't found any double votes yet; there may be some from the RPTV poll, which was private (darn).

Yesterday, after chancing upon Valnar's statement: "What this also means is about a third of the 43 responses would still stick with RPTV, which is a testament to its' pros over the cons." in response to the results of the poll in this thread, I decided to not only reply but started two identical polls in the LCD and Plasma subforums, in order to measure their relative biases.

Well, I'm not surprised. The question only works in the forum where price indeed is a factor. If somebody can afford a 60" Plasma now, I imagine they would still get one if it was cheaper. 'Cuz if they wanted the RPTV, they would have bought one.

The point of my poll was to see if people really liked their RPTV's over Plasma, or if they chose them because it was cheaper. As *this* poll states, it seems to be a little of both.

-Robert

Well, I'm not surprised. The question only works in the forum where price indeed is a factor. If somebody can afford a 60" Plasma now, I imagine they would still get one if it was cheaper. 'Cuz if they wanted the RPTV, they would have bought one.

The point of my poll was to see if people really liked their RPTV's over Plasma, or if they chose them because it was cheaper. As *this* poll states, it seems to be a little of both.

-Robert

Yup, even in it's own forum rear projection is losing at this time.. Post this question in the plasma forum and it wont be close at all for rear projection.

Oops, I accidentally posted the poll that should have been in the Plasma forum in the "Flat Panel General & New FP Tech" forum. I'd expect that if it was posted in the Plasma forum, the numbers would be about the same or even more biased toward plasma.

Looks like overall, plasma's the winner... it does have some very compelling advantages.

Oops, I accidentally posted the poll that should have been in the Plasma forum in the "Flat Panel General & New FP Tech" forum. I'd expect that if it was posted in the Plasma forum, the numbers would be about the same or even more biased toward plasma.

Looks like overall, plasma's the winner... it does have some very compelling advantages.

Nah, a moderator moved it there. It was in the Plasma forum originally.

Robert

Yup, even in it's own forum rear projection is losing at this time.. Post this question in the plasma forum and it wont be close at all for rear projection.
Yeah well look again, RPTV is only 2% behind Plasma right now. :D

Don't forget that for plasma the brightness halflife is ~4 yearswhere did you get this from? I've never heard this, I think because it's not true? :rolleyes:

and uses lots of powerthat's the max power, with a full bright white screen, which plasmas don't use all the time, unlike an lcd that are always full power. Real power usage of a plasma has been tested and shown to be about the same (maybe a little more, but not as much as you'd like to claim victory with) as other tech.

Come on you know plasma has the best pq, stop making stuff up and grasping at straws.

Don't forget that for plasma the brightness halflife is ~4 years and uses lots of power...LCD is terrible with motion blur...the Plasmas and LCDs in the store are at their brightest levels to attract your attention because they cost the most...DLP lamps are no longer an issue with the LED sets out now...to me DLP wins hands down.
Where on earth did you get this information? The brightness halflife for plasma is 60,000 hours, the same as LCD. Running eight hours a day that's 20.5 years.