LCD or Plasma? Plasma or LCD? and why those Black Bars? Discuss it here only Please - Page 17

I thought on the overall the Panasonic plasma looked a bit smoother and more realistic, especially on blu ray, and was leaning toward purchasing. As I have a lot of SD 4:3 DVDs, I began researching image retention on plasma, and the rule of thumb seems to be there can be minor amounts of IR if black bars are used more than 20 -30 % of the time, so if you watch 2 hours with letter box, or side bars, you should watch 6 -8 hours of full screen programming. Not sure I want to track my letter box viewing and this may push me towards LCD, even though PQ looks better on plasma. But wait, there maybe be motion blur on fast moving scenes on LCD, I have not yet researched that one. Any opinions, IR vs. motion blur?

You don't have to worry about image retention.

I've watched 2.40 : 1 movies day after day, and after watching one, 1 hour episode of any TV Show, or after watching one movie that takes up the whole screen, any Image Retention goes away instantly.

Remember, folks, If I said it once, I've said it a thousand times.

Panasonic torture tests their plasmas with static images for over 48 hours, and the image retention still goes away after normal viewing of just a couple hours.

I need help in making a decision regarding LCD TV or Plasma TV. Since I am a beginner when it comes to this, I hope people from this forum can really assist me.

I am stuck between two models. A 32" Sharp Aquos LCD (LC32D43U) or a 42" Samsung 42" Plasma (HPT4254). The Sharp has a resolution of 1366 x 768. The Samsung has a resolution of 1024 x 768. I currently have a regular tv that is 27". I guess with the 32" I dont lose in size and with the 42" I gain in size, so thats a non factor. I am 10 ft away from my TV, but I dont think as a regular tv watcher I will care about whether I am 4 ft, 6ft ot 10 ft away. So thats a non-factor. But what is a factor is the resolution size, how is the 1024 x 768 considered a 720p? Won't the image be better on the Sharp LCD?

I just need help making the "right" buy. Which TV is better? I'll be using it for movies, sports, games, regular tv, for everything... the plasma i hear has a better picture, but what about this resolution issue? should i be concerned, am i NOT getting a 720p image with the plasma?

I'm thinking plasmas are only worth it if you get a 46" and over... and 42" and under are best with LCD's.. I dunno just my thinking.

Someone please explain and help... the Sharp is 699 and the Samsung is 899. This is for a 11 x 19 bedroom (W x L). Thanks ahead of time!

I've been paying a lot of attention lately to comparing the current crop of lcd's to plasma's since I'm in the market for a new 60"er. I spent several hours this weekend watching my 50" plasma, then a friends 50" lcd. Without going into a lot of detail, hands down the plasma. The lcd was plenty bright and punchy, just not natural looking enough for my eyes.

I bought 2 of the JVC 61" DILA's in the powerbuy a while back and while they were/are fantastic sets, I sold them in favor of the plasma, currently a 50". I just couldn't get past the screen sparkle and somewhat digital look to the image.

My next purchase will most likely be the 60" Pioneer Kuro. Just need to find a good price on one.

Chris

"I am stuck between two models. A 32" Sharp Aquos LCD (LC32D43U) or a 42" Samsung 42" Plasma (HPT4254). But what is a factor is the resolution size, how is the 1024 x 768 considered a 720p? Won't the image be better on the Sharp LCD?

but what about this resolution issue? should i be concerned, am i NOT getting a 720p image with the plasma?"

Don't be concerned with the resolution difference. It is because of the technologies of the 2 that they are different.

Let your eyes decide, but me personally I love the image on the Sammy.

Chris

Thanks for your reply. Is the IR very faint, or more obtrusive? Maybe I need to understand exactly what I may see.

Many times, I'll watch 2-3 hours of 4:3 DVDs, and maybe no other TV until the next evening and another 2-3 hours of 4:3. This should not be an issue as long as I mix in some full screen stuff at some point, and it then disappears in seconds?

Again thanks for your help.

The IR is very faint.

You can only see it on a very dark or black screen.

Lets say you watch a 4:3 program for a couple of hours, on a dark screen you'll see a 2 very faint lines running down the screen where the image stopped and the black bars on the side began.

And if you switch on some HD programming that takes up the whole screen, those 2 very faint lines will go away in minutes!!!

And it doesn't matter if you watch 4:3 programming for an entire week. Once you switch to some HD programming that takes up the entire screen the IR will be gone in just a few minutes.

It is nothing to be concerned about at all.

I kinda worried about it when I bought my Panny Plasma as well.

But as it turns out, there is absolutely nothing to worry about, just watch whatever you want to watch.

Mike,

Many thanks. I really appreciate your response, it really helps. Plasma it is... Leaning toward the Panasonic 50pz700u, but need to look at PQ on the Samsung 5084.

Jeff

I'm glad I could help.

I have 2 LCD's and my Panny Plasma. I prefer the Panny to my other TV's just because it has a much more film like quality.

I have a HD DVD player hooked up to it, a Blu Ray player, and a DirecTV HD Box. As you can see, 90% of my viewing is HD, as I'm sure everyone's will become in the next couple of years.

I have two Panasonic plasmas - a 50PX500u that was broken in properly and a 42PX60u that I bought open box with 125 hours on it. The 500u never has image retention. The 60u does after extended watching of 4:3 material, channels with high contrast bugs, or leaving it parked on a static DVD menu. But, it's only visible when the picture is in black and it goes away quickly after switching to other material. It's never interfered with actual viewing.

Choosing Best Digital TV: DLP vs LCD vs Plasma

http://www.birds-eye.net/article_arc...lcd_plasma.htm

In conclusion this is what the article said:

That's a very nice summary.

This is my first post. I'm getting my first big-flat-hd television within a week or two. I have done an unconscionable amount of research (letting other -- probably more important things lag). But I still don't know.

I'll be a getting a 50-52 in. In a room with one big window on the side of the TV. Will sit about 10 ft away. I've decided to go 1080p-- had the bad luck to see a Blu-Ray DVD playing and I knew I had to have that before too long.No gaming-- probably no computer use. Mainly sports and movies.

Everything I've read says the PQ on the Plasma's are superior-- better blacks and better motion. Also even the sales people all said Plasma was a superior technology. I was all set to go that way. But once I started looking at models in stores I liked the LCD pictures better! I thought the resolution and vividness of the images were knockouts. I'm not that worried about clouding etc. So I decided to get a LCD.

Now I've read this thread and started to have doubts again. Can I be right and the rest of the world wrong? Is there something about the store displays that isn't true to what I will have at home? (I know whatever I get will look great by comparison with my old SD.) Is it all just a matter of taste-- and my taste is weird?

My current choices are two Samsungs-- the 5084 Plasma or the LNT5267 in the LCD. (They are very close in price-- and the Samsung seems great in both techs. I really like the Sony LCDs but can't justify the extra price).

I love this forum and I need to say what many others have. I am astounded by the helpfulness and generosity of the subscribers. Thanks.

Rick

I read the first 4 or 5 pages hoping there would be more discussion about the black bar stuff.

first though, based on what I know, black bars dont get "burnt in", that doesnt actually make alot of sense.

It's the opposite of burn in actually, which is why the bars show up as brighter and more vivid while the rest of the screen looks hazier. it's uneven aging. A black bar of unsed phosphors wont get burnt in, but if it's used less it will be noticeable, i think it can be alleviated though through that white-out option........that's as much as i know about that though....

I am having a hard time deciding what to get to replace my 34XBR Tube. Some background info; Our room is 14'x20' a large pic window on side, with blinds and a large patio door with vert blinds on same side of window. I am down to 4 which are within $100 of each other. 2 Plasma (Sammy HPT5054, Panny 50PX75U) and 2 LCD (Sharp 46D64U and Toshiba 47HL167). I have viewed several Sony XBR4, W3000, Sammy T4671F and love the looks, in the store, but have hesitations its worth the extra $1000. I also like the plasmas. I will be watching DirectTV HD, I also have a A3 HD-DVD and a PS3. 90% will be HD viewing. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help,

Nick

Well well well... I'm in the market for a new display (to replace a 3 year old Sony 42" LCD RPTV)... I'd been mostly looking in the LCD forum, since I do like to play games, and I was planning on using it as a 2ndary PC monitor. I'd kind of narrowed down the choices, but thought I'd look in the Plasma forum too. PC monitor use isn't really that important, and when I game, it's usually for 3 hours at a time MAX, usually much less.

Picture quality with movies is the #1 most important criteria for me. I also see that a 50" Plasma costs a bit less than the 52" LCDs I was looking at, which is a huge bonus... so maybe I'll research plasma a bit more... I'd like 1080p though I hear several people say it's not that important. I'll be sitting about 6'-8' away from whatever I get, 50-52" range.

I think the brightness of LCDs can have a real impact on the showroom floor. They are practically nuclear in my local chain retail stores. I think psychologically this can make them seem, in comparison, more detailed and bolder than adjacent Plasma sets. It certainly makes them jump out and seem to occupy a dimension of their own.

The problem for me, though, is that I find it very hard to watch an LCD with brightness that high for any extended amount of time. The intense light in a moving picture is quickly fatiguing and headache-inducing. Even on my laptop or computer monitor - I have to dial brightness waaay back from the highest settings. And, once the brightness is dialed back on an LCD, the rest of the picture's flaws becomes easier to spot (again, generalizing there are some nice LCDs out there).

Plasma pictures are often more laid back, deeper and richer, in my opinion. LCDs are brighter and more punchy/contrasty. I don't think there is a right or wrong here (well, maybe in the lab there is in some cases) -- I think it is which one appeals to you personally and what your eyes can tolerate for long periods of time. Try and spend some time watching an LCD in a showroom, and adjust the brightness if they'll let you play with the remote. See if you like the picture when the brightness is dialed back to match the Plasmas.

Truthfully, though I plan on buying a Kuro in the coming months, I secretly wish an LCD would be released that would blow me away. I hate the idea of worrying over IR and Burn-in and certainly wouldn't mind spending less money than I will on the Kuro. But, for me, it's all about the best looking picture and right now that belongs to the Kuro (again, in my opinion.)

You'll likely get endlessly lost in LCD vs. plasma posts and opinions around here. My suggestion is a little simpler. Focus on the biggest display you would enjoy watching your HD content on. Spending less on a larger screen with the features you need and like might make the most sense since the technology is moving pretty quickly. Look for 3 HDMI inputs minimum (you have 3 sources). I wasted a lot of time weighing each technology, and in the end nobody watching HD in my house cares if it's an LCD or plasma, just that it
makes watching fun. In 3 years you might want a new one anyway, so less cash might be a good idea. Check the owner
threads for your top two choices for problems/issues that might impact your
decision, pull the trigger, and enjoy.

Thanks lemonayde. You make a lot of sense. I think I will spend a little more time in the stores and if I'm still unsure just look for the better price. I'm sure flatpanel is right that I'll be very happy either way.

Rick

Hi, all. I am thinking getting this one. Please help. Any insights should be helpful.
I had a SONY 46" LCD for my living room. Plan to get this one for my bed room.
Read lots of reviews, still confused.
Thanks.

I live at 7200' so BUZZING plasmas are an issue so I would chose LCD OVER plasma, I watch FOOTBALL so I chose plasma OVER LCD, I'm getting a NINTENDO Wii for the kids so LCD OVER plasma.

I have narrowed it down to these choices:
Toshiba Regaza 52LX177 1080p LCD
Sony 52XBR4 1080p LCD
Panasonic TH-50PZ750U 1080p Plasma ( rated to 9100')
Pioneer Kuro 5010FD 1080p Plasma (rated to 8000')

Cast your vote win a big X-mas thank you from my kids.

Hey, this is my first post, and I'm looking to buy my first hdtv soon. I was initially leaning toward getting an lcd because I will be doing a fair amount of gaming - probable use will be 33% each of gaming, dvds, and ota sd/hdtv - and had read that lcds are better for gaming. Are the lcds better for gaming just because of the potential for IR on the plasmas, or is the overall image quality with games better on lcds as well? The more I read about plasmas, it seems that IR is not as much of a problem as in the past? And in the stores, it seems that dvds and sports look better on the plasmas I have seen. If anyone could weigh in on this it would be totally awesome.

Also, I don't know if this is an urban myth or something, but a buddy told me a plasma can be ruined if it is tilted more than 45 degrees during transportation and whatnot. I haven't found any other info on this...is this a real risk or was my buddy playing me for a chump? Thanks in advance.

As per my earlier post I'm still dithering between LCD and Plasma,more specifically between two Samsungs-- the LNT5265 or the FP-T5084, I subscribe to both "official threads" on these sets. I get the feeling-- I haven't actually counted and I know it's not exactly a scientific measure anyway-- that the LCD owners seem to be running into a lot more technical problems-- shading, banding, dead pixels, calibration issues. Do you think that -- in general-- the plasma technology is less prone to glitches? Rick

I am also in the market for a new tv if i get the funds but i will most likely be using the new set for some computer work and some games. which set would be the better choice here i currently have a 27 inch sharp tv and a 24 dell monitor that i use for some hd content. im not to picky jsut dont want something that will be a pain and will stand out when im watching tv i want to make a right choice for my first hdtv set.

I'm in the same situation. I do alot of gaming on my current old HD CRT, and I'm now not sure if I should get plasma or LCD.

For gamers does it make a big difference? I game about an hour every night during the week, and 4 - 5 hour gaming sessions on weekends.

Does anyone have this model? if so what are the results for: games, video, sports?

You may get a better response in the plasma forum http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=167

I'm also locked in this LCD vs. Plasma decision. I'm aiming for 42", due to space limitations (otherwise I'd be fine with 50"). A friend strongly recommended to me the Sharp Aquos LC42D64U (better than the 62U). I did take a look at it in CC and was very impressed, compared with the other LCD's around it. Curiously, CC didn't have many Sharp's around (they were out of the D64U in their inventory--kind of telling, eh?).

So I came back home and started reading up on Plasma. I had dismissed it completely because of cost. But now... I'm seeing a Pioneer Kuro 42" at $1699. That's $300 more than what I was going to pay for the Sharp Aquos. Not as bad as I'd thought.

OK, the Plasma TV's rule on blackness, contrast, and side viewing angle. But not by a huge margin. I think I could live with an LCD--afterall, I was impressed with the Aquos in the store. That's all good and fine, except for another concern: reliability.

How do LCD and Plasma compare on reliability? I've heard horror stories about dead pixels with LCD (a few start here and there and eventually cauliflower into a white glob). And I'd heard early Plasma TV's had burn-in issues. I was originally going to go with a Samsung DLP, but then heard about the horrible light tunnel problems that started appearing in the 2nd generation. Too much hassle.

Can someone point me to the right thread or on-line source about this? Or are Plasma and LCD pretty much on par with reliability?

Gah!

Panasonic TH-50PZ77U
$2,000

VS.

Samsung LN-T5271F
$2,500

Mostly movies but brightly lit family room but need off angle viewing but lots of gaming and computer too.

Wish I could afford to just buy both and set them up side by side at home.

LOL

I saw a Blu-Ray Fantastic Four movie playing on the Samsung and was blown away by the picture. I swear it looked like I was looking at people, not a TV. Some people complained it made it look like video, but I loved it. I made that my TV of choice, and then started doing research on it. Read the forum. Thousands of posts about people talking about how to minimize the Triple Ball Effect, Stutter and Judder. Although I loved the picture, I really don't want to deal with the hassle of Samsung introducing a 120 Hz technology that wasn't quite ready for prime time.