LCD or Plasma?

I'd say that it depends on your viewing environment. Even in the "dimmed" sections of most retail stores, the lighting is brighter than the average home (it just looks dimmed relative to the ultra-bright lighting in the rest of the store).


In such lighting, the LCD's definitely look better than the plasmas. Of course most of the TVs are set in a "torch" mode that make the LCD's almost disturbingly bright, but even if you properly adjust the sets, under the lights, the LCD's excel in low black levels and greater color vibrancy.


In a darkened room, the plasmas are actually going to look "blacker" and more vibrant than the LCDs. People who are very serious about their displays prefer a darkened viewing environment, so the population on this board tends to lean plasma (although you posted in the LCD section, so maybe it will be more evenly split). They'll say plasmas are "fine" (translation: acceptable) during the day in bright lighting conditions, but an LCD would do better. No question that in a darkened room, plasmas are better.


Do you watch TV at night with all the lights on? If so, then what you see in the "dimmed" section of Best Buy is close to what you'll see at home and you ought to go with the LCD. If you like to dim the lights at home, or obviously if you're looking at a dedicated "home theater" room, go with the plasma.


You've zeroed in on two sets that are at the top of their respective technologies. It really depends on how you're going to use it.



Quote:
Originally Posted by cinderbob /forum/post/16994137


I am about to decide between the Samsung LN46B750 LCD and the Panasonic TC-P50V10 Plasma.


When I compare LCD's and Plasma's in stores, LCD's always seem to have the more vibrant/glossy/bright/day-glo/wet-looking (however one chooses to describe them) colors, which I like. LCD colors may not be as accurate as the colors on a Plasma, but to my eyes their vibrancy/gloss is more appealing and beautiful, and to me, that trumps accuracy.

1. Is that primarily why many people prefer LCD's over Plasma's, and does that make me an LCD guy?


What gives me pause is that every critical review I have ever read states that, technically, Plasma's have the superior picture - which makes me wonder:

2. Can a Plasma be adjusted so its colors are as vibrant/glossy as an LCD, or are LCD's superior in this respect even post-adjustment?


3. Which size is probably my best bet from 8', the 46" Sammy or the 50" Pan?


Many thanks for your time and input.

Click to expand...

As one that has owned both plasma and LCD (and love both) I tend to sway a bit more towards LCD.

I'am actually thinking about getting the new Panasonic S1 or V10 65 incher, but only because there are no 65" LCD's that are as affordable as a 65" Panny plasma.

If getting the biggest screen size was not a concern I would stick with LCD and Samsungs are the best of LCD (in my opinion).


Do go with a 50" size though what ever you get, a 46" is going to be to small and its going the shrink real fast.


Cheers

Davyo

I use to b an lcd, guy because I rute for the underdog. competition is good, drives prices down. so competition from lcd technology, is good! however plasma, has always been ahead as far as picture goes. But lcd, made gamer's happy! because of the low burn-in percentage. I have seen some bad ass lcd's lately! But the panasonic, to get on topic! is beating every tv out except the kuro, price wise, its only cheap because panasonic, lost there name a couple years back! west69, to this day is scared by there old plasma's, which weren't that bad, compared to what was out! today cnet, the best tv review, website, in are lifetime has said the panasonic g10, is the best of 09,


I like every brand to! but panasonic has the best tv! best bang for your buck x15. there basically, keeping prices affordable with out sacrificing shhit quality wise during these hardtimes my heart goes out to there company for that. They could charge you! we all know this but they aren't because there good maybe the best.


to me bang for buck they are.

The original post told the story. After comparing sets the op kept coming back to the vibrant color of LCD. This is probably the right choice for his need.


One thing that people often seek is an accurate picture. Taking a good quality plasma set and having an ISF calibration done will give you as accurate a picture as you'll get in a home environment.


The ironic thing is that many people do not like the resulting picture. Reading the threads on the new Panasonics that offer THX mode shows that most seem to be finding that "accurate" moce too dim. Now the THX mode is not a full ISF calibration, but is more accurate than the typical modes offered on sets.


So, accurate may seem desirable until you actually see it. After that, bright crisp images usually win out. They seem to be as LCD sets are more expensive but outselling plasmas.


When you're spending your money your eyes are the only ones that need to be pleased. Whichever technology provides that is for you.


LCD cannot compete with the larger screen plasmas - 58"+. Here screen size will more than make up for the bright crisp LCD image, making that the only real game in town for true "big screen" tv viewing.