Help needed on Plasma or LCD selection

[jimmyp58]

I have the opportunity to get a plasma or LCD TV. Which of the two should I do?

Also, I haven't done a critical viewing yet but I understand some of them have some pretty loud fans. I can purchase Toshiba, Samsung, Phillips, Fujitsu, Panasonic, or Sharp Aquous (I think that is how you spell it). I understand Marantz's plasmas are dead quiet (at least that is what one person told me) and I might have a shot at this too.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Jim

[BlazeMaster]

I think you should actually see them before you ask. Once you see them, I don't think you'll still have problems deciding between the 2 different technologies. Plasmas are direct views and LCDs can be direct and rear-projected. It's like asking us which flavor of ice cream you should go with. You either like the PQ of plasma/LCD or you don't. Looking at your profile, I don't see why you don't know the differences, coming from a AV store.

[jimmyp58]

Don't have an AV Store per se. I do consulting and design and my home, for now, is my showroom. I sell equipment too. I started this business about 3 months ago.

I am adding a 2nd HT and wanted to changeover from a 34-inch HDTV I have in that room to plasma/LCD and while I have seen plenty of each, I thought I'd ask those that have jumped into this foray before me for advice.

Jim

[Shane Martin]

Plasma has bigger advantages but the burn in issue can be a really big sticking point. LCD's don't have this issue but they have OTHER issues.

If you are looking at those models, the Fujitsu is the cadillac of plasmas with Panasonic in 2nd.

Both are fairly expensive for what you get. A 50" is in the neighborhood of 8k which is about $6,000 more than a 65" CRT RPTV. Then again you discount if you get one will lower this margin.

PQ wise: Plasma's look better to me. I just can't swallow the cost when I get more size for far less cash which also includes a FPTV.

[jimmyp58]

Thanks Shane....

[aud19]

Pretty much ditto what Shane said. Fujitsu makes arguably the best plasmas out there but they cost $$$!! Panasonic makes pretty good sets with good for plasma black levels at more moderate prices though they have a few other minor faults. I don't care for LCD sets, especially their fast motion pixel lag issues.

Why not go for a projector? That budget should get you a pretty darn nice FP from most of those manufacturers Or as Shane also mentioned, two 65" top of the line CRT RPTV's and ISF'd for likley less money :lol:

[jimmyp58]

Jason:

Thanks. Due to setup/room characteristics, I cannot do a projector (long story). So, I thought plasma/LCD would be better.

What about the fan issue?

Jim

[BlazeMaster]

you do AV consulting, but you don't know the differnces between the 2 different technologies? No offense or anything, Jimmy, but how do you consult the "V" part of AV, if you don't know the differences yourself?

[BlazeMaster]

Jimmy, I apologize for the "snoby" air of my tone. But like I said before, you should really take a look at them with your own eyes. Each has a very distinct PQ from each other. I'd personally would go with plasmas over any type of LCD-based display. What have you seen from either technology? Or should I say, what do you have on your sales-floor?

[Mitchell]

I have siimilar concerns. I am definitely not an expert at this stuff.
I live in a NYC apt where we are tuning a small 8'x14' room into a small home theatre. I find that I get conflicting advice with every visit to a dealer.
On one hand the Plasmas seem to have significantly better picture quality than LCD. On the other, people warn me that burn in is an issue. We must get a flat screen because of space considerations. I am looking at 37 - 40 inch tv sizes.
I agree - upon viewing, that the Plasma picture quality seems far better and more natural looking, but is the burn-in issue a deal killer?
Also some dealers still talk abiout having to recharge the plasma or LCD which seems absurd to me although I understand that the bulb in an LCD needs to be replaced every few years.
Any insight would be appreciated.

[Adz]

On my way home from work, I took my usual Friday night trip to Bestbuy to pick up some DVDs (picked up the Raging Bull re-release (nice!) and Shark Tale for my kiddies). For the first time ever, our Bestbuy had just hooked up all their Hi-Def TVs with a true satellite feed from Direct TV. In the past, for some reason, their feed was always poor quality and generally not a true Hi-Def signal unless it was a loop from ESPNHD, etc.

Well, let me tell you something - all the different HDTVs from DLP, LCD, Plasma, Rear Projection LCD, etc. from the older models to the newer models looked fantastic - really truly unbelievable beautiful pictures and I couldn't tell the different between any of them. Then I strolled to one part of the huge displays and they had for comparison purposes, Plasmas side by side with each other and also side by side with DLPs. It's at that point I noticed that the Plasmas simply looked better no questions asked - I would describe it as having more vibrant colors and cleaner looking - not as much noise if that's the right term for what I am trying to describe.

In my opinion those smaller high end (mucho expensive) LCDs looked too sharp if that's possible.

[Shane Martin]

Also some dealers still talk abiout having to recharge the plasma or LCD

I have not heard of this. Plasmas last roughly the same amount of time as a good CRT. Burn in is a worry.

damned if you do, damned if you don't. There isn't a perfect technology.

I do have to admit I do feel strange giving advice to a dealer. Then again I don't expect every dealer to know everything.

[Kevin P]

There's no such thing as "plasma recharging". It's an urban legend. Shane's right, a plasma should last about as long as a CRT (20,000+ hours give or take). Burn-in is an issue but not any more so than with a RPTV. As long as the set is properly calibrated and static images aren't kept up for any length of time you should have no problem.

Direct view LCDs should last a long time, too. The backlight is the limiting factor in the lifespan of these sets. Projection LCD/DLP bulbs are shorter lived but are easily replaceable (and expensive).

Note that plasmas can suffer a "temporary" form of burn-in after a static image is kept up for an hour or so. This burn will fade after several hours of non-static image viewing. Permanent burn-in takes longer to occur, like with a CRT.

Here's Five Plasma Myths Debunked.

[aud19]

Guys, try to keep the attacks down OK..? First of all even an experienced dealer can't know absolutely everything about every technology, especially with new ones and ever-changing ones. Second, from what I can tell Jimmy's relatively new at the business and I'm sure he's learning as much as he can as fast as he can. Also as has already been pointed out, there is no "right" decision when it comes to displays, everyone's preferences and needs are different. I have no problem with any "expert" asking for opinions to find what might work best for their situation. It shows a willingness to learn, be wrong and do the work necessary to find what's best for the person. Even if that person is themself.

..Plasmas side by side with each other and also side by side with DLPs. It's at that point I noticed that the Plasmas simply looked better no questions asked - I would describe it as having more vibrant colors and cleaner looking...

Vibrant colours.... I will add that many plasmas have over-saturated colours which do help them stand out in showrooms as Adz mentioned but is far from natural and can make normal programming have an almost cartoonish look to it. Which IMO still takes away from the viewing experience.

It's too bad you can't do a projector Jimmy. Perhaps one of the new slim CRT's coming out is an option for you? I'll also add that with SED and OLED tech's coming out soon, you may want to invest a minimum of funds for now and wait to see if SED etc can deliver on their promises in a couple of years. Then make a large display investment then. "Worst" case scenario, you get something like a CRT RPTV now for CHEAP (which outperforms the other tech's in almost every way) and even if SED etc doesn't pan out, plasma's will be that much better and that much cheaper in a couple years....

For more info on SED check out the "sticky" at the top of this section

[jimmyp58]

Thanks Jason....I appreciate the support. No, I do not know everything despite being an AV consultant/dealer. At least, I think, I have the maturity to at least admit I am not certain and in turn, ask the very talented folks here for some advice. How many times have each of us gone into a store (no, not BB or CC) but supposed 'pros' only to find out they know far less than most of us do? Dare I say a lot???!!!

Not to make excuses but Jason, you are dead on with the learning curve stuff. I started this business 11/2004 and it has been a whirlwind ever since. I am far more well-versed on the audio side so the ramp-up to get up to speed on the video has been somewhat steep. I can assure you that as long as I own the business I will NEVER know everything there is to know. Not even highly skilled physicians claim they know everything otherwise there wouldn't be 'specialists'.

Anyway, I have learned a bit more here and did more research and yes, I am in a much better position than I was prior to posting.

Thanks....

Jim

[aud19]

No worries Jim :T

So what did you discover after further research? Any better ideas on which direction you'll head?

[eelco74]

Not to add mutch more confusion,

But I am surprised that no one even mentioned the new Pioneer plasma screens. I find those most impressive and both last years PDP-434 and this years PDP-435 won the EISA award for plasma of the year.

I am looking for a screen and I have my mind on the Pioneer as well as a Loewe. I own a Loewe Xelos 28" CRT now and this month they will come with a new 42" plasma. It is supposed to have a 1024x1024 screen and both HDMI, Component and 2 scart connectors.

[ekkoville]

I just spent four hours going from store to store last weekend looking at the same thing. LCD vs. plasma. I can't bring myself to buy rear projection, no matter what the style. Too many viewing angle problems from side to side. LCD, the Aquos to be exact, was a fantastic display with bright vibrant colors, but suffered from blurr when action or sport highlights were viewed. They are also a little HOT, or have a sizzle effect depending on how close you view. Toshiba's had the same thing. One dealer praised the Sony XBR LCD TV, saying it was the class of the bunch. I did not see it though.

On to plasma's. Simply the best. Most natural color I have ever seen from any angle, any distance. Movement was precise and non-blurred. The Pioneer Elite and Sony XBR are the the est TV's other than tube I have viewed. I have heard the same praise about Fujitsu, but have not seen one. One store salesman commented on the burn-in issue saying it was overblown. He had never seen it and it takes hours of still images to cause it.

Hope some of that helps.

Erik

[BlazeMaster]

Jimmy, do you have any plasmas from the vendor you carry on display? I think I remember seeing Fujitsu on your site, but they're very well regarded for their plasma displays. Top of the line video processing. Panasonic, Pioneer and Fujitsu are pretty much the most highly regarded plasma makers out there. I personally don't like the PQ of direct-view LCDs, so never bother spending too much time researching them. Like others said, the direct-view LCDs seem to have problems with fast motions, the liquid crystal can't change temperature fast enough to keep up with the movements. And direct view LCDs are really expensive and they don't go much bigger than 42 in I believe.
Is this a urgent purchase? I think you should be fine with a mid-range plasma for now, until SEDs start hitting the market. With your contracts with the manufactures, you might be able to get a pretty good deal on the Toshiba SEDs. Just some thought for you to consider.

[Snap]

Samsung or Panasonic

Jimmy,
I hung a 42 in samsung over a guys fireplace in a nice home on the river. It is a nice display. You can get the HDTV monitor versions for under 2K wholesale. I have also used the Panasonic EDTV plasma. That is nice as well. there is very little HD channels were I live, so the EDTV are a easy to sell. They look nice as well. Blaze is right about Pioneer and the other brands. They are NICE. I sent you a PM with some distributor info that could help you out.

Blessed,
SNAP :T

[Mitchell]

I am looking at 42" plasma HDTV. As you all have mentioned the brands that keepcoming up on top seem to be the Fujitu, Panasonic and Pioneer so thats where I am looking.
Does anyone have any info on what the most current model numbers are as dealers in NY seem to have both last years and this years models for sale.

Also, any word on service? I am told that some companies are almost useless when you call for service and others have good phone support and will dispatch an authorized repair rep when under warranty. Its hard to know whether thats just from a salesman trying to knock another brand.

Any input would be appreciated
Thanks!

[jimmyp58]

I ended up going with a Panasonic plasma. Looks phenomenal.

[eelco74]

Well,

I have alsmost made my mind up. I was looking for the Pioneer Elite 42"(HD-434HDE in Europe). It was the best looking screen, second to the Toshiba and the Panasonic.

However 42" is too large for my room. Especially looking sports and normal TV broadcastst. But I still want the big picture for movies.

So I am going for a small(ish) 32" LCD screen. And get myself a DLP projector for movies. The screen can drop down just in front of the LCD. Wich is nice and cannot be done now, since my CRT TV is in the way.

The new LG RZ-32LZ50 has all the nice things I need like 2x scart, component and a dvi-d connection. I have seen it at a local shop and for the price (1500 Euro's) it is pretty good. It only lacks a good Teletext selection (only 10 page memory). But most brands have flaws. Philips and Sony lack a component input on most LCD's. Loewe is excellent, but a bit expensive (twice the price of the LG). Toshiba lacks a tuner board, wich also makes it expensive. And the remote is the cheapest piece of plastic I have ever seen.

So I have to live with the 10 page teletekst memory. At least it is cheap, so I can upgrade without regret when SED arrives.

[Brandon B]

Jimmy -

A good read on display technology here.

BB

[eelco74]

Regarding my last post, sometimes you can change your mind.

I was looking for the LG32LZ50. However LCD the contrast and colours still bothered me with LCD. And it would not accept progressive scan on its Component input.

Then suddenly I saw a Hitachi 32LD5200 32" Plasma in the store. It was next to a mutch more expensive Philips LCD screen. I was simply amazed by the difference. This plasma is so mutch better. Sadly Hitachi is going to stop making it, and replacing it by a 32" lcd. So I made a deal on the price.

So I took the hitachi home and I am so very pleased with it.