Plasma or LCD?

[calgaryflamesrule_kipper3]

Plasma is the best bet, if you get an equivalent of 1080P and compare it to 1080P LCD, it is the better quality screen you're paying for, and literally you will be paying for it because equivalent Plasma TV's are much more expensive, but part of what you get is clearer/crisper image, viewing angles (you can watch from any angle without it looking worse from another way), longer hours of tv viewing lifetime than LCD, and a better black-image, meaning all the images are more true in color and don't have this light-up effect as if everything is contrasted a little too high as happens in most LCD's.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by calgaryflamesrule_kipper3

, longer hours of tv viewing lifetime than LCD.

Really?

I have heard the opposite from many people I consider reliable. Although I have heard that plasma has improved in that respect, they still don't have the lifetime that LCD has.

[SebC]

So I'm kind of keeping an eye out on this thread, as I expect to be buying in the next couple months...

Two questions:

1. If Plasma's so much better, why are Panasonic dropping the technology?
2. How long do I have to get one?

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by SebC

1. If Plasma's so much better, why are Panasonic dropping the technology?
2. How long do I have to get one?

I think the guy who wrote that meant that Panasonic is dropping the LCD technology.

Or that's some news to me considering Panasonic is rolling out a whole new lineup of Plasmas coming shortly and they look gorgeous.

Oh and Wookie, I know what you mean that 50" just looks too big, but if you buy smaller, you'll be kicking yourself once you get used to that smaller set... trust me, there's no such thing as too big.

[SebC]

Oops, I meant Pioneer was dropping it.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by SebC

Oops, I meant Pioneer was dropping it.

They arent dropping the technology, per se. They are teaming up with Panasonic. Panasonic will supply the panels for the Pioneer TV's. Hopefully, Pioneer lends their experience to Panasonic so that we have Panasonics mass market share combined with the best panels.

They've probably gone this route because both companies make more profit than going at it individually.

[FlamesAddiction]

I was at London Drugs today for an unrelated purchase, but just for the heck of it, I asked the guy questions about the LCDs and plasmas.

When I asked him which one has the longer lifetime, he told me that on average, LCDs and plasmas will last around 60,000 hours. With plasmas, their picture gradually diminishes, so after several thousand hours, the quality will be substantially lower than when the TV was new. An LCD will keep the same quality until the end, but when it goes, it will be gone totally. A plasma may last 60,000 hours, but you'll want to replace it way before then.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I was at London Drugs today for an unrelated purchase, but just for the heck of it, I asked the guy questions about the LCDs and plasmas.

When I asked him which one has the longer lifetime, he told me that on average, LCDs and plasmas will last around 60,000 hours.

People say it like that's a bad thing. I was worried about the lifetime of our plasma when we made the plunge a couple years ago. With the number you cite above, that means you could leave your tv on 24 hours a day for about 6.8 years. Google tells me the average person watches 20 to 25 hours of tv per week. That means your 60000 hour plasma or lcd will last you 46 years. Of course, if the quality starts degrading before that then you're hooped but really how long do you think you'll have your tv anyway before the next great thing comes around?

[LockedOut]

Sorta related question. What's the new thing this year for new models of LCD's/Plasma? Last year seemed to be 120 Hz refresh on LCD's and further push towards 1080p. Would it the better contrast this year? I'm not up to date on TV's of late.

[Mayer]

I hate to bump an old thread, but I need some help on a TV.

I've narrowed my search down to these two tv's:

46" Toshiba

or

47" LCD Scarlett

From some people, LG's are garbage. Likewise for Toshiba. Anyone have any opinions on these?

Much appreciated.

[rubecube]

LGs are garbage. Go with the Toshiba.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by rubecube

LGs are garbage. Go with the Toshiba.

I'm somewhat out of the loop on both brands, but if you know someone at Bestbuy or Futureshop who can bring the price down a bit on the Samsung 7-series in the same 46" size, that's the way to go (you'd have to pony up an extra $500 though). It's a really really nice TV and it's a Samsung. What more can I say?

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by rubecube

LGs are garbage. Go with the Toshiba.

whats wrong with lg? both me and my granparents have lg lcd's and both are great.

My grandpa has had his almost 2 years and i've had mine 8 months or so.

[Vulcan]

Yeah, I've got my eye on the Samsung LN650. It's maybe considered the best right now. Best Buy carries this. Future Shop carries the LN750 which is more money with more bells and whistles but really the same TV.

I've got an 32" LG LB4D with 120hz and I like it a lot. The panel has no flashlighting or clouds or bands like you find in the best known LCDs. They also make their own panels.

The knock against that LG 60 is that the contrast ratio isn't as good as Samsung's or Sony's but it's cheaper too.

I looked at that Toshiba next to the Samsung at London Drugs and it looked good but mind you it was in torch mode. Toshiba doesn't have the reputation it once had with CRTs. It's supposed to have a Samsung panel in the 46" size but different electronics give it a lower contrast.

There is a one night sale on with 10% off at Future Shop right now, in store and on line, so I'd check that out.

[csnarpy]

ugh, i wouldn't go with either of those - seriously - they don't even rank in the top 5.

Go with Sharp or Sony for LCD and Hitachi for plasma.

I personally recommend this one:

http://www2.visions.ca/catalogue/cat...9;&menuLevel=2

or looking at your price range I'd go for this one:

http://www2.visions.ca/catalogue/cat...9;&menuLevel=2

this one absolutely kicks ass and you got to love the 27000 contrast ratio and usb hook ups.

[Mayer]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

ugh, i wouldn't go with either of those - seriously - they don't even rank in the top 5.

Go with Sharp or Sony for LCD and Hitachi for plasma.

I personally recommend this one:

http://www2.visions.ca/catalogue/cat...9;&menuLevel=2

or looking at your price range I'd go for this one:

http://www2.visions.ca/catalogue/cat...9;&menuLevel=2

this one absolutely kicks ass and you got to love the 27000 contrast ratio and usb hook ups.

On that first one, I'm guessing since it doesn't say anywhere whether it's 120Hz or not, it's likely 60Hz?\

Edit: Nevermind, I found it.

Where is the top 5 list you speak of? Or were you meaning in your top 5?

[Mayer]

Ok, so I think I've made a decision. Visions gave me what appears to be a good deal on this tv...

Samsung 46"

Any opinions on this one specifically or Samsung tv's in general?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Mayer

Ok, so I think I've made a decision. Visions gave me what appears to be a good deal on this tv...

Samsung 46"

Any opinions on this one specifically or Samsung tv's in general?

I think that's the top ranked LCD of current TVs by CNet with a rating of 8.0. I've heard lots of good reports on this TV.

I'd like to know what kind of a deal you got because that's a good price on your link?

Here's a review

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...-32887597.html

[Mayer]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I think that's the top ranked LCD of current TVs by CNet with a rating of 8.0. I've heard lots of good reports on this TV.

I'd like to know what kind of a deal you got because that's a good price on your link?

Here's a review

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...-32887597.html

Well, maybe it's not a great deal. They knocked off $300 from the sale price (down to roughly $1850) as well as knocked some off the extended warranty.

Basically, they offered it to me for less than the price of the Toshiba's and LG's I've been looking at.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Mayer

Well, maybe it's not a great deal. They knocked off $300 from the sale price (down to roughly $1850) as well as knocked some off the extended warranty.

Basically, they offered it to me for less than the price of the Toshiba's and LG's I've been looking at.

Thanks, I think you did really well.