I am getting ready to by a HDTV and I need recommendations or which is better LCD or Plasma At least 52"?

Question

I am getting ready to by a HDTV and I need recommendations or which is better LCD or Plasma At least 52"?

Answer 1

Plasma is still the best quality, but the gap is narrowing fast. I bought a 42" plasma, if it broke tomorrow I'd definitely buy another. The difference is that plasma is an active technology, each pixel is its own tiny little light bulb, so you get better contrast ratios and black is very close to true black. LCD, on the other hand, is passive. It relies on a back light and uses polarization to cut the light level down. Also the nature of polarization means that the intensity of LCD screen images changes more at different viewing angles, although that's gotten much better in recent years.

Best thing you can do is go to a consumer electronics store and look at LCDs and plasmas next to each other. LCDs are very good value for money, but plasmas still look better IMO.

That said, keep in mind that this on average. A good quality LCD is going to look better than a cheap, low quality plasma. Which brand and model you buy should affect your decision more than which underlying technology it employs.

One final point: plasmas suffer from burn-in, LCDs don't. Most game consoles have screen-dimming built in now to prevent damage to plasmas, but a lot of other equipment doesn't. I've seen images burn into my plasma after just 6 hours of display and then take a few days to clear.

Answer 2

I would go with the LCD.  They have a longer lifespan than Plasma.  The picture in HD on the LCD is incredible.  LCD TV's are a little pricier than plasma.

Also Plasma eventually wears out LCD doesn't.

Answer 3

Wow 52" + eh? that's a big TV ... *envious*

I don't know if you're mainly interested in the size over the quality, but can I personally recommend the Pioneer Kuro set.  Pioneer are a highly respected brand, and they bet the bank on plasma technology - they have never produced an LCD set despite market pressure, because they beleive that plasma is superior.  Their Kuro range produce incredibly deep blacks and a truly amazing range of colours.

For the record, LCDs tend to have image stutter at larger size (above 32").  Although things have improved for LCDs recently (reduced response times) it will still be most likley be noticable for something that size.  This is why Pioneer only produce plasma panels.

You can now get full HD (1080p) Kuro set from Pioneer in either 50" or 60".  And you can find bargains online if you look hard enough.  Good luck, hope it helps!

Answer 4

LCD, but make sure it has the 120 hz refresh rate. The Sony xbr4 has the 120 hz refresh rate and has an awersome picture that comes in the 52 inch size.

Look for it !