Plasma or LCD??

Question

want to get a 50" TV? which one? what specs should i look for? how long they last? price?

Answer 1

if you wanted to go big plasma is the way but for the size you want your looking at an lcd, because lcd's at the smaller end of the range have much better economy and also higher resolusion

Answer 2

LCD. LG make a good lcd with built in tuner/recorder. They're reasonably priced and good quality.

Look at Bing Lee and Harvey Norman and get the best deal you can. I got a 108cm lcd LG with built in recorder for $3000 but that over a year ago, you shouldnt be paying much more then $2000 now.

Just a tip, Bing Lee had the cheapest extended warranty.

While I know its not true at plasmas only last 5 years, the problem with plasmas is that you can't regas them, so once the tube needs gasing its fit for the bin.

Answer 3

Well they are both good but Plasma has a much better picture BUT doesn't last as long as LCD. So its either quality of picture or replacing it sooner, up to you.

Answer 4

save the environment... get an lcd. costs less to run than a plasma or cathode ray tube

Answer 5

LCD's last twice as long as a plasma!!!

Answer 6

LCD ... can last longer ... about USD4200 to 4800 ... it depends which brand.

It will last about 5 to 6 years or more ... also depends which brand .... National or Hitachi or European ones

I prefer the Japanese ones ... last longer ... it depends how often you watch TV

Answer 7

They are both great choices, go to  the store and look at them side by side, or ask your friends that own a set for their opinion too.

Answer 8

Each have their own advantages and disadvantages - though these days actual picture quality is negligible between the two

LCDs are typically known for having better contrast than Plasma's, but have also previously suffered from motion blur on fast moving pictures.

Plasma's also typically perform better for colours, they look more bright and vivid in comparisson to an LCD.  Plasma's also suffered the problem of "burn in" - where a static picture (like a tv network's watermark), would burn onto the screen itself and display a shadow permanently.

These days, these issues have mostly been resolved, and to the untrained eye, you probably wont be able to notice a difference as far as picture quality goes...

The main benefit of getting an LCD in my eyes however, is the power saving.  Plasma's use a lot more power than the old chunky CRT TV's they've replaced.  LCD's however use a fraction of the power, and should have a longer service life.

My advice, is spend a bit extra and get an LCD...

Answer 9

First I would say LCD over plasma as plasma only has around 5 years until it will need to be replaced due to it containing liquid where LCD contains lights.

Answer 10

my opinion to Get a HD LCD rather than a plasma.

Answer 11

LCD definitely, unless on a budget

even then - save and go LCD

Answer 12

First of all, don't listen to people who say that Plasmas only last 5 years - that's rubbish.

It depends on what you are most likely to use it for and where it will be....

If you are most likely to watch it in the evening in a dimly lit room then plasma is definitely the way to go. The picture will be brighter and you gives a feeling of depth and colour saturation ('richness' of colour). Plasma also handles fast moving pictures better - sport etc.

If the TV is going to be watched mostly during the day or in brightly lit rooms or for lots of video games then LCD is better. The screens on LCD have a kind of matte finish to them and you generally do not get any 'glare' from light sources bouncing off them - like light from a window. Plasmas DO suffer from this which is why they are more suited to evening use.

Plasma will also use a bit more power than LCD - so that may be a consideration.

In general just make sure you get a full HD (1080p) TV - don;t go for a cheap Chinese make - try and stick to something Japanese - Panansonic, Sony, Pioneer, Sharp are all generally excellent, reliable brands.

One thing to bear in mind when you go int he shop is that it is very very difficult to see exactly what the picture will be like hwne you get it home - you cannot really compare in the shop. The shop will have all of the settings cranked up to make the pictures as bright as possible and there will be lots of external light sources distorting it. My advice would be to just get one with the best specs at the right price and don;t worry too much what the picture looks like in the store - because it won't look like that at home!

Also, don't get depressed in 12 months time when you see the exact same TV you purchased selling for half the price you paid for it. This is an unwritten rule of flat screen TV's I'm afraid...classic cars and paintings they most definitely are not!