What is a better flat-screen tv for a single young man living in his own aparment? LCD or Plasma?

Question

What is good out there these days? Any good flat screens tv's under $1000? Thank you!

Answer 1

It depends what you like watching. Sports and action movies always look better with a decent plasma tv. I suggest a panasonic plasma tv - they are available in as small as 37" screen size.

If you have a PS3 or Xbox etc, then an LCD will probably be a better choice. Plasmas during the early portion of their lives are susceptible to screen burn (first 200 hours or so). LCD is also more readily available in 1080p which the PS3 can take advantage of. I would suggest one of the new Sony LCDs in this case.

Overall, I can tell you I chose Plasma 37" panasonic. I have a PS3, but the TV's early days I did get some screen retention. However, if you look after the TV, all you need to do with screen retention is to put the TV on analogue static for a while to cure the retention.

Answer 2

Some good answers.  All I can add is that LCD sets (including DLP) larger than 42" use a bulb for its brightness.  The average life of those bulbs seems to be around a year.  If you watch TV more, it will burn out sooner.  Some bulbs can last upwards of 2 years, between usage and a fluke of durability.  But no matter whether they last a long time or die out soon, they DO start to lose brightness in just a few months.  Movies which have dark scenes in them become more difficult to see, even though the bulb is still pretty good.  

And it costs between $150 - $300 to replace the bulb when it dies.  Remember, I said each year.

Two years ago, plasmas were impressive, but they hadn't been out long enough to believe the hype.  Supposedly they're good for 60,000 hours.  Even at 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, that's still good for over 13 years.  (No bulbs, either)  But nobody's had a plasma fo 13 years to verify if it's true.  Still, reliability becomes more assured as time goes on.  But they're still expensive.

Hard to decide?  You bet.  But LCD's are the cheapest, even with bulb replacements, and prices are still coming down.  So buy an LCD for now, and upgrade in 2 -3 years when you've got more money.

The one thing I CAN save you headache is to not bother with the 1080p sets.  For TV and DVDs, it's meaningless.  Even Blu-Ray DVDs.  1080i is perfectly good enough.  1080p is only meaningful for the gamers.

Answer 3

LCD destroys Plasma in quality and is generally cheaper. I got a 1080p LCD (Sony Bravia 40 inch) which is basically one of the best you can get. And I got it new at Sears for only $1350.

Answer 4

depends on size upto 37-40" lcd over 40" plasma. Plasma is better on fast moving action ie sport

Answer 5

Depends on size and resolution too. Plasmas generally give better picture but are a little more fragile. On the other end LCD's give more durability in picture, but have not as good color representation.

Resolution can be a big deal if it is important. Frankly I don't think most people can tell the difference between 720p and 1080p (even CNET rated their best TV as a 720p Pioneer).

I am a BIG fan of the Panasonic Plasma's, that being said. The model numbers include TH-42px75U