I've when it comes to flat panels, you guys prefer LCD. Why? - Videokarma.org TV - Video

karmaman · #1 01-26-2009, 01:25 AM

I've noticed a few times that you guys obviously hate flat panels, but prefer LCD to Plasma. I was just wondering... why?

The newest plasmas no longer suffer from burn-in, it's nonexistant now.

The newer panels (Panasonic at least) are now rated at 100,000 hours to half-brightness. That's more than what standard CRT's are rated at.

They won't dim and get all pink or yellow tinted over time like LCD backlights do.

They have MUCH better blacks, black is black not a really dark blue like on LCD's.

No motion smearing whatsoever.

More natural looking colors.

And they're not retina-burning, fake-looking overly bright like LCD's.

So, just out of curiosity, I'm just wondering why you guys prefer seem to dislike plasmas when they are much closer to CRT's than LCD's are.

zenith2134 · #2 01-26-2009, 01:37 AM

Personally I haven't seen many plasma sets that impressed me. The colors are not as natural as a good CRT, but to each his own.

Add to that the fact that plasma displays use a lot of energy and give off a good deal of waste heat, and I'm just not ready to buy into the technology.

piece-it pete · #3 01-26-2009, 07:41 AM

For the money, I love my Panasonic TH42PZ80U plasma. Clear motion and glare is not problem at all, less than my old tubed tv. The reds issue mentioned around the web is real but minor imo.

My wife drew the line when I tried to drag it into bed with me

They say they use as much power as a fridge. So I looked - the tv was about 4.6 amps max, my fridge was 4.6. So they have a point.

Of course many of us run amps that pull that or better.

Is it just me, or didn't fridges used to run more like 8 amps or more??

Pete

kx250rider · #4 01-26-2009, 11:27 AM

I just don't think the plasma has a good a picture as an LCD, or even a tube. Just my preference. It's true they've improved the blacks, and the lifespan, but the whites are still dazzling and silverish, like a bad VHS tape played on a weak tube. Also, they suck up the current like there's no tomorrow, and you better open the window if you don't want to heat the room up. And another beef: They're heavier than LCDs. *Granted; not as heavy as a flat CRT. Another pro for plasma is that they're cheaper inch-for-inch than LCD, but that saving is quickly lost in power bills.

Believe me, my wife can easily afford any TV she wants, but we have all CRT TVs. It's a STRONG preference!

Charles

2DualsNotEnough · #5 01-26-2009, 11:34 AM

The plasmas I have seen at Frys seem to still have that motion smearing problem,but look great with stationary images.At this point I think that flat screen technology trades convenience,aesthetics and space saving for overall picture quality,and at a much,much higher price.
Jimmy

JohnVF · #6 01-26-2009, 11:44 AM

I've had a Plasma for almost 4 years now and I won't buy another. It's too heavy, and I'm already on my second after the first one failed (in warranty). The screen developed a green 'snow' that usually went away after it warmed up, but started to get worse. The newer one has a bit of this, also, when cold. For what it's worth, however, I love the picture quality. I have digital cable and even standard def looks much better, to me, than on a CRT. On HD, my old CRT is left in the dust. To be honest, there is no love lost between me and CRT...I hated having this giant square box sitting around, regardless of picture quality.

When my Plasma goes (which I feel it will...) I am hoping the newer 'laser' screens will be around by then. Sony just came out with an 11" version (obnoxiously expensive, but it's more of a technology demonstrator for super rich geeks) that has a screen/case maybe 3mm thick, and better color variation and better blacks, lighter weight, less power, etc etc, than either LCD or Plasma. I'm not sure what's holding up this technology, it was mentioned to me by a tech friend two years ago as something that would literally change the face of the TV market within a year, but it seems to just now be coming to market.

If it never comes of age, I'm just going to buy a projector.

bgadow · #7 01-26-2009, 11:46 AM

I'm not up on new technology, not even close. When I walk through the store I don't know if I'm looking at LCD, DLP or Plasma. I know that most of these sets, when I first see them, knock my socks off. Then I stand and watch them for about 20 seconds and I see the defects. LCD seems like maybe a more familiar technology than plasma, and perhaps more service friendly (read: easier to tote in the shop and then out to the dumpster) but I can't offer a real opinion of picture quality. The best color I've seen remains the same: 30-50 year old tube chassis sets.

Sam Cogley · #8 01-26-2009, 11:52 AM

I looked long and hard at all sorts of HD technologies before I settled on my LCD. As a combination of price and picture, the model I chose was unbeatable. I've been very happy with it - and the blacks aren't a "dark blue" - they're a very dark charcoal grey, at worst.

JohnVF · #9 01-26-2009, 11:53 AM

Oh, the new laser technology is called "OLED". Sony and Mitsubishi are releasing sets this year at prices more akin to what Plasma was a few years ago, so hopefully it will come down after the early-adopter phase and any defects are worked out by those who have money to burn on untried technologies.

andy · #10 01-26-2009, 12:25 PM

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Nikko75 · #11 01-26-2009, 12:31 PM

I love the blacks of Plasma and love the whites and colors of LCD, but hate the smeared motion of both and that is why I still use a CRT.

Duane · #12 01-26-2009, 01:55 PM

It's amazing how we all see things differently and those opinions follow suit.To me, black level is everything.You can't do that with any set that uses a bulb. I'm a die hard CRT user. The closest I've seen from flat panels that would come close is a plasma. Hell, if I still had the room for it, I'd continue with a CRT front projector firing onto the Stewart screen. Best ipicture I've ever had.

It may be some time before OLED or FED hits the consumer market. I just hope my Pioneer Elite RP hangs in there long enough to maybe go that route. LCD/DLP just doesn't cut it for me.

JohnVF · #13 01-26-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duane

It's amazing how we all see things differently and those opinions follow suit.To me, black level is everything.You can't do that with any set that uses a bulb. I'm a die hard CRT user. The closest I've seen from flat panels that would come close is a plasma. Hell, if I still had the room for it, I'd continue with a CRT front projector firing onto the Stewart screen. Best ipicture I've ever had.

It may be some time before OLED or FED hits the consumer market. I just hope my Pioneer Elite RP hangs in there long enough to maybe go that route. LCD/DLP just doesn't cut it for me.

I think Mitsubishi's OLED is launching this year at around $6500. It was, I think, 55" or so. I'm going off of memory. I'll check back in three years to see if that price has come down!

MRX37 · #14 01-26-2009, 02:27 PM

I actually saw a Samsung LCD HDTV not too long ago that had surprisingly good black levels. Black looked, well, Black.

jetblack · #15 01-26-2009, 02:43 PM

I haven't shopped for tv's in a few yrs, so I don't have a comparison for current tv's. I'll have to take your word for it, that plasmas no longer suffer from potential burn-in. In the 'old days', plasmas had better viewing angles and contrast ratios.

Plasma Pro - screen phosphor coating had color that was closer to tube tv
Plasma Con - screen tended to reflect room lights

LCD Pro - weighed less than plasma
LCD Con - picture slightly less natural than top plasma's

That is all (I know, until I go shopping, when my current tv craps out). I'll have to check out the current market.