difference between LCD's and Plasma's

[TonyDanzaRulz]

Brand new to this forum and was wondering the big differences between PLasma's and LCD's , I ahve heard that LCD lasts longer, and is pretty equal to the picture of a plasma, I was just curious what the significant differences were between the 2, Thanks

[GORT]

Just my two cents do a search and read for yourself as the fanboys will be here soon then it will just degrade into the usual us vs them thread

[JasonR]

Expect a similar lifespan with both. Use this as a resource, but not the bible.

http://www.cnet.com/1990-7874_1-5108...ent;contentNav

I will leave this thread open, but if it gets heated and nasty it is getting closed right away.

[plowmanjoe]

the main downfalls of lcd are motion blur and black levels.

the main downfall of plasmas are image retention and glare.

these are my main concerns at least.

[My_Two_Cents]

As mentioned above, there are countless threads comparing the two and there is even a sticky in the theory and discussion forum. As to what you've "heard", you've been misinformed. LCDs and plasmas have comparable picture half-lives, and both wll last well beyond your time to upgrade for other reasons. As for picture, it has been proven in countless shootouts and home theater reviews, the best plasma displays will give you a much better and more realistic picture than the best LCD displays. Note the term "best". A good Samsung LCD will have a much better picture than a Vizio plasma, but a Pioneer or Panasonic plasma will blow-away even the best LCD picture. There are pros and cons to each technology. You'll learn about these as you read through the threads on this forum. If you find you still have questions, then by all means post them here, and we'll try to help as best as we can.

Now, time for the display-bashing and misinformation to begin.

[SHines-IT]

Plain and simple.

Plasma, generally better priced. Much deeper black and better coloring. Great for sports and movies, but they do suffer from burn in. Last just as long as LCD.

LCD, generally smaller and cost a little more then Plasma. Bigger selection of 1080p displays. Blacks are not as deep and colors can be dual on lower end models. But do not suffer from burn in. So LCD is perfect for gamers or users who leave there TV on pause with out a screen saver. Also last just as long as Plasma.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by SHines-IT

Plain and simple.

Plasma, generally better priced. Much deep black and coloring. Great for sports and movies, but they do suffer from burn in. Last just as long as LCD.

LCD, generally smaller and cost a little more then Plasma. Bigger selection of 1080p displays. Blacks are not as deep and colors can be dual on lower end models. But do not suffer from burn in. So LCD is perfect for gamers or users who leave there TV on pause with out a screen saver. Also last just as long as Plasma.

Didn't take long for the misinformation.

You may see some minor image retention (IR) with plasma, but it will go away with the image is changed. Today's good-quality plasmas DO NOT suffer from burn-in.

[SHines-IT]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Didn't take long for the misinformation.

You may see some minor image retention (IR) with plasma, but it will go away with the image is changed. Today's good-quality plasmas DO NOT suffer from burn-in.

I see, I was told they all suffer from burn in.

[Miller Lite1]

My decision was based on glare from one window after 3:00 pm

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by SHines-IT

I see, I was told they all suffer from burn in.

You were misinformed!

[SHines-IT]

Originally Posted by John72953

You were misinformed!

Was that on older models, I had seen one with bad burn in. But it was an old Plasma. As I don't really game anymore, but merely just watch HD Movies. But I do want to get a PS3, since my brother has one. So if I was playing something like COD4 for an hour. I don't have anything to worry about with a Plasma? Because I can get a much larger TV with Plasma, with much faster refresh rate for the same price as the Sony 52" XBR6.

[callas01]

OP,

Plasma's typically have better blacks and contrast levels. They can suffer from IR but that, as it was said, will go away usually pretty quickly, although there are extreme cases of it taking a day or two as people on this site have dealt with, but you don't have to worry about it being permanent. There are pixel shifters that doesn't allow burn in to happen. There is a "break-in" period usually required, but that isn't a big deal, for most people.

LCDs, If you buy the better brands, can have great black levels and contrast, but I would recommend that you stay with Samsung or Sony... some Sharps and LG, but don't get sucked into their low end models, otherwise you will get "grey" blacks. Motion blur is not as common on newer LCDs as they have better pixel response rates. Also, I have found that if you adjust your settings properly that you really won't experience motion blur, because I don't get it and I have an older model. Typically they are brighter due to the backlight.

Don't listen to the "if you have a room with lots of windows, buy and LCD" or the "if you watch TV in the dark buy a Plasma" because its BS, I have watch plasma with a window right behind me, and I always watch my LCD in the dark, and both have been great. You can game on both, and both are excellent with blu-rays.

Both Technologies are great, do not trust what you see at BB or CC, if you can ask for a remote and adjust the settings and get the TV's off the vivid/dynamic modes, on LCDs adjust the backlight down to at least half (sharps it would be -5 or -4), keep the brightness about half way(or so) and just adjust as you would a tube TV. Understand though, that even after you adjust the TVs it will still look different in YOUR home. You cannot simulate your house environment at a large warehouse. From there it has to be a personal choice for you.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

[TonyDanzaRulz]

Originally Posted by callas01

OP,

Plasma's typically have better blacks and contrast levels. They can suffer from IR but that, as it was said, will go away usually pretty quickly, although there are extreme cases of it taking a day or two as people on this site have dealt with, but you don't have to worry about it being permanent. There are pixel shifters that doesn't allow burn in to happen. There is a "break-in" period usually required, but that isn't a big deal, for most people.

LCDs, If you buy the better brands, can have great black levels and contrast, but I would recommend that you stay with Samsung or Sony... some Sharps and LG, but don't get sucked into their low end models, otherwise you will get "grey" blacks. Motion blur is not as common on newer LCDs as they have better pixel response rates. Also, I have found that if you adjust your settings properly that you really won't experience motion blur, because I don't get it and I have an older model. Typically they are brighter due to the backlight.

Don't listen to the "if you have a room with lots of windows, buy and LCD" or the "if you watch TV in the dark buy a Plasma" because its BS, I have watch plasma with a window right behind me, and I always watch my LCD in the dark, and both have been great. You can game on both, and both are excellent with blu-rays.

Both Technologies are great, do not trust what you see at BB or CC, if you can ask for a remote and adjust the settings and get the TV's off the vivid/dynamic modes, on LCDs adjust the backlight down to at least half (sharps it would be -5 or -4), keep the brightness about half way(or so) and just adjust as you would a tube TV. Understand though, that even after you adjust the TVs it will still look different in YOUR home. You cannot simulate your house environment at a large warehouse. From there it has to be a personal choice for you.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

Thanks, Im feeling a little bit better now, I will prolly go LCD just for the fact that they dont really make a plasma that has what I want at the 40" size, anything bigger for the apartment would be too much

[TVguy86]

On paper plasma is the better technology.

Fast refresh rate.
No need for a back light as it creates its own light. Which should also increase the colors. A higher more saturated color is the term i believe im looking for.

I agree that the quality plays a very important roll. An off brand plasma will probably not look as good as a quality LCD.

Just make sure you purchase 1080p tv. That way you can use the current technology to its fullest.

[callas01]

Well, I am sure you will be happy either way, there are 42" plasma's too... I personally prefer LCDs, But I love the look of plasma's too.... either way you have to take time to adjust them to be perfect for your viewing area. be patient.

[BluRayNick]

LOL at plasma being better than LCD!!!!! Ask anyone from best buy, circuit city, or hh gregg LCD is the way to go and LCD last much longer than Plasma....

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by SHines-IT

Was that on older models, I had seen one with bad burn in. But it was an old Plasma. As I don't really game anymore, but merely just watch HD Movies. But I do want to get a PS3, since my brother has one. So if I was playing something like COD4 for an hour. I don't have anything to worry about with a Plasma? Because I can get a much larger TV with Plasma, with much faster refresh rate for the same price as the Sony 52" XBR6.

old.. really old... we are now in generation 10 ( panasonic anyway )

[jpm35216]

Originally Posted by BluRayNick

LOL at plasma being better than LCD!!!!! Ask anyone from best buy, circuit city, or hh gregg LCD is the way to go and LCD last much longer than Plasma....

You've got to be kidding...

Aside from the current debate, I'm willing to bet 75% of the people on this board know WAY more than those jokers do...

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by BluRayNick

LOL at plasma being better than LCD!!!!! Ask anyone from best buy, circuit city, or hh gregg LCD is the way to go and LCD last much longer than Plasma....

Again with the moronic misinformation. If you don't know what you are talking about, I (and most others around here) suggest you just stop posting. I'll take professional reviews over anything the idiots at the box stores tell me. Hell, I'd take the advice of folks around here before I listen to those minimum-wage kids. In case you'd like to educate yourself a little:

http://hometheatermag.com/lcds/208hdface/
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/fea...-round-ii.html

Oh, and please state your source for how LCDs last longer than plasma (and not from the idiots at BB and such). No sources? Ya know why? Because you have not a clue what you are talking about. The newest Panasonic plasmas are rated at 100,000 hours before HALF the brightness is lost. Do the math, Einstein. Panel life is virtually identical for both LCD and plasma.

I suppose next you want to argue that Moster cables are better than all others or that Bose sound systems are the best you can buy? I just have to laugh at some of the ignorance around here..

[Geezer00003]

Please note the comments during the video review(at bottom of link) about black levels.



http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2321785,00.asp