Need Advice - PLEASE!

[mrteachr]

Yes, I’m a newbie, and desperately need some advice from the experts here. I really like the Pioneer plasmas, however, I know little about these beautiful TVs. At the moment, I’m debating between the PRO-1150HD and the PDP-5080HD. Other than price, could any of you guys/ladies give me some input on which plasma to buy? Thanks in advance.

[sweatermeatluv]

Go LCD!

[TK421]

Originally Posted by mrteachr

Yes, I’m a newbie, and desperately need some advice from the experts here. I really like the Pioneer plasmas, however, I know little about these beautiful TVs. At the moment, I’m debating between the PRO-1150HD and the PDP-5080HD. Other than price, could any of you guys/ladies give me some input on which plasma to buy? Thanks in advance.

I have been collecting DVD's since late 1997 and I would tell you from my experience that you should really look at LCD. I to did not think about the price as I wanted quality. PLASMA screens have a very short shelf life and you have the burn-in thing to worry about.

This is just my opinion, hope its helps.

[sweatermeatluv]

I love the 52XBR5. The Best I've SEEN!

[sweatermeatluv]

Originally Posted by sweatermeatluv

I love the 52XBR5. The Best I've SEEN!

OR any size in the XBR 3 to 5 series!

[syncguy]

Some people feel that plasmas gives smooth film like image and LCDs are more suitable for games. However, I think LCds are catching up. Traditionally, main issues of LCDs are longer response time, narrower field of view and lower contrast. But newer LCDs have lower response times (8ms and even 5 ms). LCD fov is getting better and catching up with plasmas. Contrast of LCDs also getting better but not sure whether it has caught up with plasmas.

In the other hand plasmas traditionally prone to burn-in and have lower life span in comparison to LCDs. Plasmas also improving in these regards. Plasmas have glass like finish and some situations could be problematic for the day time viewing due to reflections.

Plasmas are generally heavier and generate more heat which could create other heat related issues and contribute to shorter life span.

I may choose plasma instead of LCD but there are lot of people that would do the opposite. Really you should check this yourself and decide which technology is better for you in relation to the picture quality.

[cktb2793]

The Pioneer Plasmas are INCREDIBLE TV's

[Blu Jacket]

Originally Posted by sweatermeatluv

OR any size in the XBR 3 to 5 series!

Indeed!

[cnowels]

Originally Posted by TK421

I have been collecting DVD's since late 1997 and I would tell you from my experience that you should really look at LCD. I to did not think about the price as I wanted quality. PLASMA screens have a very short shelf life and you have the burn-in thing to worry about.

This is just my opinion, hope its helps.

The reason plasma's have a short shelf life is because people buy them - therefore, they don't end up sitting on the retail shelf very long.

Plasma vs LCD (and to a lesser degree DLP) is a very polarized battle. You can find debate after debate on this forum regarding their comparison. I think it pretty much comes down to personal preference. I am a plasma man myself. I had a 42" Panasonic plasma for the last 7 years and NEVER had a single pixel burn-in. The only people who seem to be concerned about burn-in are LCD enthusiasts and people that play their Playstations, X-Boxs, Wii, etc on them.

As for longevity, like I said, I had mine for 7 years without a problem (and my parents still use it). I recently replaced it with a new Panasonic plasma. I do agree, I really like the looks of the new Sony XBR series of LCDs. Like the previous poster mentioned, LCD has done an incredible job of catching up over the last few years. But I'm not going to plunk down more money for a catch-up technology.

I think quality-wise, Plasma and LCD are pretty much neck-and-neck. So if LCD can someday come down in price, I will be willing to switch. But for now, if your eye likes the plasmas, you've made a good choice.

[blueforte]

IMO Sony makes the best TVs, and they make only LCD's. If the TV is gonna be in the well lighted area LCD is better. I will tell you go with LCD.

[stonemountain]

I got a Panasonic 58 PZ700u when it first came out for the basement in 8/07and have been extremely happy. No burn in problems or dropped pixels. I understand the burn-in issue has been less and less of a problem in the past years. I did keep the brightness down for 6 months before turning it up.

The PQ is great. When all the lights are on, you do see the glare, but I don't notice it unless I am sitting at an angle. Unfortunately 58 inch LCD's are not financially realistic at this time. We even thought about the 65 inch Panasonic, but it was $10,000 and an older model at that so it was not HDMI 1.3 compatible.

The Pioneer has even better PQ's in the reviews, but the price was another $2000 more at that time. You should just look at the pictures in the stores and decide based on that. When 65 inch LCD's become affordable, or front projector bulbs become cheaper in 10 years, I will probably change over at that time.

[sweatermeatluv]

LCD or PLASMA will look better in your home then on display!

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by TK421

PLASMA screens have a very short shelf life and you have the burn-in thing to worry about.

If you call 100,000 hours to half life a "short shelf life", sure.

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...82007093804965

Plasmas have a 60,000-100,000 hour rating, just like (or better than) LCD's 60,000 hours.

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

If you call 100,000 hours to half life a "short shelf life", sure.

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs...82007093804965

Plasmas have a 60,000-100,000 hour rating, just like (or better than) LCD's 60,000 hours.

Interesting. Shorter life span was a major problem with Plasmas some years ago. Looks like they have fixed this problem. Great.

[ixlegitballinxl]

fan of lcd, but those pioneer elite plasmas are rated the best picture atm due to their black's...not a fan of the 120hz effect on the xbr's or samsungs