Plasma Subfield Explanation?

[Pelican170]

Hey Guys,

Me and a buddy were arguing about Plasma's vs. LCD's and how the when they refer to plasmas as 600 hz, that that is only a subfield and is different to LCD's 120/240 hz. Can anyone explain to me how the subfield is different to lcd's, if this is indeed the case? Thanks..

[kpkelley]

LCDs two years ago started to market the refresh rate of their televisions heavily. Plasmas don't work the same way as LCDs do, but the marketing was so successful they decided to market their subfield refresh rate to counter the refresh rate marketing of LCDs.

It's essentially marketing mumbo-jumbo.

Generally speaking, Plasmas will have greater motion resolution than LCDs of similar price levels and sizes. LCDs attempt to make up for this with motion interpolation techniques and some are fairly successful with non-film related material, i.e. sports.

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by Pelican170

Hey Guys,

Me and a buddy were arguing about Plasma's vs. LCD's and how the when they refer to plasmas as 600 hz, that that is only a subfield and is different to LCD's 120/240 hz. Can anyone explain to me how the subfield is different to lcd's, if this is indeed the case? Thanks..

The typical frame rate used in North America is 60 frames per second (60Hz) meaning that a TV would display 60 individual images every second. Sub-field drive is the method used to flash the individual image elements (dots) on a plasma panel. For each frame displayed on the TV the Sub-field drive flashes the dots 10 times or more, meaning that the dots are flashing 600 times per second (600Hz) or more. (Example: 60 frames per second x 10 sub-fields = 600 flashes per second).

thats what i could find on it.....in all honesty i think it is a numbers gimmick that the plasma industry came up with to compete with the hype surrounding 120hz lcd

[Pelican170]

Thanks guys. Im glad you guys both said that you feel its a marketing gimmick to compete with LCD because that was my argument as well. Also, i own a Plasma and love it, thanks again.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by Pelican170

a marketing gimmick to compete with LCD

Worth mentioning, though, that 120Hz does nothing special either until you insert artificial frames.

[acleftguard76]

it is ALSO worth mentioning that if and LCD panel doesn't move its pixels fast enough, the enhanced refresh time looks like dog meat. just for reference...120hz, according to my math anyways, needs pixel response at 8ms or faster while 240hz needs 2ms or faster. plasmas are still faster, yet, with estimated pixel response at .001ms. Even if someone is off a whole decimal place, it's still way faster and the fact is that LCD's compete with plasma...not the other way around.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by acleftguard76

...the fact is that LCD's compete with plasma...not the other way around.

Well put.

[HeManster03]

Originally Posted by brett_day

The typical frame rate used in North America is 60 frames per second (60Hz) meaning that a TV would display 60 individual images every second. Sub-field drive is the method used to flash the individual image elements (dots) on a plasma panel. For each frame displayed on the TV the Sub-field drive flashes the dots 10 times or more, meaning that the dots are flashing 600 times per second (600Hz) or more. (Example: 60 frames per second x 10 sub-fields = 600 flashes per second).

thats what i could find on it.....in all honesty i think it is a numbers gimmick that the plasma industry came up with to compete with the hype surrounding 120hz lcd

Best explaination of this I have ever heard. Way to go Brett!