Would like input on the best kind, meaning Plasma or ? I have heard there are different kinds and want one that may function better, better picture, etc. and have fewer problems. After that if you have input on what manufacturer makes the best one, Sony or ? Thanks.
Anonymous
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This week at Best Buy, I saw a 51" Samsung hdtv 720p plasma for $499.
Jerm
For whatever reason, the people who post on these boards seem to really be anti-plasma - it's a shame really, as many of the issues they cite for not buying one are but a thing of the past.
As for your answer, I'll just repost a previous answer I had to someone else's question, with a few tweaks of course:
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Burn-in has been pretty well fixed in the past couple years with the introduction of pixel orbiting. You'll still get some image retention after extended viewing (also known as ghosting), but it is always temporary and generally disappears after 15 - 20 minutes of watching something different. Oh, and the "ghosting" is typically only visible on bright white screens, so more often than not you won't even notice it unless you're actively looking for it.
About colors - due to the technology present in plasmas, they are able to provide much deeper black levels than comparable LCD and LED televisions. This in turn not only makes the blacks themselves richer, but makes all of the other colors on screen appear richer due to the higher contrast between the blacks and other colors. The only disadvantage is that LCD and LED sets provide brighter whites, but I find the deeper blacks have a much greater effect on overall picture than the whites.
Other advantages to buying a plasma include:
- The standard 600 Hz refresh rate each provides, meaning there will be less motion blur than comparable LCD and LED sets that are only capable of 60, 120, or 240 Hz.
- Command lag is less prevalent in plasmas than it is in LCD and LED sets, meaning less frustration with video games not doing what you want when you want. This issue is especially important in rhythm games such as Rock Band or Guitar Hero.
- Guaranteed 178 degree viewing angle, meaning the picture will NEVER look faded no matter where you sit - some LCDs and LEDs (though not all) still have this issue.
- More economical due to necessity of competitive pricing - many people are still afraid to buy plasma because of all the issues that used to plague them until just recently.
My personal recommendation would be a Panasonic set - the current leader when it comes to quality of plasma televisions - and the one you should get depends on what features you're looking for it to include.
TCP--X3 - a vanilla 720p set, at a great price.
TCP--S30 - a slightly higher price, but is capable of 1080p resolution in addition to the internet features it provides.
TCP--ST30 - yet again a bit more costly, but is also capable of 3D in addition to coming with a wireless adapter for internet use - the S30 requires a separate purchase of one for around $80.
TCP--GT30 - once again a bit more expensive, but has a greater contrast ratio, additional HDMI, USB and other such ports, and is THX certified, in addition to all of the previously listed features.
For size, simply replace the dashes (ex. TCP42X3 - available sizes include 42, 46, 50, 55, 60, 65). After that, just look them up on a review site such as CNET for more information.
Hope it helps!
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Don't get me wrong, LEDs certainly aren't a bad product - I'd kill for Samsung's UN60D8000. But considering the MSRP on it is over $4000 and you could get a TCP60GT30 instead for a little over half that price, it simply isn't worth it unless you simply MUST have the built-in web browser and saving around $10 a month on power ($120 a year - it would take over 20 years of moderate use to even APPROACH the UN60D8000's price). Not to mention I honestly believe the picture quality on plasma sets has a slight edge on LEDs
Ken
First decide on the type of flat screen TV you want: Plasma, LCD, or LED-LCD...
Plasma's strengths are price (at the high end, at least; low-end: LCD wins on price), contrast ratio, viewing angle, and refresh rate.
LCD's strengths are price, at the low-end especially compared with plasma, and at the mid-to-big screen sizes compared with LED-LCD.
LCD and LED-LCD's strengths relative to plasma are picture brightness, energy consumption, weight, lack of picture burn-in, and lifespan.
LED-LCD's strengths relative to LCD: LED-LCD's consume less power, run cooler, are a little lighter, and provide better contrast, especially if local dimming is used.
Given that, if you're still not sure, I'd recommend buying LED-LCD for your main TV if it fits the budget; LCD for secondary TVs such as for the kids or secondary rooms, and I'd skip Plasma. Plasma still has its advocates and advantages as mentioned above, but it's gotten black-eyes in the reliability and burn-in areas and is only selling about 1/10th as well as LED-LCD and LCDs currently.
M4z0ra
Alright well opinions do come in place, which is fine as long as they revolve around these brands... Samsung, LG and Sony < In order of 'good' tvs. I reccomend you get a 1080p HD LCD or LCD LED TV. They are GREAT in quality, get a few 2 dollar HDMI cords to, to connect your Box, or consoles,
Anonymous
Sony or Panasonic