Plasma? LCD? Projection? Bwa!

Sir Goulum · 06-11-2005, 09:47 PM

So, I've decided with this new job of mine I'm gonna buy a tv for myself. I want one of those thin ones, as my room doesn't have much space, but I don't know what is better. Plasma and LCD look practically the same to me, but the LCD ones seem to be more expensive. Is it a better quality picture or something? Also, what are projection tvs? Is there a difference between normal projection and rear projection? Finally, is it reasonable to get any one of these types, about a 30" for $1500-$2000 Canadian? (probably 1200-1700 American I'd guess)

Seraph · 06-11-2005, 09:56 PM

While I don't know much about their respective qualities, a Plasma TV is going to eat up a huge amount of power compared to a LCD TV, and from what I have heard plasma TVs generally have a shorter life. On the other hand LCD displays are likely going to have dead pixles and a smaller viewing angle.

If you go looking at more TVs one of the things to go look at is the quality of black that the different TVs can display. Most non-CRT based televisions have a very hard time diplaying a good black.

[ 06-11-2005, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: Seraph ]

shamrock_uk · 06-11-2005, 10:03 PM

I've certainly noticed that with my LCD monitor, perhaps plasma screens give a better black?

Sir Goulum · 06-11-2005, 10:10 PM

Hmm... what, might I ask, are dead pixels? Just where nothing shows up in a spot?
The viewing angle shouldn't be that big of a worry, I'll generally be straight across from it. Non-CRT based? What's that?
(As you can tell, I'm very basic with all this stuff

)

Seraph · 06-11-2005, 10:44 PM

Dead pixles are pixles that don't behave normally. That generally (but not always) means that they are stuck on some color, or fail to display some color.

Firestormalpha · 06-11-2005, 10:47 PM

CRT = Cathode Ray Tube,
Just about any TV that isn't flat is a CRT. Same with Computer monitors. One thing I've noticed is that once you go more than 15" on a CRT Monitor the thing gets huge.

Sir Goulum · 06-11-2005, 11:01 PM

Are dead pixels really all that noticeable? Or only if you really look for them?
CRT, hmm... probably wouldn't be usable for the kind of tv I want. I'm sure I'll survive with black that isn't completely black though.

Larry_OHF · 06-12-2005, 12:21 AM

The recent studies I have done on my own have produced a little information about this topic.

Plasma is a bit clearer and sharper in image because of that black feature.

LCD is a bit less expensive.

You do not need HD Ready unless you have HD TV, or HD Cable or whatever...unless your DVD player has True Digital hookup. True digital will make DVD player to your HD TV be better than it is through the analog cables people are currently using.

Plasma TVs have to be completely replaced if they go out.

LCD TVs...I think are cheaper on repair.

Those dead pixels may not be a problem if there are only a few scattered...but if there is a concentrated cluster of them,,,then you'll be forever pissed off. My unique suggestion is this. Since it is such an expensive purchase, I will ask the store employee to open the box of the one I am buying and let me personally inspect that screen during play to see for myself that it has no flaws.

This is what I am talking about...HDMI and DVI cables.

http://www.hdmi.org/consumer/faq.asp

http://www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_info.html

I think the HDMIs are better, if I remember right. Some Video cards are now coming out with this hookup to go to the monitors for better kick-ass graphics. One problem is that none of the DVD players I saw in store that day at Circuit City had the connection in the back. I suppose you'll have to shop for the right player.

Davros · 06-12-2005, 05:36 AM

I bought about 6 months ago - and I went for a good quality HD plasma (yamaha) - it was the picture quality that blew me away the most.

Plasma lives have improved a great deal these days, and even when you look at the older generation I know of many sets now 10-15 years that are still looking good.

I was interested in Larry's comment that LCD was cheaper than plasma - no way is that the case over here in OZ. I could get a 42 inch plasma HD from anywhere from 4000 - 8000 (,ome set me back 7G), but the 37 inch LCD's started at 8000. If I wanted a 42 inch LCD it was going to cost 12-15G - too much for this cupcake.

wellard · 06-12-2005, 08:34 AM

Stuff both of them, there is nothing but crap on tv anyhow

Invest your money on sex drugs and rock/ roll instead [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] (and by a cheap CRT for those hungover mornings in bed) [img]tongue.gif[/img]

06-11-2005, 10:47 PM	#6
Firestormalpha Knight of the Rose Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Coral Springs, Fl USA Age: 41 Posts: 4,454	CRT = Cathode Ray Tube, Just about any TV that isn't flat is a CRT. Same with Computer monitors. One thing I've noticed is that once you go more than 15" on a CRT Monitor the thing gets huge. __________________ "When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com

06-12-2005, 12:21 AM	#8
Larry_OHF Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Midlands, South Carolina Age: 49 Posts: 14,759	The recent studies I have done on my own have produced a little information about this topic. Plasma is a bit clearer and sharper in image because of that black feature. LCD is a bit less expensive. You do not need HD Ready unless you have HD TV, or HD Cable or whatever...unless your DVD player has True Digital hookup. True digital will make DVD player to your HD TV be better than it is through the analog cables people are currently using. Plasma TVs have to be completely replaced if they go out. LCD TVs...I think are cheaper on repair. Those dead pixels may not be a problem if there are only a few scattered...but if there is a concentrated cluster of them,,,then you'll be forever pissed off. My unique suggestion is this. Since it is such an expensive purchase, I will ask the store employee to open the box of the one I am buying and let me personally inspect that screen during play to see for myself that it has no flaws. This is what I am talking about...HDMI and DVI cables. http://www.hdmi.org/consumer/faq.asp http://www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_info.html I think the HDMIs are better, if I remember right. Some Video cards are now coming out with this hookup to go to the monitors for better kick-ass graphics. One problem is that none of the DVD players I saw in store that day at Circuit City had the connection in the back. I suppose you'll have to shop for the right player. __________________

06-12-2005, 05:36 AM	#9
Davros Takhisis Follower Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Mandurah, West Australia Age: 61 Posts: 5,073	I bought about 6 months ago - and I went for a good quality HD plasma (yamaha) - it was the picture quality that blew me away the most. Plasma lives have improved a great deal these days, and even when you look at the older generation I know of many sets now 10-15 years that are still looking good. I was interested in Larry's comment that LCD was cheaper than plasma - no way is that the case over here in OZ. I could get a 42 inch plasma HD from anywhere from 4000 - 8000 (,ome set me back 7G), but the 37 inch LCD's started at 8000. If I wanted a 42 inch LCD it was going to cost 12-15G - too much for this cupcake. __________________ Davros was right - just ask JD

06-12-2005, 08:34 AM	#10
wellard Dracolisk Join Date: November 1, 2002 Location: Australia ..... G\'day! Posts: 6,123	Stuff both of them, there is nothing but crap on tv anyhow Invest your money on sex drugs and rock/ roll instead [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] (and by a cheap CRT for those hungover mornings in bed) [img]tongue.gif[/img] __________________ fossils - natures way of laughing at creationists for over 3 billion years

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06-11-2005, 09:47 PM	#1
Sir Goulum John Locke Join Date: February 7, 2002 Location: Edmonton, Canada Age: 36 Posts: 8,985	So, I've decided with this new job of mine I'm gonna buy a tv for myself. I want one of those thin ones, as my room doesn't have much space, but I don't know what is better. Plasma and LCD look practically the same to me, but the LCD ones seem to be more expensive. Is it a better quality picture or something? Also, what are projection tvs? Is there a difference between normal projection and rear projection? Finally, is it reasonable to get any one of these types, about a 30" for $1500-$2000 Canadian? (probably 1200-1700 American I'd guess)

06-11-2005, 09:56 PM	#2
Seraph Quintesson Join Date: September 12, 2001 Location: Ewing, NJ Age: 43 Posts: 1,079	While I don't know much about their respective qualities, a Plasma TV is going to eat up a huge amount of power compared to a LCD TV, and from what I have heard plasma TVs generally have a shorter life. On the other hand LCD displays are likely going to have dead pixles and a smaller viewing angle. If you go looking at more TVs one of the things to go look at is the quality of black that the different TVs can display. Most non-CRT based televisions have a very hard time diplaying a good black. [ 06-11-2005, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: Seraph ]

06-11-2005, 10:03 PM	#3
shamrock_uk Dracolich Join Date: January 24, 2004 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 3,092	I've certainly noticed that with my LCD monitor, perhaps plasma screens give a better black?

06-11-2005, 10:10 PM	#4
Sir Goulum John Locke Join Date: February 7, 2002 Location: Edmonton, Canada Age: 36 Posts: 8,985	Hmm... what, might I ask, are dead pixels? Just where nothing shows up in a spot? The viewing angle shouldn't be that big of a worry, I'll generally be straight across from it. Non-CRT based? What's that? (As you can tell, I'm very basic with all this stuff )

06-11-2005, 10:44 PM	#5
Seraph Quintesson Join Date: September 12, 2001 Location: Ewing, NJ Age: 43 Posts: 1,079	Dead pixles are pixles that don't behave normally. That generally (but not always) means that they are stuck on some color, or fail to display some color.

06-11-2005, 11:01 PM	#7
Sir Goulum John Locke Join Date: February 7, 2002 Location: Edmonton, Canada Age: 36 Posts: 8,985	Are dead pixels really all that noticeable? Or only if you really look for them? CRT, hmm... probably wouldn't be usable for the kind of tv I want. I'm sure I'll survive with black that isn't completely black though.

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