Plasma or LCD - Please help

[admin_exported]

I am looking to get a new tele. I really dont know what to go for. I am looking at either 40" or 42", although apparently size isnt everything!!

Which is better LCD or Plasma. I know that is a really difficult question, but I really dont know which one to go for. Then, once chosen whether LCD or Plasma, which brand and model. My budget is up to £1,500.

I would really appreciate some help, I just dont want to make a mistake.

Chris

 

[John Duncan]

Plasma. Panasonic or Pioneer. John Lewis.

 

[Anonymous]

Is it that easy. Why plasma and not LCD.

Chris

 

[professorhat]

As general advice, it is that easy on the whole as most people in these forums prefer plasma and Pioneer / Panasonic generally make the best in the sizes you've said. Plasma is, on the whole, better for motion handling and generally gives pictures with more natural colours.
As specific advice for you, who knows? You might prefer LCD or an LCD set which has a feature you prefer. Have a look at a few in proper demo rooms (i.e. read here not brightly lit shop room floors like in Currys / Comet) and see which you prefer.

 

[Anonymous]

I had always gone for LCD, maybe at last I am being educated.

I dont know why, but I always just used to shy away from Plasma. What are the pros and cons of each.

Chris

 

[professorhat]

Well, as said, plasmas are generally better for motion handling and also natural colours. They also tend to provide deeper blacks, have wider viewing angles and are also generally cheaper than LCDs of the same size.
LCDs on the other hand use less energy, have brighter, more vibrant colours (but colours that are thus generally less "natural") and also tend not to suffer as much flicker (though this shouldn't be a problem with a high quality plasma).
Now of course, these are generalised statements and there are exceptions to the rule on both sides of the camp. However, this is the reason why most people on these forums tend to err on the side of plasma at larger sizes as motion handling and natural colours are a must for good home cinema.

 

[John Duncan]

I haven't seen an LCD telly that didn't look pale and milky next to a plasma - the best I've seen are the 37" and 42" panasonics, and a truly stunning 50" pioneer.

And John Lewis can't be beaten on choice, service and (usually) price, to my mind.

 

[Anonymous]

Dont tell me, 40-42" is border line whether to be classed as large.

Doea it make a difference that the tele would be in a corner, with one of those walls having a window in it.

Chris

 

[Anonymous]

Do you know, I think I will go and buy a plasma!!!!

Chris

 

[John Duncan]

Our work here is done.......

JD (Regional Manager, Panasonic Plasma Sales)

 

[professorhat]

I think some of the new Panasonic ranges have an anti-glare coat to minimise any issues of reflection. I know there's some other guys out on there on the forum who have them so I'll pass over to them now!

 

[Anonymous]

I better get out there and start getting some demos.

Hey, JD, Any chance of a discount on Panasonic plasmas considering you hold such an excutive position at the corp. haha.

 

[timwileman]

my pana 37in plasma is the 80 series so new. its directly opposite my window and i dont have a problem unless its bright morning as the sun is on the window then, for movies i tend to close curtains anyway as movies usuall better in dark room, go for plasma mate so much cooler to say...........star trek never had LCD cannons did they!

 

[timwileman]

Christoff:I better get out there and start getting some demos.

Hey, JD, Any chance of a discount on Panasonic plasmas considering you hold such an excutive position at the corp. haha. nope but he does a cracking line in hob nobs

 

[John Duncan]

Christoff:I better get out there and start getting some demos.

Hey, JD, Any chance of a discount on Panasonic plasmas considering you hold such an excutive position at the corp. haha.

No, but I can get you free ITV broadcasts...........

 

[timwileman]

JohnDuncan:Christoff:I better get out there and start getting some demos.

Hey, JD, Any chance of a discount on Panasonic plasmas considering you hold such an excutive position at the corp. haha.

No, but I can get you free ITV broadcasts...........

ohhh a way to circumvent the requirememt for a TV licence cool

 

[Anonymous]

Christoff:I am looking to get a new tele. I really dont know what to go for. I am looking at either 40" or 42", although apparently size isnt everything!! Which is better LCD or Plasma. I know that is a really difficult question, but I really dont know which one to go for. Then, once chosen whether LCD or Plasma, which brand and model. My budget is up to £1,500. I would really appreciate some help, I just dont want to make a mistake. Chris

I would strongly advise you to go and look at a number of sets before you buy. What ever advice we can give, it is what YOU prefer that counts. We can talk about specifications, but if you cant tell the difference when you watch the TV, what is the point in paying extra.

As for Plasma or LCD, what are you going to be watching? Fast moving action like sport? And what source will you be watching SD or HD?

If you want a general purpose TV that can handle fast action from both SD and HD I would go Plasma. Remember, when you watch in a shop, they are probably running HD demonstration. Ask then to put the set on to SD, and try an get to watch some fast moving action as well.

 

[Anonymous]

Christoff:I am looking to get a new tele. I really dont know what to go for. I am looking at either 40" or 42", although apparently size isnt everything!! Which is better LCD or Plasma. I know that is a really difficult question, but I really dont know which one to go for. Then, once chosen whether LCD or Plasma, which brand and model. My budget is up to £1,500. I would really appreciate some help, I just dont want to make a mistake. Chris

I would strongly advise you to go and look at a number of sets before you buy. What ever advice we can give, it is what YOU prefer that counts. We can talk about specifications, but if you cant tell the difference when you watch the TV, what is the point in paying extra.

As for Plasma or LCD, what are you going to be watching? Fast moving action like sport? And what source will you be watching SD or HD?

If you want a general purpose TV that can handle fast action from both SD and HD I would go Plasma. Remember, when you watch in a shop, they are probably running HD demonstration. Ask then to put the set on to SD, and try an get to watch some fast moving action as well.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I intend to look at a few, I just wanted a starting point or a nudge in the right direction. It is a general purpose TV that I want, and for the time being will be watching Sky SD, but who knows what I will be watching in say 2 years time.

Thanks everyone who has replied, you have really helped.

Better go and gets some demos!!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

My 2 cents (a lot of people have already made a lot of good points of which i concur with).

The key is figuring out what you are most likely to watch. Chances are that even today, most of what you will be watching is in SD TV. So the key is to figure out how the TV picture looks like watching ordinary TV or what you are most likely going to watch. Unless you are buying a proper 3rd party scaler or receiver, its the TV that will do most of the scaling on ordinary TV. Investing in a good upscaling DVD player is a must unless your receiver can do a better job.

LCD has its benefits - they are typically brighter and require less maintenance and care (i.e you don't have to be careful about leaving static images on your screen). Plasma picture quality I think is superior for movies, and sports and probably TV as well. If you are going to be using the TV mostly for playing games, hooking up a PC or watching CNN then an LCD is probably a better choice.

In general Plasma has better contrast, deeper blacks and more natural colours. However, like anything there are LCDs and there are LCDs just as there are lousy plasmas and good plasmas. Its good to read the reviews on this website and from other websites and using this information as a helpful guide at narrowing down your options and also thinking about what to look for. For example, one LCD review noted how one particular LCD TV had innacurate green colours - and when I looked at it at the store after reading this I noticed it (probably wouldn't if I wasn't looking for it - but something you could notice after you purchased it). It is difficult to look at a TV at a store and make a conclusion. Its best to use the reviews and then see the TV for yourself before making a purchase.

It seems that when it comes to LCDs the best brands are Samsung, Sony and Panasonic (recently) - Sharp strangely enough just cannot seem to come up with a real winner despite their heavy involvement in the technology and their dominance in their home market. When it comes to plasma the top of the crop is Pioneer followed by Panasonic. If you stick to these brands, the chances of you making a bad purchase are probably minimized.

Hope this was helpful.