plasma vs LCD

[arashid]

I just wanted to share my thoughts on this.

I have a panasonic plasma and a Sony LCD TV.

I find watching SD on my LCD more enjoyable than plasma. I used to own Pioneer 436 XDE, and that was another league altogether, but honestly if I purchase another TV, I would be strongly inclined towards LCD.

I find plasma a bit dull, and has too many issues with image retention, reflections and power consumption

I think Panasonic might have saved the plasma due to 3D technology, but other than that, unless they can produce Kuro level plasma, I'm not sure it's a technology that customers are going to want to keep paying for.

Just my humble thoughts...

 

[davejberry]

I too have one of both, an old Panny 42 inch that doesn't do HD and a newer Sony 46 inch that does. The only 'real' positives I get from the Sony is that it's better to watch in a brightly lit room and it does HD. Don't misunderstand me, the Sony is a good telly but in my opinion it needed far more tweaking to get a natural looking picture than my Panny did. The SD from Sky looks much better on the panny (scart RGB) and the panny is also better because of the wider viewing angle and motion handling. The Sony looks milky when viewing off centre, is prone to backlight bleed and the picture judders on fast panning shots.

My next TV will definitely be a PLASMA

 

[strapped for cash]

Despite certain gripes I have with my Panasonic V20, one thing it does extremely well is minimise screen reflection, even compared with LCD TVs. High end Panasonic plasmas have addressed this issue very well in my opinion, using dark screen filters to combat glare. However, the trade off, I think, is that the display has to be driven harder to compensate, which is perhaps the cause of the buzz/whine/whistle I find distracting.

I'm noticing this a bit less now, however. I'm not sure if this is because the TV's bedding in, or because I'm losing the ability to hear the highest frequencies having subjected my eardrums to near a month's screen whistle!

 

[Cliff1]

Strapped for cash

Do you get this buzz/whine from the TV speakers or from connected surround system speakers.

 

[strapped for cash]

Hi Cliff1.

Neither I'm afraid, the whine comes from the top left hand side of the television, as I face it, not from the speakers.

It seems to have improved a bit in the last week. There are periods when it's not noticeable, whereas the whine was constant during the first two weeks' use. It's still there, however, albeit causing varying levels of discomfort and annoyance.

 

[Alec]

I wasn't aware of any any anti reflection measures inteh V20 (though I strongly suspect you know the latest TVs better than I, Strapped), and find my V2o very reflective compared to my old PX80. Maybe that's because the PX80 has an anti reflection layer and because of its smaller size...

 

[Frank Harvey]

I've seen various Toshiba laptops ver the years and after being used to normal, matt screens, the first thing I noticed on he reflective screens was how much sharper they looked and how much better the black level was. It seems to be the same for TV's. I think that the non reflective screen is about the only good thing I can say about LCD TV's.

I find LCD's to look artificial,and to be very grainy/distorted with fast motion, and have narrow viewing angles (this varies on different LCD's, but not an issue with plasma). They're too colourful as well, an if you try and tone it down, you're left with an odd coloured picture. I find skin tones more accurate on plasma too.

I bought a cheapish 42" 720p Panny plasma as I don't really watch a lot of TV, and I can honestly say I'd rather have this than any 1080p LCD I've ever seen.

 

[bigboss]

I've seen various Toshiba laptops ver the years and after being used to normal, matt screens, the first thing I noticed on he reflective screens was how much sharper they looked and how much better the black level was. It seems to be the same for TV's. I think that the non reflective screen is about the only good thing I can say about LCD TV's.

I find LCD's to look artificial,and to be very grainy/distorted with fast motion, and have narrow viewing angles (this varies on different LCD's, but not an issue with plasma). They're too colourful as well, an if you try and tone it down, you're left with an odd coloured picture. I find skin tones more accurate on plasma too.

I bought a cheapish 42" 720p Panny plasma as I don't really watch a lot of TV, and I can honestly say I'd rather have this than any 1080p LCD I've ever seen.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Alantiggger]

........ same as bigboss.

 

[strapped for cash]

I wasn't aware of any any anti reflection measures inteh V20 (though I strongly suspect you know the latest TVs better than I, Strapped), and find my V2o very reflective compared to my old PX80. Maybe that's because the PX80 has an anti reflection layer and because of its smaller size...

Hi Al.

I'd post a link to show the different screen filters used on Panasonic plasmas post 2010, but I could only link to another forum, which I think would breach house rules. I can't post a picture on this thread either, as I'd contravene copyright law.

As far as I know, the very dark screen filter used on Panasonic V models since 2010 is designed to combat glare, but also helps deliver deeper blacks. I think it works very well. I'm watching Monty Don's Italian Gardens on BBC HD right now, with the main living room light on, and I can't see any screen reflection at all. It looks stunning, as well.

Watching both LED TVs my parents have owned in recent weeks, I had to dim the lighting considerably before I could eliminate screen glare, while the bezels on each reflected light in a distracting way. I think manufacturers should avoid gloss finish bezels at all costs.

How are you getting on with your V20 now? I know you weren't too happy at first. Mine hasn't whined noticeably at all tonight, so maybe my main niggle with the TV is becoming less of an issue. I don't want to count my chickens, though...

 

[Alec]

Hello Mr Cash.

Yes generally I'm liking it, and have had none of the noise issues you have.

I still get the motion/colour effect I mentioned but I wonder if that may be normal on most plasmas. I've only had teh PX80 before this and so could have been a bit spoiled, I dunno.