LCD v PLasma

[Dutchy]

Dont know if this should be here, Entertainment or IT room...

ANyone got a LCD or PLasma recently? Did you do some research on whats best etc?

Looking at the new "Full HD" they only seem available in LCD not plasma...

anyway the more I lookinto it the more confused I get!!!, I reckon Ive changed my mind 10 times in the last month, Im leaning towards Plasma at the moment as we will have a very big room..

be interested in opinions...

[Psyber]

As you have no doubt discovered, there is a lot of bulldust going on that has to be dug through. It seems Plasma offers higher contrast, and some newer models claim faster refressh rates than LCDs, but the pixels are larger and the picture looks less clear close up. It also seems Plasmas need to be larger to get 1080 resolution. There have been horror stories of really expensive models of both dying almost as soon as the warranty is up.

So, at this stage, we have stuck to CRT TVs while we wait for OLED and multi-mirror technologies to mature, or something better to come along.

[Dutchy]

yeah its bloody hard, almost feel like getting a cheapy or even renting one for 2 years and see how it all plays out...

[zipzap]

So, at this stage, we have stuck to CRT TVs while we wait for OLED and multi-mirror technologies to mature, or something better to come along.

Love my widescreen CRT

LCD & Plasma are overrated and don't let anyone tell you differently

[mighty_tiger_79]

i believe that Plasma's dont have a long life

dont know about LCD's

[Dutchy]

Ummm...can somene tell me what CRT is?

[Wedgie]

Ummm...can somene tell me what CRT is?

Cathode Ray, old style tvs (its what I have).

I would never get a plasma unless it was ridiculously dirt cheap, if I had a small lounge room and I could afford it I'd get a LCD.
It depends what you want and what your pocket is.
Personally I hardly ever watch TV and have a very large lounge room so might just pick up a cheap rear projection for my next telly as that'd do the job but until then the kids are stuck with the old 68cm CRT.

PS I reckon its IT so I moved it but left a shadow in the General Discussion board do people would still see it.

[Booney]

I have a 10 year old Pioneer 143cm Rear projection in the Rumpus Room,(big room) and for mine they are fine.I think small Plasma look good in a close range (4-5 metres away) and LCD better up close (2-3 M).

If you have a large room,as Wedgie said,rear projection could be a good option,getting a bigger screen for similar cost to LCD,Plasma.

[smac]

Still running a CRT (86cm) in our lounge, however that is going to the recently completed family room and a new one if being purchased for the lounge. We are not looking for a huge screen, which rules out plasma. I like the form/style of an LCD screen, will fit the style of the lounge room well and I reckon we will end up with an LCD somewhere between 60cm and 90cm, depending on how far the budget will stretch.

[Dirko]

Just got a Plasma for a good price..LOVE IT ! Has a extended warranty so no need to worry about it blowing up !
Watch it from 3 - 4 mtrs away, and it's gold !! Digital is a treat.

[Dutchy]

Just got a Plasma for a good price..LOVE IT ! Has a extended warranty so no need to worry about it blowing up !
Watch it from 3 - 4 mtrs away, and it's gold !! Digital is a treat.

what size and make?

[Dirko]

Samsung..106 cm...
Built in Digital tuner.
Goes well. Comes standard with two year warranty, but I went the extra 3 years on top of that...

Suppposedly, the shelf life should be greater than a normal TV, but I was like yourself and unsure
of what to do etc etc..

I just cruised around a few websites that I googled and just read feedback etc etc.

IMO. Every TV has it's good and bad...as long as you are happy then that's all that matters !

[Lunchcutter]

Howdy,

Me and my dh have recently purchased a 106cm (i think) LCD Samsung Teev.

Joe did alot of reasearch and reckoned that the LCD came out in front... remember though Foxtel is not in HD so you are only going to get the FTA that transmit this way coming in, in full HD.

Good Luck with your purchase.

[JAS]

Not sure if this helps and I'll stand corrected but I have heard that plasma screens get incredibly hot...could probably be positioned out of reach but worth bearing in mind if you have kiddies around. Also if electricity consumption is something you consider I believe that LCD's use a fraction compared to other tv's.

Regards
JAS

[Wedgie]

Also bear in mind when you buy a plama or LCD that you may have to fork out quite a bit on top of the price for cables.
I know of some plasmas where you have to fork out over $400 more for appropriate cables!
If you live south of town I have a mate that works in Electrical at Harvey Norman Noarlunga who does mates rates, can usually knock off something from the top or give you something extra if I let him know you're coming, he'll also give you very good advice on what is best.
From memory I referred Rushby Hinds to him for an electrical purchase from him and he was pleased.

[Interceptor]

Also bear in mind when you buy a plama or LCD that you may have to fork out quite a bit on top of the price for cables.
I know of some plasmas where you have to fork out over $400 more for appropriate cables!
If you live south of town I have a mate that works in Electrical at Harvey Norman Noarlunga who does mates rates, can usually knock off something from the top or give you something extra if I let him know you're coming, he'll also give you very good advice on what is best.
From memory I referred Rushby Hinds to him for an electrical purchase from him and he was pleased.

Unless you are spanning an unusually long distance, you definitely don't need to spend anywhere near $400 on cables.

If you're talking about spending that much on cables at HN, then you're probably talking about the one of the biggest ripoff brands in AV history "Monster". HN sales droids, err staff will try and push this brand, telling you how much better they are, etc when the cheaper alternative will do just fine.

Just be sure that when you connect up a new TV, it's with a component or HDMI cables or you simply won't get the best picture out your new toy.

[Wedgie]

Also bear in mind when you buy a plama or LCD that you may have to fork out quite a bit on top of the price for cables.
I know of some plasmas where you have to fork out over $400 more for appropriate cables!
If you live south of town I have a mate that works in Electrical at Harvey Norman Noarlunga who does mates rates, can usually knock off something from the top or give you something extra if I let him know you're coming, he'll also give you very good advice on what is best.
From memory I referred Rushby Hinds to him for an electrical purchase from him and he was pleased.

Unless you are spanning an unusually long distance, you definitely don't need to spend anywhere near $400 on cables.

If you're talking about spending that much on cables at HN, then you're probably talking about the one of the biggest ripoff brands in AV history "Monster". HN sales droids, err staff will try and push this brand, telling you how much better they are, etc when the cheaper alternative will do just fine.

Just be sure that when you connect up a new TV, it's with a component or HDMI cables or you simply won't get the best picture out your new toy.

Apparantley its a cheaper brand that gets the suckers in until they realise the savings they made in the TV they've lost on cables.

[rod_rooster]

Well i've got myself a nice 42" (106cm) LCD. It is 1080i (full HD) and it is absolutely fantastic. As has been said earlier Foxtel don't broadcast in HD but the picture is still fine. Just shop around and don't pay the price that they advertise it at. I got $700 off the marked price of the one i bought. Just walk away when they give you their "best price" and they'll soon make a better offer.

[Interceptor]

Well i've got myself a nice 42" (106cm) LCD. It is 1080i (full HD) and it is absolutely fantastic. As has been said earlier Foxtel don't broadcast in HD but the picture is still fine. Just shop around and don't pay the price that they advertise it at. I got $700 off the marked price of the one i bought. Just walk away when they give you their "best price" and they'll soon make a better offer.

Actually, Foxtel's picture quality is mostly pretty lousy. The movie channels are supposed to be okay (I don't have them), but in general Foxtel's channels suffer from too much video compression and digital Free to Air (through a separate set top box) looks a whole lot better.
The bigger and better the TV, the more obvious it is.

To nitpick, full HD is 1080p, only available on the new hi-def Blu-Ray and HD-DVD formats.

Enjoy your new set

[Dutchy]

Thansk all, very helpful, Ive heard about the cables thing but it apparently makes a big difference...

Rod - I presume the LCD is good to watch footy with? Ive seen some older LCD's which sport isnt real flash on because of the refresh rate but Ive also heard that has improved on the newer sets...

Also yes the prices in the store are essentially for your "interest free" buyers with the "interest" already factored into the price, cash price should give significant discounts...Ive got another month or so, so will hold off as prices come down further

Also did some research on the foxtel signal and apparently its all converting to digital next year...good news