that is the question... looking at getting a new tv, cant put up with my old one anymore! but which is better? i.e picure quality, longevity and so on?
lcd lasts longer
http://ws4.richersounds.com/productlist.php?cda=productlist&sgroup=PLASMA-1&sort=price
defo LCD. I know loads of people who,s plasma tv,s have failed after very short periods of time.Would be ok if you can get 5yr warranty with new for
old cover.A new telly every year sounds good to me
LCD is clearer than plasma.
But think about a digital conventional type, I just bought a 32" Sanyo excellent to get a decent sized LCD type would cost just too much
especial as HDTV is coming in the not to distant future and HD ready LCD are mega expensive. In about 2 years I suspect really big LCD screens will be
about 1/3 the price they are now.
LCD for smaller screens, when you get to about 36-40" then they are both the same, any bigger go for plasma. This info was given to me by a few
specialists.
I was also told that plasma screens no longer need re gassing or servacing.
cheers guys, just reading up at the mo, seems plasma offer a more 'earthy'(?) tone, whereas lcd is more bright? i really wanted to avoid crt tv's this time, just to gain a bit of space! LCD looks like a winner then...
Lcd has'nt reached a decent level yet IMHO - You can get a better resolution than plasma, but there are still issues with fast moving images
(motor racing/football etc), contrast etc.
For everything you need to know about plasma/lcd/av get over to the AVFORUMS
The bible of AV info/topics 
I've been following the AVForums for a while, as I would also like to move up to a decent sized TV, and the only way SWMBO will allow it, is if
it hangs on the wall.
What I've gleaned so far:
A) Plasma technology has pretty much plateaued, while LCD is still improving.
B) Colour rendition on LCDs is not as good as Plasma, which itself is not as good as the best CRTs. This is supposedly going to improve with the
adoption of (coloured) LED backlighting for LCDs, but isn't available on any TVs yet (just high end professional LCD monitors).
C) You tend to get what you pay for.
D) You should audition all the systems you are considering, as many of the "problems" people report with motion blurring are very personal,
and vary from panel to panel. Also, some people are very aware of it, others hardly notice.
E) LCD is excellent up to about 32", beyond that Plasma starts to take over, and has a much bigger price advantage too.
F) Plasmas do wear out, but generally the time taken is long enough that you'll probably have replaced it first. Equally, the backlights can and
do fail on LCDs, and on many units are not replaceable.
Hope that helps ...
Cheers
Richard
I use alot of 42 inch plasma screens as computer displays for viewing from a distance- large screens for production quality control that can be viewed
from say 20 feet away while working- I found the screens burned in very quickly just as old monitors used to burn in quite quickly.
These screens echo the display on the walk up stations and the lcd displays on the walkups have not burned at all.
Dale
I just bought a 32" LCD would recomend it 
thanks people, after having a good read i think im leaning towards a plasma, i want a big one (ohh err..) and lcd's are more expensive this way, BUT, like the man says, im gonna have a good luck at a few (both lcd and plasma) before i part with any hardearned.
I ordered my new HDTV this very night. Video 7 32" LCD for £699. Its cheap but damn good in both spec and reviews. There is a whole 17pg thread on it in the AVForums. It will be hooked up to my HTPC (Home Theatre TV) for playing back my DivX and DVDs
remember, HDTV will be coming soon.
Im told by a mate in the know that TV described as 'HDTV ready' are not actually HDTV in display, they can just cope with the signal.
atb
steve
ps - dont plasma tvs have a limited (3-5000 hr life?) - if your tv is left on passively for 6-8 hrs a day, that will get eaten up
[Edited on 22/11/05 by steve_gus]
the key 'words' to look out for when buying a HDTV are 720p and 1080i. if it has those your're sorted. Luckily I am in the know
.....exactly!!!!
Whatever you buy, make sure it is HDTV compatible.
My 2pc, up to 32" LCD or CRT.
Over this then Plasma all the way.
I might as well point out we have these beauties to look forward to
in a few years or indeed now if you have $49 000 to spend!
mmmmmm water cooled TVs!
I had this same dilemma about a year ago. I went plasma, 42" Panasonic DW6. I am still happy I made the right choice. Stunning picture. It has to
come down to size vs cost and right now plasma wins over 42". The worries on plasma life are a little over played and most recent screens will
probably outlast the life of the technology. The other thing to look out for with LCD is dead pixels with different manufactures having different
quality control levels. My screen is not HD but as it can downscale a HD signal it could still be descibed as HD ready so I'd always check the
specs carefully if HD is required. At the time I decided it wasn't worth spending twice the cash for a early HD screen and will wait until theres
a lot more HD transmissions/dvds before I buy. By then the screens will be cheaper and the technology more advanced. Also then I would think that
LCD's will be the screen of choice.
Steve
Sky unveils high-definition shows
Spider-Man 2
A high-definition TV version of Spider-Man 2 will be shown
Sky will show live football, Spider-Man 2 and drama 24 in high-definition TV (HDTV) format from 2006.
It will make four channels available in the enhanced format - new sports and movie channels plus HD versions of current channels Sky One and
Artsworld.
HDTV provides a sharper, clearer and more colourful image than the current standard television picture.
The BBC is due to begin its HDTV trial broadcasts next year, with series such as Bleak House filmed in the format.
Concert footage
Sky already produces its live Premiership football and rugby union coverage in HD format, in preparation for next year's launch. It also plans to
show live test and one-day international cricket matches.
Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Tim Burton's Big Fish will be among films shown on its Sky Movies HD channel.
US series Bones, Stargate and Stargate Atlantis will also be made available in HD format, as will concert footage including Jimi Hendrix Live at the
Isle of Wight Festival.
The enhanced HD image is due to the way the picture is filmed, broadcast and displayed on HDTV sets, which use a greater number of pixels to display
images than on a standard TV set.
A compatible HDTV receiver and TV set are required to view high-definition television. Many HDTV broadcasts will also include a soundtrack which will
provide surround sound to viewers using appropriate speakers.
Sky has yet to announce a launch date or price for its HDTV service.
I would agree with buying a Panasonic PW / PWD series plasma panel.
I purchased a 42PW7 just over a year ago after having a disaster with a Philips Plasma. Picture quality is top class, especially over component.
Not even a hint of image retention / screen burn, even from my sons mammoth sessions watching Nick Jr and Jetix with their dodgy logo's.
It's worth speaking to Allister Collie who is on AV Forums, he runs a home cinema business and gives great advice and support.
quote:
Originally posted by highspeeddirt
I had this same dilemma about a year ago. I went plasma, 42" Panasonic DW6. I am still happy I made the right choice. Stunning picture. It has to come down to size vs cost and right now plasma wins over 42". The worries on plasma life are a little over played and most recent screens will probably outlast the life of the technology. The other thing to look out for with LCD is dead pixels with different manufactures having different quality control levels. My screen is not HD but as it can downscale a HD signal it could still be descibed as HD ready so I'd always check the specs carefully if HD is required. At the time I decided it wasn't worth spending twice the cash for a early HD screen and will wait until theres a lot more HD transmissions/dvds before I buy. By then the screens will be cheaper and the technology more advanced. Also then I would think that LCD's will be the screen of choice.
Steve
If you're not in a rush you could hang around for one of these, though they are a few years away yet I think.
CRT quality at Plama/LCD size, eventually cheaper than both and same size. Basically each pixel has it's own Cathode ray gun
'grown'onto the glass backing.
link
Thanks people, whats the general opinion on HDTV then? i dont know an awful lot about it truth be told, is it worth paying more and having a plasma
that will accept hd transmissions? i already have sky digital, so if they are gonna start transmitting in hd then perhaps its worth considering? As
for size, im thinking around 36", as i want to put it on my chimney breast with some backlighting to aid contast. i think a plasma will suit me
better, but i am concerned about the lifespan issue, but then, some manufacturers are claiming 10,000+ life span, which for me would equate for around
8-10 years tv time!
I dont see much point in buying a TV today that doesn't have HD support. As it has been said, Sky is starting a HD service shortly, the new
generation of games consoles all support HD and the games are written for this, even the current generation Xbox and selected titles support HD, altho
not to the hightest standard. All decent new DVD players with DVI, HDMI or component output are designed for viewing in HD with progressive scan
enabled. And if, like me, you're going to be hooking yours up to a media PC you can make use of all the advantages that a PC has, ie: HD DivX
films, upscaling and post processing of non HD sources like normal TV broadcasts, not to mention playing your favorite games on a huge display
(F.E.A.R.)
Pete
right then, a hd ready 36" ish plasma it is then.. any one got any recomnedations? i hear the panasonic ones are good, any to absolutely avoid?
Panasonic 42" plasma,
I've had mine about 6 months now bloody brill.
Its not HDTV ready but who give a Sh1t, the picture quality is ace and it was a grand cheaper than the HDTV option.
£1800 from empire direct but i think they are about £1500.00 now.
It comes with a good looking stand which save you about £300.00 and they dont look as massive as normal 42" plasma's as they have the
speakers underneath.
Fantastic telly, should have bough one ages ago. makes all other tellys look crap!!
Avoid Philips - Pic quality on my old one was sh!te.
I'd buy another Panasonic PW-series tomorrow. Pioneer and some Hitachi screens come well recommended too..
Don't worry about HDTV too much - It's going to be some time off before it goes mainstream and by then you will probably have the upgrade
bug and want a different panel anyway.
The majority of decent plasma panels will accept a HDTV input but will just run it at the native panel resolution.
You can get a Toshiba 42WP56 42" Plasma TV for just over a grand. Its just HD ready at 480p which is the second lowest of the HD scales but
you're not going to find a plasma with a decent HD res without spending silly money.
(Get an LCD, go on you know you want to!)
I have been looking for a tv and after reading the reviews on the avforum and a quick measure up of my lounge think i have decided to go for a
http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/648_274461.html
i am going to speak to sony centre at preston and manchester as according to the avforum i should be able to get 3 years warranty,delivery and 0%
credit for 12 months for the same price as comet.
Thats a differant format !
f>ck that then! i think sky is overpriced as it is! to be truthful, dont think im that fussed about watching normal tv in hd, but the idea of being able to watch dvds and stuff is appealing, just unsure if its worth the extra dough.. Gonna have a good look at a few at the weekend and see if there is any real discernable difference and decide then. Thanks for all the info guys!
If buying a plasma, it is also worth budgeting an extra £250 to get it professionally calibrated by an ISF qualified tech or at least getting hold of
a copy of DVE or AVIA and setting up the display.
The set-up in the shops and the factory defaults are very poor, do not do plasma's any justice.
A well set up plasma is as good, if not better than any other type of display...
forgive my ignorance mate, but what is avia? is that a software of some kind? how does the calibration thing work then?
Dell are currently doing a 26" LCD TV
Built in tuner, a whole host of inputs. Apparently good reviews.
HERE
Best thing is its £363 DELIVERED!
(Shows as £378 but when you put it in your basket the free delivery is calculated)
Can be used as a monitor too....
EDIT: And if your employer offers Employer Purchase Plan then you can get this for £330!
[Edited on 24/11/05 by Mr G]
quote:
Originally posted by stu da rude
forgive my ignorance mate, but what is avia? is that a software of some kind? how does the calibration thing work then?
[Edited on 16/12/05 by Mr G]
My 2p's.
I bought a 28" decent CRT tv a few months ago and love it. My dad bought a good quality Sony LCD 28" tv at about the same time and the
picture quality is nothing like as good, and it was £300 more. We both have our tv in the corner of the room, so no space advantage over the CRT.
That'll learn ya not to buy Sony, well over priced. Had my 32" HD LCD for a few weeks now and loving it, would never go back to cathode ray tubes, who wants 1920s technology in this day an age?! Just bought my mum a new DVD recorder for xmas with the sole intention of getting all those magnetic tapes out the house! I'm slowly phasing out CDs now too!