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What is the best choice Plasma or LCD TV?

I am looking to buy a tv just not sure if I should go with a Plasma or LCD. The brand I am looking at is Samsung. Ive read about refresh rates. I am planning to get between 40to49inches. Can you please tell me the pros and cons of each. And recommend any models. Thanks Tv will be mostly for movies and just regular tv watching occasionally sports. Thanks

Public Comments

  1. Samsung now has the top rated tv out in that size in LED. Check your local stores and see the pictures so you get an idea first of the difference in PQ. I would definitely select LED over Plasma.
  2. Yes great brand choice if your getting an LCD samsung has the best there LN46A650 is the cream of the crop for the price its got the 120hz refresh rate which looks great with action movies and touch of color adds great detail the contrast is great as well. If you like a more natural like image the panasonic makes the best plasma TVs I would choose the TH-46PZ85U or the TH-46PZ800U. I like the 120HZ samsung its motion flow really makes the picture look fantastic but some critics say it makes the picture cartoonish so if this bothers I suggest go get the plasma and also FYI if you hook up a blue ray to the samsung LN46a650 makes sure to get good HDMI cables you need a 10gbps cable the monster 1000HD.
  3. Pros and Cons LCD -PROS- -Come in smaller sizes -Brighter -Cheaper -CONS- -Slower video response -Narrow viewing angle Plasma -PROS- -Superb image quality in normal lighting -Dark blacks and bright whites, excellent color -Widest viewing angle -CONS- -Don't come in small/medium small sizes -Image burn in (if it's showing a still photo for over 30 mins, the image will 'burn in' to the tv and leave a shadow lingering.) So that's the pros and cons, if you're looking for an affordable HDTV, go with LCD, and for a great picture, go with Plasma. I looked on Newegg, this seems to be the best, cheapest 40 inch LCD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889263029 Here's the best Plasma according to 1 review: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889187122 Hope it helps.
  4. What are you going to use the tv for, movies, sport, games? Plasma tvs are more pleasant to the eyes for movies and sports (they don't have motion blurneess) while LCD is brighter and better for games, it does have motion blurness watching sports. You can get a refresh rate of 120 or 240 on LCD but the price goes up. You can get a 46" Plasma for under $1,000 and LCD for around $1,800 with 120 HZ.. Pioneer is my top choice in plasma but more money 42" 1080P for $2,000, Panasonic is second and then Sumsang. Sumsang is the top when it comes to LCD. TVs in size smaller than 46" you won't be able to tell the difference between 720P and 1080P, 1080P is a bit more expensive and will require a Blue Ray disc player to take advantage of the higher quality video. It is the onlly source of 1080P in the market now. Blue ray disc movies are also $10 more than normal dvd, like all electronics coming out the price is always higher when first introduce just like when dvd first came out. Go online to Home Theater Magazine and read reviews on Plasma and LCD. Before buying demo the tv either plasma or lcd with your own source and take notes of your likes and dislike for each. Spend more than 15 minutes on your demo for each tv. When you are ready to purchase ask for a discount, most retail store will discount the tv. Hope this helps you, and enjoy whatever you get.
  5. Pros of Plasma; - Great picture quality,deeper black - Good motion image Cons of Plasma - Burn-in - More power consumption Pros of LCD; - Come with thinner set - Not burn-in - Less power consumption - Last longer Cons of LCD; - Picture quality is good but can not reach plasma Personally I would suggest LCD over plasma and model that I would suggest is Samsung Samsung LN46B650 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color or another good one with cheaper price Samsung LN46B550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26rs%3D979929011%26ref%255F%3Dsr%255Fnr%255Fp%255F4%255F0%26bbn%3D979929011%26qid%3D1243285868%26rnid%3D15784691%26rh%3Dn%253A172282%252Cn%253A%2521493964%252Cn%253A1266092011%252Cn%253A172659%252Cn%253A979929011%252Cp%255Fn%255Ffeature%255Fthree%255Fbrowse-bin%253A724227011%252Cp%255Fn%255Fsize%255Fbrowse-bin%253A1232882011%252Cp%255F4%253ASamsung&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957 or if you can afford.There are lastest technology for hdtv,LED TV that have stunning picture with mega xontrast ratio,very thin for 1.2" and 40% less power consumption. http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref%255F%3Dnb%255Fss%255Fe%26field-keywords%3Dsamsung%2520led%2520tv%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Delectronics&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957
  6. LCD - is the everyman HDTV. It is cost effective, hence its popularity. It is also physically lighter than Plasma. It tends to draw less power than Plasmas as well (though good Plasmas are now competing with LCDs). It has a matte finish so is useful for rooms that have too much ambient light which can not be controlled. LCD whites are a bit brighter than Plasma whites (but how often do you crank your brightness to 100%). LCDs are considered better for gaming (but I don't think you'd be disappointed with gaming on a modern Plasma). LCDs are sharper in SD (think evening news instead of film); this isn't a good vs bad, its just a personal preference thing. LCDs also have a bit more muted colors; again this isn't good vs bad, its purely personal preference. LCD technology has problems with fast motion though. It suffers from motion blur (ghost trails). That is why you see ones advertised with 120Hz or 240Hz refresh rates (100Hz and 200Hz in Europe). This does not come close to Plasma though. So they aren't as good for fast motion (sports and movies). The 240Hz ones are making good strides, but right now you're paying a HUGE premium for it. LCDs are also not as strong with their ability to reproduce true blacks. Their blacks tend to be a bit grey and not a true black. LCDs with LED backlighting are coming out now though. These are finally starting to bring LCDs to the Plasma level in terms of blacks. However, like the 240Hz refresh rate, you must pay a large premium for this feature at the current time. Plasma - they have better blacks (true black), contrast (greater ranges in blacks/whites so you get greys instead of clumps of black and white), and motion playback (their refresh rate is near instantaneous much like old CRTs were). Their overall image quality is better than that of an LCD. While prices on them are constantly dropping, they do demand a slight premium over LCDs of a similar category. The colors in Plasmas tend to have more "pop" to them; this isn't a good vs bad thing, its just personal preference. Also for SD viewing they are a bit "softer" (think more like film less like the evening news). This isn't a good vs bad thing, its personal preference. Most plasma owners get used to it and don't mind it. Plasma's are glass though so are glossy. They can have reflection issues if you are in a room with lots of light that you can't control (you can't turn off the lights and you don't own any blinds). And good Plasma care would require you condition them. But its fairly simple to do. All you have to do is keep the brightness and contrast (picture) settings cranked way down for the first 100-200 hours, then optimize, and you'll have an amazing TV experience. Plasma myth (1) - They experience burn-in. This is inaccurate, those days are gone. Just condition the gasses and then use it as normal and you're fine. Also, the better sets have built-in features to prevent this (on top of the technology just generally being better now than say 5 years ago). Plasma myth (2) - They have short life spans. This is another inaccuracy. Most are now rated in the 60,000-100,000 hours range. At 8 hours a day 365 days a year that would mean a life of 20-30 years. So do you think you'll still want/own the same TV in 15 years, let alone 30? Plasma myth (3) - They won't work in high altitude because of problems for the gasses. This is again no longer an issue. Current Plasmas can be purchased and used in mile high Denver, and above, so you'll be fine where ever you are (unless you're living in the Himalayas). Plasma vs LCD - One important note though is TV size. In 42" and above you see and get the benefit of the Plasma advantages. But 40" and smaller and the benefits are diminishing. So if your needs are for a smaller television, LCD may be a wiser choice. Plasma brands - Pioneer Kuro Elite is the best, followed by Pioneer Kuro. But these can cost as much as a small car. Panasonic Viera is the next best and is much more cost effective. The Vieras can give the Kuros a run for their money (they might not win, but they are no push over in quality). After that I would look to Samsung primarily as a Plasma option. There are also some LG models that have reviewed extremely well (but do your homework). LCD brands - I would stick with Samsung, Sharp Aquos, and Sony (but only Sony if its on sale, otherwise it tends to be overpriced). Sony stopped manufacturing LCD panels, they now buy/use the same ones used in the Sharp Aquos sets. Samsung is a step above the rest if you go with the series 6 through 9 models. The series 4/5 are strong performers as well, but a bit better suited for 37-40" or smaller. If you go with a larger set, look to the more advanced series. With Sony the XBR6/7/8 lines are all strong. Again, the bigger the TV the more likely you want the higher numbered line.
  7. depend on your budge, if you want low price for most feature, plasma will do for you, if budge isn't a issue, then goes for 120hz samsung lcd.
  8. As you said, your TV will be mostly for movies, so you're gunna want to see as much action up close as possible, so I'm going to recommend to you the Toshiba Flat...it gives great picture and I highly recommend it: http://www.thehighdefinitionstore.com/tvs/toshiba-46xv545u-lcd-tv-531.html?utm_source=answers&utm_medium=pv&utm_content=zs&utm_campaign=lcd
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