LCD or LED? 720? 1080?

[passatdoc]

Where I live, rooftop antennae are illegal (unless grandfathered in from decades ago) and don't work well anyway. Dishes are allowed if mounted on side of house below roof line. So everyone is still either with cable, a dish company, or an alternative like ATT (offering DSL + phone + cable channels in one bundle; after intro discounts wear off, their service costs about the same as Cox cable plus their DSL is way slower than Cox internet). Our terrain is too hilly for over the air reception. In the central and northern areas of OC, reception is better, but in the south it's non-existent due to terrain. I have a rooftop-style FM antenna in my attic, just for radio reception on my stereo receiver, and even that only pulls in five or six decent radio stations.

I agree with Petek: get the size you want at a price you can afford. I can't see any difference between LED and LCD at the store. I can't even see any difference between regular DVD (with 1080 upconversion) and Blu Ray when played on a LCD HDTV.

 

[lordkenmore]

I suppose if I were buying LCD, the longer life of LED LCD vs standard LCD would be a selling point. But I wonder if it really makes much difference in the real world. Mass market electronics aren't exactly built to last these days, and I'm sure that as the thing ages, there are plenty of problems that can crop up. Once something goes wrong out of warranty, most people will scrap & replace, regardless of backlight life. Repairs are expensive, parts may not be available in 5 years, and there is the question of "once one major thing has gone wrong, what are the chances of another major thing going wrong soon?"

If I were buying a flatscreen set, I think my 1st preference would be plasma, based on all I've heard over the years. Apparently, LCD is getting better...but it seems like plasma is still considered the best.

That said, I still have a CRT set, and I suppose I'll probably run it into the earth. And quite likely replace it with another used CRT set, which will get run into the earth.

 

[3beltwesty]

Own both small LCD and LED/lcd types

The LED type lcd often cost more, are thinner, weight less, use less power.

There are so many models available and new variants that one has a headache. At Sams Club Saturday had about 4 + dozen models, from 160 to 3300 bucks.

Both units of mine are bought this year, both have *FAR* better front ends than a digital converter box if you are one of the few like me who still use an antenna.

Programs "over the air" here are mostly 480 if old reruns. The typical HD program is 720 here, 1080 is rare. The Saints game yesterday was at 720, some Miss public broadcast is at 1080 on one subchannel and the same program on 480 on sister subchannel.

I got a 26" vizio M261VP at Sams for 288 bucks Saturday; backlite LED type, with WiFi802.11n , wired internet, 1080p, refresh is only 60Hz

There was a LCD unit they had there for 398 that was way larger that was tempting too.

The whole market seems to be changing so quick that there is no rational way to buy a TV and expect to not have one better in short order that costs far less.

Here I am going to wait before I buy a bigger unit

 

[3beltwesty]

Are there really any Plazma TV's anyway?

While getting tires at Sam's and spending 2 hours looking at TV's, I cannot recall *IF* I actually saw a plasma TV.

I basically looked at sub 800 buck units and sub 46" units and do not remember any saying Plasma.

In all the crowd of folks and TV's, I just saw LCD versus LED a million times! Usually 42" I thought was the rough starting point for a plasma TV. Panasonic makes a 37" plasma.

In all the 4 to 5 dozen TV's I looked at Saturday plasma might as well been a 6 volt car or space food sticks, never recall seeing any; since I focused on smaller ones.

 

[cfz2882]

plasma TVs

Does seem that plasmas are being phased out;wandering around
the stores looking at gift ideas,and thinking of this thread,
i looked over the TVs:earlier this summer at wal mart and
karls there were several plasmas at each store-today walmart
had only one plasma;a sanyo.
looking at the "led"TVs vs CCFL backlit LCD,i could not see
much difference..
I suspect stores make a higher markup on the "LED"tv and are
really pushing those...
besides the sanyo LCD i got earlier this year,i have two other
DD TVs;an '81 19"RCA(garage workroom)and a 1983 RCA 19"
(bedroom)-don't mind watching those old CRT TVs at all,they
still work great.

 

[mattl]

Plasma sales are about equal to LCD/LED sets when compared with similar sizes. Plasma is only available in 42" and up. LCD/LED are more expensive and have a higher markup so they are pushed more.

 

[sudsmaster]

Recently there was a column in the local paper about plasma TV vs LCD's. From what I remember:

1) There is more profit in LCD's, so that's what salesmen push.

2) Modern plasmas don't burn in.

3) Modern plasmas don't use appreciably more energy.

4) LED LCD's simply use LED lights instead of fluorescent lights to backlight the screen. The quality of the picture may be better but plasma really gives the best picture, along with better response for fast moving images, as in sports.

5) The price of plasma sets is about the same as for LED's.

 

[runematic]

I have a factory refub LCD that I bought from one of my distributors. The hd programs look fantastic. BUT.....

I decided to upgrade an older technology 56" rear projection HDTV that I've had for awhile. So, I sold it and all the other tv's I had laying around. Amazon had an AMAZING special over thanksgiving for a Mitsubishi 73" DLP projection 3d ready bohemoth. It was being blown out for $1199. Since it is 3d ready, I bought the glasses kit for it right away as well. I cannot get over the quality of the hd picture, and hd 3d is incredible. Unfortunately, there really isn't much in the way of 3d programming right now. Espn has a few select events and Comcast showed a 3d hockey game the other night. That game blew me away. The depth and clarity is absolutely amazing. But, I wouldn't buy a tv because it was 3d. I happened to buy this tv for the size & price. 3d was a bonus. I realize that not everyone can utilize a 73" tv, but as they say, bigger is better. The tv is extremely light (about 90lbs), but it barely fit down my basement steps. I am glad I don't deliver these for a living.

 

[sudsmaster]

Another option are the projector TV's. These require (I assume) a standard movie screen for best viewing - and like the rear projection TV's, they probably work best in a darkened room. I've seen HD versions for between $1000 and $2000, and the prices seem to be coming down regularly. Not that I'm prepared to get one - the wiring through the ceiling would be a major project (plaster and lathe in the living room, on the walls, and some sort of plaster/cement board in the ceiling).

 

[supersuds]

DLP

DLP TVs are wonderful. I would get one except they seem to come only in larger screen sizes and my living room is not that big.

 

[qsd-dan]

My uncle has a DLP and he's constantly changing out bulbs......at a very steep price with each replacement. Not sure I'd go with that design. LCD is horrible at fast pans, which drives me insane. Viewing angles are very poor as well. Got a few friends with plasmas (they're sports fans) and they all seem to have a really short life span. I'm sticking to my 38" CRT until it dies and the next replacement will be a CRT again, even if I have to get it second hand.

 

[lordkenmore]

"I'm sticking to my 38" CRT until it dies and the next replacement will be a CRT again, even if I have to get it second hand."

I'm glad to see I'm not alone in thinking of going down on the CRT boat!

Of course, it's probable that any future sets WILL be used. Everything on the market that I've seen recently, except the smallest sets, are something other than plain CRT. Of course, even if CRT was still common, I'm sure it'd be made to the same abysmal standards of today's mass-market electronics.

One thing I've noticed about flatscreen vs. CRT: the flatscreen revolution seems to generate some very good deals on good used CRT sets.

 

[petek]

Used CRTs.
Our local Habitat Restore will need a truckload sale to get rid of all they have and it's going to be worse after this Christmas for sure.
Thrift stores will probably start refusing them in awhile.

Those and the honkin big "entertainment centers" people used for them and all the stereo equipment. They are starting to pile up now as well.

 

[lordkenmore]

I see those "entertainment centers" here, although not in "they're piling up!" quantities.

In any case, that's one product I have no real interest in owning, CRT set or not. I hate how those dominate the living room. Even closed, they make the TV the most--if not the ONLY--important part of the room.

Although, my mother did half-dream of having the biggest possible TV cabinet...into which she'd place the smallest possible TV set. (She, like me, was pretty cynical about how bad TV was....)

 

[sudsmaster]

I found the newspaper column on Plasma TV's.

Here's the bulk of it:

Q I recently went to a big chain store in search of a 42-inch TV selling for under $1,000. They really talked down plasma and pushed LEDs. I'm sure there are a variety of reasons, least of which is customer satisfaction (sorry for the sarcasm).

While admitting superior picture for the plasmas, they noted weight, electricity use, potential burn in, more reflective screen and potential gas leakage as the downsides. I really only saw the reflective screen as something of a concern, but this set won't get a lot of daytime viewing so I'm not sure that really matters a lot. What are your thoughts?

-- P.S., Pittsburgh

A Ah, 'tis the season ... for misinformed, unknowledgeable big-box store salespeople to spread falsehoods about plasma. Modern plasmas are almost impossible to burn in and each individual pixel is a sealed cell with gas in it, and the gas doesn't leak out. Modern plasmas have energy usage very close to LCD sets, and even when they consume more power, the difference is minute. I wrote last year that the difference between the most power-hungry 60-inch plasma and the most efficient 32-inch LCD set was only a few dollars a month in additional electricity. Among same-sized sets it would be much less than that.

Consumer Reports just published test results of the best 3-D sets on the market and plasma was a clear winner.

Plasma is still my favorite flat panel TV technology
and the choice of videophiles, and at current prices is a tremendous bargain.

In fact, profit margin may be one reason the stores are pushing LED-LCD sets so hard. (Please note what are touted as "LED" TVs are actually LCD TVs with a LED backlight, not TVs that use LEDs to create the image.)

Current plasma standouts in the $1,000 price range are the 42-inch Panasonic TC-P42G25, which sells for well under $1,000, and the 50-inch Samsung PN50C550, which sells for a bit more given its size.

Though the store employees themselves acknowledge the superior picture quality of plasma, it is still subjective and some people may prefer the bright, punchy look of an LED-LCD set.

One of my very favorite televisions at the moment is an LED-LCD HDTV that sells for under $1,000.

The 1080p 42-inch Panasonic TC-L42D2 lists for $1,299 but currently sells for between $849 and $899.

What I like about the TC-L42D2 is it combines the best qualities of plasma TVs and LED-LCD TVs. It has the natural look and flesh tones of plasma combined with the hyper-sharpness and bright, deep color of an LED-LCD set.

To achieve this picture quality, all I had to do is set the television on the Standard picture setting and the color temperature to warm.

Motion rendition was very good as well, and it had none of the slightly unnatural look I see in many flat panel LCD sets with strong motion processing.

The TC-L42D2 is definitely a model I would really strongly consider for myself vs. comparably sized plasma sets and is well worth checking out for anyone shopping for a sub-$1,000 television.

I am pretty picky, so if I like it, I am betting you will, too. Just be sure to adjust the picture settings for best results.

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16819...rynews.com-www.mercurynews.com&nclick_check=1

 

[DADoES]

 
Astonishing that salespeeps are still falsely warning about gas leakage on plasmas. As the question/response quoted above indicates, leakage does not happen.  My plasma is eight years old and nothing has leaked out of it.

For those who prefer CRTs, plasmas basically are such that each pixel is a separate CRT.  LCDs mask and color the white light that passes through from the fluorescent or LED source.  Plasmas directly produce a mix of red/blue/green light within each pixel, very much akin to CRTs

 

[3beltwesty]

42" prices

RE "The 1080p 42-inch Panasonic TC-L42D2 {Plazma} lists for $1,299 but currently sells for between $849 and $899."

Many consumers also consider cost too.

Thus at Sams Club last weekend a LCD 42" Hitachi 1080p 120 Hz unit was at $445.

A 47" Vizo LCD was $599.

A 46" Philip s LCD 1080p 120Hz was $599.

The average Joe and Jane consumer can buy:

a bigger LCD 46/47" TV than that 42" Plazma, and also buy four new Michelin-X 13" tires like I got for $273 with install and sales taxes.

Many folks will look at a $849 buck 42" Plazma versus a $445 buck 42" LCD and not think spending 400 extra is worth it. They can just buy a Bigger LCD, or buy tires, or a washer or dryer.

 

[mattl]

Well if you are comparing cheap stuff like those LCD sets, and they are poor performers, you can get a very nice 42" Panny plasma for $425 on sale, and a 50" for $599. Either of which will perform a LOT better than the cheapo second rate LCDs.

 

[cfz2882]

$448 sanyo plasma

noticed the other day walmart had the only plasma they had at
my local store on sale for $448(the lcd version i bought
earlier this year also more than $100 cheaper now...)
so i decided to splurge for the 42"DP42740,this will end up
hung up in the garage workroom along with a very good 19"RCA
from 1981 that will remain in service out there as well.
couldn't resist looking at the inside of the set through the
vents with a flashlight;the picture panel is made in japan by
matsushita,and most other components are also high grade
japanese manufacture(set is assembled in mexico)
The frame and back panel are steel and heatsinks and vents
are placed to develop an updraft when they are hot for good
cooling. Quite pleased and impressed with this sanyo so far,
i also like my LCD version-but it is not as "cool"as this
plasma.
The media players out in the garage include:
-1999 yamaha DVD
-1985"GE"(matsushita)VHS-mid'80s matsushita VCRs probably the
best ever made...
-1982 RCA CED"selectavision disc player-still works pretty
good,i have about 40 discs for it.

 

[cfz2882]

like it

got the plasma hung up in the garage and gave it a good test
-very pleased so faricture is great,sound is better than my
2000 panasonic(which was actually kinda bad in that respect)
but not as good as the '81 RCA which benefits from a decent
size speaker and a fairly strong amp.The plasma was no doubt
expected to be used with a"home theater"sound system,so i will
hook it up to an amp and some speakers.Next step will be to
hook it to an antenna to see how well it picks up stations..

 

[hydralique]

I'm not a TV guy (er, excuse me . . . "videophile") so perhaps am not so picky as others, but I'm happy with my 40" Sharp Aquos LCD set. It replaced a big Sony CRT that was several years old. The Sharp is a 1080 set running on Direct TV satellite feed and has a better picture than the Sony on anything I watch - perhaps the Sony was better on sports but since I almost never watch sports I wouldn't know. I don't have any problems either with picture degradation once I view off-axis; my normal seating position is somewhat off-axis from the TV but not enough to make for a bad picture. There is a very real difference between 720 and 1080 on most of the stuff I do watch. The set was purchased at a small A/V store and this is exactly what the salesman said, he felt that it was a false economy staying with 720 once over a 37" screen size.

I did a bit of research before I bought this and from what information I could find Sharp was among the more reliable TV brands today, and that combined with the nice picture made my decision. We'll see how long it lasts, but after a year and a half I'm still very pleased.