flat screen TV what to buy ?

[rfuerst911sc]

I did a search but didn't find anything recently and technology changes so fast. Anyway I'm going to purchase a flat screen TV for the new home. For the space it's going in I think a 40 - 42 inch is a good size. Of course the big question is LCD vs. Plasma vs. LED LCD. Today I went to Best Buy to see the wall-o-TV's and wow very nice stuff. The associate I spoke with highly recommended Panasonic plasma TV's. The room I will be using this TV in has average natural light but is in a corner so the lighting I guess leans towards dark. I know LED LCD is the latest technology but I'm not a gamer although we do have a Wii. I know there is 720 + 1080 dpi and 60 vs. 120 hz. refresh rates. That's about the end of my knowledge . If it matters I will be using AT&T Uverse for my cable. So for watching everyday TV along with sports/racing what do you guys recommend ? Like anyone else bang for the buck is the goal. Thanks

[RWebb]

terms used?

there was a thread 1-2 weeks ago

BTW, LED LCD is not the latest technology

[David]

Bang for the buck it's hard to beat Vizio.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by RWebb

terms used?

there was a thread 1-2 weeks ago

BTW, LED LCD is not the latest technology

I searched on " LCD + Plasma TV ". And I'm no expert so sorry thinking LED LCD was the latest. Your response really helped.....thanks.

[Embraer]

Originally Posted by David

Bang for the buck it's hard to beat Vizio.

+1. I bought my 50" Vizio plasma a few years ago, and was kind of embarrassed when I bought it. It still sits above my fireplace, along with a couple other 37" LCD flatscreens in my bedrooms.

They really have become good tv's for the money. There are better tv's around, but I have no complaints about mine

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by David

Bang for the buck it's hard to beat Vizio.

Thank you. By chance do you have one ? How long have you had it ? What model ? Did you buy local or over the internet ?

[Embraer]

I bought my vizio at walmart. Even cheaper at Sam's Club

[porsche4life]

If you look the vizio are cheaper at SAMs. And they tend tp have slightly better stats. Dads had his 42" almost three years now and he loves it so much he bought a 32" for another room.

[imcarthur]

The word from the trenches is Panasonic 3D Plasmas. Pana have bought Pioneer's plasma tech & their Elite plasmas were the top of the heap before they walked. Even if 3D makes you gag, the extra brightness/color rendition makes 2D pop. Of course, they are new on the shelves & will be priced accordingly.

Ian

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

The word from the trenches is Panasonic 3D Plasmas. Pana have bought Pioneer's plasma tech & their Elite plasmas were the top of the heap before they walked. Even if 3D makes you gag, the extra brightness/color rendition makes 2D pop. Of course, they are new on the shelves & will be priced accordingly.

Ian

That is what the sales associate was saying. Pioneer was the bench mark for plasma and then walked away from the business. Then they sold their technology to Panasonic which bumped them to the front of the pack. Not sure if all of their plasma TV's have the technology ?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I wouldn't get either plasma or LCD. I'm getting an LED, most likely a Samsung unit. Now that football season is here I guess I might get some use out of it - well that and mostly I'll plug my laptop into it and sit on the couch and do stuff that way. The plasmas (and CRTs) have power consumption that concerns me (though better than the old CRTs they'd be replacing) and the heat generated by the plasmas makes me just not trust them at all - something that gets that hot regularly simply can't be that durable.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Not sure if all of their plasma TV's have the technology ?

It is hard to say when the product transition will happen (or has?). Stick with the latest models if your wallet is deep enough.

Your basic choices - with personal comments gleaned from my dealers . . .

Plasma - best for high speed motion & black level - heaviest, worst for heat & power, AC power issues or mediocre signal feed can lead to' crawlies'
LCD - cheapest, least power consumption, worst for 'depth' & realism & bright rooms
LCD with LED edge or back-lighting - added brightness to improve blacks & color - backlit is superior but still not as good as plasma in motion or realism - a higher frequency (within reason) is better

But anyway you slice it, five years from now they will be much better so TVs are no longer a 20 year purchase.

Ian

[1990C4S]

From here: Plasma TV Buying Guide: Vizio Plasma Television Review

"True, Vizio offers a 50" plasma TV for less than $2,000—but without any desirable added features, and with its mediocre picture quality, we don't think it's money especially well spent."

I started a thread a few weeks ago suggesting that 720p might be the best bargain right now. A bit more searching and I will say that I now think 1080p plasma TV's are the best deal.

My only concern is that my TV is on the ground floor and I'm worried that I will get too much reflection.

TV's that are cheap right now: (cheapest first)

- 720p plasma
- 1080p plasma
- 1080p LCD - 60Hz
- 1080p LCD 120 Hz

The latest technologies (3D, LED, and 240 Hz LCD) are not 'cheap'. Yet.

And I still haven't bought. a) because prices keep dropping and b) the NHL is still a month away.

[EarlyPorsche]

LED is the way to go. If not LED then Plasma by Samsung is nice for the price.

[imcarthur]

If you want to see how the frequency can change an LCD, just try it on your LCD computer monitor. Try a 60Hz frequency. Using the same resolution, change it to 85Hz. A big difference in definition. Above 120Hz, the significance drops off.

Ian

[1990C4S]

Does anyone here have their plasma on the ground floor?

Which would be better in the situation above: 60HZ LCD or plasma?

I don't know how bad the glare is on a plasma with ambient lighting, nor do I know how bad the 'blur' is when watching sports at 60Hz.

[imcarthur]

In very basic terms . . .

Plasma is a different animal & already runs at a high frequency - 600Hz or something. Plasmas are essentially a bunch of gas-filled glass cells. The gas changes color depending upon the alternate or combined firing of electrodes in the cell.

In LCD, light is shone through tiny liquid crystal panels with shutters that filter specific colors. Back-lighting an LCD array increases light output & can improved black level & color intensity. Higher frequency means a faster shutter rate.

Ian

[David]

I bought a Vizio for the garage around Superbowl time this year, so about 8 months ago.

I don't know the model but it's a 55" 1080p 120Hz, bought at Walmart.

I mainly watch sports, but some movies I've watched do look a little soap operay. It seems to be the really clear characters at the front and fuzzier background.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I searched on " LCD + Plasma TV ". And I'm no expert so sorry thinking LED LCD was the latest. Your response really helped.....thanks.

Plasma vs LCD, whats best? (Multi-page thread 1 2)

comes right up at the top using the terms you supplied

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Plasma vs LCD, whats best? (Multi-page thread 1 2)

comes right up at the top using the terms you supplied

Your " search " function must work different from mine. I just did the search again and the post that comes to the top is mine. The next that comes up is from 2009 which I did read but wanted something closer in time as technology/prices/opinions change. I do appreciate you trying to help.