Plasma v LCD tvs?

Sujamjen

I'm sorry if this has been asked before but would someone please tell me in very simple terms the difference between Plasma and LCD screens?

I've been looking to get a new tv and the Plasma tvs seems to be cheaper and I wondered why? I want a 47-50" (ish) hang on the wall sort, will just be used for watching tv and dvds so doesn't have to be full of techie wizardry:p

Many thanks.

raptorman

LCD is Liquid Crystal Display and is generally quite hard wearing.
Plasma on the other hand is a gas and is more susceptible to
damage especially as they tend to have glass screens protecting
the actual screen which will also cause reflection of any light source.

Definately worthwhile popping into your nearest retailer
to check the pro's and cons for yourself.

Marty_J

I'd say go to a store and find the TV that shows the best picture when watching the sort of material you normally watch.

Whether it's LCD or plasma is pretty much irrelevant.

penrhyn

On point that may be relevant is that Plasma TV's are significantly heavier than an LCD of a similar size. Therefore fitting a Plasma to a stud wall may be problematic.
The differences between the technologies can easily be found on Wikipedia or the like.

Cat695

Having owned both i found if you want a clearer Brighter picture i would stick with LCD(alot better for PS3)

however i've read in many places PLASMA is better for screens over 42inch and they do look very good with normal TV....BOTH excel when connected to a HD input

What Penrhyn says is very true Plasma screens are ALOT heavier so if your thinking about putting it up on a wall this really needs to be taken into account (LCD is very lightweight as it has a plastic screen where plasma is glass)

With todays technology both should last 60 000 hours plus......there are many miths about Plasma that just aren't true....one is you need to get it re gassed (how its a sealed unit)

You can buy alsorts of variations now....with freeveiw, freesat built in....with built in Harddrives etc etc

My advice whichever you buy make sure its HD 1080p NOT 1080i.....and if you can afford it 100hz.....make sure you check the connections on the back before buying as it can be quite fustrating getting home finding out you can't connect your stereo to it like you could before

You really should just go in to a shop and watch each one WITH HD connected then you will get to see which one YOU like.....never pay the price on the tag!!!

totalsolutions

ohh, and DO listen too them.

aliEnRIK

Sujamjen wrote: »

I'm sorry if this has been asked before but would someone please tell me in very simple terms the difference between Plasma and LCD screens?

I've been looking to get a new tv and the Plasma tvs seems to be cheaper and I wondered why? I want a 47-50" (ish) hang on the wall sort, will just be used for watching tv and dvds so doesn't have to be full of techie wizardry:p

Many thanks.

The sizes your looking at can be bought fairly cheap. But DONT buy a cheap one, it will look awful.
At that size it MUST be a plasma, LCDs would struggle too much at that size.
It really depends how much your willing to spend but id REALLY recommend a Pioneer at that size. If you cant stretch to that then a Panasonic.
Do you have a price in mind?

PeteMc

As a house with 3 LCD's (Samsung, Sharp and Mirai) and 1 plasma (Panasonic), my choice is the plasma but it's newer, 50" and HD fed so I would say that.

You really need to see the TV's in action before you buy and I'd advise not in Comet or Curry's as the feeds and settings can be dreadful. Follow Marty J's advice above and then research where you can get it the cheapest package (guarantee etc.).

isofa

Pop over to https://www.avforums.com too.

Sujamjen

aliEnRIK wrote: »

The sizes your looking at can be bought fairly cheap. But DONT buy a cheap one, it will look awful.
At that size it MUST be a plasma, LCDs would struggle too much at that size.
It really depends how much your willing to spend but id REALLY recommend a Pioneer at that size. If you cant stretch to that then a Panasonic.
Do you have a price in mind?

I'd really like to spend less than a £1000 but I guess that might be pie-in-the-sky?? The reason I asked was that one of the catalogues sent me an email today with various offers on and I noticed that the Plasmas are at least a couple of hundred cheaper.

On the LCD front - Samsung, Sharp and Phillips at 42" - 46" seem to be in my price range.

aliEnRIK

Sujamjen wrote: »

I'd really like to spend less than a £1000 but I guess that might be pie-in-the-sky?? The reason I asked was that one of the catalogues sent me an email today with various offers on and I noticed that the Plasmas are at least a couple of hundred cheaper.

On the LCD front - Samsung, Sharp and Phillips at 42" - 46" seem to be in my price range.

Well as ive stated, Lcds will REALLY struggle at that size. If you MUST go for one of them then it would have to be the Samsung. Philips have gone way downhill and sharps keep breaking down these days!

I think you CAN get a panasonic for around a grand which would blow ALL but Pioneer away in terms of sheer picture quality.
DONT go into shops to compare ~ theyre NEVER set right and its near impossible to tell a 'true' difference between one and another (And dont ask them ~ theyre full of lies)
Look for REVIEWS only, the only thing you MIGHT want to check out is how they 'sound'.