TV LCD/PLASMA I can't decide

BillScarab

Not all Plasmas have glass front's either. There's been a lot of discussion on avforums about the Panasonic PX80 range as they used to have glass screens and now have plastic apparently.

There are still differences between LCD and Plasma. Plasmas tend to have better black levels and handle fast motion better so are better for sport. They are also often better for Standard Definition pictures. Plasmas are not affected by viuewing angles like LCDs either. LCDs are tend to be fery good for gaming if you have an Xbox 360 or PS3.

As for power my TV has an average usage of 189w, a similar Pansonic 37" LCD has an average usage of 150w so yes the Plasma will use more power but it's not ridiculously more.

I've just bought a new TV and boutght the Panasonic TH-37PX80 and can't fault it. A superb picture and at a very good price.

If you do go for LCD I would avoid the cheaper unknown brands. One of the big factors affecting picture quality is the electronics and software in the TV. That's one area where the cheaper models fall down.

Have a browse of avforums for advice on specific models.

Personally though I would say go for a Plasma, especially the PX80 range.

new_mum_5

I have been looking at the panasonic ones with freesat built in. If I want to avoid LCD will have to get 42", what is the minimum you need be away from it to watch it ok? Does anyone know if they have glass or plastic. Not easy to tell a 2 year old not to touch!!

BillScarab

There's a test of the 50" version here I haven't read it so I don't know if they say if they have glass or plastic screens. Also have a look on avforums.

They also have an article on how far away you should sit. For a 42" screen you need to be about 12 feet away for SD pictures.

You could always wall mount it and put it high enough that they can't reach it.

Conor_3

BillScarab wrote: »

Plasmas are not affected by viuewing angles like LCDs either.

My 2 year old LG LCD TV has a viewing angle of 172 degrees. How much more do you want?

superscaper

Conor wrote: »

My 2 year old LG LCD TV has a viewing angle of 172 degrees. How much more do you want?

8º

graham73

BillScarab wrote: »

I've just bought a new TV and boutght the Panasonic TH-37PX80 and can't fault it. A superb picture and at a very good price.

I've recently bought one of these and have to agree 100%, it's a superb tele. I viewed this and the 1080p LCD 37" in Lakes and this came out on top for me. I couldn't really tell any difference in the full HD images they showed, both were amazing but he blacks were much better on the plasma so went for it. A few months on and I still love it, it's a great tele.

ptmacey

I would ignore the advice about visiting the av forums,these guys are not REAL people,i know,ive been there,they will sit and stare for hours at a still greyscale image and they will find fault with every tv thats ever been made,Every set has its faults but if you visit the forum and godforbid download some test pics and videos to test for banding(uneven lighting)motion smear,greysale adjustment,6500 calibration, etc,you will become like them and never be able to watch tv again without thinkin to oneself"damn,that greyscale is screwed up"or pause a dvd to adjust cuz you spot a bit of banding in the sky,once you see these faults you see them on every set,cuz you not watchin like a NORMAL person,you are scrutinizing for faults on the screen,you may then end up on the very expensive and unobtainable quest for the perfect picture,ps never ever point out to someone their new set has a bleeding backlight and show them cuz you will spread the curse to them

aliEnRIK

ptmacey wrote: »

I would ignore the advice about visiting the av forums,these guys are not REAL people,i know,ive been there,they will sit and stare for hours at a still greyscale image and they will find fault with every tv thats ever been made,Every set has its faults but if you visit the forum and godforbid download some test pics and videos to test for banding(uneven lighting)motion smear,greysale adjustment,6500 calibration, etc,you will become like them and never be able to watch tv again without thinkin to oneself"damn,that greyscale is screwed up"or pause a dvd to adjust cuz you spot a bit of banding in the sky,once you see these faults you see them on every set,cuz you not watchin like a NORMAL person,you are scrutinizing for faults on the screen,you may then end up on the very expensive and unobtainable quest for the perfect picture,ps never ever point out to someone their new set has a bleeding backlight and show them cuz you will spread the curse to them

haha

Im one of them geeks

Still, 'motion smear' isnt one of the faults you want (yet most people happily watch them! ~ if they turned off all the extra 'contrast' modes it would clean most of it up)

Totally agree though, NOTHING is perfect. Also, even if their test equipment says it IS, does NOT actually mean the picture looks that good! A good '3 dimensionality' quality to the screen is my first port of call (Think Pioneer ).

almillar

Walk out the back of Castle Court in Belfast, and you will see Northern Ireland's only Richer Sounds. Bit of a trek for you. They're a good lot, very keen with decent (not necessarily web-beating prices. Often stuff that's been replaced by newer models, and just remember that they're trying to sell stuff, not give you excellent, impartial advice.
£500-£700 would prob get you a 1080p 40inch LCDTV, or a 1080p 37 LCDTV by a better brand. HD Ready (which really means at least 720 vertical pixes, plus at least 1 HDMI port). I don't beleive anyone would get away with selling a non HD ready flatscreen these days.
I think the best advice would be to have a look around some online stores on the net, get yourself some information then goto Currys (shudder) and try to get them to match the best price you've found. And come back here for advice of course!

bob_a_builder

re-Richer Sounds

(not necessarily web-beating prices.

But check their web site first since they do have some good prices on the site but you have to ask for that price in store