Sub £500 TV.... LCD or Plasma?

Iconic

It's a nightmare trying to compare different TV's and features.

I had narrowed it down a Panasonic and I didn't need Freesat.

I thought the TX-P42S20B would be ideal but then found out it didn't have Viera Cast or USB. The compare product feature on the Panny website shows the differences up very well http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/287749/module/general/compare/products/displayResult.html?p=TX-P42G20B&p=TX-P42S20B

roddydogs

Buying a1080p makes it "Future Proof"? Really......and no ones mentioned the horrible reflections from a Plasmas glass front.

geordie_ben

In john Lewis and Fenwicks both sales people said only go for Sony, Panasonic or Sharp.. in that order

I think I need to make a list of features I want and go from there.

Still not sure which is best, LCD, LED or Plasma tho...

aliEnRIK

roddydogs wrote: »

Buying a1080p makes it "Future Proof"? Really......and no ones mentioned the horrible reflections from a Plasmas glass front.

Bit pedantic

Whats your point?

penrhyn

A few LCDs also have glossy screens, Samsung for one, as does my netbook, supposed to improve the black levels, I'd prefer fewer reflections.

geordie_ben

So, LCD, LED or Plasma?

aliEnRIK

geordie_ben wrote: »

So, LCD, LED or Plasma?

this is generalised as theres always exceptions to the rule (hence the need for tests/reviews) -

LCD - cheap to run, some have bad 'input lag' and or 'pixel response time'. Probably all have bad viewing angles. Some have backlight bleed
LED edgelit - Usually very thin and very cheap to run. Generally slightly better black levels than standard LCDs, tend to be more expensive than LCDs but no better picture (similar traits to LCD as theyre still LCD screens). Some are worse than the standard LCD due to backlight bleed
Plasma - reflective screen, possible image burn, uses more power than the others, very good for motion, best black levels

almillar

Stop going on about plasma screens being reflective - they glass and glossy, LCD/LED screens are sometimes plastic and sometimes glass (?) and as such if you put ANY screen in bright light, you'll either get a perfect reflection with glossy, or a hazy bright patch with matte - neither of which is any good.
I think Viera Cast (and other similar things) is a bit of a gimmick, and unlikely to be updated in the future very much (just buy a new TV will be the answer) - I'd prefer to do that kind of stuff with a PVR, PS3 or HTPC.
As for the USB feature, whilst it would be nice to use, it also wouldn't get much use if you have a PVR.
Rik - which models are you talking about with input lag, haven't heard this? Bad job if it's true!

aliEnRIK

[QUOTE=almillar;41977668
Rik - which models are you talking about with input lag, haven't heard this? Bad job if it's true![/QUOTE]

You mean plasmas or any at all?

Iconic

almillar wrote: »

I think Viera Cast (and other similar things) is a bit of a gimmick, and unlikely to be updated in the future very much (just buy a new TV will be the answer) - I'd prefer to do that kind of stuff with a PVR, PS3 or HTPC.
As for the USB feature, whilst it would be nice to use, it also wouldn't get much use if you have a PVR.

Panasonic say they are updating Viera Cast all the time and although it's still not as good as full internet it gets you to the internet much quicker than waiting for a HTPC to boot up!

The USB feature is another quick way of getting your media to the TV with out having to wait. The Panny usb will also record TV progs