Old Plasma TV

SouthUKMan

Plasma TVs produce far superior images compared to LCD and LED TVs. Plasma TVs were technically far more complex to design and therefore more expensive to manufacture. Sadly, this resulted in the vast majority of consumers opting to buy for the much cheaper LCD technology (despite poorer image performance) - meaning it was no longer financially viable for manufacturers to design comparatively far more expensive plasma TVs (despite their vastly superior image quality). All the big name manufactures - Panasonic, Pioneer, LG, etc - stopped producing plasma sets around 3 or 4 years ago. You can not buy a new plasma TV now - unless you are really lucky and manage to source new unsold stock (increasingly rare).

If you are lucky enough to already have a fully working plasma TV (unless it is one of the very early standard definition 576 resolution sets), then hang on to it and treasure it! Although subjective (based on viewing distance, size of screen, etc), many people will say that even an 'HD ready' plasma TV (720 resolution) will beat a full HD (1080 resolution) LCD / LED TV. If you are really lucky and own one of the later full HD (1080 resolution) plasma sets, then you will not find an LCD / LED screen that comes anywhere near close in terms of image quality. My opinion.

To clear up any confusion between LCD and LED TVs. LCD TVs use a florescent tube to illuminate the screen. TVs referred to as LCD can be considered 'early generation' sets. Most manufactures now produce LED TVs. LED TVs still utilise LCD screens, however they use LEDs as their light source. LEDs allow for a richer and more even distribution of light resulting in a better image compared to the older style LCD sets. Plus of course the actual LCD panel technology has evolved since the early days of LCD TVs - partly explaining why LED TVs are better than LCD, but still not as good as plasma.

Yes, plasma TVs do consume more energy than comparative size LCD / LED TVs - however no where near as much energy as the old tube style sets. In my opinion, the difference isn't worth losing sleep about and certainly shouldn't be a main consideration for 'upgrading' your TV

If you are wanting to upgrade because for example you want 'smart TV' features - then simply go down the Amazon stick route. For £40 you add Netflix / iPlayer capability to your existing TV (plus many other streaming TV services).

Hope that is a help.

Hedgehog99

...and here's me with my 1997 pre-digital relic connected to a set-top digibox and no plans to update!

forgotmyname

Its Betamax all over again

almillar

LCD or LED which is best?

They're the same. LED has different lighting behind it.

can you still buy plasma tv.

No, they stopped making them a few years ago. If you see one in a shop, it's old stock.

Plasma tvs were thought to have big running costs is that true

They generally do cost more to run. If you tell us the model number, or look at the back of your TV, you'll find out how much IT costs to run. You'll be talking about ~400w for a plasma, compared to about ~100w for a similarly sized LCD/LED TV. 400 would be a maximum on a plasma, for a bright white screen, darker screens use less energy. Whereas an LCD/LED will mostly use a more constant amount of energy. So 400 vs 100 is a little unfair.

SO, if your only concern is to change TV to reduce running costs, you'll spend a long time waiting to get your money back in saved electric costs.
If you're happy with the picture on the plasma (and you should be if it's full HD and set up right) then I don't really see the need to change.

LCD/OLED

Now THESE are very different things, but you'll not find a (reasonably priced) OLED TV in the shops for a while yet...

terrierlady

neilmcl wrote: »

As above, buy a standalone smart device.

I'm holding on to my (was) top of the range Panasonic plasma for grim life, even though it too is nearly 6 years old I've yet to see a more complete viewing experience from any current LED(LCD) TVs.

What make/model have you got?

Panasonic Viera TX-P50C2B 265Watt

neilmcl

terrierlady wrote: »

Panasonic Viera TX-P50C2B 265Watt

And are you happy with the picture?

googler

As was said, if you're generally happy with the set, just add on a Google Chromecast, Amazon FireStick, YouView box, or any other type of 'smart' add-on to add this to your viewing palette.

FredG

I've got a Panasonic Plasma Z series from the second to last generation before they got discontinued. Absolutely stunning image, wonderfully thin and barely less energy efficient than an LCD. The black levels, contrast, response times and colour gamut (THX Certified) are just wonderful.

I'll not replace it until OLED prices are reasonable and the tech has sorted out the common input lag issues.

Not eager to get into 4k at this stage, I'd go 60inch tops when I upgrade and from the viewing distance 4k is massive overkill.

worried_jim

I've got a firebox and a youview box plugged into my 43" plasma and besides the prime subscription pay for nothing else. The picture is tip top and I'll be hanging onto it till the day it stops working.

almillar

Panasonic Viera TX-P50C2B 265Watt

I guess the 265w is Panasonic's 'typical usage' figure, rather than the maximum which, as explained above, makes plasmas look worse than they are.
You'll be waiting a very long time to get back the money you're going to spend, via energy saved. And you may end up with a worse picture. Plug in a PS3/4, XBox 360/One or some of the boxes mentioned above for any of the Smarts you may be missing out on.