I've got a PS3!

[DrSpike]

The specs say the resolution is 1920*1080 so I'm a bit sceptical. I think the terminology for screens that accept 1080p but don't display in 1080p is HD ready. If you want to check it yourself it's the panasonic viera G10 as I said - this is the full HD screen most plasma fans are getting.

[Asher]

The specs say the resolution is 1920*1080 so I'm a bit sceptical. I think the terminology for screens that accept 1080p but don't display in 1080p is HD ready. If you want to check it yourself it's the panasonic viera G10 as I said - this is the full HD screen most plasma fans are getting.

HD Ready is the term used on TVs that support HD resolutions, but do not have an HDTV tuner built into it (which is perfectly fine as 99.9% of people get HD through bluray, digital cable, satellite, game consoles, PCs, etc...and not through direct cable/OTA hookups).

[Asher]

I stand corrected -- the G10 is actually a true 1080p (1920x1080) panel.

[DrSpike]

Edit: I see you've accepted your error.

[Asher]

I was never in error. Read what was written.

Most Plasmas have always been sub-full HD but badged as 1080p. Looks like the new generation finally reaches resolutions LCD hit 5 years ago. I was never universal, just stating how most are.

[DrSpike]

Well I'm glad I was able to educate you as to the progress with plasma screens.

[Spaced Cowboy]

Asher, not that I'm agreeing with Spikey, but the new plasmas are 1080P, don't have BI issues, and are way longer lived that plasmas of old.

You are very correct in the power/heat issues, but I don't see how the heat would matter in Canada (dig). IIRC the chart that I saw recently, the LCD panels consume about 60-70% less power than the plasmas do. However, when I looking at prices, plasmas are still cheaper, and they are far better in a bright/sunny room than LCDs (not that you'd have that kind of problem in Canada mind you...dig #2). And they have much more vivid colors.

I'm on the fence for my next one. LCDs seem to have quite a bit of blur during fast scenes unless you opt for one of the 120 or 240Hz models, but you also are paying a premium for those. Hence I'm leaning towards a plasma.

Here is a pretty good article for making the choice.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-b6KmbcshB5K/learn/learningcenter/home/tv_flatpanel.html

[DrSpike]

Asher, not that I'm agreeing with Spikey,

Looks to me like you did.

[Asher]

Asher, not that I'm agreeing with Spikey, but the new plasmas are 1080P, don't have BI issues, and are way longer lived that plasmas of old.

You are very correct in the power/heat issues, but I don't see how the heat would matter in Canada (dig). IIRC the chart that I saw recently, the LCD panels consume about 60-70% less power than the plasmas do. However, when I looking at prices, plasmas are still cheaper, and they are far better in a bright/sunny room than LCDs (not that you'd have that kind of problem in Canada mind you...dig #2). And they have much more vivid colors.

I'm on the fence for my next one. LCDs seem to have quite a bit of blur during fast scenes unless you opt for one of the 120 or 240Hz models, but you also are paying a premium for those. Hence I'm leaning towards a plasma.

Here is a pretty good article for making the choice.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-b6Kmbcs...flatpanel.html

Burn-in is and will always be an issue on plasmas, it's the nature of the technology. It's "less of an issue" on new models because of things like "Game Mode" which subtly rotate the pixels and to try to prevent it, but it can still be an issue.

Plasmas also usually suffer from glare.

There's a reason that Plasmas are on the way out -- some huge manufacturers have pulled out completely (eg, Pioneer). They used to have a niche in that they were cheaper to make big-screens with than LCDs, but that's not true anymore. The current generation LCDs have every bit of picture quality than Plasmas get, with far, far lower power usage (which is increasingly important -- look at California's legislation on TVs coming down the pipe), longer life spans, less heat (= better reliability), no burn-in risk, no fading over time, etc.

LED-backlit LCDs arguably offer superior picture quality and contrast to Plasmas in all aspects as well.

Plasmas are on the way out, and there's a reason DrSpike got that as cheap as he did.

[Asher]

120Hz are not too pricey BTW.

I could go to the store down the street and buy a brand name (LG/Sony/Samsung) 120Hz 55" 1080p LCD for $1499CDN ($1449 USD). This is virtually identical to similar-sized Plasma TVs, which are $1300 for the cheapest 50" and $1800 for a 60".

[Spaced Cowboy]

Sir a quick check on New Egg yields this (all 1080P, all LCD @ 120Hz):

46"
Sony LCD $1139
Panasonic Plasma $973
(That one is close)

55"
LG LCD $1979
Samsung LCD $1799
Panasonic Plasma (54" closest match) $1377

60"
LG Plasma $1499
Sharp LCD $2299

It does get real close as the screen size goes down.

To address your other issues:

Power: Both technologies have been reducing power consumption by 20-30% per year.
Given plasmas are a much more power hungry.

A lot of issues with both sets are issues in the past. LCDs can still see ghosting and reverse ghosting.

I still say there are applications for both, depending on what you use it for.

Mine won't be used for games, so ghosting would not be an issue. BTW I have a 4 yr old 42" inch 720p plasma and have had no issues with it. It sees lots of on time per day (the cowgirl mainly as I do not watch much).

Yeah Vizio and Pioneer pulled out, but no one really said why. I suspect that they were having trouble competing with the Panasonic plasma machine.

LOL, glare yeah I see it, but during the day in my family room with the massive window size and count, I can see it. I don't think an LCD would hold up there.

[Asher]

LCDs are generally considered to be far better to use in bright rooms, especially with sun...I have a massive NW-facing corner unit with windows along the entire side, no issues at all...


55" LG LCD: $1499

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010121816&catid=

54" Panasonic Plasma: $1799:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010135061&catid=

Similar in price for the most part. There are 1024x768 50" Plasmas for only $899 though...

Vizio/Pioneer pulled out because the Plasma sales were not as attractive as LCDs were. LCD sales were going through the roof, Plasmas were not. Plasmas are close to their performance ceiling, LCDs are not. They also couldn't generate a big enough slice of the market to warrant the development of the units.

As a result, the Plasma market is less competitive than LCD also.

[Spaced Cowboy]

Can you back up your claims of sun issues with outside sources (not doubt, just interested).

I'm confused about the facing of your windows, or what you mean by corner unit (apartment or AV unit). If you only have NW exposure, you should not see any sun issues that far north, although I am fully understanding where the windows are (west or north side...or some other side combo?).

Good housing construction practice here avoids southern windows and minimizes western windows. Although I remember being show houses that avoided this, LOL, uh, can we move on...

Lastly, when I clicked on your links both were the same price, and I will have to admit of never hearing of futureshop. Also the 54" plasma that I quoted has better specs (I looked at both), so I have to assume that FS is not a cost leader.

I've checked back at NE, the price has not changed. Plus NE is free shipping and no tax.

Anyway I agree, plasma is on the way out. I think it got too much negative press on BI and life and every Joe the plumber went LCD. We are pretty smart consumers, most people are not.

What about LED?

[Asher]

Can you back up your claims of sun issues with outside sources (not doubt, just interested).

I'm confused. You need additional sources to understand the effects of sunlight on glass? Plasmas use glass, LCDs don't....glass has glare, matte LCD panels do not.

I'm confused about the facing of your windows, or what you mean by corner unit (apartment or AV unit). If you only have NW exposure, you should not see any sun issues that far north, although I am fully understanding where the windows are (west or north side...or some other side combo?).

The condo is NW-facing. When the sun sets, it shines directly on the TV in its entirity.

Lastly, when I clicked on your links both were the same price, and I will have to admit of never hearing of futureshop.

Future Shop is a Canadian chain. It's owned by Best Buy but has commissioned salespeople.

What about LED?

This is a major pet peve of mine. There's no such thing as LED TVs for consumers.

Are you referring to OLED TVs (not yet out) or LED-backlit LCD TVs?

LED-backlit LCD TVs are awesome. They're just regular LCDs with far more precise/lower-power backlighting which offers much better contrast ratios and lower power use, and longer life.

[DrSpike]

Can you back up your claims of sun issues with outside sources (not doubt, just interested).

Just google for plasma lcd bright room and tonnes of links will come up. It's quite well established that if you can't control the level of light an LCD should be a better choice (though high end LCD tend to be reflective also).

Even that link you posted earlier referred to it.