LCD/Plasma HDTV Poll

[WaRocker]

I am sorry but most of this is wrong...or I should say not technically accurate.

LCD TV do not have liquid in them...they use a crystalline structure that vibrates to open/closed positions which in turn allows the bright white light behind the crystal to show through. The benefit is that they can be very bright and have exceptionally vivid colors (Sony Bravia lead in the level of colors so far and IMO are the best option). The downside is that the cannot produce black as a color (light will bleed through even a closed cell producing a bluish black (in Sony) or brownish black (in Olivia or other cheaper brands). LCD's can get burn in...though in most cases it is not permanent provided you shut the TV or don't have really long term stable images on the screen (a 4 hr game marathon won't have any affect but overnight with a logo left on will). Also, due to manufacturing processes LCD are limited in size to...so anything over 45" are extremely expensive.

Plasma - same thing do really have any gas in them...they use plasma which is also a liquid crystal. Unlike LCD that vibrates Plasmas go from solid to "liquid" and back and forth. This essentially opens/closes the pixel releasing the light. The benefit is they can produce a true black color meaning better shadows and better dark details. The downside is they are slower when going from one color to another so technically they might not look as sharp as LCD but I would challenge anyone to really be able to prove that and show it. Due to costs Plasma TV have really stayed at the larger sizes 50"+ which is where their cost advantage comes in.

Resolution:
720p - great for TV viewing, DVD and Xbox360 or lower game systems
1080p - great for Bluray and PS3 (along with HD TV)
Personally I would only buy a 1080P as that is where everything is heading but 720p are cheaper and unless you have a Bluray or PS3 you won't see any difference)

Size: 40" or small buy an LCD, 50" + buy a plasma

BTW...the clubs (Sams or Costco) really are your best bets in getting a great deal (on the larger sizes)

I have been involved with sales and manufacturing of TVs for years so I hope this helps

Wow, LCD does in fact have liquid in it. Not like water but a liquid substance just the same. This is why they can freeze. Its the HUGE WARNING IN YOUR INSTRUCTIONS that says this can happen. It has happened many time during the winter up here when the power has gon out for many days and the tv freezes and then is not repairable.
Unless consumer reports is lying?? Hmm let me think ..
Oh and as far as plasma goes its old tech. This is why you will see fewer of them out regardless of the size..

[WaRocker]

LCD vs. Plasma TVs
Both are better than ever, and the best sets raise the bar for picture quality

The vast majority of consumers are buying LCD and plasma flat panels rather than rear-projection sets or front projectors with separate screens. Neither LCD nor plasma is the clear winner for quality; there are excellent sets of both types in our Ratings of LCD TVs and Ratings of plasma TVs (both available to subscribers).

There are reasons to opt for one over the other, though. With LCDs, you'll have a wider choice of 1080p sets than with plasmas, and the price premium over a 720p TV is usually smaller. You'll also have more screen sizes to choose from, including sets smaller than 42 inches-typically the smallest size for a plasma. (See: Why buy an LCD TV?)

LCD TVs are generally a bit brighter than plasma, and their screens are less reflective, so many look better in bright rooms. They're also better for playing video games and for use as a computer monitor because they're not subject to burn-in from fixed images displayed for a long period, as plasma TVs can be. (Burn-in might have been more of a problem with early plasma sets. We've seen no evidence of permanent image retention in our short-term tests, and recent anecdotal evidence from our own staffers and online forum participants hasn't turned up any burn-in issues in typical long-term use at home.) LCD sets use less power, but the differences aren't that great. (See: Why buy a plasma TV?)

On the other hand, plasma TVs generally cost a bit less than LCD sets of comparable size and quality, though the price difference is shrinking. The best plasma TVs are better than LCD sets at displaying deep blacks and tend to have better contrast, which makes for rich, natural-looking images, especially in dim lighting. They're also better than LCDs at handling motion without blurring the image, though some new 120Hz LCDs are showing improvement in that area. (See: When either type is fine)

Another major advantage: Plasma TVs have a virtually unlimited viewing angle, so the picture quality doesn't deteriorate when you watch the screen from off-center. With most LCD sets (and rear-projection TVs), the picture loses some contrast, color, or brightness as you angle away from the center. You might not notice this too much with bright images and vivid colors like you'll see in a football game, but the degradation in quality can be obvious with other programs.

[lord jackel]

Wow, LCD does in fact have liquid in it. Not like water but a liquid substance just the same. This is why they can freeze. Its the HUGE WARNING IN YOUR INSTRUCTIONS that says this can happen. It has happened many time during the winter up here when the power has gon out for many days and the tv freezes and then is not repairable.

You believe what you want...having built them I can tell you they don't (they use an electro reactive crystaline structure that is semi-solid but in no way a liquid that is sandwiched between what could pass for glass). This is done at a molecular level and the cystaline strucuture is orientated in a "twised" pattern (allowing all light to pass through), when power is applied the crystals "line-up" and will then block the light this change in orientation is what allows different levels of light to pass through...this light is then directed to colored filters to give it the red/green/blue color needed to make up the picture.

The initial state of the crystalline structure is liquid when it is first made but by time is makes it to your TV set it isn't any longer (it is applied as a liquid to the system then "sets".). Think of the analogy of ice...is was a liquid first then solidifies into a solid...but it is still "water" just in a different form.

As for freezing...any TV that freezes will be ruined.

[panthercz]

If you want the best picture quality, go Plasma.

LCD's don't offer the image quality of plasmas *yet*, they will eventually but it will be another year or two...perhaps more.

If you have a limited budget but want a flat panel, LCD is the other choice. They are cheaper, lighter, and use less energy.

[WaRocker]

You believe what you want...having built them I can tell you they don't (they use an electro reactive crystaline structure that is semi-solid but in no way a liquid that is sandwiched between what could pass for glass). This is done at a molecular level and the cystaline strucuture is orientated in a "twised" pattern (allowing all light to pass through), when power is applied the crystals "line-up" and will then block the light this change in orientation is what allows different levels of light to pass through...this light is then directed to colored filters to give it the red/green/blue color needed to make up the picture.

The initial state of the crystalline structure is liquid when it is first made but by time is makes it to your TV set it isn't any longer (it is applied as a liquid to the system then "sets".). Think of the analogy of ice...is was a liquid first then solidifies into a solid...but it is still "water" just in a different form.

As for freezing...any TV that freezes will be ruined.

Well actually a solid state TV wont freeze and neither will a plasma due to it is gas. So go figure the "LIQUID" tv freezes and the others dont. Could it be because it is liquid? let me think. And again you even went back on yourself on one hand you said it was not liquid but then again you said it is.. or do i use your words ? "but it is still "water" just in a different form". That to me says LIQUID ALL OVER IT. I guess my BA in mechanical engineering was worthless Darn those colleges
Oh and the thousands of people who say the same as far as the liquid.. being liquid.. and gas being gas and solid being solid..

[lord jackel]

Well actually a solid state TV wont freeze and neither will a plasma due to it is gas. So go figure the "LIQUID" tv freezes and the others dont. Could it be because it is liquid? let me think. And again you even went back on yourself on one hand you said it was not liquid but then again you said it is.. or do i use your words ? "but it is still "water" just in a different form". That to me says LIQUID ALL OVER IT. I guess my BA in mechanical engineering was worthless Darn those colleges
Oh and the thousands of people who say the same as far as the liquid.. being liquid.. and gas being gas and solid being solid..

I have no interest in arguing with you...my snakes need attending and I was just trying to help.

OP...per Warocker don't by an LCD if you live in a freezer or are afraid your TV might spill on the couch.

Peace.

[Patrick Long]

Wow such heated debate....I LOVE IT!!!!

As far as the poll goes. I clicked the option to make more than one clickable, but I think I double clicked it, so it went on and off. The mods cant change it either so oh well, im not that worried about it!

Sorry for the mess up, Thanx for the details!

[WaRocker]

I have no interest in arguing with you...my snakes need attending and I was just trying to help.

OP...per Warocker don't by an LCD if you live in a freezer or are afraid your TV might spill on the couch.

Peace.

Super We shall agree to disagree..
Now for the important things in life.. Its lunch time and i need more than 3 hrs of sleep a night to function.

[Ginevive]

Eh.. I still have a giant old projection TV. Thanks for the poll; we are looking soon too!

[DSGB]

hmm it says pic all that apply but i can only pic one. i got a samsung lcd 1080P. xbox could not be played on a better screen.