JoeSixPat

Looks like I might soon join the modern TV age and get a HDTV -

Basically for what I can spend and the room I have I'm down to 2 different models - one a 32 inch LCD and the other a 32 inch plasma

I've studied up on the pros and cons of each

The Plasma that I saw (at least the store models) side by side with the same brand LCD seemed like it had the better picture - and was $50 less.

Wondering what others think about the pros and cons in practice. Seems to me that the Plasma has the better picture but others might disagree.

I know the plasmas use more energy - in this case I've compared the two models - one uses a maximum 250 v and the lcd uses a maximum 170 v - I'm not sure what that works out to per month or year of energy costs though.

Any other issues or concerns from fellow Patsfans before I make a decision?

Zeke_Mowatt

Bring a DVD or something comparable to the store, preferably sports oriented, and have them play it on both tv's for you. As a sports first, movies/effects later person, I had to rule out both and go DLP, I just couldn't handle the refresh rate of either lcd or plasma compared to dlp for the cost. I know dlp isn't really available in the size you're talking about, and my gut is that the lcd was the bigger problem with tracers, refresh rate, etc, but definitely do an in-person study. The other question is if you have glare issues - I had big sliding doors to deal with, so plasma wasn't really a good call for me because I'd have gotten reflections way worse than I do now, so if you have a 32" setup only, but also have glare issues, lcd might be your only choice even though the trails you get can be pretty brutal.

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PatsWickedPissah

Go to avsforum.com and read the 32" section for knowlegeable comments on TVs there, a much better source than reading here. Me, next spring I'm buying a 32" LCD likely Sony Samsung or Sharp for my rental property. I've had a CRT 34" HD SONY since 2001. Weighs as much as a light OL.

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Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.
This is known as "bad luck." RAH

PatsWickedPissah

Oh and in case you're a member of the Global Warming cult, here's a concern...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,376304,00.html

"Booming demand for flat-screen televisions could have a greater impact on global warming than the world's largest coal-fired power stations, scientists warn.

A greenhouse gas called nitrogen trifluoride, used to make the TVs, is 17,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide, said Michael Prather, director of the environment institute at the University of California, Irvine.

Prather's research shows production of the gas, which remains in the atmosphere for 550 years, is "exploding".

It is expected to double by next year, from the current 4,000 tons produced annually.

But unlike other key greenhouse gases — such as carbon dioxide, sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) — emissions of the gas are not restricted under the Kyoto protocol"

Another reason to panic!

__________________
Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.
This is known as "bad luck." RAH

Tunescribe

I got a Sony Bravia LCD last fall and am very happy with it. To me, the LCDs had sharper resolution than the plasmas, plus there's the risk of plasmas showing burn-though imaging over time.

BelichickFan

I chose LCD for myself because I love the non glare screen, it wipes out all but the brightest glares. I do get a little motion blurring but it doesn't really bother me. Not sure how it compares to Plasma as I haven't watched a Plasma nearly as much.

Not to be confrontational, but for those on the political forum always yacking about MMGW, I hope you're selling your new HDTVs :

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/07...rifluoride_tv/

Michael

Unless you have a very dark room forget the plasma. And they are still more prone to burn in than LCDs.

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BelichickFan

I was shocked when I stood in a Costco and looked at Plasmas and how much reflection there was off those factory style lights on the ceiling. I went in planning on Plasma and I walked out locked in on LCD.

signbabybrady

LCD is better for smaller tvs and Plasma better for biggerones. I am not sure where the cut off is but I would imagine somewhere in the 32 inch range. There are a lot of other factors too like how much light you get in the room.

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JoeSixPat

I wouldn't say the room is dark - but the TV placement ensures that it never sees direct sunlight - the worst reflection I've seen with the current regular TV is for a short period of time where an adjacent wall has a streak of sunlight that can be seen in reflection.

If its no worse than a regular TV that doesn't seem like a big issue to me.

As it stands we hardly get a chance to watch TV during the day anymore.

The "burn in" issue - is that with a static image that burns itself in? Would it happen in normal TV watching? Or only during the initial watching period? I don't do video games so if that's a burn in issue its not a factor.

Thanks for all the responses!