Keep looking at new televisions, but unsure whats best to get. Anyone in the know? Whats the advantages, disadvantages. If I get one, it would probably be a 32" which, will sit at an angle in the corner of the room.

 

 

Barry.

I have not seen a Plasma or LCD screen which I have been impressed with. The screen size and thickness is impressive but the picture quality has never been

CRT- Currently still best picture quality (more lines of info on screen) and cheaper, but very bulky/heavy and not many are future proof with new HDTV arriving in next 2-3 years. Old technology but still going to be around for a while.

 

LCD- Very slim, very clear/sharp image, bright picture, but picture can be very grainy due to pixel size and unless you sit directly in front of the screen some are difficult to see (prices are coming down FAST though). Many are future proof

 

PLASMA- slim again, good bright image and contrast, coming down in price. Some of the cheaper ones though are CRAP picture quality and therefore false economy. Again many are future proof.

 

If you go for a LCD or plasma, try and get them to put on an action movie in the demo as some flatscreens suffer from image smearing on fast moving objects on screen. Also try to view something which has a lot of dark colours on screen to see how good the contrast is.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Gareth

I know lcd is better than plasma. But I have just got the new Sony handheld PSP, the screen on that is unbelievable!! If they get to doing tv's like that, it will be fookin excellent.

I know lcd is better than plasma. But I have just got the new Sony handheld PSP, the screen on that is unbelievable!! If they get to doing tv's like that, it will be fookin excellent.

 

LCD does look impressive on a small screen but even the best 32" lcd tv's only have 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. That sort of resolution may look ok on a 17" pc monitor, but on a 32" + tv the picture quality does start to suffer quite a lot. Thats my concern.

 

Still wouldn't say no to one though... ;)

>>Plasma, LCD or CRT TVs which is best?

 

You didn't mention the best one - HDTV. The difference really is amazing.

>>Plasma, LCD or CRT TVs which is best?

 

You didn't mention the best one - HDTV. The difference really is amazing.

 

Yes but you need either a LCD, plasma or CRT tv to watch it on :D

 

Most of the HDTV ready screens at the moment are LCD, although most of the major manufacturers are broadening their products compatibility as Sky intends to start trialling transmissions next year.

If you are interested in HDTV, make sure the TV you buy is officially HD-Ready. This spec has been chosen by Sky and some of the TVs on the market are HD but not to this exact spec.

 

HD Ready means:

1) 720 physical lines in wide aspect ratio

2) HD inputs via Analogue component and DVI or HDMI

3) displays both 1280x720 progressive scan (720p) and 1920x1080 interlaced (1080i)

4) The digital input (DVI or HDMI) supports HDCP copy protection.

 

BBC will also use HD-Ready and so will STB manufacturers.

 

There is also a whole minefield about pixel resolution in PC vs TV world - many quality issues are down to the software which converts between, say, a PC disply at 768 lines to the TV spec of 720. PC Widescreen is not the same as TV Widescreen - for example, did you know that the pixels are a different shape?

I looked at loads of plasmas, lcd's etc etc and in the end i bought a panasonic 42" plasma and it is the best picture i have ever seen on a TV. I doubt you could beat it and i got it for about £1750 all in delivered including the connection board.

 

Mike

I looked at loads of plasmas, lcd's etc etc and in the end i bought a panasonic 42" plasma and it is the best picture i have ever seen on a TV. I doubt you could beat it and i got it for about £1750 all in delivered including the connection board.

 

Mike

 

Iv also got a 42inch Panasonic plasma, at first the picture wasnt that good, but i got Sky plus installed and the problems went away, now my 24inch Sony trinitron CRT picture looks crap.

 

If your going for a Plasma i would say get either a panasonic, a pioneer or a hitachi. IMO of course, but it is worth spending an extra few hundred quid on a good plasma instead of a cheap one.

After a lot of research into plasma and LCD I bought a 32" Philips LCD. It has a really clear sharp picture - and looks pretty smart too !!! (IMHO)

I have an HDTV projector, costs less than a plasma and LCD, is bigger and the resolution is better, the bulbs last as long as a plasma screen.

The pic where the screen is quite washed out is because of the flash of the camera. WHat you think?

OK not gettin the hang of this :(

:shock: :shock: Me want ! , sod staring at 17" Monitor and 15" laptop screen

Wait till next year when the HDTV thing starts to settle down.

It's no good getting a bigger screen until the resolution is there to fill it!

 

I've seen a lot of plasma screens that show 'phospher burn' after only about a year!

(They're on 24/7 though, but still worrying!)

 

There are some amazing LCD screens knocking about now too. The one on the top-end Sony laptop is superb.

 

BUT...Unless I can watch it, in my living room, on a bright sunny day, I don't want it.

The days of closing the curtains to watch TV are long gone! (eg. rear projection....useless!. Front projectors, not much better.)

I,ve got a Sony 30" L.C.D. tv and when i,m playing a d.v.d the picture is really good however when watching through telewest box most of the time its a pretty poor second. i spoke to an engineer when they came round to set up broadband and he tells me they do not send that good of a picture signal and at night they even reduce a lot of the channels signals to save money and manpower. I am not sure just how true this is caus i was moaning about the picture quality at the time. Anyhoo this is my setup piccy,s part of having a big tv is having a good surround sound setup it can make the film. !!

Philips 32" (32pf9986) is brill! Just brought one last month, £1800 mind.

I looked for plasma at first but lcd looks miles better, also looked at the top sony and lots none anywhere near as good as the philips,(and hd ready).

Nearly forgot ambilight is cool and loads of best buy from mags, but everything changes quick i know in this market.

I dont like the picture on LCD tv's i have 2, a 24" in the bedroom and a 17" on my PC but IMHO the panasonic plasma is far better, saying that you do need a very good source and decent cables to get the most of the plasma, basically it shows up any short comings you have ie normal sky or crappy cables but i now have sky + anbd everything is component connected and it is just amazing, also i changed from having a 9 foot LCD projector to my plasma and do not regret it at all.

 

Mike

I heard plasma tvs are knackered in 4-7 years of normal use.

If it's going in the corner of the room do you really need a flat one?

I heard plasma tvs are knackered in 4-7 years of normal use.

If it's going in the corner of the room do you really need a flat one?

 

Well mine has a 60,000 hour life so if you watched it for 8 hours a day it will last about 28-29 years lol which i will be more than happy with TBH would you keep a TV more that 5 or 6 years anyway??

Thanks for all the info, still none the wiser! lol. Might wait for prices to fall alittle more, unless one of the retailers have a special offer on.

 

Thanks everyone.

 

Barry

These Sharp Aquos puppies are nice;

 

Titanium casing and you can remove the bottom speaker for a more slimline look.

About £3k for the 37" model though! :shock:

 

I'm gonna wait til they come down in price a bit more methinks!! (They were £4.5k last year, so moving in the right direction!)