Hi All,

 

Looks like it's time for a new TV and just wondered if people have any hints on what to look for. Probably looking at around a 42" with HDMI and built in freeview. I've not got Sky and really not oo bothered about getting it as it would only be to watch the footie and there's pubs for that! lol

 

What are your thoughts on Plasma/LCD/etc?

 

Cheers

 

Viajy

no one knows the life span of plasma you have to set screen savers so as not to burn static images such as the tv channel emblem in the corner on to the screen. i was not overly impressed with the plasmas we had

Swings and roundabouts really.

 

My mate just got a Samsung with built in Freeview.

Very impressed with it (unlike the Sony that it replaced!)

 

Plasmas have much better contrast ratio (black blacks) but they don't seem to last too well. Seen loads of knackered ones.

 

LCD is getter much better too but try watching one in a sunny room!!

LCD use less power, they also tend to be higher resolution, and use less power.

 

As Graham said, plasma do have a better contrast ratio, but the better LCD ones are very close to beating that.

 

Plasma screens did have quite a short life span, with the colours and brightness slowly faiding over time. But I think the life span has not increased an awful lot over the past few years, to the extent that you will probably throw the screen away before its time.

What about DLP?

I found the best of both worlds seemed to be the rear projection sets from LG. Stunning pictures, replaceable bulbs and quite light. It's just the size of them that's the problem although they're only about 10inches thick and offer the clarity of the plasma without the jaggies of the TFT ones

 

They use DLP and look stunning

I found the best of both worlds seemed to be the rear projection sets from LG. Stunning pictures, replaceable bulbs and quite light. It's just the size of them that's the problem although they're only about 10inches thick and offer the clarity of the plasma without the jaggies of the TFT ones

 

They use DLP and look stunning

 

Except the viewing angle isn't quite so good and the brightness can be poor. We have a 44" LG and apart from the niggles above it's pretty good. The general picture quality is very good.

Pick you plasmas carefully, to date i would go for an LCD over a 37" as i feel the plasmas have a better all round picture and dont believe everything you hear about screen burn and panel life, mines got an 80000 hour life so give or take a few years poss about 25 years watching it all day LOL and with the newer technology you dont get screen burn, dont get me wrong the first few years of plasma had terrible issues with screen burn and the screen life.

 

If you going plasma go for a panasonic, ive had mine now for just over 2 years and apart from possible going to a 50" version i wouldnt change it for the world.

 

As a few have said LCD is catching up to plasma with the larger screens but by the time they do theres new technology coming out which will make both look crap :)

 

Try AV Forums for some ideas and the best deals

 

Mike

Pick you plasmas carefully, to date i would go for an LCD over a 37" as i feel the plasmas have a better all round picture and dont believe everything you hear about screen burn and panel life, mines got an 80000 hour life so give or take a few years poss about 25 years watching it all day LOL and with the newer technology you dont get screen burn, dont get me wrong the first few years of plasma had terrible issues with screen burn and the screen life.

 

I've seen several with screen burn. Its just as bad as on a CRT!

Cheers everyone. I went to John Lewis to make some enquiries and he said the new plasmas should last at least 15-20 years. He reckoned that plasma is much better quality than LCD's for viewing angles and picture quality. He did recomended the Panasonics and the Pioneer and the good thing is I went to Costco and the Pioneer is £300 less than John Lewis were selling it for. :)

..... he said the new plasmas should last at least 15-20 years.

Well, he is a salesman ;).

 

Ask him for a free 20 year guarantee then :rofl: .

Graham, yeah I know :( Think I've got a bit of searching on the net to do.....................

 

Cheers everyone :)

 

Vijay

There's a new type of LCD coming....... ;)

lol, spill the beans

I would if I could, but I'm under an NDA (non disclosure agreement). It won't be long to market though and it will be competitively priced but much better than current LCD technology.

Here's a few "known" facts:

 

http://news.com.com/Toshiba+set+to+build+55-inch+SED+TVs/2100-1041_3-6122031.html

http://news.com.com/Sharps+very%2C+very+sharp+experimental+screen/2100-1041_3-6122477.html

We'll see.

 

SED, OLED, PLED/LEP, FED..................blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

 

I'll stick to CRT for now ;)

Cheers again. Not sure I can wait though, the 14" portable is already doing my head in!! lol

 

Contemplating one of these 2:

 

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_detail.jsp?product_id=12854&taxonomy_id=62-63

 

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/plasma-tv/th42px600ped/index.htm

Cheers again. Not sure I can wait though, the 14" portable is already doing my head in!! lol

 

Contemplating one of these 2:

 

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_detail.jsp?product_id=12854&taxonomy_id=62-63

 

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/plasma-tv/th42px600ped/index.htm

 

Both are highly rated but i know steve300zx off here bought the pioneer and it was faulty, i think from what he said it got real bad screen burn pretty much straight away so i would have thought the progressive scan failed or similar?

 

As i said i have the panasonic and i did alot of research before buying but what i will say is always go for the business screen rather than the home one!! it may not be as pleasing on the eye but will last a hell of alot longer and is usually cheaper :)

 

Mike

This is where i got mine from

 

http://www.av-sales.com/categories.php?cat=16

 

Ordered it on the monday came on the tuesday and comes with a proper specialised delivery company who take it out of the packaging and test it first :)

 

Will be buying the Panasonic TH-50PH9 next to replace my older one which is 42 inch from them as well.

 

Mike

Cheers Mike. What do you mean by business screen over a home one?

 

Vijay

Cheers Mike. What do you mean by business screen over a home one?

 

Vijay

 

Hi Bud

 

The business one is usually a little more boring looking ie not piano black etc but they are built better as there usually made for the likes of service stations showing stuff 24 hours a day etc

 

For example the business 42" panasonic would be the PANASONIC-TH-42PH9 and the retails version wold be PANASONIC-TH42PX600

 

Mine still looks great in silver and i got mine with a table stand but have since changed it to a glass alphason stand which cost me about £350

 

Mike

Where do I find the business ones?

 

Cheers

 

Vijay

Where do I find the business ones?

 

Cheers

 

Vijay

 

if you click on the link i gave you and find the models i have listed and the PH9 is the business version and the PX600 is the retails version :)

 

just give them a bell

 

Mike

Cheers Mike, Just sent them an email :)

 

Vijay