LCD v Plasma TV

Going to be buying a new TV soon, want to know people's opinions on LCD v Plasma.

Going for 1080 HD, 42" or above with freeview HD built in. Should I spend shedloads more on an LCD when me and the good wife simply don't watch much TV? Perhaps the odd film on a Saturday night, bit of sport when I can be bothered.

It'll probably be used mostly for kids TV and the odd bit of gaming. Scrapheap challenge needs to look good though .

I hear plasma TV's now are way better than a couple of years ago, no more burn in etc.

Opinions?

 

Plasma TV's are being phased out over then next few years, they are very good give a better picture quality than LCD but are bigger, heavier than an LCD.
LCD has better colour and a sharper definition, they are also lighter, thinner than plasma, and now with LED Backlighted LCD thats the way to go!

Overall Go for LCD

TO see more views on this debate search www.avforums.com

 

Agreed and to add:

Plasma tends to give a more pleasing natural colour image and suits SD better than LCD but LCD is getting better all the time and offers superiour sharpness and detail. Added to that Plasma eats electricity like it's going out of fashion.

Deffo go LCD, but now is really the wrong time to buy. LED lit rather than back lit is the way forward but OLED is going to take over that.

My advice, go for a size bigger than you think so 46" to you and my pref is to look at Sony but I've also bought an LG recently which I'm very impressed with.

 

Thanks chaps, I forgot about the power consumption! LED it is then.

I understand about the new technology coming out, but with TV's, if I waited until a quiet period I'd never buy one. Electronics are always going to be out of date in 6 months, so I'll just buy when I find what I like.

 

Be aware that in showrooms they tend to show a blue ray giving great picture quality. Ask to see something similar to your own set up to give a more comparable picture quality.

 

My advice admin, LCD. I just brought a 40' Samsung LCD and it's quality especially with HD.

As The Hornet mentioned I believe Plasma are being phased out, and are prone to having images burned onto the screen if the picture stays the same for a while. LED is a newer technology and tends to be more expensive but those TV's are the flatest you can get! I was looking at them myself but was priced out, also as they are a reasonably new technology no one can be quite sure if they will maintain their quality over a number of years. At the moment LCD is the most tried and tested, in my opinion. As I say I can't complain about my new purchase!

 

Having recently won a 50" samsung 4 series plasma i can confirm it has excellent pitcure quality. Even normal tv channels are sharp and crisp from close ranges. also says very cool after long period of use.

however there is a serious image retention issue with sill images. watching a movie say will leave letterbox shadows when returning to fullscreen tv for a while.

its a shame cos it ruins a brilliantly sharp tv, a surprising thumbs up for plasmas but LCD is probably better especially if you plan to do gaming on it.

for me panasonic are the kings of flat screen tvs....although i here LG make a lot of their parts now lol.

 

i bought a 42inch olevia off of craigslist for a song. i'm in love with an emotionless shell

 

evo*****n hdtv?

 

My home theater has a Samsung LCD as it's face. My living room is facing the west and in the afternoon is very bright and full of glare. The plasma TVs have a glossy glass cover while the LCDs have a matte cover greatly reducing glare. LED backlit were just about to come on the market when I got it, but not quite yet...I like the idea but despite how efficient they are, I am worried about how the LED themselves will last. I find in the auto biz that LED performance is not as good as billed by their manufacturers... We'll see.

 

I've had a 40" Samsung LED tv for a year now. Top class. Treat yourself to a Bluray player to go with it and you'll never look back.

 

Where did you buy that from?

 

Currys last June for £1099. Only had the standard manufacturers 1yr warranty of course.

 

Costco are quite cheap for TVs, they also give you a 5 year warranty on all TVs.

John Lewis also do the same.

 

I spotted a 40 inch Sony LCD in Sainsbury's for £499

I've had one for 3 years now, great set.....

 

Like Wazza said Costco is great option. 42 inch Panasonic Viera from Costco cost me £570 with a 5 year warrenty about 4 months ago. They are very good with customer serv ices if any issues arrise as well.

 

I also have a Samsung, and I am delighted with it. Looks a lot better than the Panasonic I was going to buy based on a mates recommendation (he has one).

 

I've been offered a new Sharp LC40LE820E, 40 inch HD, one of the Quattron range, (4 colour pixel), LED backlit, 100hz etc.

Price WITH a 5 year guarantee is £799 which is fantastic, but.....

The freeview that's built in isn't HD. Is this being too picky?


Apart from the offer above, the other TV I liked was an LG 47inch thing with HD freeview but with a poxy 1 year guarantee at about £850.


Not been to Richer Sounds or John Lewis yet.

 

http://www.richersounds.com/product/led-tv/samsung/ue40b7020/sams-le40b7020

???

 

No freeview HD, otherwise a great TV.

 

*Shuts the door on the way out*

 

No, stick to your guns on spec. These kinds of purchase are once in a few years. Trouble is you will have to pay a bit more.

There's this one for £999 from John Lewis

http://www.johnlewis.com/230948215/Product.aspx

Their price match thing means if you find it cheaper somewhere else you'll get it for that price from them.

 

Don't worry about a freeview HD tuner built in. An external box will be as good if not better and allow for an easier upgrade/repair path.

Besides there's bugger all on Freeview Hd anyway.

 

...yet, but there will be, (hopefully).

Tonight I went to Richer Sounds, John Lewis, Hobbycraft, Currys and Comet. Hobycraft wasn't for TV's! I saw TV's for the 2nd and 3rd time, spoke to the same asistants as the other night, and watched 3D TV again, (and said wow, again).

I have made a choice. I WILL be buying an LG42LD790. 42" HD with HD freeview built in, with all the toys etc. £899 or £799 with trade in, also seen it at Dixons for £50 less, so hoping Currys will price match.

Then it's surround sound systems to look at, blue ray players etc etc. Like UEA said earlier, it's not often we go for it so might as well do it properly. Thanks for the advice on this thread, been much appreciated

 

£749 here and get an extra 5% off with code TV05
http://www.dixons.co.uk/gbuk/product-04979015-pdt.html?srcid=198&tag=Monitors_LT&xtor=SEC-37-GOO-[Monitors_LT]&mctag=gg_goog_7904&gclid=CP-5hanl3KICFVGX2AodjAfgYw

£719 +£30 delivery here http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/5300878/art/lg/42ld790-42-full-hd-lcd-tv.html

I've used both and both are reputable. Dixons are good because you can book a delivery slot they do evenings and weekends as well.

 

dont forget to buy a PS3...


.. tell the wife its for the BlueRay disc, and then slip in "well I may as well buy a game or two for it"

 

I like your thinking!

 

I cant understand grown men playing computer games , no offence chaps

 

Currys will price match mate, although Dixons is now purely an online shopping site which is connected to Currys, so they won't price match Dixons's online site!

Currys also price match and give you 10% of the difference, which is good if you're saving a few hundred quid.

If you're looking at an LED TV mate, then go for a Samsung. I'm hoping to purchase a 40" LED TV in the next few months when i've moved house (the wife is expecting, so need to move to a bigger house...again).

Currys's Whateverhappens service is also worth looking into, especially with TV's. Basically if you need your TV fixed they can get it back fairly quickly (average time is 6 days), and if they can't fix it they'll replace it to one of the same spec (or they issue you vouchers of the same spend).

It gives you peace of mind, especially on an expensive item.

 

I popped into South Ruislip Curry's tonight as I was passing and spoke to one of the sales staff. I had a couple of quotes off the internet and the bloke told me they won't price match internet prices. I don't believe it for a minute, as I've also heard what you just said above.

When it comes to the crunch and I'm about to buy, if they don't match then I'll simply buy off the internet. They match or I walk out.

 

Colour or black and white?

 

Monochrome.

 

:dismay: The Manor is where it's at.

 

Forget price match. The same TV is at Richer Sounds for £737 with a 5 year guarantee. Going down there tomorrow when they open to pick one up. Might sneak in a surrounds sound while I'm there