| theseans |
So I work for a TV network, and should probably know this stuff upside and down, right? Well, i need help. There...I said it.
Does anyone out there have LCD's, and Plasma's hung over your mantle, or against the wall? Just bought a new house, and would like to hang a spare 42-46" HD tv over the mantle of my fireplace. I would like feedback on the watchability of both types, and get your thoughts on how plasma stacks up against LCD technology. Hangable LCD and Plasma only please, as I will be hanging this one. Specifically, I'm wondering:
- how well the LCD's performs from different viewing angles compared to the Plasma
All other feedback welcome!
Thanks guys!! Need you to steer me in the right path! |
|
|
| dj-mdx2 |
I mounted my 50" plasma in my great room and it's fantastic but my only gripe is during daytime there's a lot of reflection from the back wall. It's awesome at night.
Traditionally, LCDs perform better in high levels of light. I sort of tested this concept when I bought a 37" LCD and compared its viewability in the same room but I didn't mount it.
If you can reduce ambient light (I should use curtains but it's tough trying to get drapes on 30 foot high window wall), either an LCD or plasma would be fine. The viewing angles should be excellent for both. |
|
|
| G. COLTON |
I have seen this discussed on several sites and I am not sure that there is a clear winner.
G |
|
|
| Ceenit |
I have both, and they are equally good from different viewing angles. I like the picture on the LCD a little better, but that is pretty debatable among owners of LCD's and Plasmas.
The plasma however does have more glare from the window, so if that is a concern, I would lean towards the LCD. |
|
|
| theseans |
I think you are right George. Even within the broadcast community, it has been debated left right and center. All are good at different things. DJ is right, that the LCD's are good at producing light, but not so good at producing black. Plasma's are good at producing black and color giving them better depth of field. Even the old CRT Projection sets are considered best all-around by many insiders.
What I'm scared of, is my wide but narrow family room. If I mount this high above a fireplace, will it be viewable by people centre, far left, and far right. LCD's have been know to be very washed out from the sides and from below.
Have you guys noticed a difference between your plasma and LCD with viewing angles, or are they similar? As well, how would rate their viewing angle with an older projection tv? |
|
|
| 04mdx4sq |
This has indeed been debated a million times. If anyone has a dead horse, I have a beating stick.
My experience working in the sales end of things has shown me one thing, the strenghts / weaknesses of each technology have been brought to a point where they are very similar in performance. I have had both and have had equally good performance.
Some more advice is to spend the money on a unit with good video processing, as most of what you watch on it will not be in the panel's native resolution. |
|
|
| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by 04mdx4sq
Some more advice is to spend the money on a unit with good video processing, as most of what you watch on it will not be in the panel's native resolution.
This is good advice. You're not always going to watch from an HD source. Once you've gone HD, you never wanna go back. As far as viewing angles, I really can't tell the difference between plasma and LCD. Better than my EDTV CRT for sure. Get either a Panny or Sony if you go plasma, and Sharp seems to be edging out the competition in LCD, with Sony and Samsung close runner-ups. |
|
|
| Mantioch |
| I have a 50" Toshiba Plasma that is hanging on the wall. We have several seating areas around the family room creating a lot of different viewing angles. The plasma has the best color and picture from all viewing angles hands down. As far as straight-on picture quality between LCD and plasma, I think the plasma has a much better picture. Just my opinion. |
|
|
| theseans |
I think you're right about the plasma with viewing angles. Seems to be the consensus, although newer LCD's are finally comparable.
Anyone from Kentucky has my vote of confidence. Plasma it is. Ever spend any time up in Slade County? Favourite place in the US...except for the "Dry" county thing. Hard on us Canadians to go without beer during playoff time.
quote:
Originally posted by Mantioch
I have a 50" Toshiba Plasma that is hanging on the wall. We have several seating areas around the family room creating a lot of different viewing angles. The plasma has the best color and picture from all viewing angles hands down. As far as straight-on picture quality between LCD and plasma, I think the plasma has a much better picture. Just my opinion.
|
|
|
| aruca |
theseans, I got a couple of 42" panasonics plasmas both 3+ years, and one of them is wall mounted. If I were to buy/replace them I would not go with another panasonic. I'll look into sony/toshiba/sharp. One of my plasmas started getting a diagnostic error and it won't go away until you unplug the cables..like a hardboot. The panasonic support sucks big time. They were least helpful and gave me a number for a local pan. authorized dealer. They gave an estimate of $600-$800, at the least. The second plasma in our bedroom seems to show signs of failing too. Every now and then you get streaking horizontal lines that won't go away until you turn off and on. You can get Panasonic plasmas at walmart now. I guess that speaks for itself.
couple of things to consider..
1. If you wall mount, you may not be able to re-use the same mount if you end up replacing your tv with another one.
2. Plasmas get very hot. You can feel the heat if you walk close by. Someone told me that you can't have it turned on for more than 8 continuous hour.
3. warranty. they are not cheap. $400+. plasma/lcd is not as solid as old tube tvs.
4. don't mount it too high. if u have to look up too high its going to be uncomfortable after sometime.
5. get darkroom shades (lowes/home depot) if you have windows in front of the tvs. makes a big difference.
6. plasma/lcd cleaner
Good luck on your plasma. |
|
|
| acuramdx300 |
| I went for the plasma because I felt it had a better pic. quality. LCD's show white really well, but plasmas show black very well. If i were you I would go for the plasma. |
|
|
| alphaforcex |
| If you want to save some money on electricity, you'll want LCD. For picture quality, I'll go for Plasma. LCD will also last longer but the viewing angle is narrower. This is from a plasma owner looking to buy another LCD for kids. |
|
|
| theseans |
Viewing angle is important to me. From all reports, newer LCD units are now very comparable on this point, but I sense Plasma still has an edge here. Cheaper as well...
Thanks for the feedback everyone, I think a Samsung 1080p plasma is the front-runner for me, unless anyone has had issues with one. Let me know.
quote:
Originally posted by alphaforcex
If you want to save some money on electricity, you'll want LCD. For picture quality, I'll go for Plasma. LCD will also last longer but the viewing angle is narrower. This is from a plasma owner looking to buy another LCD for kids.
|
|
|
| Mantioch |
I've driven through it quite a few times (Mountain Parkway), but that's about it. The whole dry county thing is a bit comical when the surrounding counties are "wet" - though you certainly take your chances.
Good choice on the Samsung. They have a very nice picture from what I've read in reviews. Good luck with everything!
quote:
Originally posted by theseans
I think you're right about the plasma with viewing angles. Seems to be the consensus, although newer LCD's are finally comparable.
Anyone from Kentucky has my vote of confidence. Plasma it is. Ever spend any time up in Slade County? Favourite place in the US...except for the "Dry" county thing. Hard on us Canadians to go without beer during playoff time.
|
|
|
|
