Plasma V LCD

[jj-yorks]

well i have owned a Sharp LCD for the past 3 years and thought it was time to upgrade from a 32 to 40+ screen. Was dead set on a Sony Bravia kdl40w4000 but when I went into Currys to have a play and see what these screens were actually like on the eye I was very dissapointed, people keep saying LCD has moved on leaps and bounds but im not convinced...lucky that a Panasonic for whatever reason was right next to the Sony....first I thought it must be a LCD as every other panel was down this particular row of tv's and wow even in the shop the quality of the picture was far more natural and superior and even after playing with the settings of both panels for around 10 mins, most of this time with the LCD, the Panasonic plasma well out performed the LCD and was cheaper + 2" bigger screen.....i was a big LCD fan upto seeing this and now converted and would recommend a plasa over LCD any day...by the way the model i bought was PZ80B

[themilkman23]

I'm in this position about wondering about a plasma or LCD.

I had a 42" LG and then a 50" LG, both plasma's, both developed faults - One after 18 months the other after 3 months!

I recommended to my parents to get a Panasonic plasma, that developed a fault after 14 months but thankfully Panasonic covered the cost of the repair.

Whereas where my friends have bought LCD and I've told them they should have bought plasma's, their LCD's are still working without any faults!!!

[gizlaroc]

Originally Posted by jj-yorks

......even after playing with the settings of both panels for around 10 mins, most of this time with the LCD, the Panasonic plasma well out performed the LCD ......

No offence, but it took me 3 days to get the Samsung LCD even equal to my Panny plasma, 10 minutes would show you sod all.

[The Snake]

Originally Posted by gizlaroc

No offence, but it took me 3 days to get the Samsung LCD even equal to my Panny plasma, 10 minutes would show you sod all.

Does it sound like crap though, or have sammy upped the stakes in the sound department aswell.

[gizlaroc]

No they haven't!! Worst sounding TV I have ever heard!!

[geese]

The gap's closing fast but if its top quality you want then a high-end plasma it is mate. I have owned many lcd's and plasma's and by far the best is my current Pioneer. No panny( pro or otherwise ) I have owned or seen can touch it. The same with the new LED Samsung's. Either get one of them LED Lcd's or a high-grade Plasma

[arad85]

Originally Posted by IPaintSara

The 756 is reduced as its been replaced at the £1300 point by the 786 with the LED backlights, plenty on the LCD section about that set's considerable pros and relatively minor cons and a review here Samsung LE40A786 Review I think the next gen will make another improvement on LED backlighting and surpass all but the very best plasmas. Then OLED will come along.

See.. that's interesting.. Things like:

Originally Posted by HDTVtest

Video Processing is probably the section where we should note an unusual problem with the Samsung LE40A786. Irritatingly, with any source except a 60hz input, combing would appear every so often, even with a fully Progressive source. We can only assume that this display routes these signals through a 1080i video processing circuit, which is unusual. Keep in mind that as the combing is at 1080i resolution, the misplaced lines are only one pixel high and may be unnoticeable at certain viewing distances. Nevertheless, the issue is here and is especially significant in the UK, where there is an abundance of affected 50hz video content.

Would make me run a mile from the set - no matter how cheap/good the set is otherwise.

I cannot stand combing artefacts (along with judder). Really just shows how you need to see the sets yourself and judge that way rather than rely on other peoples opinions...

[gizlaroc]

Absolutely, some people may never notice that, where as others just couldn't live with it at all.




I noticed this on the 756 too, but not since putting the firmware update on.

[rikkyreardon]

Go for a Panasonic Plasma.

I had an LCD and to my eyes it just didn't look "Natural" on some things (most notable on viewing DVDs and football), plus take a look at the LCD forum sure a lot of the LCD's are improving greatly but let's face it they had to ... note how many threads have settings that include something along the lines of "turn off everything or knock it down to minimum setting" so yes they are getting better but a lot of the gizmos and processing just simply doesn't work in real life.

Also note that Plasma is superb for gaming as long as you break the set in for a few weeks ... you don't have to but less chance of IR if you do.

[Mr_x]

Originally Posted by rikkyreardon

Go for a Panasonic Plasma.

Also note that Plasma is superb for gaming as long as you break the set in for a few weeks ... you don't have to but less chance of IR if you do.

what does it mean break the set and what is IR ?


thanks i think i will spend a few days on the shop floors and try to get a feel for them myself.

[YellowSphere]

Originally Posted by rikkyreardon

note how many threads have settings that include something along the lines of "turn off everything or knock it down to minimum setting" so yes they are getting better but a lot of the gizmos and processing just simply doesn't work in real life.

That's true of any television. You'll notice that recommended settings for Pioneer are pretty much the same and what little Panasonic do give you control over, it's best to leave off.

[The Snake]

Originally Posted by Mr_x

what does it mean break the set and what is IR ?


thanks i think i will spend a few days on the shop floors and try to get a feel for them myself.

Usually with a plasma you 'run it in' for the first 200 hrs or so on low settings, namely make the screen darker, turn the contrast down etc.

IR = image retention, ie a screen/logo ending up permanently on the screen or at least on the screen for period of time.

Basically, in the first few weeks just keep the screen brightness turned down until it 'warms up' and this will help the screen 'bed in' and reduce image retention problems.

[gizlaroc]

Originally Posted by The Snake

Basically, in the first few weeks just keep the screen brightness turned down until it 'warms up' and this will help the screen 'bed in' and reduce image retention problems.

Contrast, brightness turned up will reduxe image retention.

I don't you have needed to worry about it for years now, maybe on crap screens but not on any of the main ones.


I left the Zelda start screen on for over 12 hours on my PHD8 when I got it and there was some retention, put the TV back on for an hour and when I checked it was gone.

Just set it up for a decent picture and you will be fine.




I think the whole 'which is better' debate is useless.

It really is a case now of which is better for you?

If you don't notice the Pioneer dancing pixels it is an awesome screen.
If you don't notice the noise on Panasonics in the dark areas that is an awesome screen.
If you can live with the black levels on the latest LCD's then they really do have a hell of a lot to offer over plasma.

Unfortunately demos in stores tell you nothing, 24 hours or 48 hours with a set also tell you nothing, you will either be diapointed or over the moon in the first couple of days, when you stop fiddling with the settings and just want to sit back and enjoy watching material rather than looking at the set itself is when you start to think if it is any good or not.
For me the real acid test is whether I want to adjust the settings as I switch between different sources and even different channels.

The only set I have owned so far that has not made me want to mess around constantly is the Panasonic PHD8. That doesn't make it the best set in any area, it just makes it the one I enjoy on a daily basis more. As a complete package it is almost perfect, if it were 1080p it would be perfect I guess.

[mugabimad]

I know a lot of people that are moving from LCD to plasma and not the opposite...

[gizlaroc]

Originally Posted by mugabimad

I know a lot of people that are moving from LCD to plasma and not the opposite...

Well if they have owned any of the LCDs before this cureent generation I would think they would have been put off LCD for life!