TeeVee Envy

[Snowflake]

I was at Costco today on my lunch hour (how thrilling, I can hear you now)

But I saw this (http://tinyurl.com/royc3) and fell in love. Thank God I have no money to play with....but it sure as hell does not stop me from lusting.

What is the diff between LCD and Plasma and which one is the one to buy?

[mousepod]

Big TV - worth every penny for movie lovers.

[Capt Jack]

is that considered a 'good' price for such a thing? yes its a serious question. I havent seriously looked at new TV's in about a decade.

[Morrigoon]

LCD is better because it doesn't involve any gases which will need to be replaced in 5 years, however, I've also heard that Plasma is better for large screens, and that it gives a smoother picture with less eye strain because the plasma takes longer to go dark when the signal dies, so it bridges the gap between frames cleaner, making for a smooth image.

Personally, I'd go with the LCD!

[scaeagles]

I paid 1599 for my 44 inch LCD, but it isn't flat panel like that. I haven't priced them since i purchased - I don't want to know how much lower it is now than what I paid, you know?

LCD can look grainy, and you will have to replace the bulb every couple of years (300 or so). Mine came with two free bulb replacements. Plasma can't take altitude changes, from what I understand. It's pressured and if the atmospheric pressure changes too much it won't work. Plasma must also be recharged, but I'm not sure how long it lasts from purchase to recharging.

Plasma will have a much better picture, but my LCD HD works just fine for me.

[mousepod]

I've got a 61" DLP HDTV. Plasma was too expensive for me (and I haven't seen any Plasmas that look good after 5 years - though the new ones might be better). The major difference between LCD and DLP is that LCD is a truly flat set, and you are looking at every pixel - skinny tv = good, but a dead pixel stays dead forever, and DLP uses a Texas Instruments chip with "millions of mirrors" to project what is basically an LCD image onto your screen. A little bulkier, but cheaper and more forgiving. (are you sure you don't have DLP, scaeagles?)

One thing to beware when buying: Costco models might seem cheaper, but you need to check all of the specs. For example, the TV I bought (Toshiba) was almost $400 cheaper at CostCo, but the CostCo model had only one HDMI jack, while the one I bought at onecall.com has two. I already use both jacks (for my digital cable and my upscaling DVD player), so it was well worth the price difference.

[scaeagles]

(are you sure you don't have DLP, scaeagles?)

Oopos....yes. DLP.

[Snowflake]

I've got a 61" DLP HDTV. Plasma was too expensive for me (and I haven't seen any Plasmas that look good after 5 years - though the new ones might be better). The major difference between LCD and DLP is that LCD is a truly flat set, and you are looking at every pixel - skinny tv = good, but a dead pixel stays dead forever, and DLP uses a Texas Instruments chip with "millions of mirrors" to project what is basically an LCD image onto your screen. A little bulkier, but cheaper and more forgiving. (are you sure you don't have DLP, scaeagles?)

One thing to beware when buying: Costco models might seem cheaper, but you need to check all of the specs. For example, the TV I bought (Toshiba) was almost $400 cheaper at CostCo, but the CostCo model had only one HDMI jack, while the one I bought at onecall.com has two. I already use both jacks (for my digital cable and my upscaling DVD player), so it was well worth the price difference.

Wow! 61inches! Now that IS TeeVee envy!

Okay, your post, sceagles and Morgoon's do clarify for me a bit. It's not that I will buy at Costco, I just ran into it and was dumbstruck at the quality.

I already looked at Best Buy online and the price was better for a 42inch model and more hookups as MP wisely pointed out. This is something to shoot for once I get a little more fiscally stable.

It will be awesome to see some DVDs on this! I had a Philips CRT television in VA and I sold it off to a friend. Should have brought it with me, my roomie's tv is a poor substitute, same size, but nothing like the Philips!

[NirvanaMan]

RPTV's tend the give the best picture, for HD. For SD or even some lower HD pictures, Plasma's do a formidable job. Plasma's are nice cause they are flat and hang on the wall. LCD's are ok. They are bright, but picture quality generally is not as strong as the other two.

Plasma's do not need to be recharged. They are good for about 60,000 hours I believe. DLP's need to have their bulbs replaced far more often to the tune of $300 or so a bulb. Basically...there is no "Best". I'm in the market right now. Trying to decide between the Samsung plasma or the Sony SXRD RPTV. Looking at 50" for the plasma or 50-55" for the RPTV. They are all quite reasonable now. Both can be had for around $3,000.

[scaeagles]

Do you have an Ultimate Electronics near you? That's where we purchased ours, and the guy who helped us knew really knew his stuff. Cheaper than Best Buy - or so it was for us.

[Snowflake]

Do you have an Ultimate Electronics near you? That's where we purchased ours, and the guy who helped us knew really knew his stuff. Cheaper than Best Buy - or so it was for us.

Nope, not a store in CA.

With sales tax being what it is, I'm half thinking that when I do finally take the plunge, to buy online from someone like J&R Music World in NY or someone else.

I definitely need help with this one, though.

[Kevy Baby]

One other consideration is burn-in. Plasma's do have a burn-infactor that you don't experience with LCDs or DLPs. For a friend who is a serious gamer (anyone who has an X-Box 360, a Playstation AND a Gamecube is a SERIOUS gamer) stayed away from the plasma for this reason.

[NirvanaMan]

One other consideration is burn-in. Plasma's do have a burn-infactor

In the past, yes, but it actually isn't really much of an issue anymore with a modern plasma.

AVSforum.com is a good resource if you are looking for advice on a particular model Snowflake, or just looking to learn a bit more. There are also lots of websites that breakdown the different display technologies with benefits/drawbacks.

[flippyshark]

Man, I am nowhere remotely close to making this kind of an investment.

On the other hand, I've been thinking of getting a DLP media projetor (not HDTV resolution, though) as these are coming down into the 700's, which is at least kind of negotiaqble. I don't see me ever spending four digits on a TV, unless my income drastically increases someday.

I currently have an aged but functional LCD projector, and I do enjoy watching stuff projected on my wall - it just feels more like being at the movies than any monitor, be it plasma or otherwise, that I have ever seen.

[CoasterMatt]

We've got a 42" LG High Def CRT - professionally calibrated, and I couldn't be happier (it fits the room nicely, and is absolutely beautiful)

[Not Afraid]

When did $3,000 for a TV become reasonable? I could go to Paris or Tokyo for that!

My dream TV is one with good picture and sount that can be folded up and put away in some hidden corner of the room when not in use. I used to put a table top over my TV and cover it with a floor length cloth. My bog advancement was moving the TV into the living room and leaving it exposed.

[Betty]

When did $3,000 for a TV become reasonable? I could go to Paris or Tokyo for that!

My dream TV is one with good picture and sount that can be folded up and put away in some hidden corner of the room when not in use. I used to put a table top over my TV and cover it with a floor length cloth. My bog advancement was moving the TV into the living room and leaving it exposed.


We actually do that a lot where I work. (a custom cabinet co. / home theater electronics / install's etc.) Generalizing here... Men buy huge TV's and women come in with the goal of disguising it so it's not a big black box in the middle of the room when not in use. Various doors that slide in and out, or covers that are actually paintings that slide away when you want to watch TV. You can even go with projection TV's that have a slide down screen when you want to watch (but require a fairly dark room for viewing.) We put in nice media pullouts to house all the DVd's and video games - even these neat pull out racks for equipment so you can get to the back to them easier when needed.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm gonna watch my old fashioned, 40" tube tv till it don't work no more.

I wouldn't buy a plasma or an LCD on a bet, and that's cool because flat holds no allure to me. I'm hoping technologies will improve and prices will plummet by the time I have to buy a new tv... though, yikes, mine is just about 10 years old! What's that in TV/Dog years???

Whichever way I go, I will want something that also lasts at least a decade with no additives needed.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

I agree with you iSm. As sexy as the new huge, flat TVs look, I'm not at all interested in regularly replacing parts that cost me hundreds of dollars a pop.

[Ghoulish Delight]

My bro-in-law was a happy boy yesterday. He got to browse a Ken Krane yeterday...and my sister didn't say "no".

[Stan4dSteph]

I'm in the market for a new TV, but I have a feeling my price point is fast disappearing in favor of the large flat panels.

I just can't justify spending that much on a TV, even given the amount I watch. I do covet though. Covet, covet, covet.

[Capt Jack]

When did $3,000 for a TV become reasonable?


in my mind...it hasnt happened yet.

[NirvanaMan]

When did $3,000 for a TV become reasonable? I could go to Paris or Tokyo for that!

My dream TV is one with good picture and sount that can be folded up and put away in some hidden corner of the room when not in use. I used to put a table top over my TV and cover it with a floor length cloth. My bog advancement was moving the TV into the living room and leaving it exposed.

Heh heh...bog.

3,000...it's all relative. I'm certainly not one to knock international travel as I do love it so..but to play the devils advocate..for which I do so enjoy...some might say that while a trip lasts a mere 10 days, the TV of the same value will provide you with pleasure for 8-10 years. Not a bad investment. Hey, there are plenty of people that think its positively absure to spend over $300 a year on a ticket to DL. Yet others spend thousands on season tickets to sporting events. It's all relative.

As I do love TV and movies, it's probably worth it to me to spend that much on a greatly enhanced viewing experience. And that's just the start. The sound system will cost twice more probably. Yet I don't spend money on things I see as frivolties that I see many others enjoy...starbucks every day, eating out for all your meals, constant acquisition of cd's and the latest gadgets. Everyone's different. I say, spend it as you like, just stay out of debt. So many people I know spend beyond their means and rack up credit card debt. They claim to not have money, but get a new cell phone, pda, or computer every month. Spend it wisely, but do it enjoy it.

Oh and to answer your question...$3,000 became reasonable when it came down from $15,000. :)

Yeah, I wish it was cheaper too...but it seems to have bottomed out...for a bit. Plasma's have been around a long time now.

[Tramspotter]

We've got a 42" LG High Def CRT - professionally calibrated, and I couldn't be happier (it fits the room nicely, and is absolutely beautiful)

CRT's are the best looking but like plasma's they have a finite tube/gas life to them. and the calibration drifts =)

LCD's are sharp good for computer text or gaming that you want to be close up into but have discreet pixles that can cause artifacting. The backlight can't be replaced on some models and individual pixle burnouts can't either.

Plasmas are more like a CRT in color depth they have a finite life and just start looking worse and worse color wise. out of the box they dont track that well and cant be fully calibrated to color or reach the deep blacks that a CRT can. Burn in is still a real problem dispite some tricks such as average picture level grey bars and pillars that make it fare better. But leave a videogame plugged in all day and you will have problems plus the picture looks better further away so using it for videogames probably not a good idea.

I have a rear Projection DLP TV and the bastard roomate gets more use than I do out of it he is running that lamp ragged. Picture looks wonderful in true HD like ass with Standard def. And glare is a real problem I added thick drapes because of this. Some people notice a rainbow effect from DLP and those people should never buy one as it will drive em nuts! (The related joke seems familiar GD I think I told it to you or vice versa in line for POTC) anyhow

DLP Projector on the wall would have been a far better way for me to go I have seen it at a number of freinds houses and its just seems fun.

BTW new technologys are quite a way away and CRT's especily HD CRT's are just not being produced by the best MFRGRs anymore due to enviromental regulations by the EU.

Nano tubes that will be phospher based and SED technology also OLED's exist but only as prototypes and raritys they still need to work out the details and make them cheap enough to bring the price to where people will buy one and not settle for LCD.

last two cents HD rollout in the states has been completely horrible consuber electronic side and content side and the bandwith redistrabution a travisty....

[CoasterMatt]

last two cents HD rollout in the states has been completely horrible consuber electronic side and content side and the bandwith redistrabution a travisty....
Amen to that, brother.
:snap:

[Moonliner]

I see TV's like operating systems. The last link in the chain. I always start with what work I need to do, look for the best applications for that job and then the best OS to run those applications.

With TV's I like my movies and that's the "job" I'm looking to accomplish. So far the "programs" to watch movies (HD and Blue-ray) both stink, so I'm not even looking at the "operating system" (tv) yet.