I want to go over 50"...I think. SO I've been told to get a plasma if I'm going that size.
I have no idea...thoughts? All you TV experts out there. What should I be looking at?

Plasma prices are good because they are not making too many of them right now. I believe the TVs are trending more to the LCD, LED variety. In a year or two we will see 3D!

Some of the newer screens are so thin and light when you compare them to the plasma. A flat screen is definitely worth it, frees up floor space if you can hang it on the wall like a picture. Good luck with the purchase.

I have heard that a number of companies are going to stop producing plasmas as most people are buying LCD.  Panasonic and a handful of other will continue to make plasma.  The main concern I have heard is that plasma reflects a lot of light if the tv is placed facing direct light or sunlight.  Some of the newer plasmas by Panasonic have a more glare resistant screen so this is not as much of an issue. When I was looking at Best Buy, I checked the newer Panasonic plasma and I did not find the glare from the tv to be bad at all, if at all noticeable.  After checking out both LCD and plasma I decided to purchase a Panasonic Vierra.  I am more of a fan of plasma as I think the picture quality is better, less pixelated, etc.  But to each their own!!  

Personal choice for me is plasma over LCD.

As good as the new LCD's are getting I still would rather watch a plasma.

D

What I was told / found out was that the viewing angles on plasma are better than LCD.  As well, if you watch hockey (as I do watch a fair amount) the contrast of white ice and dark players is easier on the eyes with plasma, and you don't get as much 'streaking' of the player's body as some dude blows by my Leafs and we lose.   

I've owned a Sony 1080p LCd for the last 2 years and it's not by any means a top of the line.. yet i have never noticed what everyone seems to be complaining about during hockey games, it's smooth and nice, maybe i'm just easy to satisfy...

Colors are bright, contrasts are good and it's not blurry, or ghosting, or whatever else seems to find annoying..

Plasma had good picture, however less life and uses WAY more power.

I think the new LED TV's are going to be my next purchase.

If you have the space put a LCD projector in. I just put one in over the xmas break.  I had a 51 inch plasma mounted and the picture is as good or better on the projector.

I have a 110" screen installed on the wall.  The projector has different light settings depending on the ambient light in the room.
So even with all the lights on in my basement the picture quality is still great.

Cost wise there is not a big difference.

Quoted from muligan

If you have the space put a LCD projector in. I just put one in over the xmas break.  I had a 51 inch plasma mounted and the picture is as good or better on the projector.
I have a 110" screen installed on the wall.  The projector has different light settings depending on the ambient light in the room.
So even with all the lights on in my basement the picture quality is still great.
Cost wise there is not a big difference.

I beg to differ.....

Just because i recently switched in the other direction!

I used LCD projectors for a number of years, and with a good projector, you get an EXCELLENT picture. especially in a dark room with a nice screen space.  The problem comes when you look at consumables cost.  If you use your projector sparringly for evening tv viewing and movies (like i usually did) I got about 2-3 years to a bulb. $250-$350 for a replacement.  However, if you are like my brother in law's new wife.  She watches TV CONSTANTLY, from the time she gets up, to when she leaves for work. and when she gets home till she goes to bed. and all day on weekends.  Their  bulb life was around 9 months.

Compared to a modern LCD screen, which after 10 years of constant use (beingon 24/7) is just reaching its half life (when it is half as bright as when you bought it)

Keeping a projecotr for me was an extra 500 or more over a 5-6 year period (when i would want a new tv anyways)  but that same time for my brother would have meant an extra $1500-2000 in bulbs.

not to  poo poo on projcevtors.. i used to have a 120 inch screen and it was AWESOME.  its just that if you watch a LOT of tv, you pay for the extra in consumables.


As to plasma vs LCD, plasmas tend to have a nicer contrast level.  The screen downstairs with all my game systems is a modern plasma... very nice.

We have the Panasonic Viera plasma and the picture is awesome using the Blueray or HD cable.

For the buck, this TV has the best contrast ratio, widest colour gamut and fastest response time. The only way I would have gone LCD is with the Sony XBR, but it is WAY less bang for the buck.

Just be aware, the Viera comes in different grade levels and qualities. I suggest mid level or up based on the specs. Don't worry about a shorter lifespan unless it will run 24 hrs or your last tv is in a giant wooden cabinet.

Wow thats alot of TV.  I figured on maybe replacing the bulb every 2 years and prolly upgrading every three After watching movies and sports on the big screen I don't think I could go back down to a 50"

Quoted from axe

I beg to differ.....

Just because i recently switched in the other direction!

I used LCD projectors for a number of years, and with a good projector, you get an EXCELLENT picture. especially in a dark room with a nice screen space.  The problem comes when you look at consumables cost.  If you use your projector sparringly for evening tv viewing and movies (like i usually did) I got about 2-3 years to a bulb. $250-$350 for a replacement.  However, if you are like my brother in law's new wife.  She watches TV CONSTANTLY, from the time she gets up, to when she leaves for work. and when she gets home till she goes to bed. and all day on weekends.  Their  bulb life was around 9 months.

Compared to a modern LCD screen, which after 10 years of constant use (beingon 24/7) is just reaching its half life (when it is half as bright as when you bought it)

Keeping a projecotr for me was an extra 500 or more over a 5-6 year period (when i would want a new tv anyways)  but that same time for my brother would have meant an extra $1500-2000 in bulbs.

not to  poo poo on projcevtors.. i used to have a 120 inch screen and it was AWESOME.  its just that if you watch a LOT of tv, you pay for the extra in consumables.


As to plasma vs LCD, plasmas tend to have a nicer contrast level.  The screen downstairs with all my game systems is a modern plasma... very nice.

I recently bought a 54" Panasonic Viera Plasma G10 from the US (much cheaper!). The picture is mind blowing. It blew my old 42" LCd out of the water.

The new generation of Plasmas are very light, energy efficient (only use a few % more power than equally sized LCDs), and have no permanent burn in problems. I play lots of video games, and watch bluray movies and it's just incredible.

LCDs are good these days, but they cost more than equally good plasmas due to consumer perception. Get the plasma, much cheaper. For plasmas yu want either Panasonic or Samsung, both are good, avoid LG.

More info here: http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/index.html

My experience with Plasma is I suffer from what may be referred to as the "Rainbow Effect" or "image tracing" with Plasma TV's. I believe Plasmas are a better viewing tv in a dark room with better contrast most definitely, but due to the effect it gives me I cant watch it. My last purchase was a LCD due to its ablility to perform in a well lit room, as well they are burn resistant for video games. LED is the future but not yet  $$$$$$$$$$

The blacks are much better with plasma, even with the newer led ldc. And the viewing angle too. Go to any big store that has a lot on demo, and watch and compare, you will see.

Quoted from sorcerer

My experience with Plasma is I suffer from what may be referred to as the "Rainbow Effect" or "image tracing" with Plasma TV's.

I thought this issue was only present on DLP LCD's???

D

Quoted from Menace

I thought this issue was only present on DLP LCD's???

D

You will never get the mentioned effect with a liquid crystal display...digital light processing is another story all together. When I bought my projector I almost got sick on 106 inches of "rainbow effect" so I went with an LCD and tolerating a little screen door effect its perfect. My tv is over 50 " its an LCD and I tried a Plasma first cause I really wanted one but the effect was there for me again. So I guess I am LCD until I get LED LCD... But es this effect is still noticable to some..not all..viewrs on a Plasma..

Not wanting to confuse DlP with Plasma...I am not sure why the effect is still there for me but it does effect certain people..It might very well be because the contrast ratio is so very good ...that when your eyes go from one side of the screen to the other on a large Plasma you may see what I talking about, if not enjoy you new Plasma

Quoted from sorcerer

Not wanting to confuse DlP with Plasma...I am not sure why the effect is still there for me but it does effect certain people..It might very well be because the contrast ratio is so very good ...that when your eyes go from one side of the screen to the other on a large Plasma you may see what I talking about, if not enjoy you new Plasma

Ya, I think it's a bit of a mystery. I googled it and someone said that 1 in a million experience it. If you know you have it, then ya. Otherwise, get a plasma.

Quoted from muligan

Wow thats alot of TV.  I figured on maybe replacing the bulb every 2 years and prolly upgrading every three After watching movies and sports on the big screen I don't think I could go back down to a 50"

Yeah, like i said I got a lot of life out of bulbs, but if you are a TV fiend, your mileage may vary!

I do really really miss having a massive screen.  I still have a projector, though it was getting some blue-ing in a corner of the screen... but i have an open wall in the "Manitarium"...so i am still thinking of setting it up with a Wii for gun games.

The WII   is pretty cool on the big screen not quit as good as playstation 3  

Quoted from axe

Yeah, like i said I got a lot of life out of bulbs, but if you are a TV fiend, your mileage may vary!

I do really really miss having a massive screen.  I still have a projector, though it was getting some blue-ing in a corner of the screen... but i have an open wall in the "Manitarium"...so i am still thinking of setting it up with a Wii for gun games.

Now that you have a lot of info go out there and look at a lot of TVs.  Check them out and ask questions in different stores.  This will give you a good idea.  Now is the time to buy, many companies are stuck with huge stock piles of high end TVs that they need to unload.  The US market is so bad right now that many companies are trying to sell their stock in Canada that is why you can get some awesome deals.

My best advise...........look at many.

take care

Lets face it.. It doesn't matter what you buy cause it'll be 'wrong' and/or obsolete in 6months.
As far as Plasma VS. LCD; there have been lots of advancements in both technoligies and many of the past comparisions regarding refresh rates, viewing angles, screen burn, contrast levels are no longer true.
Just be sure if you're using the internet to make your decision that it's recent information & reviews that you are using.

Trying to find the one perfect HDTV will only drive you insane and in the end I'm sure 90% of people would be happy with either Plasma or LCD. LED are nice also if you have the cash.
Still can't decide? some manufactures websites have applications to help you choose depending on your budget, room size & viewing habits.
I used the one on Samsung's website to help me decide...

Good luck
Adam

Quoted from goodicksa

I used the one on Samsung's website to help me decide...

Hey Adam, Just curious, Did you Buy Samsung after using their site, or had you decided Samsung before their site, or did you even buy Samsung?

Dave (Genuinely curious)

Quoted from pins only

Hey Adam, Just curious, Did you Buy Samsung after using their site, or had you decided Samsung before their site, or did you even buy Samsung?

Dave (Genuinely curious)

After about a week of reading reviews on HDTVs in my price range I had narrowed my search down to 3 manufactures Sony, Samsung, Panasonic. After further comparison and seeing what was available in my area I decided on a Samsung product. However, as it tends to happen, the Samsung I left the store with was not the one I had intended to buy when I entered.

Having reviewed what I just posted I see that I didn't answer your question.
Initially I used Samsung's application to help choose what type of HDTV would be best for me; (Plasma VS. LCD) because I was getting no where reading review after review after review.
After deciding what type of HDTV I wanted I started comparing what was available in my area. As it turns out, a Samsung product won out.

Dark room + Movies = Plasma for my needs.  

Also mine must have pc input.