[Dumpy]

Thinking about buying a big-screen digital TV, probably HDTV (as opposed to ETV). Does anyone know what the differences are between LCD and plasma? What are the better manufacturers? Yes, I could look for user reviews, but this is much more entertaining.

[Boki3]

What Size. My dad buying a HD projector with movie chairs was one of the best buys ever. We are looking for a 60 or so inch TV but the one we want is only in 70 inches or 50 and the 70 inches is 30,000!

[Ruff Draft]

Plasma is an all-around better picture, but it does have it's limitations. I'm going to bed now. I'll catch up on this tomorrow at work!

[Dumpy]

Definitely not 70 inches. I'm not looking for a home theater. Maybe 40 or 50, but I'll have to measure the space we'll have available. I'd say somewhere between 35 and 50--that's a good guess.

[unstop]

Plasma is generally a little better than LCD as far as picture quality goes, but they're also usually more expensive, have a shorter lifespan (LCDs last quite a while in comparison), and are susceptible to "burn in," which is basically when a very small portion (like a dot, sometimes more) of an image on the screen gets permanently burned into the screen and stays there for good, which sucks.

LCD's on the other hand still have amazing picture quality (plasma used to be the hands down winner in picture quality, but today it's MUCH closer, even equal), have higher resolutions (good thing), and come in more sizes.

I bought a 32 inch widescreen Samsung LCD HDTV for my bedroom about 6 months ago. It's a ****ing thing of beauty. Super happy with it.

I'd personally recommend an LCD rather than a plasma. Definitely DON'T go anywhere near an EDTV. Definitely DO get an HDTV. I'd also recommend making sure it supports 1080p (note that that's 1080p, not 1080i). 1080p is the newest super duper HD resolution of the future, and most new TV's support it (along with 1080i and 720p, which are the less new/current HD resolutions).

For brands, start with a big name (Samsung (my pick), Sony, Panasonic, etc.) and then read reviews. Or, if you're too lazy and think I know what I'm talking about, here's what I'd buy today if I were you: Samsung LNT4665F 46" 1080p LCD HDTV

Amazon.com is selling it for $2300. It's also CNET's current pick for best LCD, period. This one is 46 inch, and you didn't give a specific size. If you want bigger/smaller, Samsung has a bigger/smaller model of basically this same TV. Speaking of sizes, I'd recommend going with the biggest possible size you can fit/afford. I was originally looking for a 20 inch LCD for my bedroom (to replace the old non-LCD 20 inch I had) and realized I could fit all the way up to a 32 inch LCD. Now that I have the 32 inch, I'd be so pissed off at myself for getting anything smaller.

Hope this helps.

[Dumpy]

Thanks unstop--that's just what I was hoping for and it is a nearly perfect answer (except for the part about being "lazy" ). Although I was under the impression that the plasmas last longer.

[shyFX325]

check out www.gottadeal.com not only for tvs but anything electronic. Basically just posts up the best deals from amazon, newegg, bestbuy, etc, etc, etc. If this is going to be your first set and you dont plan on doing 42+ inches dont buy into all the 1080p hype. Other than hddvd/bluray (which is a complete mess) and some video games you will not find anything in 1080p for years. You combine that with the fact that you really wont be able to see a difference on something sub 40 inches and it just doesnt make sense monetarily.

If you are not planning on mounting this set on the wall i would definetely take a look at a samsung DLP or a JVC HD-ILA also

[shyFX325]

someone else was telling me about how 1080p obviously gives you a better resolution on your set but it actually makes the picture drop from 60 frames per second (720p) to 24 fps. Wont this cause problems with fast moving images? How noticeable (if at all) is this??

[unstop]

No problem.

Baring any unusual problems, either type of TV will probably last you a decade or more. LCD's are just more likely to have a longer "more."

If this is going to be your first set and you dont plan on doing 42+ inches dont buy into all the 1080p hype.

He said 35-50 inch, which was why I mentioned 1080p. And even still...

Other than hddvd/bluray (which is a complete mess) and some video games you will not find anything in 1080p for years. You combine that with the fact that you really wont be able to see a difference on something sub 40 inches and it just doesnt make sense monetarily.

There is absolutely no reason to not buy a 1080p TV today. The dvd format stuff is a mess, but one will win within a year or two. Within another year or two of that, video games/networks will support it. People buy TV's for years and years and years of use. Making sure it has whatever you might want/need during some of those future years is a good idea, and 1080p is one of those things. Also, it's not expensive. Not to mention, it's pretty hard to find a new TV in this size range that DOESN'T support 1080p. It's pretty much standard now.

[Dumpy]

that's a good point, I've had my current TV (which is around a 27" or 29" tube) for about 9 years.

Once I get an HDTV, I'll then need digital cable and NBA League Pass. . . .

[unstop]

Originally Posted by Dumpy

that's a good point, I've had my current TV (which is around a 27" or 29" tube) for about 9 years.

Once I get an HDTV, I'll then need digital cable and NBA League Pass. . . .

You're also going to an HD signal of some sort, usually in the form of an HD cable box. Whose your cable company? If it's Cablevision, I can tell you exactly what you need.

[Dumpy]

I'm moving, don't know who the cable company will be but it will NOT be cablevision. also why I don't know how big a TV to get.

[shyFX325]

Originally Posted by unstop

There is absolutely no reason to not buy a 1080p TV today.

While I agree with you in some ways I would also say that if its going to cost you 1 dollar more than you want to spend there is absolutely no reason for a HD newbie to buy a 1080p set (once again... espically if we are talking about under 40-45 inches). Now that the 1080p bandwagon is rolling full force you can get some great deals on 720p sets if you shop around. Look how much prices have dropped on HD sets in the past 2-3 years... who knows how much cheaper a 1080p set is going to cost once network broadcasting of 1080p and next gen dvds are a reality.

i am also basing alot of this thought that most people will/do have more than 1 tv. Once 1080p is more prevelant (and cheaper) one can be bought for the living room and the old 720 hand-me-down model can be moved into the bedroom.

But that does it for me... not trying to turn this into a 15 page argument because the truth is we both are right.

[Ruff Draft]

I would buy a 50' Panasonic or Pioneer plasma. Plasmas are possible to burn in, but come on! You need to watch an image for day(s) to burn it it, but it is fixable. LCD can burn in just the same, and it's unfixable. 1080p? It's all buying for the future now. No cable provider will ever broadcast 1080p as of now, and it's only going to work for Blu-ray, HDDVD, and very few videogames. LCD comes in smaller sizes, while Plasma starts at 37+. LCD is more expensive, but not as good? It's too easy man, Plasma is the way to go.