Home audio & video forum: Poll: If you had only one HDTV choice, which would you pick?

The one past drawback to plasmas is that they have screen burn-in risk. Well if you buy either Panasonic or Pioneer nowadays, they have virtually eliminated that same risk. Plasma has the best blacks, best viewing angle, and is slightly cheaper in the larger sized displays than LCD.

Also, LCD still has dead pixel risk. I, for one, would be driven crazy by a small accumulating number of dead pixels on my expensive display as I waited for the portion to reach a certain level before the manufacturer would even service it.

Finis.

I'm currently in the market for a new flat panel. After much research and visiting BB or CC. I've come to the conclusion that Plasma is the way to go and here's why.

First, No motion blur. The motion blur on LCD's is so hard to watch. I watch a lot of sports and the LCD just can't handle the motion like plasma.
Second, Plasma has realistic colors and brightness. Whenever you go into BB or CC you'll notice how pretty and bright the LCD's are compared to the plasma's(like moths drawn to the light). This to me is unrealistic. While the picture LCD's give off is pretty and bright this isn't enough justification.
Third, The viewing angles on LCD are horrible. Everyone can't sit right in front of the TV.
Fourth, The black levels are insane on plasma. If you like that washed out greyish blacks of LCD's go for it.

With the only real negative plasma has for it is Burn-In and Image Retention. After much research this almost never occurs anymore if it does its fixable.

Plasma
60 Pioneer Elite (Cmon its a Pioneer
I agree the A650 Lcd's are gorgeous but if I want a shiny screen, I'll take a Pioneer.
Until everything is broadcast in 1080p I'll chose plasmas anyday. Imo plasmas look better in SD, and lastly most large Lcd's (52+) look bad to me, but that 65Se Sharp looks pretty sweet.

My Sony has a 178 degree good viewing angle. I tested it and it's true. I just have to make sure I am at least 5 feet back to get a good picture. And I do get a good picture.

I've been researching for the best 50'' HDTV flat panel. After what i have considered over plasma and LCD, I have gone with LCD. You may ask why...

My opinion on the picture quality of an LCD screen has really no comparison.. I do agree that plasma has a slightly better picture although you would have to place 2 tvs side by side to see a difference. Plus, Plasma screen tvs use more energy, cost more and are heavier (i tend to place my tv on my wall). The TV that i have now is a 50'' 1080P LCD Sony Bravia which cost around 2 grand compared to a Plasma of the same size which costed about $2700-3200 average. Far best picture that I have seen from an LCD screen. The only downfall is the viewing angles which is not a problem in our living space. Basically you would have to look at the tv at an extreme angle to notice it.I play my Playstation 3 and watch Blu-Ray disks without motion blur in 1080p mode. Motion blur occurs on this tv mostly in 1080i, which again is minimal.

No doubt that a plasma has a better picture. But really, you cant notice it unless you place 2 tvs side-by-side and study them for an hour. Really folks, if you want THAT MUCH BETTER picture and spend an extra 1000 bucks than thats just great.

As you mentioned plasma takes more power there for adds to global warming even if indirectly.
We must take responcability for our carbon footprint and that begins in the home.
Do not let your senses dictate your priorities. Use your head and be responcable for your excessive energy usage.
Bruce

Although the gap is narrowing, I will concede a slight edge to Plasma. It is still not enough to offset the difference in weight (and therefore ease of mounting) and energy efficiency of LCD screens. As for quality, I'm confident the near future holds more giant leaps in performance & quality from technologies still in the R&D labs or early limited (& expensive) release.
At this moment, LCD would be more than adequate for my needs. ...but I'm a pragmatist, not a purist.

I need smaller sizes for my small home. Plasma isn't really an option since I want the screen size to make sense with the overall size of my room and my rooms have to be multifunctional. Not a technical answer - but still part of the overall consideration.

Plasma TVs are really power hungry, most of which is lost in the form of heat. Some will say "so what", the answer is why pay through the nose!

There will always be some sort of case for having them, but it all boils down to "keeping up with the Joneses", after all they are not much better than an LCD unless they are around 42" or more, and who needs something that size in their living room?

If I had to choose between Plasma or LCD I would pick
the Plasma technology. But in my opinion, the CRT HD sets are better than both of them.
I own a 46" Sony Wega rear projection Tv that beats them
both. It is too bad that they are phased out. Yes they
are big and use a lot more power but my vote still goes
for CRT.
I have spoken to several technicians that delivered my
LCD set and they readily agreed.

Are you guys forgetting there is another HDTV option.. DLP.

Ive had a 50'' DLP for about two years now and it rocks. I left it on for a week by accident and went on vacation and there was no burn in.

Cant believe this was left out.

Have had one of our plasmas for many years - long before you could buy them at a local store. A 42" Panny ED that cost $5K. No burn in. Also have 2 later model 50" Pannys (one in each home) HD models.

1. Plasma is more lifelike and realistic.
2. Handles action better.
3. Contrast (black levels) better
4. Still cheaper.

Someone mentioned the energy saving of LCD. That is one compromise I am unwilling to make to quality. I use florescent bulbs to excess, drive small compacts, recycle - but won't give up a quality picture so save a few watts.
I suppose if we had kids who used the main display to play games, i would think LCD. OTH, if we did, I may just get him (do females play) a smallish LCD so as not to interrupt normal TV viewing.

Don't forget that virtually all retail stores have all their displays configured to settings that aren't normal. To compare I would suggest visiting friends who have the various types and models. Or go to CES in January where the mfrs. take great pains to show their products in the best possible way<G>.

...mike

I also have a Kuros 50inch plasma. One word: AWESOME.

No LCD has reached the potential of the plasma tv, even though not all plasma TV's are alike, they are still more vibrant than LCD. I got a PS3 with many blu-ray movies and my games look excellent on the Pioneer. I hereby clap my hands to the greatest plasma I have ever seen (clap clap clap). I wish Plasma improves more instead of giving up on the technology.

Jose