LED, LCD, Plasma TVs ?

dks · **on:** September 17, 2012, 07:56:36 PM

So I am looking around to replace my 28" CRT Panasonic (possibly).

I had a look at Toshiba, LG etc, 40" and 42" models, nothing too fancy, all around 500Euro, as I do not really care about all the new trends like smart tv etc, provided the picture is decent.
I also do not care about the energy efficiency too much.

So LED, Plasma, LCD seem to give similar results, though LED seems to me a bit better. Plasma burns more energy, but has faster responce and a protective glass...
Last time I looked around, a few years back, Plasma had better colours but used too much electricity and LED did not exist...

So what is the difference? Should I buy the cheapest with a decent quality?
Should I look for anything specific (pixel size, frequency smart capabilities)
Sugestions?

derekmac · **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2012, 08:26:23 PM

I have a 51" LG Plasma TV, and LOVE it! I did a ton of research before buying, and for what I wanted, the plasma came out on top. For a plasma, you're better off having it in a darker room, and you will get reflections off of the screen from the glass. Even with the new LED's and LCD's, I still don't think you'll get as good a picture as you do with plasma, especially in dark scenes.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend going for the cheapest, especially if you watch much TV, or enjoy watching movies.

dks · **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2012, 08:29:53 PM

Thank you.

The room gets a lot of light, though it can be made darker if needed.

AdvUser · **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2012, 08:41:27 PM

Forget about LCD, only consider it with low budget this is an old technology used only in previous generation or most inexpensive models.
Choosing between LED and plasma is a hard choice - LED is much more energy saving, it is physically lighter and with wider choice of companies and models. Plasma in my country is cheaper. It has more contrast picture wich is in most cases better in active scenes and it doesn't have problems with angles of view. But some people prefer LED picture. Also you should answer to yourself - do you need HD (720) or Full HD (1080)? Personally I think that 40" and larger should be Full HD even if you don't have blueray, things change fast and this is good option for future. Also think of different interesting extras like USB input with possibility to play video and photo files. May be some models with DVB (digital broadcast), if you have one in your area, can be in your bubget. Philips TVs have interesting feature called "ambilight" usefull if your tv set stands close to the wall or hangs on it.
But the best thing to do - visit a big mall with plenty TVs to compare them directly and to choose the picture you like.

dks · **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2012, 08:56:13 PM

Plasma is a bit cheaper.

I was looking at about 50 TVs today and they all looked decent irrespective of screen technology. We do not have many HD chanells yet..
LED seems the better option so far? better for brighter rooms too, economic...

I am really keen to listen to as much advice as possible.

Top-Gear-24 · **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2012, 09:31:47 PM

I have a 106 cm Panasonic plasma tv in my living room, and an 82 cm Samsung LED tv upstairs (for the kids), and in my opinion, the plasma rules. Like derekmac said, especially in dark scenes.

And I also like the fact that , no matter at what angle you're looking at it, you can always see the picture. And the protective glass is also a pro in my view, especially when there are kids running round in the house ...

dks · **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2012, 09:47:33 PM

The viewing angle and the glass protection sound good for the plasma.

I was also told that some LEDs have the glass too

Medic82 · **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2012, 07:07:10 AM

Bought a 50" Panasonic plasma TV in January and every single test that I found plasma kicked both LCD and LED tv's in picture quality, so I would say go for a plasma screen if it's the cheapest and don't just settle for a HD ready tv, go for full HD. Just remember that you get a tv with enough hdmi ports and preferably usb ports also.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

dks · **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2012, 07:14:30 AM

Plasma seems the popular choise..

Are LEDs better in some situations?

AdvUser · **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2012, 10:13:25 AM

If picture quality is the key, then plasma. You can find matched picture only on most expensive LEDs. And low-medium priced led TVs suffer of angle view problems, especially in vertical directions. Some of them are not good in downscaling - broadcast is not in there native resolution - thats, compared to plasma, of course.

But if you think also of style, energy saving (modern plasmas are good in energy consumption, but can't compete led), or you like some specific company (as plasmas afaik are made only by Panasonic and LG), then led can be a good choice. Also don't know about latest plasma models, but my friends 50" plasma is a real heater after 3-4 hours of work.

dks · **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2012, 10:37:39 AM

I was checking the energy certifications all goods have stuck to them these days and LEDs were A where most plasmas were B or C (I think) which compared to what they were a few years back is very good.

Of course it depends on what setting (Economy, standard) these tests were made but it is a good indication.

I do not really worry too much about that, though the heat produced will be annoying..

Whoey · **Reply #11 on:** September 18, 2012, 11:43:46 AM

We bought a 42inch LED Panasonic before Christmas last year... and we love it. Watching things like football in HD is amazing, as are movies in Blu ray.

dks · **Reply #12 on:** September 18, 2012, 12:55:57 PM

A vote for LED !!

the only sure thing is that LCDs are out of the questioon now..

Whoey · **Reply #13 on:** September 18, 2012, 01:09:08 PM

the major difference is the backlighting between LCD and LED... LED is basically an improved LCD...

When we were shopping for ours the LCD models were cheapest, few of the Plasmas in that size and price range were FullHD, so LED was a no brainer, plus they're greener in respect to power consumption.

jzmtl · **Reply #14 on:** September 18, 2012, 02:54:28 PM

Yeah the only major difference between LCD and LED is one is backed by fluorescent tube and the other is by LED as light source. LED is more efficient than fluorescent tube, and you can selectively dim certain ones if that part of picture calls for darker color.

dks · **Reply #15 on:** September 18, 2012, 08:50:06 PM

Finally ordered a 51" Samsung plasma, full HD etc... will pick it up tomorrow or on thursday.

I wanted a 42" cheaper model or, later, a discounted display model but my oppinion was not important...

derekmac · **Reply #16 on:** September 18, 2012, 09:41:12 PM

I think you'll be happy with it! Remember, bigger is always better!

dks · **Reply #17 on:** September 18, 2012, 09:51:13 PM

thats how I got the 51" model....

Beerplumber · **Reply #18 on:** September 18, 2012, 10:22:46 PM

Well I'm late to the party but I just bought a 55" LG LED. I chose not to go plasma mostly because of the screen burning issues. I'm the guy who presses pause and then leaves for two hours. The one I got is way way slimmer than the 42" I got last year. I know it's too late but haggle haggle haggle! They wanted $1800 for what I ended up paying under $1500. I know they superficially hike their prices to do this and make you feel like you got a crazy deal but I know people that pay the marked price and never consider a better deal. Good luck buddy I'm sure you're going to love the plasma, the picture quality will be exquisite.

Keep calm and jeep on

derekmac · **Reply #19 on:** September 18, 2012, 10:50:39 PM

I don't think with the newer plasma tv's you really have to worry about burn in. We've left ours paused all most all day before (everyone else thought the other person turned it off), and it often gets paused for extended periods of time, and we've never had an issue. I also do some gaming, and that is also no problem.

You can and will get image retention though, but that's different than burn in as it is only temporary, and lasts a very short amount of time

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

jzmtl · **Reply #20 on:** September 19, 2012, 07:56:46 PM

I think it still can burn in physically, but they now add algorithm that flicker the display a few pixels around during still image, so no pixel is lit up all the time on the same color.

dks · **Reply #21 on:** September 19, 2012, 07:59:51 PM

Thanks a lot..
NOW that I have paid for it you lot tell me it can catch fire.......

Nobody mentioned that before!!

derekmac · **Reply #22 on:** September 19, 2012, 08:04:14 PM

Don't worry, it won't catch on fire

Here's a good read for ya: http://samsungplasmatvfaq.com/index.php/Break-in,_burn-in,_and_image_retention

Medic82 · **Reply #23 on:** September 19, 2012, 10:42:17 PM

My plasma don't get any hotter than my mother's LCD TV so no issues there, and it does move the pixels around to prevent burn in but you don't notice it, it even shuts off automatically after a period if there haven't been any activity on the remote. So Burn in is really not a issue any more

Medic82 · **Reply #24 on:** September 19, 2012, 10:43:08 PM

Oh, and congratulations on a new TV

dks · **Reply #25 on:** September 20, 2012, 07:30:49 AM

Though I could have bought so many multitools for that money....

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