Hi Def TV Question

[427 S/O]

Ron, my purchases are based on consumer reports....reports. Panasonic was rated best, first and second, in the 50'' plasma category.

[Ron61]

Guys,

Thanks for all the feedback. I am going to have to spend so much to replace my whole darn satellite system that I don't want to get something that isn't going to last at least a reasonable time and the fact that some channel leave their logo on down in the corner all the time had me wondering about the burn in thing.

Ron

[clayfoushee]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Guys,

Thanks for all the feedback. I am going to have to spend so much to replace my whole darn satellite system that I don't want to get something that isn't going to last at least a reasonable time and the fact that some channel leave their logo on down in the corner all the time had me wondering about the burn in thing.

Ron

Call Direct TV and tell them you are going to cancel so you can upgrade to HD, and they will give it to you for nothing.

Forget about the ratings, forget about the advice regarding which brand is best. Disregard the plasma vs. LCD arguments. Buy the one that looks best to your eye and fits your budget, which is all that matters. There are tremendous individual differences in perception and picture preference. About the only mistake you can really make is buying a screen too big for the room you are placing it in. Anything looks great in HD compared to what you have.

[Ron61]

Clay,

Thanks for the information. I didn't want a 50" screen as I use my TV in the bedroom and my house isn't a large one. Anything larger than 40" would be over kill. The one that I have now is 37" and it is more than big enough, but it is the old CRT type.
I lease my receiver from dish network and they have a new one out now for Hi Def That I was looking at. I may give them a call and ask if I just had them do the whole upgrade what it wold cost as I believe they told me they would also install a new TV, which of course I have to pay for, but I could keep the lease and maintenance contract on the rest. I have just heard and read so much about LED vs Plasma that I don't know what to believe as none of my neighbors have them so I can't go look at theirs and ask them how they like them and what they don't like.

Ron

[RodgerH]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Guys,

Thanks for all the feedback. I am going to have to spend so much to replace my whole darn satellite system that I don't want to get something that isn't going to last at least a reasonable time and the fact that some channel leave their logo on down in the corner all the time had me wondering about the burn in thing.

Ron

We have HD digital cable and recently purchased a 58" Panasonic 1080p HD plasma for the rec room. It is absolutely amazing. We think the images and colors are noticeably brighter and sharper compared to the LCDs.

I spent some time researching the image burn in issue and learned that several years ago the higher end plasma manufacturers went to a technology where the image actually moves around slightly, only a few pixels. You don't even notice it (I can't even see it) but it greatly minimizes - or even eliminates - the burn in of stationary images like logos. You can read about it on many of the AV forums.

Rodger

[Ron61]

Roger,

Thanks for the feedback. That is much larger than I could use in my small room but the same principals should apply to a smaller screen. It sounds as if the Plasmas have made some big improvements in the past few months.

Ron

[clayfoushee]

Originally Posted by RodgerH

We have HD digital cable and recently purchased a 58" Panasonic 1080p HD plasma for the rec room. It is absolutely amazing. We think the images and colors are noticeably brighter and sharper compared to the LCDs.

I spent some time researching the image burn in issue and learned that several years ago the higher end plasma manufacturers went to a technology where the image actually moves around slightly, only a few pixels. You don't even notice it (I can't even see it) but it greatly minimizes - or even eliminates - the burn in of stationary images like logos. You can read about it on many of the AV forums.

Rodger

I disagree that plasma is brighter and sharper. Actually, my eyes tell me the opposite. In a side-by-side comparison, at a high-end store viewing both fed by the same source, I think plasma is a bit fuzzier and duller.................see what I mean? Some people think plasma is more realistic because LCD is so sharp and bright, but it's TOTALLY subjective.

There is no consensus, prices are pretty close to the same now, and LCDs are now outselling plasma. That in and of itself speaks volumes.

However, and again, it's best to buy what looks best to you. Don't you have stores like Best Buy or Circuit City, Ron? Tell Dish Network you're switching to Direct TV. You'll then get it free from either.

[patrickt]

An LCD with a big block FE in it is unquestionably superior to a Plasma with a small block in it...

and besides, the LCD image is REAL, the Plasma image is but a replica of the true image....

[427sharpe]

I bought a Phillips plasma, love it. 6 year in house parts and labor warranty included. No burn in problems. Only b*tch is that it (and all plasmas I have seen) get H_O_T! Ours is on most of the day and when I get home I think I could fry an egg on it.

[1ntCobra]

Consumer reports compared LCDs and Plasmas recently. Check it out at your local library.

One thing I think they said was that Plasmas have better blacks, but are not as bright as LCDs. So LCDs will do better in a bright room. I only vaguely remember the article as I don't plan on replacing my antique 1080i 34 inch widescreen CRT HDTV anytime soon. I don't think anyone even makes CRT HD TVs anymore.