:-(
A former member
CRT, arn't there what most flok have rightnow?
JR
I myself would recommend an LCD, as they cost far less money than plasmas and use far less power. True, they do take a bit of adjusting, but in the long run I think they're likely to be better.
HA
We've had a plasma for two years, but you have to be careful they do tend to break down every 6 months, but since it's been fixed, it's been running no problems.
Shame there's no decent programming or TV presentation worth watching on it (Sky Sports excluded)
harshy
Founding member
jrothwell97 posted:
I myself would recommend an LCD, as they cost far less money than plasmas and use far less power. True, they do take a bit of adjusting, but in the long run I think they're likely to be better.
We've had a plasma for two years, but you have to be careful they do tend to break down every 6 months, but since it's been fixed, it's been running no problems.
Shame there's no decent programming or TV presentation worth watching on it (Sky Sports excluded)
NG
noggin
Founding member
CRT deliver the best SD and HD picture quality if you can get one and have the space. Unfortunately the only commercial HD Ready CRT is a Samsung Slimfit, which has some terrible problems and should be avoided.
If you don't need HD, then a 50Hz CRT would still be my best bet for picture quality. There were some great 28" and 32" IDTV Sony WEGA displays available until recently - their Freeview picture quality was very good (the Sony's DVB-T receiver is great)
If you DO need HD, or can't find the space for a CRT then it is likely to be LCD vs Plasma.
Plasmas are only available in screen sizes of 37" and over. (The common sizes are 37", 42", 50" and then 60-62", with the largest I've heard of 103")
LCDs start smaller - around the 15" mark - and HD Ready models start at around 20" - and then go up to about 40" (though larger models are available)
If you want a 28" or 32" display then LCD is the only option..
If yoy want 37-42" then you have a choice.
LCDs are normally higher resolution (you can get 1920x1080 LCDs at this screen size, but Plasmas are often 1366x768 or 1024x1024 or 1024x1080) for a given screen size. However LCDs often have a slower "response time" meaning that they smear motion and aren't good for sports. Also they have a more limited colour range than CRTs and Plasmas (though this is improving) and their blacks are often more a "grey".
Plasmas are usually lower resolution, but have better colour and better black levels (and thus better contrast)
Plasmas can suffer more from screen burn than LCDs - so if you watch channels with DOGs or play a lot of games (with permanent score displays etc.) then LCD may be better.
One of the big issues - relevant to both Plasma and LCD - is that HD and SD broadcasts are not usually at the same resolution as the display, and in many cases the source is interlaced and the display is progressive. Therefore you often need to de-interlace and/or scale - and the quality this is done at will have a major impact on picture quality from some sources.
Basically - Freeview and DSat SD on larger LCDs and Plasmas can look dreadful - but HD can look great. If you mainly watch SD sources then resist the temptation to buy a huge screen - it is likely to look dreadful on SD stuff. (VHS and analogue sources are probably unwatchable)
A year ago I'd have said Plasma was well ahead - this year things aren't quite so simple - and there are some pretty impressive LCDs.
All that said - if I were buying I'd be looking very closely at the Panasonic Viera plasmas and the Pioneer plasmas. If you are looking at LCDs then Sony's Bravia and some of the Toshibas might be worth a look. (Though I'm not convinced quite yet by LCD)
Personally - I've got a 28" 50Hz WEGA CRT (100Hz is the work of the devil, and only appreciated by those who can't see an artefact if it punches them on the nose) - and watch HD material on a PC monitor (LCD - and with all the limitations I've mentioned)
If you don't need HD, then a 50Hz CRT would still be my best bet for picture quality. There were some great 28" and 32" IDTV Sony WEGA displays available until recently - their Freeview picture quality was very good (the Sony's DVB-T receiver is great)
If you DO need HD, or can't find the space for a CRT then it is likely to be LCD vs Plasma.
Plasmas are only available in screen sizes of 37" and over. (The common sizes are 37", 42", 50" and then 60-62", with the largest I've heard of 103")
LCDs start smaller - around the 15" mark - and HD Ready models start at around 20" - and then go up to about 40" (though larger models are available)
If you want a 28" or 32" display then LCD is the only option..
If yoy want 37-42" then you have a choice.
LCDs are normally higher resolution (you can get 1920x1080 LCDs at this screen size, but Plasmas are often 1366x768 or 1024x1024 or 1024x1080) for a given screen size. However LCDs often have a slower "response time" meaning that they smear motion and aren't good for sports. Also they have a more limited colour range than CRTs and Plasmas (though this is improving) and their blacks are often more a "grey".
Plasmas are usually lower resolution, but have better colour and better black levels (and thus better contrast)
Plasmas can suffer more from screen burn than LCDs - so if you watch channels with DOGs or play a lot of games (with permanent score displays etc.) then LCD may be better.
One of the big issues - relevant to both Plasma and LCD - is that HD and SD broadcasts are not usually at the same resolution as the display, and in many cases the source is interlaced and the display is progressive. Therefore you often need to de-interlace and/or scale - and the quality this is done at will have a major impact on picture quality from some sources.
Basically - Freeview and DSat SD on larger LCDs and Plasmas can look dreadful - but HD can look great. If you mainly watch SD sources then resist the temptation to buy a huge screen - it is likely to look dreadful on SD stuff. (VHS and analogue sources are probably unwatchable)
A year ago I'd have said Plasma was well ahead - this year things aren't quite so simple - and there are some pretty impressive LCDs.
All that said - if I were buying I'd be looking very closely at the Panasonic Viera plasmas and the Pioneer plasmas. If you are looking at LCDs then Sony's Bravia and some of the Toshibas might be worth a look. (Though I'm not convinced quite yet by LCD)
Personally - I've got a 28" 50Hz WEGA CRT (100Hz is the work of the devil, and only appreciated by those who can't see an artefact if it punches them on the nose) - and watch HD material on a PC monitor (LCD - and with all the limitations I've mentioned)
RT
rts
Founding member
Thank you very much for that length and detailed reply, Noggin. We have settled for the Panasonic Viera model, and probably a smaller LCD for other rooms. Arriving on Saturday so will let everyone know what it is like.