Poll: LCD or Plasma?

[Adam Galli]

I've been saving my money for a few months and doing research on the internet, but should I get an LCD or Plasma TV. Currently, I'm using an old tube TV from '97 so really anything is an improvement. I actually trust people's opinions advice here, which is why I'm posting.

I've read plasmas have a faster response time than LCDs but does that really matter? Is burn in a big problem with plasmas anymore? These are just a couple questions I have. Any imput of yours is greatly appreciated.

Also, I don't watch much cable TV, so the new TV would be use 96% for gaming and 4% for movies. I am cheap when it comes to most situations, but to me this is a big purchase and will spend the extra money for a good set.

 

[8bitmaster]

I personally like lcd and it was worked well for me, although plasma is nice. Take a look at LED tvs. They have very crisp colors, although a little expensive I think.

 

[rockingnic]

LED FTW. They have the best colors and Samsung, imho, is the best brand to look for.

Plasma are by far the worst because they use gases that deplete over time (so they don't last as long and their resell value is worst) and are harder to recycle.

 

[Marter]

Burn-in is not really a problem any more.

Plasmas do typically have faster response times, and deeper blacks.

To me, it basically depends on where the TV is situated. If natural light is going to be hitting it, then LCD is the way to go. If there aren't any windows nearby, or you can shut the blinds so that the light doesn't hit it, then plasma should be fine.

I like LCD TVs more though, just because you can place them anywhere, and because I'm paranoid about burn-in.

 

[SilverIntoSteel]

In my experience, LCD is always better picture quality wise than Plasma, and pausing a game at my friend's house on his giant Plasma TV for a few minutes ended up with some pretty nasty lingering colours.

But overall, LED is the way to go, by far the best of all three.

 

[Gigano]

The problems - and differences - have pretty much been ironed out, so if you choose a solid brand there should be little trouble with either.

I can recommend checking out reviews on this site [http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/], which review calibration options and gaming performance for each screen as well (with special focus on input lag).

 

[Insane_Foxx]

i have LCD, and love the picture quality.. That's about all anyone can say one way or the other.

 

[Dags90]

I would go with a full LED backlit LCD personally. But I'm very big on pixel density because I'm a PC person. It really depends on set up and conditions. Do you prefer to play in the dark/light? How large is the room and how would the TV be oriented? etc.

 

[busterkeatonrules]

I recommend plasma. It's what I have, and I'm very happy with it.

The contrast is vastly superior (picture doesn't look washed-out), the screen is a relatively durable glass plate that can easily be wiped clean with ordinary window polish, and unless you play the same videogame for 7+ hours without interruptions, you shouldn't have to worry about any burnage.

I remember someone telling me that an LCD TV will last twice as long as a plasma, but personally I'd rather have a good TV for five years than a bad one for ten years.

 

[twistedmic]

LCD is better for gaming. From what I've heard it's very, very easy to burn an image into a Plasma screen simply by leaving the game or movie paused. Plus, I have an LCD HDTV and it's totally awesome.

 

[Adam Galli]

I play at various times during the day/ night. Pretty much whenever my schedule allows. The TV will be placed infront of a window but the shades are shut pretty much 24-7.

Also should I go out of my way to find a TV that has a "game mode."
Added question: What exactly is Game Mode?

 

[Anarchemitis]

LED is the most reliable.
Plasma is the least reliable.

 

[Nocta-Aeterna]

I'd go for OLEDs, but that's just me ...

 

[Communist partisan]

I've been saving my money for a few months and doing research on the internet, but should I get an LCD or Plasma TV. Currently, I'm using an old tube TV from '97 so really anything is an improvement. I actually trust people's opinions advice here, which is why I'm posting.

I've read plasmas have a faster response time than LCDs but does that really matter? Is burn in a big problem with plasmas anymore? These are just a couple questions I have. Any imput of yours is greatly appreciated.

Also, I don't watch much cable TV, so the new TV would be use 96% for gaming and 4% for movies. I am cheap when it comes to most situations, but to me this is a big purchase and will spend the extra money for a good set.

The fat screens are waaaaaay better than the new ones, trust me I got both...

But back to the point, if you are going to game a lot get a LCD if you are planning to watch films and barley game get a plasma.... or get a LED but I don't know shit 'bout those....

 

[ShadowKatt]

The only thing I can really add to this is that LCDs tend to have a longer liftspan than plasmas, though how much longer I haven't done the research. All I can say is that the gas in a plasma tv will eventually move from an active gas to a more inert one over time, either through microscopic leaks or just molecular changes over the lifetime of its use, and when that happens your tv will get darker and darker and eventually go out. Again, I don't know what the time frame is on that, but it's the nature of plasma tvs.

I would go LCD every day just for lasting power.

 

[2xDouble]

LED > LCD > Plasma.

They all have their specific strengths:
Plasma has higher possible resolutions and color varieties than LCD, and is often less expensive (initially) than LED;
LCD is more energy efficient and has higher general longevity than Plasma, and is typically the least expensive option;
LED has similar efficiency and longevity to LCD and truer colors similar to Plasma.

 

[Prince Regent]

Plasma, it sounds way cooler.

You should just buy the tv with the highest Quality/Price ratio.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well for pure picture quality plasma delivers the best stuff, however burn-in images are still an issue and one day you might forget you paused a game and that minor mistake will ruin your screen.

So I would suggest LCD with LED backlight, the view angles are dreadfull but you will probably only view it from your seat, and with LED the poor contrast levels iron out, and from what I hear they have a far greater endurance(if we don't count the occasional dead pixel).

Will mention tho I have a two screen setup for my PC one LCD and one CRT and it is quite funny how bad the LCD quality is in direct comparison.

 

[Sleekgiant]

CRT, its the hipster thing to do.

 

[Low Key]

Plasma has a much better refresh rate (better for games), but it's biggest downfall is the very noticeable glare coming from anything reflective in the background. The only way to can see it clearly is at night with all of the lights off.

I just bought a 42" LCD that replaced an old tube TV with a built in VCR and I'm pretty happy with my purchase, so I chose that. If I could have afforded it though, I would have gotten the same size in a backlit (not edgelit) LED-LCD.

LCD TVs are just much more user friendly and much lower maintenance.