Plasma, LCD, or LED?

[alph]

Okay, we’ve got a rec-room that I need to put a nice TV in and I was wondering what type of television do you guys like?  (Not that I’m going to invite you over or anything…)

We’ve got a Panasonic plasma now and I personally like it, but now there’s the new LED TV’s from Samsung that look really nice but are pricey.  We once bought a Visio LCD TV that I didn’t like (way too bright at night) thankfully it broke within the first 30 days so I returned it and got the Panasonic.  But I really would like to get a good BIG television for our basement so that when the wife takes over the TV to watch her Survivor, and Biggest Fat Ass Loser shows I can go into the basement and watch something good like James Bond or something!!

It’s funny how the salesmen will try and talk you into something that you had someone else say is junk!!  Would like an opinion from people that know better.

[Sharkey]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9293427&type=product&id=1218076082761&DCMP=KNC-TLC&ref=30&loc=KW-1167&gclid=COLy9OPutZsCFSXyDAodpjiLBw

I have a Samsung. Its definatly not as nice as their top of the line 3500 to 4000 dollar tvs, but has a great picture even at a angle. It has three brightness levels so you can turn it down at night. It has decent built in speakers, if you dont have surround sound. If you use the HDMI cable with a bluray the picture is amazing a full 1080p. A nice 1500 dollar tv. I would stay away from the plasmas, the use more electricity, and have a tendency to burn in images.

[Master Blaster]

Check the Sharp AQUOS 65in LCD.  Started out 4500+, but now around half that.  Awesome is the word.

[DeathWishBikerDude]

My last few tv's were samsung,and they have had zero problems.
it's hard to tell picture quality in the store though.
They all look good.
Make sure you get a 1080 resolution.
I buy refurbs mostly,and have only had a camera die before its time.
The stereo and tv equiptment has lasted over 5 years with no headaches.

[Jess from VA]

I believe LCD had better longevity than plazma, but that may have changed. 

I'm cheap.  I find the best quality 1080p LCD that I can afford that Costco is selling, and buy it.  Nobody was within $300 of the Toshiba Regza I got from them.

I'm not even sure on-line sellers like Amazon beat their prices (on their limited selection), and Costco gives a two-year warranty on everything they sell; everyone else and manufacturers only give one year. 

[Dogg]

alph, LCD is the way to go. 1080p is what you want but, 720 is fine if you dont care about absolute perfect picture quality. Hard to tell the difference unless your picky about stuff like that.
  Plasma is to high maintainence. havent quite perfected it yet. But lcd has come along way...I have the largest LCD on the market(was I think). 73" Mitsubishi 1080p. $3800.00
I think Mitsu came out with an 80" but not sure. I have gen 2 which has 3 cameras instead of 2. Most LCD tv's only use 2 cameras unless you spend big bucks for it. So, samsung is probably the best bet for a brand, but the 720p might be all you truly need if your not going to invite me over for a beer....(or coffee).
  But go look at both and decide. Just rememeber, Once its in your house, the picture will be different since you dont have the same lighting and contrast, as far as comparison. My best frind bought a samsung 37" LCD with 720p and loves it. has a great picture once he got it home and stuck it in his entertainment center. His wife thought he bought a $2000.00 tv...it was 599.00 

[PAVALKER]

Go out and look at the pictures they have.....

LCD is cooler and "supposedly" lasts longer.  Get a 1080I or 1080P and one with the highest contrast ratio that you can afford.

[Tundra]

1080LCD is the way to go...If your gonna lay out the cash, spend a little more and do it right, you won't be dissapointed down the road. Mine is now three years old and we still smile and say "what a great picture" Brings a new meaning to enjoying a good movie!  With that being said, mine is a Phillips/Magnovox, very pleased!
  I recommend going to whatever is near you, Cosco, Sam's, Wal-Mart or the high end electronics store and look at the screens. These have come a long way and their all pretty good. I noticed that ALL the sports bars and restaurants near me have "LG" brand and the picture is fantastic. I asked about this brand and I'm told it is Korean, but the latest and greatest in technology. I don't know, not an expert, maybe someone else can add to that brand, although their picture is impressing.  Good luck

[FLAVALK]

I have a 42" plasma (Visio from Costco) and an 32" LCD (Olivia from K-Mart) and they both have an excellent picture. I actually think the plasma is a bit more crisp....they are both 1080i, 60Hz.

One consideration, if the room you are putting the TV in has a lot of windows, you may get annoying light reflection off the plasma. Other than that, get the best deal you can find

[Blackduck KS]

If your not going to invite me over to watch the big game or some golf and have a beer then I don`t what my 2 cents will be worth to you but here it gose ,I have a Sony 48 in LCD and my daughter and son in law have a 52 in. and they have realy great pictures my only sugetion would be to get a good one, is to make sure you can stand to the side of it and still see the picture that is that it dose not distort or pixelate so much you can`t see the pic if it dose its not very good one.

[Jabba]

Don't forget about DLP's.  They are not flat PANEL, but if you have the extra 16" (big deal IMO) you can get a VERY nice DLP TV for less $$ than either Plasma OR LCD.

I bought a 73" Mitsubishi DLP in 1080I about 6 months ago and we REALLY like it.

Jabba

[RonBou]

I have a Pioneer plasma (not recommended if you play games) and 2 LG LCDs. The LCDs are better in bright light and O.K. to play video games on. I am very happy with both brands.

[Hogg]

I bought the 42" Panasonic Viero Plasma in Dec'08.  Great picture. Saved over $300 compared to nearest 42" LCD.  I stood in different stores on many different occasions, over a combined number of hours of side by side comparison, I felt the plasma gave a more realistic picture, the LCD's have an artificial "pixel" appearance to me.  So I thought the quality of the plasma picture was a bit better, and definitely got more TV for my money.  Easy decision for me to go with plasma, even though everyone automatically heads to the LCD's.  In doing online research, independent reviewers (CNET) pointed out that plasma systems have been improved to the point they will last as long as the LCD's. 

[BamaJack]

I bought the 42" Panasonic Viero Plasma in Dec'08.  Great picture. Saved over $300 compared to nearest 42" LCD.  I stood in different stores on many different occasions, over a combined number of hours of side by side comparison, I felt the plasma gave a more realistic picture, the LCD's have an artificial "pixel" appearance to me.  So I thought the quality of the plasma picture was a bit better, and definitely got more TV for my money.  Easy decision for me to go with plasma, even though everyone automatically heads to the LCD's.  In doing online research, independent reviewers (CNET) pointed out that plasma systems have been improved to the point they will last as long as the LCD's. 

The problem with doing in-store comparisons is that the sets in the store are all turned up as bright as they will go. Sometimes a very good tv will look washed out or you'll see 'clay faces' because the screen is being over-driven. 

I bought a 50" Panasonic 720p when 720p was all you could get.

[Robert]

If you get a plasma there better be good a/c they produce alot of heat but do have a good picture. The LCDS are just fine and have a good picture plus if you need a repair on a lcd you have a good chance of it being repaired at a reasonable price if a plasma goes out you might just as well buy another tv. To me lcds are just easier to live with.

[Craig N. AZ]

I bought the Samsung 61" DLP about 6 months ago and really like it. You can't hang it on the wall but it is slim and costs a lot less then the others.