LCD or Plasma.

[larus]

Advice please.

I'm on the lookout for a 42" TV (about time I upgraded from CRT, even though I don't watch much TV). Makes sense as I've just decorated lounge and a new TV would fit in very nicely thank you.

At this size, should I go Plasma or LCD?
What about connections required, Scart, HDMI, etc (I've got good quality cables from my DVD player to TV at present - 3 for the video and 1 for the audio - don't know what the term is for the connection though ).
Refresh rate?
Contrast/brightness?

Are Sony's worth the extra dosh?

Good sites for prices?

Ta.

 

[Kylies Stunt Arse]

http://www.prcdirect.co.uk/home.php

These guys always seem reasonable. Worth a look anyway.

 

[REDLAND]

Panasonic 42Pz700 Plasma

ENDOFSTORY

 

[Shizuoka Dolphin]

Teletext must look brilliant on one of those.

 

[Wozza]

I wouldn't buy from PRC Direct (again). Poor delivery options and customer service.

 

[larus]

The panasonic does look good. ANy other models worth a look (must be 1080p though).

 

[hans kraay fan club]

The Panasonic Plasmas and LCDs are mint. They are also costly!

 

[Superphil]

Get yourself a copy of What TV & Video, Stuff, T3 or Home Cinema Choice magazine (or similar). Read up on what they recommend, decide which one meets your needs re quality and budget, then go take a look at the models in the shops. Then, once you've made an informed choice, go online and buy one.

In answer to your specific questions, make sure it's got Freeview, make sure it has at least one HDMI socket (for in future if you go for Sky HD, Virgin Media HD, or even if they ever transmit regular telly in HD.

2 HDMI sockets would be good should you ever upgrade your DVD to a Blueray or HD DVD, or just an upscaling DVD player. Indeed, if you have a latest gen games console (Playstation 3, Xbox 360) too.

Also, if you can stretch to it, 1080p is the highest form of HD, therefore would make sense to go for it for future-proofing.

Plasma or LCD, that's a matter of personal choice once you've looked at the sets. Plasma is supposed to be better for watching sports. LCD is quieter, and I think uses less electricity.

Hope that helps.

 

[Bozza]

The best look setting on the market, bar none:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...inkCode=xm2&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B000W4B6VQ

 

[Woodchip]

LCD. no need to worry about changing gases, etc... and you can take it home and plug it straight in. Plasmas need to stand for x hours to allow the gases to settle.

 

[REDLAND]

Plasmas need to stand for x hours to allow the gases to settle.

I think you mean fridges there dude

 

[Woodchip]

I think you mean fridges there dude

Cheeky. The early ones used to recommend that you leave them to stand. Probablymoved on a bit on the last 3-5 years though.

Here's a good LCD vs Plasma comparison...
http://www.flattvpeople.com/tutorials/lcd-vs-plasma.asp

 

[tedebear]

The best look setting on the market, bar none:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...inkCode=xm2&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B000W4B6VQ

Does look good, but at that price I start to question how important a tv is! We're not movie watching glued to the tv type of people so for us its probably not worth it - hence my thread yesterday...

 

[tedebear]

LCD. no need to worry about changing gases, etc... and you can take it home and plug it straight in. Plasmas need to stand for x hours to allow the gases to settle.

and of course if you buy it in the southern hemisphere and move to the northern hempishere you have to hang it upside down!

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

LCD. no need to worry about changing gases, etc... and you can take it home and plug it straight in. Plasmas need to stand for x hours to allow the gases to settle.

Dont leave your plasma on the same channel for hours on end or the DOG (digital onscreen graphic) will cause screen burn which takes ages to fade away or may be there permanently. Also having a plasma is like having another radiator in your room with the heat it generates compared to a LCD.

 

[Bozza]

Dont leave your plasma on the same channel for hours on end or the DOG (digital onscreen graphic) will cause screen burn which takes ages to fade away or may be there permanently. Also having a plasma is like having another radiator in your room with the heat it generates compared to a LCD.

I'm far from an expert, but I don't think screen burn is much of an issue, if any issue at all, for modern plasma screens. Maybe a few years back, yes.

 

[tedebear]

Dont leave your plasma on the same channel for hours on end or the DOG (digital onscreen graphic) will cause screen burn which takes ages to fade away or may be there permanently. Also having a plasma is like having another radiator in your room with the heat it generates compared to a LCD.

I do remember a friends plasma years ago which had a bloody annoyingly loud fan to keep it cool....I'm sure they'll have fixed that issue now as that was about 5 years ago...

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

I do remember a friends plasma years ago which had a bloody annoyingly loud fan to keep it cool....I'm sure they'll have fixed that issue now as that was about 5 years ago...

Nowadays you have to put up with the fan inside a Sky HD box which can be annoying at times.

 

[tedebear]

Nowadays you have to put up with the fan inside a Sky HD box which can be annoying at times.

Really? I didn't know that - just about to call SKy and see how much the HD will cost us too!! Do they do different HD boxes like for the standard sky?

 

[Bozza]

Does look good, but at that price I start to question how important a tv is! We're not movie watching glued to the tv type of people so for us its probably not worth it - hence my thread yesterday...

Me neither. Literally the only show I try and watch is Top Gear. Some nights, like last night, the TV does not even go on.

Should be fab for DVDs and, to a lesser extent, the Wii though.