Author Topic: question about plasma TV's (Read 549 times)

Seraphim · « **on:** July 17, 2005, 09:16:58 PM »

Was lookin into buyin one of these babies, I see them at a few stores here n there, and absolutly fell in love with the picture. I was wondering if anyone had one, and what they think of their investment. I'm hopin to be able to afford one this winter, but DAYUM are they steep. I still have my 32" Wega,which is still a great picture (was steep when I first bought it), butafter viewing these plasmas, man o man, haven't seen anything match them. LCD's are close, but still not as vivid. *gasp*
plus, after moving, I have no desire to carry a tube TV ever again...

Chairboy · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2005, 09:21:30 PM »

Poor investment, TV-wise. Plasmas lose color and brightness relatively quickly.

Check out the thin DLPs. Better picture and brightness.

Dago · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2005, 09:24:22 PM »

I believe the best picture is still the standard CRT tv.

dago

Chairboy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2005, 09:30:58 PM »

True, but most people want plasma because of the thickness, hence why I suggested the thin DLPs.

Seraphim · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2005, 09:38:29 PM »

I've heard of DLP's, but never actually understood them. What exactly are they?

Plus, I dont want CRT anymore.....too bulky & too heavy, not enough patience for them anymore

Maverick · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2005, 09:42:41 PM »

What's to lose patience over? You only set it up once right? Heck I have a regualr cathode style TV in my RV and we use it all the time. I won't have a plasma due to the lack of longevity, fragility heat and weight of the darn things not to mention the outrageous price.

Seraphim · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2005, 09:48:48 PM »

having to move it in the 1st place, plus i like to redecorate once in a while. since im not rich, i have to make room for CRTs no matter where i put it. I have a 20" LCD and I watch that more than the CRT, simply because i can move it here n there, its not in the way, so its in my room. simply put, ide rather pay a bit more for a plasma because i love the picture (im wierd like that), a pretty picture i can stare at for hours, plus they are not nearly as heavy as a similar size CRT (less than half).

somespam · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2005, 10:39:22 PM »

DLP......Digital Light Projection. It uses a thing the size of a matchbook with one million mirrors on it to generate the picture. I have the Samsung 50" and absolutely love it. It weighs 74 pounds so I can easily manage to move it, if needed, by myself. I would highly recommend DLP technology. It is slightly thicker than plasma so I don't think hanging it on a wall will be possible. Mine is 14" thick. It's a great TV and the HDTV picture is awsome!

Seraphim · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2005, 11:33:17 PM »

The only thing I'm wondering about DLP is what all the other projection TV's have, which is dark corners and small viewing angle. How much better is it than regular projection? or is it just completely different?

1K3 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2005, 11:54:51 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Seraphim
The only thing I'm wondering about DLP is what all the other projection TV's have, which is dark corners and small viewing angle. How much better is it than regular projection? or is it just completely different?

There are 3 types of projection TVs (with thickness of 10 inches or more)

CRT (cathode ray tube)
DLP (digital light processing - invented by Texas Instruments:))
LCD (liquid crystal display)

CRT projectors - 50s technology,costs fractions compare to LCDs and DLPs. Be aware of "burn-ins" due to static pictures

From MY experience i think DLP lets you watch at +-60 degree angle, same goes for the LCDs

My eye grade is 20/40 for both eyes and there's no way i can tell if LCD is superior to DLP ect ect.

PS Be aware that picture settings may vary when you compare TV sets. Play around with the picture settings if you're comparing TV srets

Let your eyeballs be the judge

Masherbrum · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2005, 12:07:53 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Seraphim
The only thing I'm wondering about DLP is what all the other projection TV's have, which is dark corners and small viewing angle. How much better is it than regular projection? or is it just completely different?

DLP is still a new technology. You will sometimes get a "screen door" effect from certain artifacts from HD signals.

If you are looking at Rear Projection tv's, there is only two you should even consider buying Pioneer Elite, or Mitsubishi. The rest suck. Don't bother with Best Buy or Circuit City, their service sucks and makes YOU dependant on THEM for service, instead of the other way around. Also BB and CC hike up their Brightness, Contrast and Black Level settings so much, they AT LEAST 1/2 the life of the TV they "show off". A local High End store is the ONLY way to go, they'll also know more than the 17 year old pimple faced kid selling the stuff at BB or CC.

JVC has a DLP with LCoS. The picture is better than standard DLP tv's. Instead of using One Chip for all colors (Red, Blue and Green), LCoS uses One chip for each color. IF I were to go DLP, the JVC would be the way I would go.

BTW, Plasmas do not "leak", the problem is you get what you pay for when it comes to Plasma. Pioneer Elite is again the way you want to go, or Loewe ($15,000 & $12,000 respectively). First Generation plasma's were released with these problems before they should have been introduced. They have however, been corrected. You are simply paying for convenience.

Dago is correct the CRT is still gonna give the most natural picture. It still cannot be beat. Especially the Loewe Aconda 38". It's picture is amazing.

Also, when upgrading your TV, make sure you have an adequate HT system (I'm NOT talking Bose either). Otherwise you will be depressed at the awesome picture and the chitty sound.

I am a member of the Sound&Vision Magazine Forum, this is my hobby which my wife loathes, but she realizes when I know more about the products than the people selling them for commission.

Chit Seraphim. Email if you have any questions: Dolinski@sbcglobal.net

<>

Karaya

AdmRose · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2005, 12:12:19 AM »

I'll stick to my 20" RCA CRT. Family got it in '91 and its mine now. Still works as well as the day I bought it. As for the weight, well, thats the movers problem (for $130 an hour, they can deal with it).

Seraphim · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2005, 12:12:57 AM »

Actually, CRT & LCDs are considered 'direct view'...The projection I'm talking about are the rear projection, with light bulbs (or whatever) inside the bottom of the set (red green blue bulbs), which is why (I think) the corners look a bit darker than the center, which is why I'm staying completely away from projection. I dont remember if the projection LCD have those bulbs or something different, but they are different than a smaller LCD monitor (like my 20" computer monitor).
I just know those plasmas are absolutely bueatiful, and i havent seen anything else match it (even though some may come close).

Vulcan · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2005, 12:22:26 AM »

The new Sony rear projection 3LCD jobbies are preeeeeeeeeeeetty. Myself, my next purchase will be a projector... probably an entry level DLP unit - I figure the high brightness/ontrast is a good tradeoff against artifacting. ~US$700. For me the projector will compliment a regular 29" TV, and the projector will be more flexible (ie can use it all over the place).

Masherbrum · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2005, 12:22:50 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Seraphim
Actually, CRT & LCDs are considered 'direct view'...The projection I'm talking about are the rear projection, with light bulbs (or whatever) inside the bottom of the set (red green blue bulbs), which is why (I think) the corners look a bit darker than the center, which is why I'm staying completely away from projection. I dont remember if the projection LCD have those bulbs or something different, but they are different than a smaller LCD monitor (like my 20" computer monitor).
I just know those plasmas are absolutely bueatiful, and i havent seen anything else match it (even though some may come close).

What is your budget?

Karaya