Plasma TV's...info wanted!

wcostin

Hey all,

I am currently shopping for a Widescreen TV and like most, I absolutely love Plasma TV's. I am not a fan of projection TV's, as it seems you have to sit at the same level as the TV to get the best picture. And, the biggest picture tube TV I have see is "34. So, my question is...does anyone know what the lifetime of a Plasma TV is? Can they be fixed, or if you have a problem, it is pitched like a computer monitor? I have family that has had picture tube TV's for 20 years, will a plasma tv last this long?

I appreciate any responses,

Thanks,

Wayne

GuitarheadCA

Um, I don't want to be the one to rain on your parade, but if you're looking for reliablily in a TV, plazma is not the best bet. They're very cool TV, and have the obvious benifits of size and viewing angle, but they have to be handled EXTREMELY carefully, typically have shorter lifespans than other types of TV's, and if one plazma cell goes- they all go. As a result, our extended warranty for plazma screens is outrageous, and instead of covering a customer for 3 or 5 years, we offered a $1,000 one-time-fix warranty. However, that's what I learned when we first started carrying them 10 months ago before I left for college, things may have improved since then.

mantis

OK that maybe true from a certain point of view but......

Plasmas haven't been out on the market long enough to tell if they are going to last the test of time...

Plasmas are the coolest thing on the market right now.

If your going to look into Plasma then look into SOny and Pioneer.I feel they are the best on the market and priced right.

Philips are ok,Panasonics are ok...........

I'm getting a Plasma for my livingroom(no theater in that room)

I'm thinking Sony 50 XBR or Pioneer Elite Pro1000HD 50 inch.

Even the 42 inch models are really nice,it depends on your seating distance.

pjdami

wcostin,

Sony makes a 40 inch direct view XBR Trinitron. They are on sale at Crutchfield right now with free shipping.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-jo6FVF7r5Zu/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=6&g=11420&I=15840XB800&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N

Just an option. It's a heavy SOB though!

Plasma tv's are extremely expensive and are unproven for durability / reliability. They are very nice though.

My dealer told me that in the next year or so that the LCD flat screens are going to get larger and larger and eventually replace the plasma tvs due to reliability. Don't know if this is BS or what.

I personally have a Mitsubishi Rear Projection HDTV and it is awesome and no problems in two years. They are dirt cheap right now.

P.

Airplay355

dirt cheap huh?

pjdami

Yeah Airplay,

Dirtcheap is a relative term I guess. Compared to what they used to cost and what a plasma tv costs.... I mean if you can afford a $6,000 - $10,000 plasma tv then $2,000 is dirt cheap.

P.

goingganzo

i would recomend a dlp rptv

there is this new technology it is like a sheet of paper but can display images on it it is olny on black and white but color is comeing this is going to be the next thing it will replace plasma and lcd

fireshoes

I think plasmas have come a long way. They are not nearly as fragile as many think. From what I have read, the expected life span is pretty much the same as a regular tv. I know prices vary greatly but here a 5 year warranty on plasma under $10k is $799. It's your personal decision on something like that. I would get the tv ISF calibrated, so I'd know it was set up properly to get the best picture and most life out of it.

At my store, I like the Sharp 50" for $10k over the Sony 50" for $13k. The Sony is cooler looking but the Sharp has a better picture. I like the Hitachi 42" for $7k also.

brettw22

Originally posted by fireshoes
I know prices vary greatly but here a 5 year warranty on plasma under $10k is $799.

Personally, I wouldn't ever pay $800 for a warranty......that to me is just insane I guess. I don't know if those extended warranty prices are flexible, but they'd have a hard time convincing me that it's worth blowing an extra grand for maybe's.........

ChrisDurano

Do you plan on watching broadcast TV or just DVD's. Because if its just DVD's, you can save a lot of money going w/ a EDTV. Usually bout 1/2 the price of and HDTV plasma if not more. Keep in mind your blacks probably will be more like a dark grey. Also, a lot of the newer plasma TV's have "burn-in" prevention. Make sure to inquire about that.

wcostin

Everyone...Thanks for the advice.

ChrisDurano, love your quote!!!!


Other than weight issues, does anyone know why manufactures haven't made a widescreen tube TV over 34 inches? I remember RCA had a 38" a couple of years ago. If they had 38-42 inch widescreen tubes, I wouldn't be having a dilema. Does anyone know if any manufactures are planning to make bigger widescreens? The one posting about the Sony 40" was a 4:3, not widescreen.

fireshoes

If you don't need an extremely thin set like a plasma, I would get a dlp. Samsung has some pretty decent ones. Their 43" is about $3500 and is 15 1/2" deep.

GuitarheadCA

wcostin,
I believe the main reason you don't have tubes bigger than 38", is it's WAY too cumbersome. If my estimates are on, a 45-50 inch tube would be in the vicinity of 500 pounds. And when you've got a 500 pound tv, making it sturdy requires even more bracing. And how about moving it intact? RPTV's on the other hand, are mostly air, much more cost effective and practical for larger sizes. Yes, RCA did have a 38" widescreen, and I remember moving that off the floor personally. NOT an easy task. I can't imagine a TV more beastly. Nor would I like to move them on to the sales floor any time soon :-)

jdavy

Tube tv is still the best picture. Sony has a very nice 34" 16x9 coming in the fall that is better than the current 34" one. The Grand Vega Rear Projection LCD is very nice and the next generation in the fall is nicer and about $4K for the 60". Sony is also developing SXRD to compete with the DLP by Texas Instruments found in Samsung models. If money is not an object the 60" XBR plasma due out this fall from Sony for $20K is beautiful. I am still using the 35" 4x3 Sony XBR that is 5 years old. If I could not wait, your best bang for the buck is the 60" or 50" Grand vega or the Samsung DLP. If you go Samsung DLP get the second generation chip. You can tell by the model #. HLMxxx 1st generation, HLNxxx 2nd generation.

Let us know what you buy.

dmamsa

Here is my take on Plasma TV..

IF you can afford it go for it-I have owned a 50inch PIONEER Plasma for about 8 months now...there is no comparison between tube,RPTV and plasma..once you get hooked on watching HDTV on plasma thats it ..its like looking through a window.

Plasma technology has come a long way. I bought my Plasma from Dell for $5500 which included 2 years in home service..

I would recemmend www.avsforum.com for more info on plasma...


once again....if you can afford it then go for it.

dthomps

The biggest tube wide screen I have seen is made by Loewe.
They have a 38" model called the Aconda (I believe) that is beautiful.
Definitely something to consider.
Mike