plasma vs. lcd

marvda1
marvda1 Posts: 4,941
edited December 2009 in Electronics
i noticed a lot of 42" plasmas are 720p. my question is, is a 720p plasma just as good as or better than a 1080p lcd?
Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156
Post edited by marvda1 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited December 2009
    you wont notice a difference on 42" and under in my experiences.
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
    Mirage PS-12
    LG BDP-550
    Motorola HD FIOS DVR
    Panasonic 42" Plasma
    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

    Allied 395 receiver
    Pioneer CDP PD-M430
    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,826
    edited December 2009
    +1 to this at under 50" there usually isn't a easily seen visual difference.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited December 2009
    To a large extent, yes.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crogers227
    crogers227 Posts: 26
    edited December 2009
    an everyday user wont notice a difference. You can only tell a difference if they are side by side
    A/V Receiver...........Denon 1910
    Power Conditioner....MP HD IR 2550
    BluRay Player..........Sony PS3
    Fronts....................RTi 100
    Center...................CSi3
    Surrounds...............FXi3
    Sub.......................Micropro 3000 :D
    Extras....................Harmony One, Xbox 360, Wii
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rayslifecycle
    rayslifecycle Posts: 511
    edited December 2009
    I am an everyday user
    http://rayslifecycle.blogspot.com/
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KASR
    KASR Posts: 450
    edited December 2009
    As a general rule of thumb, the difference between 720p and 1080p become more noticeable depending on distance from the monitor. Here's a decent article about it: http://reviews.cnet.com/720p-vs-1080p-hdtv/
    Not necessarily based on JUST LCD vs. plasma - but 720p vs. 1080p
    Living room:
    Optoma HD20
    Elite Sable 100"
    Marantz NR1501
    Polk RM6750
    Polk Monitor 50 x 2
    Polk CS1
    2 x Polk PSW110
    2x Sennheiser RS120
    Toshiba HD-A20 x 2
    Vizio VBR220
    Sony CDP-CE375
    Xbox 360 Elite
    --
    Bedroom:
    Olevia 242T
    Sony BDP-S370
    Xbox 360 Pro
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrGlobe
    MrGlobe Posts: 401
    edited December 2009
    I am in the same spot, trying to decide on a TV (size, resolution, Plasma/lcd) and I think the biggest concern that 720p causes on screens under 50" is the low resolution when using it as a computer monitor
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rivrrat
    Rivrrat Posts: 2,101
    edited December 2009
    crogers227 wrote: »
    an everyday user wont notice a difference. You can only tell a difference if they are side by side

    And when I did a comparison at Costco against a Panny 720p and a few different lcd's in 1080p the Panny won.

    I know a couple of other people that agree with me and ended up with a Panny too.
    My equipment sig felt inadequate and deleted itself.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MANSKITO
    MANSKITO Posts: 295
    edited December 2009
    You can super ultra tell the difference if you plan on usieng it for a PC or surf the inter webs or game. But for blu-rays and tv shows theres not a difference.
    Monitor 60s, CS10 front
    Monitor 40s, back
    PSW10:(

    H/k AVR 325
    Sansui Tape Deck
    Pioneer PD-5010 CD player

    Sennheiser HD 650s :D
    Maverick Audio Tube Magic D1 DAC

    AMD Phenom II 940 @ 3.8 prime stabel
    4 gigs 1066, cas 5
    XFX 4890 1gig
    Seagate 1tb 7200.12
    Creative X-fI Titanium Fatal1ty
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited December 2009
    Man every time I go to look at tv's most of them look the same to me these days. I guess I am not much of a videophile.
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bernal
    Bernal Posts: 991
    edited December 2009
    1080 p.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bernal
    Bernal Posts: 991
    edited December 2009
    720p vs. 1080p HDTVs: 2009 update


    http://reviews.cnet.com/720p-vs-1080p-hdtv/?tag=rb_content;rb_mtx
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ryanjoachim
    ryanjoachim Posts: 2,046
    edited December 2009
    MANSKITO wrote: »
    You can super ultra tell the difference...


    That's a phrase combo I haven't seen before.
    MrNightly wrote: »
    "Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
    mystik610 wrote: »
    Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
    My System:


    TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
    HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • oohhbehave
    oohhbehave Posts: 9
    edited December 2009
    PLASMA all the way!! I just swap from a Sharp LCD 720p LC32D43U. The LCD has input lag problems with video game consoles. Blacks are like faded black jean black, really ugly! blurring when watching fast motion stuff or playing First person shooters :X

    The plasma fixed all of those problems and the colors on the plasma is so much more natural. My vote is PLASMA!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • slenap
    slenap Posts: 10
    edited December 2009
    The difference between 720p and 1080p in screen sizes ranging from 40" up to 50:" is negligible. That's why 720p's are preferred because they're much cheaper. Consider this. The Panasonic VIERA TC-P42X1 42" Plasma TV which is only 720p has a high expert rating of 86 and costs for 595 bucks only. While on the same breath, the Sony BRAVIA KDL-40Z4100/B 40" 120Hz 1080p LCD TV which is smaller in size has a decent LCD TV ratings of 70 but costs for around 1K! See? The difference in price is very significant even if we eliminate the ratings into the consideration. Just my 2 cents.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • turbopantera
    turbopantera Posts: 35
    edited December 2009
    How about taking this one step further. Would a standard 480i signal look better on a 720 or a 1080? I have always heard 720 but have never had a 1080 to compare. This thread interests me because with prices getting lower, I am now considering replacing my 32 inch tube with a 42 inch plasma.

    One thing I have heard though, is that a Plasma is better in a room where there is brigher light or light that may reflect on the screen.
    Dave
    In love with SDA since 1984

    2CH: SDA SRS (new caps) with NAD 541I, NAD 917 and modded Phase 400 (soon to be NAD 208)

    HT: SDA 1C (new caps, SL2500s, bass mod) with NAD T763 and Monitor 4 as surround

    Other vintage stuff, Sansui G9000, Pioneer 1980
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited December 2009
    I love both LCD and Plasma. Both has their +'s and -'s.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited December 2009
    What type of player are you pairing the TV with? Blu-Ray, DVD? What brand and model? This could make a difference with regard to which one to get.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited December 2009
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    A typical 42" in plasma will blow away the typical 32" tube TV in picture quality. I still have my 32" Hitachi which has a decent picture, but it isn't even close compared with my Pioneer 50" plasma.

    With video upscaling, a standard 480i signal definitely looks better with 720P , 1080i, or 1080P resolution, however it still is not as good as a genuine 720P, 1080i, or 1080P source from HDTV or Blu-Ray.
    Plasma is better in a darker room than LCD. Plasmas tend to have more natural colors whereas LCD's are typically brighter. Screen reflection is more of a problem with screens with a smooth gloss finish vs a matte screen finish.
    The 600Hz refresh rate on the plasma make them superior for sports and action. You will find that the plasmas are generally less fatiguing to watch.

    I'm still a little amazed that no company has been able to beat the discontinued Pioneer Elite plasma models of 2008. Panasonic made some inroads this year and so did Samsung but the Pioneer's still have the deepest black levels. Have any of you done any comparison testing between the different models? The closest tv I have seen that came the closest to the Pioneer Elite's was the 2008 Sony XBR8 local dimming LED. The new Samsung UN55B8500 according to cnet.com is now the closest to the Pioneer Elite in black levels, still not as quite as dark or as good overall picture quality.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited December 2009
    From personal experience (my friend is a Samsung loyalist) seeing his Samsung's and reading the reviews at cnet.com, hometheatermag.com their glass screens reflect the most light compared to anything I seen or read about, but all LCD/LED tv's biggest weakness is off angle viewing. The new Samsung is so bad that just leaning to the left or right of the sweet spot it fades out big time. They still haven't fixed that major flaw in LCD/LED design, they are basically like giant stretched out laptop screens.

    I HOPE Pioneer someday gets back into the plasma business and Panasonic keeps the plasma flag flying.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • velocityvette
    velocityvette Posts: 1
    edited December 2009
    Head over to avsforum.com lots of good info on that site.

    In short, Don't buy the advertisement hype. My $.02, 90% of TV users will be perfectly happy with nothing more than a basic set. Remember, unless you feed a 1080p TV a 1080p source, your not viewing 1080p. HD programming from sat, cable and over the air providers are broadcast it 720p and 1080i. Both of which a 720p set will display. Bluray, PS3, Xbox 360 and upcoverting video equipment can provide a 1080p source.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TrappedUnder Ice
    TrappedUnder Ice Posts: 975
    edited December 2009
    I have not been on this forum in forever...but thought I'd leave my mark.

    I own multiple LCD TV's , A DLP and a Plasma.
    15" LCD, 32" LCD, 40-something LCD by SamSung(for life of me cannot remember), 46"DLP, over-head LCD Projector and my good Old Panny Plasma: All are 720P

    My Favorite Is the Projector of course...by tv- is the Plasma. Just cannot get over its piture...and its a couple of years old. The Samsung is just a year old.

    Questions to ask yourself. How dark Is my room. A plasma will look better in a darker room then a well lit one.
    How often am I actually going to be watching 1080p material? If your only going to be watching it everyonce in a while? why go for the higher expense?
    Plasma's do run warmer then LCD's....

    Hope I have given some insight... good luck and happy hunting!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited December 2009
    I just purchased a new 42" Panisonic TCP-42U1 and the picture is steller. I did side by side comparisons with a comparibly priced 1080P LCD (also Panisonic) in the showroom which was fairly well lit. There was absolutley no comparison between the two sets. The plasma was far superior, IMHO.

    I paid $970.00 (CND) taxes included.

    I just hooked it up at home and connected my computer to play a blueray of star-trek.

    All I can say is wow.

    I can reccommend this model without reservations.

    Good Luck
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rcrook317
    rcrook317 Posts: 280
    edited December 2009
    look i have an lg lcd 120hz,55in,my dad has an 46in 720p plasma,there is a difference,plus youll never get tru blu-ray if the monitor does not have 1080p

    hd input will help greatly but as tv tech evolves so fastly these days,better to at least ged 1080p to stay up on new tch,maybe wait and get the samsung led,when price drops

    ive seen 720 and 1080...both look good,1080 is noticeably better imho!
    fronts=rti12s(cherry)
    center=csi3(cherry)
    sub=psw125(cherry)
    emotiva xpa-2
    harmon kardon 354
    sony cdp
    ipod 8gb
    audioquest diamondback 1m
    "Maesto" straightwire cables
    pangea ac-9
    playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
    monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
    TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
    Kenwood Phono
    bren1 Clamp
    Herbies Slipmat

    "It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited December 2009
    xcapri79:

    A CRT HD set will still beat anything out on the market. The older 34" XBR Sony CRT's are still used in post production houses and offer superior performance to this day.

    Pioneer will never enter the plasma market again...it nearly bankrupted them the first time, they lost over a billion dollars last year because they thought the HD consumer would pay more for the best picture quality. They were wrong by a wide margin as consumers paid more attention to the bezels around the flat panel and how they'd look on the wall. Even most enthusiaists found it hard to part with so much money and instead went for much cheaper and only 'slightly inferior' panels.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited December 2009
    I contacted Pioneer earlier and also a authorized Pioneer dealer about my tv. We talked about why Pioneer got out of the tv business and like is said above, a good analogy would be that Pioneer were making Porsches and the mass market was buying Prius and Hondas.

    But they said the reason why the Pioneer picture was and is superior still is not the glass or screen used, but the electronics/processors inside. Pioneer had the best electronics driving the picture and Panasonic's electronics were inferior. He said these tv's are like giant computers.

    He did say someday Pioneer will get back into the tv market making tv's. I hope that day comes sooner rather than later.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter