Plasma or LCD

[Bob U]

My one eyed monster is on the blink which is a bit of a pisser cos it is just over 5 years old and just out of quarentee.

The question is, do I go for LCD or Plasma?

I don't fancy going into a store and listening to a load of sales bullshit so can anyone tell me what the difference is?

Plasma seems to be the more expensive option by a long way.

Why is this and is it worth the extra cost?

Has anyone experience of both and can give me a reccomendation.

[rcutler]

One word LCD, they don't need re-gassing every 18 months!!! and usually last longer use less power etc.

[rcutler]

One word LCD, they don't need re-gassing every 18 months!!! and usually last longer use less power etc.

Oops that was more then one word!!!! 

[Bob U]

Regassing?

[rcutler]

Regassing?

a bit like air-con, the Plasma's emit slight amounts of gas when the run hence they need regrassing whereas LCD's do not! The advantage of Plasma is the quality is slightly better and they are often a bit cheaper.

[htbast]

I agree with eveything above, but the LCD has other things going for it.

1. LCD's are brighter then Plasma. If you ever suffer from sunlight falling onto the screen, LCD's will keep a strong image. Plasma just give up.

2. Plasmas suffer screen burn. A major problem if you watch digital chanels with logos or the 'red button' constantly displayed in the same place o the screen.

3. Plasma need a 'prograssive scan' source. LCD's can run from most sources.

Just go out and buy a branded LCD (the new Sony sets are execlent).

Cheers
HTB!

[termietermite]

My Plasma's great; my LCD's cr*p - what can I say?  Probably has more to do with the make of the telly than anything else.  Go see those nice chaps at Richer Sounds - no sales b*llsh*t, they tell it like it is, and great value (and no, I don't work for them, get a backhander etc).

[nopanic - neil]

In Aldi today (they will go quick - I think) is a 42" Plasma screen, for £999.99 with a 3 year warranty!

HOW BIG - 42" for less than a Grand, wish I some spare cash.

[Robspot]

From what I've been told some LCD's have trouble displaying live events correctly for example live football can have traces after the path of the ball, whereas this doesn't happen with plasma.

Although apparently the newer LCD's aren't as bad.

[Nobby Diesel]

There is still a manufacturing issue with the way Plasmas are made.
Most manufacturers are still having trouble with keeping the production environment clean enough for a reliable result. Plasma screens are manufactured in a "clean room" environment, similar to semiconductors. Not all manufacturers production areas are as clean as they should be.
The result; air borne particles can find their way into the gas and cause future problems.
Unfortunately, I can't ell you who's the bad ones.
My understanding is that LCD is the better option.

[Bob U]

Thanks guys, sounds like it has to be an LCD. John Lewis here I come

[Nobby Diesel]

Bob,
Sure, Johnny L's do give a good service and extended warranty - but, you can usually get the same at a better price elsewhere.
You can then buy your extended warranty from the likes of Domestic and General, at a well below the difference between web and Johnny L's prices.
Couple of years ago, I bought a LCD from Comet. They wanted about 300 quid to add 4 years additional warranty. I bought extra warranty over the phone from Dom & Gen, whilst still in Comet, for about 80 quid.

[Ferrari Spider]

If your looking for the very best price and service i can't recommend this company too highly.

have been buying home cinema kit from them over a number of years.  Very very good, they are.

http://www.krishav.co.uk/store/settings.asp?str=pAboutUs

[Bob U]

Some good prices on there Peter Thanks for that.
With their prices and Nigels idea for cheaper extended warrenty I can use the saving to pay for the classic

[Andy Zarse]

In that case Bob you should buy a new surround sound ProLogic cinema system and that way you'd save enough money to go to Sebring too!

BTW, LCD is defo the way ahead and not plasma, which is a dying concept. But you must get the extended warranty as LCD are virtually impossible to fix if the screen loses even a few pixels. Actually some of the big retailers like Dixons have some pretty fair deals on TVs if you hit it right. But never buy the extra warranty from them, they are a total rip off. One of their smarmy morons once tried to sell me one on a £35 kettle; it cost another £40. He actually tried to argue it was good value and cheaper than buying a new kettle in 3 years time as prices would rise. Cretins, all.