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Has LED caught up to Plasma?

I know that the plasma tv's in the past were always considered to be better than the LED or LCD formats. I'm wondering if this is still the case. With improvements in technology, has the gap narrowed? I bought a 42" Panasonic Plasma over 8 years ago (and yes, it's still working...wished it would have died by now! lol) and am looking to upgrade to a new 55" tv. In all honestly, when I chose plasma back then, I thought the picture quality of both the plasmas and the LED/LCD models were both very good. Even though my plasmas has lasted all these past 8 years, my big concern is that they do heat up quite a bit....where LED's run much cooler. I'm thinking this might translate into a longer life with and LED tv instead of a plasma. What would you buy today if you were buying??? Plasma or LED?
calgarian5355
unsound
7,333 posts
 
Obviously I fall into the same camp as Elizabeth. Though flat panels are still challenged to meet SMPTE, never mind THX standards for size to distance, other than as front projectors, in most real situations CRTs are woefully incapable.
Not that long ago, the various alternate technologies poor black levels were so distracting that I couldn't help but long for a CRT. With the emergence of the Sony Qualia front projector and Pioneer Elite Pro Kuro, that all changed. Now one could and can enjoy true or close to cinema like immersion without that nagging feeling that something is amiss.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
For me the other way arround: Having seen the huge projection ones with 50+ inch diagonal was literally a joke compared to clean 30...34" CRT.
Was not impressed by 60" plazmas as well. Way to far from being crystal clear and natural colors are literally unreachable. Having the fact that these huge $3k+ TVs are disposable in few years bring me even more far from impression.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,484 posts
 
Plasmas will soon be a thing of the past.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I have a 100in projector, a 58in and 46in plasma, 2 22in lcd monitors in bar and the 30in crt. I also have old sd crt units around pool table, craft room office and guest bed. My point is its still the best pic (the hd Sony) even if its bedroom material these days, my master is 14x24 so its doable otherwise would likely be gone.
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
Room light levels are still an issue. The new LCDs hold up better in a very bright room. Plasmas can wash out in high light situations. My family room is loaded with windows and, as much as I wanted the Panasonic plasma, it just was not going to work in my light situation. I ended up getting a gorilla glass 60" Sony. The glass is reflective when the sun is directly on the TV, straight on to the TV, but ambient light and off angle light is just not an issue. The picture is bright enough to work fine. Just something to consider.
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