Thoughts on Plasma, LCD, DLP and which way to go

Rysa4 is right about these plasma myths...

I have a neighbor that refused to buy a Plasma because "they only last a year and you have to recharge them with gas every few months". When I told him that was absolutely untrue, he said he believed otherwise becuase 2 home theater salemen had told him the "truth".

So these bozos sell him this giant ass CRT rear projection set, which he brings home and raves about. I go over to check it out and the upconversion is for shit and the guy has no plans for Hi-Def Satellite because he's "a cable guy- cables better". I inform him he can get hi-def through his cheesy cable provider and he responds "why do that? Look at that picture man".

I gave up. Drank a beer, went home.

I don't think that the high altitude/noise thing was a myth, but I am glad that manufacturers have been able to correct the problem. Now if only they would lower the price of plasma TVs a bit, I might be able to afford one, and get rid of my *@#$* CRT rear projection set. :-)

Holly

Hi. On altitude, thats why I said " Pseudo-myth". The issue does exist, like burn in for instance. These are factually correct possibilities, but with little practical impact in reality, as almost no one has problems with plasma and altitude, burn in, plasma lifespan etc.

You just get these huge emphasis in periodicals as these being some type of major negatives about Plasma, followed by the ole " Plasma is obsolete" and Plasma is dying" type comments.

On pricing, with decent 42 inch plasmas at 1500 and 50 inchers at 3000, they are becoming more in reach for more and more folks than a few years back.

My guess is the next step up will be to 55 inch true 1080P displays. I see 55 inch as the next standard.

Interestingly, if you go to ecoustics.com, the lead article, clickable on the upper left of the screen, is Top Ten HDTV myths or something similar, and covers some of the exact stuff we are talking about here. Its a reprint from the just released PC World Reviews

First of all if you can afford it the best picture is HD plasma hands down. The LCD is not as crisp and life like. The DLP are still projection and can't hold the tolerance at the edges of the screen. You can buy a monitor only. Forget all the TV crap unless you are hooking it up to an outside antenna. You don't need a tuner if you are using a sat. or cable box anyhow. HDMI is a plus, but most of the HD plasmas come with multiple connections. It all depends on your budget, the location of the set - can you fit a larger DLP projection set etc. If you want a great set on a budget and have the room go DLP projection. If you have space contraints the flat panel is more money, but space saving. I started with one 61" plasma monitor and now I have three in my house. No, not 61"'s, plasmas.