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Follow Up On TV Querry For 2007 Purchase......

Hello Again All:

Remember a few months ago, I was inquiring about what would be the best TV to buy if I was buying a Plasma TV??? I was eyeing a Visio 42" Model at the time, and the consensous was that I should pony up and consider buying a Panasonic or a Toshiba (which I do not disagree with that assessment 100%).

Well People....... I'm still stuck (kind of).

Yesterday, after leaving my part-time job at a local shopping center in Prince Georges County, Maryland, I went to the new Circuit City that happens to be across the street from the mall I work at. I met a gentleman who seems to be QUITE knowledgeable about HDTV's in general, and he pretty much gave my ass a crash course on the difference between Plasma and LCD TV's. I am beginning to start saving up for the TV at the end of this month. Until yesterday, I was set to go with a Plasma as Plasmas as a whole seem to provide better blacks than an LCD model could ever dream of. But after looking at a Toshiba 42HL167 (a 1080p LCD set, mind you) hooked up to a Toshiba HD-A20 HD-DVD Player yesterday, I was stunned at the black level this set was producing, as well as the fast refresh rate this set was doing when it was doing a sports scene. This set was producing a picture that was close to any Plasma set that inside the store. If I didn't know any better myself, if I hadn't known that it was an LCD set yesterday, I would've said that had to be a Plasma set. The picture was so crisp, so sharp and so vivid, my jaw just dropped inside the store. After seeing that set, I also asked the saleman to show me the 720p variant (the Toshiba 42HL67) of the same set (so I can see if I can see enough of a difference to warrant paying an extra $400.00 for the 1080p version of this set (the 42HL167)), and quite frankly, I couldn't see that much of a difference off the bat. After looking at these sets yesterday, I still kind of want to go Plasma because of the quality of blacks they tend to produce. But after looking at these Toshiba LCD's yesterday, I'm starting to have second thoughts and starting to second guess myself.

I guess, the question I'm am getting at is are LCD as a class are really THAT good today (as far as picture quality, black level and fast refresh rates are concerned)??? Because these were the VERY things that LCD's took a lot a flack and criticism for in the past. Are the differences between LCD and Plasma really THAT narrow??? Because after looking at these two Toshibas yesterday, I am almost sold on the pictures these sets produce, and that's not to say that they're attractively priced to boot.

Any feedback on experiences between LCD and Plasma, as well as any opinions are appreciated in advance.

Thank you for your time.

--Charles--
128x128chaskelljr2001
htnovice
13 posts
 
shadorn,
panasonic just came out with a model chek bestbuy.com its liek the 42px700u or something like that its 1080p and only 2300
goatwuss
877 posts
 
I would only buy a plasma. They look way better than LCDs to me, much more vivid colors and deeper blacks. Burn in is a non issue unless you are negligent.

With that being said, it is up to you of course.
chaskelljr2001's avatar
chaskelljr2001 OP
476 posts
 
"Htnovice" and "Goatwuss":

In addition to the Toshiba LCD's that I have explained about in my thread, I do have a couple of Plasmas on my shortlist as well (a Panasonic TH-42PH77U (because of the Anti-Glare coating on the screen ($1,500.00)), a Samsung HP-T4254 and probably, an LG Model...... And in regards to Plasmas, I am leaning toward the "Panny"), the reasons being, the pictures tend to be sharper and more vivid as well as producing a better black (which is vital for the home theater experience) than LCD (but that's until I saw the Toshiba 42HL167 and the Toshiba 42HL67 last Sunday). But right now, I'm just not going to discount LCD's either.

But since I won't be getting the TV until about December (at least), I am going to take a look at all the options that are going to be out before then (which means I will be on the lookout for the Pioneers when they come out as well).

Again........ Regards.......

--Charles--
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
shadorn,
panasonic just came out with a model chek bestbuy.com its liek the 42px700u or something like that its 1080p and only 2300

I know. I needed a new TV several months ago (when the Sony 36" XBR CRT HDTV died) and native pixels was not yet available in a plasma of that small size (42"). A salesman insisted LCD was better anyway....I was not sure and it is very hard to tell in a store...but I did know that I wanted the full pixel resolution so I went LCD (Sharp Aquos actually, with an impressive 10,000 to 1 contrast ratio ....a BS specification IMHO but I bought it hook line and sinker...) and I regret it...although it is not a bad HDTV I am slightly disappointed in nighttime scene quality. Daylight scenes blaise out at you - almost like looking into the real SUN - not something I was really looking for!! You live you learn and that is the beauty of A'gon, you get to share both the good and the bad lessons learned....so others do not make the same mistake!!
chaskelljr2001's avatar
chaskelljr2001 OP
476 posts
 
"Elevick":

Am I going to be using a 1080p source all the time???

No....... Not really. Well actually, I don't know really. I still have to determine whether or not I can tell a difference between 720p and 1080p. I know that if I opt for a 1080p set, then I would have to pay the $400.00 to $500.00 difference that a 1080p set would entail. And from what I am reading on this thread, it's going to be hard to tell the difference between 720p resolution and 1080p resolution on a 42" set be it LCD or Plasma. But from the outset, I know I'll be using regular DVD's with my new flat screen (the source is going to be a Denon DVD-2910 Universal Player (which upsamples to 1080i I believe)).

I will entertain the thought of adding an HD-DVD or a Blue-Ray DVD Player when the dust settles on the two formats, so the TV will have to be ready when I make the switch over from standard DVD to High Definition DVD (whichever format emerges).

--Charles--
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