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LED, LCD or Plasma?

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So I have the opportunity to get either a Samsung 50 inch 1080P Plasma, a Samsung 52 inch 1080P LCD or a Sharp Aquios 52 inch 1080P LED TV. They are all pretty comparable when it comes to the number of inputs and physical size/weight etc.

Anyone want to make any recommendations one way or the other, or point me to a good site to sort through this to figure out what I should get?

BTW, Price isn't an issue as any of them will be at no monetary cost to me or my family.
 
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I have a plasma, I really do like the image quality, specifically the black quality.. it is NOT exactly light on the power usage though in comparison to LCD or LED. The plasma does, however, generate IR noise.. which is only really important if you're planning on using ir repeaters (you'd have to get ones designed for plasma monitors).. I can't offer a lot of technical comparison between the three listed as I'm certain everything I did in terms of research last year is now invalid ;)


edit: also a panasonic plasma here
 
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I own a Panasonic plasma some of the best picture I have seen, one of the biggest key points to remember is to look for the native contrast ratio, because these days they are using dynamic ratios that don't tell the whole story. The other large issue is that every persons eyes is different so we would be telling you what our eyes like and not what yours would.

Just some facts for plasma
#1 Burn in is not problem anymore.
#2 Huge life span on them.
#3 high altitude isn't a problem anymore

For Leds
#1 still a lcd form factor
#2 not all LED tv are really what they say they are
#3 Tiny power usage

Edit: I really do like the framing look of some of the Samsung T.Vs it actually looks like a picture frame, and with a wall mounting, so wonderful to look at.
 

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If you can swing it I would suggest getting a look at the screens in lighting similar to what you will be experiencing at home. Some plasmas for example seem to give off a lot of glare unless the screen has an anti reflective coating. I've also found that when it comes to screens this is to some extent a matter of personal preference. You might want to check out Home Theater: Plasma Vs. LCD for some information comparing plasma and LCDs. That article doesn't cover the LED models if I remember correctly.
 
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So you're asking "should I get the oldest, older, or newest technology. Price isn't an issue." Dur... get the LED! Come on!
 
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I happen to own a 50 inch Plasma TV and a 55 inch LED TV.
They both are high quality in picture, but my LED TV seems to be a lot brighter than the Plasma.
Many of the new Plasma TVs are 600Hz which is very nice compared to the 120-240Hz found on the newer LED and LCD TVs.

Plasma TVs are known to burn an image into the screen, so I would not advice them for gaming. The LEDs and LCDs will not do so.

In my opinion, I would take a look at all of the TVs and decide which looks better to you.

I would personally go for the LED TV because I am a console gamer, and I believe the LEDs are the best for gaming.

If you are watching pure TV, I would probably go with the Plasma TV due to the 600Hz vs. the 240Hz.
 
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I'd go Plasma first (I have a 42" Hitachi), then LED, then LCD, because plasma is best for blacks and lack of motion blur.
However, I'd be tempted to wait 6 months now if price isn't an issue. Large OLED screens will be out by then, and man they blow everything away.
 

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I've been impressed by the current models. The technology has come a good way just in the last two years. You'd have to work at it to get a 'bad' set if you're only talking PQ.

While I will admit Samsung makes some really nice electronics, I am unable to recommend them as a choice to anyone. As long as you get one that has no issues, you'll be ok. If you ever need to call them, be forewarned, they have absolutely the worst customer service in the industry. I've experienced it myself, sitting with a broken piece of equipment in my media center for over 5 months. Their ultimate resolution was also the worst I have ever experienced from any manufacturer of goods.

There are still current examples of this if you take the time to read the 1&2 star reviews in Amazon. Due to this one fact alone, for me, there is only one choice that can be made from those three options.
 
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Plasma TVs are known to burn an image into the screen, so I would not advice them for gaming. The LEDs and LCDs will not do so.
I own a panny plasma and play games on it for hours at a time, such as halo, oblivion, left 4 dead and others and I have never had a issue with burn in.
 
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I own a panny plasma and play games on it for hours at a time, such as halo, oblivion, left 4 dead and others and I have never had a issue with burn in.
after the fist 100 hours or so burn-in these days is pretty much identical... amazing what technology constantly marching forward does ;)
 
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See if anyone can get you the power consumption (= heat production) numbers for each. I'd imagine the LED would be cooler and less power-hungry than the plasma, and big TVs can put out a lot of heat.
 
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See if anyone can get you the power consumption (= heat production) numbers for each. I'd imagine the LED would be cooler and less power-hungry than the plasma, and big TVs can put out a lot of heat.

LED and LCD are far less power hungry than Plasma, but new Plasma's are much better in this respect.
My Hitachi, which is 3 years old, chucks out tons of heat! Saves on Gas for heating though.
 
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At that level, it's really a matter of preference. I wouldn't recommend plasma ONLY because they are losing the 'war'. That and the LED/LCD are thinner and lighter, and there is no glare, nor serious risk of image burning.

OLED will be massively expensive for the next 2 years or so, so if you are looking now, I'd give them a pass. any new TV will be a huge improvement over what you've got right now and you will be supremely satisfied with it for a long time.
 
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Way... way too many specs to list.
so, I have a question.. this is a tv purchase, not a media player purchase.. who cares what tv tech will be available in 20 years.. I guarantee it won't be any of the above ;)


I'll see if I can get power/heat specs on mine tonight when I'm home.. it is actually energy star compliant :D
 

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Just personal preference, but I like the way Plasmas look. I think they have much better contrast ratios and far better viewing angles. Although LCDs are improving all the time, they just look washed out by comparison.

Again, I have nothing scientific to back this up, but the difference is startling when I see them on display next to LCDs. And of course, they're typically cheaper.

I have seen plasmas burn-in though. We have twin 46" plasmas in our board room for video conferencing. They are about 6 years old now, and both have burn in from the home screen of the previous video conferencing codec box. It's not terrible, but you can definitely tell.
 
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Just personal preference, but I like the way Plasmas look. I think they have much better contrast ratios and far better viewing angles. Although LCDs are improving all the time, they just look washed out by comparison.

Again, I have nothing scientific to back this up, but the difference is startling when I see them on display next to LCDs. And of course, they're typically cheaper.

I have seen plasmas burn-in though. We have twin 46" plasmas in our board room for video conferencing. They are about 6 years old now, and both have burn in from the home screen of the previous video conferencing codec box. It's not terrible, but you can definitely tell.

LEDs have much higher contrast ratios than LCDs without some of the negatives of plasma.
 
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This thread is still going on? Seriously? I'll spell it out for you... L-E-D! LED! Get the dang LED! It's the newest tech, least energy hungry, least wasteful, high contrast ratio, thinnest display, and is THE BEST TECH OUT AT THE MOMENT in the home theatre world! LE-freakin-D!
 
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Which type should I get my husband for Christmas? We have a window directly across from the TV, but it is rarely open, and does have light-filtering curtains. I cannot afford more than $1000, and would like a 37" or 40" (42" at most, our room is small). Do the plasmas really have that much glare??? We currently have a 23" LCD and it has no glare, except for on the bezel. How bad is the plasma glare compared to a MBP screen??
 

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