LCD or Plasma (£500 approx)?

PJHUK

PJHUK

PJHUK

Associate
Joined
26 Aug 2006
Posts
302
Hi all,

My aging 32" CRT is just about to give up the ghost, so I've allocated myself £500 to replace it with a nice LCD or Plasma.

Having not had to look at/buy a TV for around 5 years, I'm stunned by the options that are available (used to be just pic a size and be done with it!).

My PC is currently sitting next to my TV so I would like to have this connected which is great for LCD's I think, but I've also read that LCD's can suffer badly from motion judder??

Can anyone point me in some kind of direction of what to look out for (or more specifically, some models/brands)?

As stated, it will be hooked up to my PC for gaming/streaming video and I also have an XBOX 360, if that makes a difference?

Thanks.
 
Hmmmmm, the Panasonic does seem to get quite a few recommendations.

Would there be any issue hooking it up to my PC? I'm just worried about screen burn as I will be using my PC a lot with at and my Xbox 360. Also, the kids like to watch Nick Jr etc with those constant logo's in the top/bottom left of the screen.

I have seen a SAMSUNG LE40A556P (Series 5) for a similar price and wonder whether this would be a safer bet for what I intend to use it for?

If there really isn't an issue using a plasma with PC's and console gaming, and it produces ultra clear images on par with what I would expect for a LCD (the same as normal monitors right?) I wuold happily spend the extra and go for the Panasonic.

Does anyone have the Panasonic that uses it a lot for PC stuff and gaming that can reassure me?

Thanks.
 
Do not go with plasma for PC and Xbox - this plasma works in 1024*768.

A556 works in FULLHD res (1080p).

I got 556a I use it for same things as you - for gaming it is great on both X and PC only thing that sucks on this TV is lack of 24p native support - it means it does 3:2 pull down so BD and H264 has some noticeable smoothness issues on slow panning camera movement scenes.

But some ppl does not even notice it until you show them it.

Well I can see it and currently looking for solution.

Anyway in this price range you will not get anything better - my recommendation would be A656 (as it has native 24p support) if you can make it more then 500.

But you should be more then happy with a556p

Cheers
 
Last edited:
You can get the TH37PX80 for around £600. This also has native 24p support.

Don't be put off by the lack of 1080p since a 720p TV can produce a better picture than a 1080p screen and vice versa. Resolution is important, but it's just one of the many numbers that marketeers attempt to blind us with.

On a 37" screen you'd have to be sitting pretty darn close to tell the difference between the two.

I'd advise you to see if you can get a demo of both the screens you've been recommended here with as many sources as you can, even if it means taking your PC and Xbox down to the store.

Choosing a TV is about whichone looks best to you, not just about the numbers. It's a not inconsiderable amount of money to spend and you'll probably be using it quite a bit so it's better to take your time than to be disappointed.
 
TheDean said:
You can pick up the 42" version of the PX80B for £629 :)
Click to expand...

Dammit. It's gone back up from £609. Still a bargain and I'm still getting one though. Asked for a PM before the weekend so fingers crossed.

PJH, are you going to be using it for long desktop/web browsing use?
 
Hen_Dawg said:
PJH, are you going to be using it for long desktop/web browsing use?
Click to expand...


Yep - I want to use to be able to use it for extended periods on my PC, which was the main reason for me going LCD. I know it's lazy, but I cant be bothered to keep an eye on things for the 1st 100 or 1000 hours (which I think is required for Plasma).

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really think for what it will be used for an LCD will be better for my needs.

Gonna have a look at the A556 later (and a plasma or two...), don't think I can stretch to an A656.

Sebna - Hows the motion judder in general on your A556?
 
PJHUK said:
Sebna - Hows the motion judder in general on your A556?
Click to expand...

Despite 24hz/frames per second playback (BD, H264) there is no motion judder at all at least I can't see any and I am very into the details - playing games and watching pal/ntsc material is pure love.

In fact when we are talking about 24hz playback it is also technically not a motion judder but 2:3 pulldown which cose "motion judder" which mostly can be seen when camera is slowly moving. It is little irritating but I am purist.

On fast action movies you will see non of it.

Ok before you will make decision I know that soon will be premier of Sony
V4000 which is said to be in same price range and quiet same parameters as samsung series 5 but it will have native 24p support so no problems with 24hz playback. This is only opinion from other forum I do not know much about v4000.

Hope it helps.

Cheers
 
Hen_Dawg said:
Dammit. It's gone back up from £609. Still a bargain and I'm still getting one though. Asked for a PM before the weekend so fingers crossed.

PJH, are you going to be using it for long desktop/web browsing use?
Click to expand...

Ahh yes...the price match games. I wouldn't worry - I submitted multiple matches until I got the lowest :)
 
[DOD]Asprilla;11957277 said:
Generally speaking, it's not required on modern sets.
Click to expand...

On my PX80 I have noticed no retention whatsoever. I find I am still shouting at my housemates as they use the media Pc as an internet station so they can check their e-mails without having to go upstairs. That and watching shed loads of Fr Ted on you tube :rolleyes: - Obviously I am worried about the start bar at the bottom most, but after useage for ages, then switching to SDTV I can't see anything :)
 
PJHUK said:
Yep - I want to use to be able to use it for extended periods on my PC, which was the main reason for me going LCD. I know it's lazy, but I cant be bothered to keep an eye on things for the 1st 100 or 1000 hours (which I think is required for Plasma).

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really think for what it will be used for an LCD will be better for my needs.

Gonna have a look at the A556 later (and a plasma or two...), don't think I can stretch to an A656.

Sebna - Hows the motion judder in general on your A556?
Click to expand...

If you're planning on using it a lot with your PC, then go with something like the Toshiba 37VX503, which can be had for around £570. Although I'm a big fan of the panasonic plasmas, for extended use on a PC you're better off going with a 1080p LCD.
 
Bonjour said:
If you're planning on using it a lot with your PC, then go with something like the Toshiba 37VX503, which can be had for around £570. Although I'm a big fan of the panasonic plasmas, for extended use on a PC you're better off going with a 1080p LCD.
Click to expand...

It depends what he means by 'extended periods'. I use mine a lot with the media pc for a little bit of surfing, youtube & Mkv files. If you are going to be on the desktop for more than 2hrs at a time with it, get an LCD
 
guys, if for example i'm watching a 1080p avi file on a 720p plasma - is that going to cause any problems or quality issues? I'm considering getting a 37" screen and can't decide between a 1080p lcd or on of this px80 plasmas which get such good reviews. I'm mainly using it for hdtv movies and xbox 360, but there will of course be some sd and lower res avi files etc watching...any thoughts?
 
The screen will downscale from 1080 to 720. Scaling can impact quality, but it varies from screen to screen and depends upon the quality of the scaler involved.

In real life it shouldn't cause any issues and you should be aware that a 1080p image on a 1080p screen won't neccessarily look better than than a 1080p image on a 720p screen, in fact the 720p could be better. Again it varies from screen to screen.
 
snow patrol said:
guys, if for example i'm watching a 1080p avi file on a 720p plasma - is that going to cause any problems or quality issues? I'm considering getting a 37" screen and can't decide between a 1080p lcd or on of this px80 plasmas which get such good reviews. I'm mainly using it for hdtv movies and xbox 360, but there will of course be some sd and lower res avi files etc watching...any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I would definitely suggest taking a look at what's available for yourself. Go to a store with a list of teles you're interested in (along with best prices) and see them in the flesh.

As although the Panasonic plasmas are excellent, plasmas are by no means for everyone. I took my parents out on a TV finding mission last weekend and they simply didn't like the picture on any of the plasmas; even the PX80 which I'd picked out as a suitable set. They thought the screen was too dark and preferred the vibrancy of a backlit LCD set. They ended up paying a good deal more for a 37LZD85, even though in my eyes the PX80 was a far better deal.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;11963143 said:
The screen will downscale from 1080 to 720. Scaling can impact quality, but it varies from screen to screen and depends upon the quality of the scaler involved.

In real life it shouldn't cause any issues and you should be aware that a 1080p image on a 1080p screen won't neccessarily look better than than a 1080p image on a 720p screen, in fact the 720p could be better. Again it varies from screen to screen.
Click to expand...


thanks....so for 37" which whilst large isn't enormous, i should perhaps be looking towards a higher quality 720p screen perhaps, which may offer more for my money over a 1080p set...ahhh decisions decisions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom