HDTV - Plasma or LCD [Archive] - Retrogaming Roundtable

SkiDragon

10-31-2007, 08:56 PM

That's an extraordinarily complicated question that I have been trying to discover the answer to for quite some time. I mostly only consider LCDs for gaming. A good question to ask is: Do you play any game systems that only output in 480i? Then you have to start worrying about lag, which for a gaming TV is what I consider to be the main spec to look for. Unfortunately lag is not really documented anywhere and almost has to be researched on your own. Sharp has TVs with "Vyper Drive" that supposedly reduces lag to a minimal amount. I tried one of these TVs, and my only complaint was that the S-video input was not "Vyper Drive" enabled.

Another thing is that you should look into, but that is not as important, is blurring. There is a good wikipedia article about HDTV blur. Basically, a 120 HZ TV will reduce the blur but increase the lag. There are new, expensive technologies that strobe the backlight and supposedly eliminate blur.

My ideal TV would have low lag ("Vyper Drive" or similar) and the strobing backlight. Unfortunately, such a TV either does not currently exist or is too expensive to afford. I use a standard definition CRT for all my gaming.

Trebuken

10-31-2007, 09:02 PM

Ed Oscuro

10-31-2007, 09:50 PM

Whoa, SED is already out?

I'd say something, but it's become apparent to me that some of the "received wisdom" I'd collected over the years about the various sets might not be true. That said, I still believe that plasma sets will have quite short lifespans at altitude (and you wouldn't want to get one thinking you'd have it for decades) and that they flicker close up (to produce various brightnesses of color).

SED sounds like the second coming, or close. Very low power use, always a plus. No radiation to speak of, which is also nice. Very slim case, same as LCD. Dunno about durability and such yet, though I'm not in the habit of punching my monitor (...any more).

Cornelius

10-31-2007, 09:59 PM

Before everyone tells you to search...

Try an SED set.

All expensive HDTV's have the potential for problems. DLP's need light bulbs every couple years ($200 ish). Plasmas can have issues.

Just pick the set the has the best looking pictre according to your eye. Take a long time looking.

I have a DLP and it's awesome. Get a Sony SXRD, 50" or more and your good to go...it really is that simple. Bravia's are a good step up from the SXRD if you've got more cash. The larget Aquous sets are the ultimate but are not cost effective.

Keep in mind the extended warranties are a must for any expensive set and should reduce your worriesover hardware failure.
Just going to post my opinions on a couple things mentioned here.

I have a Sony LCD rear projection, which is Sony's competitor to DLP (a Texas Instruments tech.). It has been running lots of hours for 5 years now and the bulb is fine, and I think it was even a display model before my father-in-law bought it. I don't notice any lag with it.

I've noticed a lot of people on here extol the virtues of extended warranties on electronics, and I disagree strongly. Aside from thee 360, most electronics just don't have high failure rates. If they did, retailers wouldn't push those warranties so hard, because they wouldn't be making shitloads of money off of them. *cough*Gamestop/360*cough* If you can't manage on the off chance your TV breaks and needs replacement or repair, you can't afford the thing in the first place.

But yeah, I think the Sony rear projections are a great value, unless you absolutely have to hang it on the wall, since they are about a foot deep.

Rob2600

10-31-2007, 10:10 PM

I've noticed a lot of people on here extol the virtues of extended warranties on electronics, and I disagree strongly. Aside from the 360, most electronics just don't have high failure rates.

Don't forget about the PlayStation and the PlayStation 2. When I worked at a video game store several years ago, I always made sure my customers bought extended warranties for those two consoles. They thanked me later.

jonjandran

10-31-2007, 11:05 PM

I have a Sony 60" Lcd rear projection, and a JVC 56" Dlp rear projection and neither have lag or ghosting with my PS2 ,PS3 , Xbox 360, Xbox or Gamecube.

They are both less than 1 year old.

I bought my parents a 46" LCD and it doesn't have any lag or ghosting issues.

Basically anything made in the last year is going to be a safe bet unless it is just a VERY cheaply made lcd.

And Plasma's don't have any of the previous problems they used to have.

animesuperj

11-01-2007, 12:01 AM

I have a Mitsubishi 46" LCD, and I love it. I haven't had any problems with it, and the only time I notice lag is when I play rhythm games. I knew this going into it, which is why I have a 32" flat-screen CRT.

The reason I didn't go with a DLP was having to buy a new bulb every 2 - 3 years. I know I'd end up killing them faster too, because I turn my set on and off a lot. I also liked the idea of having a slim set. I've never really considered plasmas, cause of just not liking them. I have my PS3, 360, and Wii all on the LCD; and I love playing them on it. Never noticed any problems: lag, ghosting, etc. (Except for rhythm games).

Basically when it came down to it I looked at it this way:
DLP pro - cheap and good picture.
DLP con - bulb replacement and a bit bigger case size than I wanted

LCD pro - no bulb replacement, slim set
LCD con - expensive and pixel drops (eventually)

Really it'll come down to what you want, what you want to do with it, and what you can stand if something goes wrong. I got sick of asking people's opinions at stores after a while, and just talked it over by myself and realized I wanted a LCD. Hope this can help!

Ed Oscuro

11-01-2007, 12:47 AM

Don't forget about the PlayStation and the PlayStation 2. When I worked at a video game store several years ago, I always made sure my customers bought extended warranties for those two consoles. They thanked me later.
I thought the original PSX was pretty solid. The original Xbox, depending on which rev you got, seemed more likely to go - of course the Xbox in my household has a Thompson drive, and that needs to be replaced. Not a major fix, actually.

Skelix

11-01-2007, 01:09 AM

Knoxximus

11-01-2007, 03:12 AM

I got a 65" Mitsu DLP and I'm happy as pie with it. I've had it for almost a year and a half and still have the original bulb in it (knock on wood). Picture is AWESOME. I say, as long as you know what ur getting into, DLP for gaming is great!

ZiLL

11-01-2007, 10:32 AM

I'm not sure why people still have the misconception that gaming on a plasma is bad. First generation plasmas did have problems with burn in, but that is all but gone now. I have had my plasma over a year, and have had gaming sessions longer than 6 hours. I have never had a problem with burn in.

Plasmas also have the best PQ out of any set, no viewing angle problems (Stand to the side of any projection type set...), and have quite a long life on them, if you don't pick a cheapo manufacturer. I would only recommend two companies for your plasma purchases....Panasonic and Samsung. They make the highest quality consumer plasmas on the market today.

If your gaming is going to be done in HD, and you have the coin to spend, a plasma is the way to go.

FAMOUS

11-01-2007, 12:59 PM

LCD, no image burn...

shawnb1824

11-01-2007, 03:52 PM

My DLP is on almost 12 hours a day, burned through bulb in 6 months. What I didn't know at the time, the bulbs are mercury bulbs so to get your new one you need to send old one back.

So once you're out of warranty it looks like when you lose your TV you're out for 1-2 weeks. DLP is definelty a scam.

Unforuntately my DLP looks much nicer than my LCD.

Whatever you do don't buy a DLP.

What brand of tv do you have? I have a Samsung and just replaced the bulb (right at 2 years). The bulb was $149.99 (plus shipping, no tax). I was not required to return the old bulb. I would recommend buying a replacement bulb before you need it since no one in my area carried one I was without my tv for a week.

Trebuken

11-01-2007, 04:09 PM

Some of the early DLP's had issues with bulbs blowing to soon. I think it was an issue with the bulbs themselves and they have 'fixed' it.

UniHamachi

11-01-2007, 04:33 PM

If I were looking for a TV with gaming in mind, I would rate the technologies like this:

price per inch: DLP >>> LCD=Plasma
PQ Plasma>DLP>>LCD (Plasma by hair in PQ, but has larger viewing angle)
Screen damage DLP>LCD>>Plasma (DLP can't burn-in, LCD technically can't burn in but you can get stuck pixels and dead pixels, Plasma can get burn in and will lose brightness over time)

The biggest negative to DLP is the bulb, but if you don't get a defective bulb, it should last you 2 years even with heavy use. You can buy the entire bulb assembly (the lamp) in advance -- there is no need to wait, and the price difference between a DLP and Plasma is such that even if you include a spare lamp or two, DLP still comes out ahead. And wait, there's more -- in a price point between DLP and Plasma is the LED DLP which is bulbless with a slight hit in PQ.

Plasma is also much heavier and runs hotter and will increase your utility bill.

I use my DLP set for gaming and as a PC monitor, and the impossibility of burn-in is a real advantage. I can leave black text on white background and walk away to take a dump without worrying about burn-in.

I can see why some people like plasma sets (PQ, hanging it on the wall, which is kind of douche IMO, and "coolness" -- also douche), but I don't see any huge advantage that would justify the cost and power consumption. I am unimpressed by the contrast levels and color reproduction of LCD panels. The potential for dead pixels is a huge turn off for me.

SED sets have not shipped to market. They still haven't worked out litigiation issues. Also, SED is as susceptible to burn-in as CRT's, making them ill-suited for gaming.

Skelix

11-01-2007, 07:13 PM

My TV is a Mitsubishi 52" something or other :) It's a relatively new TV (7 months?).

My bulbs were $225ish if I remember. I actually tried to get some standby replacement bulbs, only one place in my area sold them. Yet he wouldn't sell me one unless I brought the old one in.

Shrug maybe they're all not Mercury bulbs.

But other than that, I love my TV it's a great picture. Some reviewed it as the internal fan was noisy (but who gives a shit I have a 360). If I did it over though I'd go with plasma.

Oh one thing I forgot to mention: Rainbow effect, some people think it's a crock of shit, they're the people who don't see it. The way colors are displayed etc with a DLP, I personally see the rainbow effect and it can get annoying and/or make me nauseous/headaches. So the biggest recommendation I can give you no matter what TV you buy grab a chair sit down at the store and watch a movie. See if it's the right one for you. If they kick you out buy it from someone else.

UniHamachi

11-01-2007, 07:32 PM

A bulb burning out after 7 months, even with heavy use, is a defect in manufacture. Any set, if defective, can break down in 7 months. At least you only had to replace the lamp and not the entire TV. You should be able to purchse spares online.

The rainbow effect is real (I know because I can see it), and some people do report headaches. However, the newer DLP sets have much faster color wheels, which limits RBE and presumably headaches. Many people cannot even see RBE with newer DLP sets. I did when I first got my set, but I have subconciously learned to stop twitching my eyes while watching TV. Within 6 months, I rarely saw RBE, and I only see it anymore under increasingly extreme circumstances (it has to be something black on a white background, and even then rarely). Even when I first saw it, it didn't bother me anyway.

mnbren05

11-01-2007, 07:50 PM

I have a 50" Plasma Samsung, that plays xbox 360 beautifully. I experience no ghosting to speak of and really did not notice any problems at all. No lag, no ghosting, no burn in.

I also use a 42" DLP its Sony. Original bulb lasted approx. 2 years and then went on me. $130 later new bulb that has lasted over 3 years and I have had no other issues. (Except cleaning the air filter every 40 hours) The DLP does have some problems keeping up with games, for whatever reason DDR Extreme on the PS2 always got some lag and nice ghost images. Other than that my Wii made some nice ghosts on it during Madden 08 and lagged a bit. I would recommend non-DLP sets for gaming.

Check into a plasma or LCD. Forget the expensive bulbs that can last for who knows how long.

UniHamachi

11-01-2007, 08:06 PM

Sony doesn't make DLP sets. If they they ever have (which I think they never have), it hasn't been for years. Sony makes 3 chip LCoS rear projection sets. If it's an older model, it may be LCD RP, and that would be why you have a laggy picture.

BTW, my Samsung DLP doesn't have an air filter that I have to change. That is not a feature in modern DLP sets.

All 1080p DLP sets are superb for gaming.

SkiDragon

11-01-2007, 10:18 PM

SED sets have not shipped to market. They still haven't worked out litigiation issues. Also, SED is as susceptible to burn-in as CRT's, making them ill-suited for gaming.

Honestly, who has actually experienced burn in on their own CRT? I have only ever seen burn in on arcade and airport news ticker monitors.

boatofcar

11-02-2007, 02:41 AM

S-Wind

11-02-2007, 05:01 AM

I thought the original PSX was pretty solid. The original Xbox, depending on which rev you got, seemed more likely to go - of course the Xbox in my household has a Thompson drive, and that needs to be replaced. Not a major fix, actually.

The original psx had to be solid since so many needed to be turned upside-down or stood upright in order to work properly.

YoshiM

11-02-2007, 08:53 AM

Cleaning filters every 40 hours? Replacing a bulb after 2 years? When did owning a "high end" TV become a chore?

I've got an HDTV but it's a CRT and it's not even widescreen. I've got a nice entertainment center I didn't want to replace plus my TV viewing is fairly minimal along with the fact I really don't care about widescreen. So I got a Samsung 27" HD TV with all the bells and whistles for about $400. No problems with ghosting, speed issues or burn-in :D .

ZiLL

11-02-2007, 10:18 AM

Burn in is such a non-issue I can't believe anyone is still bringing it up. Unless you're playing nothing but classic games 12 hours a day 7 days a week, no image is going to stay on your set long enough to cause burn in--it's like worrying about burn in from cable.

If anyone is really serious about buying a tv, consult the multitude of magazines out there on the subject--don't listen to people who are still regurgitating advice they heard when they were in the market 3 years ago. TV technology changes as fast as computer technology nowadays.

Exactly...I'm so tired of trying to explain that Plasma burn in is a non issue with newer (7th gen+) consumer sets.

Are there some caveats to owning one? Sure...proper screen break in never hurts, although it's not required. And getting the set calibrated is HIGHLY recommended (Which you can do yourself).

You really need to decide what is important to you in a set. Picture Quality, Price, Longevity, Viewing Angles, Screen Size, etc..

The bottom line is this...Plasmas have the absolute best PQ out of any HD set, period. 42" panels can be had now for under $1200 shipped, and if you are looking for a tv around that size, you can't go wrong.

Alucard79

11-02-2007, 10:41 AM

I have had a 64" DLP that has been used for gaming for about 5 years now. It gets about 40 or more hours of use every week and has no issues with bulbs or anything else.

8-bitNesMan

11-02-2007, 11:10 AM

Exactly...I'm so tired of trying to explain that Plasma burn in is a non issue with newer (7th gen+) consumer sets.

It's not exactly a non issue. I had a 42" plasma I bought about 6 months ago that was burning in after about 30 mins of play time on the 360. I took it back and got a 40" LCD that is the best TV I've ever owned.

Leo_A

11-02-2007, 11:54 AM

That sounds more like temporary image retention than burn in. No tv should have permanent burn in in such a short period of time, especially a modern plasma display.

It would likely of self corrected after powering off the tv for a while or watching regular television.

8-bitNesMan

11-02-2007, 12:02 PM

Nah it was burn in. I would play Texas Hold 'Em on Live Arcade for an hour or so at a time. It has stationary images such as your cards, avatar, chip count, etc. That was the first thing to burn in. DAYS later, the ghost image would still be there. That's when I decided to take it back and go LCD. My buddies came to my house to help me load it up and return it. One of them was playing Assault Heroes while we there getting ready to take it back. That game has a life meter at the bottom of the screen. He played the game for no longer than 30 minutes and when he got done we turned off everything and then turned the TV back on. The life meter image was still there. I took it back right then and got a full refund and then went and bought the LCD set.

UniHamachi

11-02-2007, 03:19 PM

I'm so tired of trying to explain that Plasma burn in is a non issue with newer (7th gen+) consumer sets.
It is generally a non-issue. But there are ways to create burn-in, especially if you don't calibrate your set properly (contrast at 100 for example) and you have very static images displayed for a long time. If, for instance, you hook up a PC to your plasma, there are ways you can create burn-in. So please, don't tell me it's some sort of total non-issue. I had a CRT RPTV, and I was so paranoid about burn-in that I calibrated it low and was worried about it when I walked away from my set. And who hasn't fallen asleep in front of the TV? Stuff happens. Maybe I'm on a forum and I fall asleep. Shit happens. So don't act like it's impossible, because it's not.

BTW, for the price of a 42" plasma, you can get a 50" DLP. But then again, if you want a 61" or 72" set, is plasma really in the running?

For my tastes, 42" is too small. And the difference in PQ between my DLP and a plasma is minimal to non-existent. But then again, if I had paid $3000 more for my TV, I better damn well think it looks nicer.

ZiLL

11-03-2007, 01:19 PM

It's not exactly a non issue. I had a 42" plasma I bought about 6 months ago that was burning in after about 30 mins of play time on the 360. I took it back and got a 40" LCD that is the best TV I've ever owned.

I love how people only quote one part of the entire post.....

Are there some caveats to owning one? Sure...proper screen break in never hurts, although it's not required. And getting the set calibrated is HIGHLY recommended (Which you can do yourself).

As long as you do your homework, burn-in is a non issue. Don't leave it in "torch-mode", and if you are really paranoid, do a 100 hour screen breakin. If you are going to spend 1000+ on a TV, you should do yourself a favor and do a little bit of research.

ZiLL

11-03-2007, 01:31 PM

It is generally a non-issue. But there are ways to create burn-in, especially if you don't calibrate your set properly (contrast at 100 for example) and you have very static images displayed for a long time. If, for instance, you hook up a PC to your plasma, there are ways you can create burn-in. So please, don't tell me it's some sort of total non-issue. I had a CRT RPTV, and I was so paranoid about burn-in that I calibrated it low and was worried about it when I walked away from my set. And who hasn't fallen asleep in front of the TV? Stuff happens. Maybe I'm on a forum and I fall asleep. Shit happens. So don't act like it's impossible, because it's not.

BTW, for the price of a 42" plasma, you can get a 50" DLP. But then again, if you want a 61" or 72" set, is plasma really in the running?

For my tastes, 42" is too small. And the difference in PQ between my DLP and a plasma is minimal to non-existent. But then again, if I had paid $3000 more for my TV, I better damn well think it looks nicer.

See...there's where you and I differ. I would have made sure it looked nicer before dropping the $3000. Anyone who has owned a quality plasma, and a DLP can tell you there is a HUGE difference in PQ. It's not even close.

I know you can get a larger DLP for the price of a smaller plasma....Did you also know you can buy three Honda's for the price of one Mercedes? Also, factor in the cost of the bulbs over the life of the set before you start throwing numbers around.

I never said screen burn in was impossible. I said it was a non issue. Maybe I should have said..."For anyone who has an ounce of common sense, Plasma burn in is a non issue"? I, and maybe stupidly so, assume that when someone is making a large dollar purchase, they do all their research.

And yes...if you want a 61" or 72" set, plasma is still in the running...If you can afford one.

8-bitNesMan

11-03-2007, 01:31 PM

I love how people only quote one part of the entire post.....

When I post a reply, I quote what's RELEVANT. I humbly apologize if I have offended the master of forum etiquette & hdtv info. :roll:

ZiLL

11-03-2007, 01:33 PM

When I post a reply, I quote what's RELEVANT. I humbly apologize if I have offended the master of forum etiquette & hdtv info. :roll:

Relevant...we are talking about burn in...I say it's a non issue...IF you take a few simple precautions...seems relevant to me.

Skelix

11-03-2007, 02:20 PM

It's interesting that you say that, as I must do the same as I see the rainbow effect less and less compared to when I first bought the TV. I must be blocking it out as well, I do notice if I spend a long time game the next morning I have an unbelievable headache.

I've learned to game it short bursts. But yeah the 7 month bulb was replaced free of charge, and I do have the Circuit City extended where they will eat the cost of a bulb as well.

I'll have to look online for spares I assumed everyone wanted the bulbs back as locally they did, and the Mitsubishi wanted it as well.

But if this TV holds up and I'm not replacing the bulb every year, and rainbow effect is manageable (or not seen) by you then I'd def recommend the DLP. I'm in an apartment as well so I'm not able to mount it on walls etc.

j_factor

11-03-2007, 03:24 PM

Trebuken

11-03-2007, 04:00 PM

I thought CRT (HD) was meant to be the best for gaming.

I don't own an HDTV myself, but I've had quite a bit of experience with LCD sets, and I don't really like 'em. Dead pixels are a concern, some of them have poor refresh rates, black doesn't look black, and they distort images not in their native resolution. That last one is particularly important for gaming IMO, because you're likely to play some stuff in 720p, some in 480p, and some in 1080i/p. LCD's re-scale everything to their own resolution.

CRT is better for older game systems. The newest generation benefits from the newer, larger, HDTV's -- no matter which technology. I do not hear much about dead pixels on LCD's except when they talk of computyer monitors and even then it does not seem to be as much an issue as it once was. Refresh rates on big screens isn't an issue (to my knowledge) n the newest big screens, though again it is an issue with PC Gaming and some competitive gamers obsess over it...

UniHamachi

11-03-2007, 04:05 PM

[/B]

See...there's where you and I differ. I would have made sure it looked nicer before dropping the $3000. Anyone who has owned a quality plasma, and a DLP can tell you there is a HUGE difference in PQ. It's not even close.

I know you can get a larger DLP for the price of a smaller plasma....Did you also know you can buy three Honda's for the price of one Mercedes? Also, factor in the cost of the bulbs over the life of the set before you start throwing numbers around.

I never said screen burn in was impossible. I said it was a non issue. Maybe I should have said..."For anyone who has an ounce of common sense, Plasma burn in is a non issue"? I, and maybe stupidly so, assume that when someone is making a large dollar purchase, they do all their research.

And yes...if you want a 61" or 72" set, plasma is still in the running...If you can afford one.
First off, your talk about the PQ difference is wrong. One of the major factors in my decision to go DLP was that professional calibrators, people who adjust TV sets to have perfect settings, pretty much all own DLP sets. Many of them consider the Samsung DLP's to have the best picture of all sets when professionally calibrated. The bottom line is if you don't know shit about calibrating TV sets, then you should crow about PQ. If you walk into Best Buy and compare the shitty settings the store has for a plasma vs DLP, that's not really a fair or realistic comparison. Properly calibrated, the difference is not "huge" like you say -- that's what you say when you've overspent on a TV and want to feel better.

Secondly, bulbs are under $200 and last 2-3 years. It's not a huge chunk of chage over the lifetime of the TV.
EDIT: Now that I think about it, the cost of bulb replacement would be more than offset by the electrical bills from running a plasma set. If you really want to get into cost of ownership.

Your comparison of DLP to Honda is ridiculous because you're so pro-plasma you'd rather have a tiny TV just because it supposedly looks better. That's totally counter to the Honda/Mercedes analogy because a Mercedes is the roomier car and because there is a clear difference in performance. Frankly, I don't think you know enough about DLP to talk about it.

And while everyone thinks they're so smart, everyone does dumb things all the time. Shit happens to TV's, and I'd rather have a TV I don't have to baby and do "break in" and bullshit like that, especially if I spent a bloody fortune on it. DLP's don't need bullshit like that out of the box, you can crank it however you wish, and if it starts losing any brightness, you can get a new lamp.

UniHamachi

11-03-2007, 04:13 PM

If anyone is really serious about buying a tv, consult the multitude of magazines out there on the subject--don't listen to people who are still regurgitating advice they heard when they were in the market 3 years ago. TV technology changes as fast as computer technology nowadays.
Those magazines are bullshit. If you really want to do reasearch, go to avsforum.com. Do you really think you're getting impartial reviews in magazines that depend on revenue from advertisers? Whose VG advice do you consider more -- GamePro or people in forums like this?

Magazines -- that's sooo 20th century.

SkiDragon

11-03-2007, 04:22 PM

I still hold to my statement that for GAMING the most important consideration is lag between the TV input and the actual display. Which TV is best for that? Well, if I knew then I would already have one, but I don't.

Zap!

11-05-2007, 01:20 AM

Plasmas also have the best PQ out of any set, no viewing angle problems (Stand to the side of any projection type set...)

That is not true at all. Nothing has the best picture quality. Between DLP, plasma, LCD, and even CRT each has its own positives and negatives. Only SED TV is on top in every way, but that may be vaporware at the rate it's going.

WanganRunner

11-05-2007, 09:41 AM

My DLP is on almost 12 hours a day, burned through bulb in 6 months. What I didn't know at the time, the bulbs are mercury bulbs so to get your new one you need to send old one back.

So once you're out of warranty it looks like when you lose your TV you're out for 1-2 weeks. DLP is definelty a scam.

Unforuntately my DLP looks much nicer than my LCD.

Whatever you do don't buy a DLP.

Why wouldn't I buy a DLP? You just have to understand that it is a piece of equipment that requires maintenance, it isn't something you can just "set and forget" like an LCD.

A front projector is the same way.

Projection sets (front or rear, but things that use Bulbs, regardless) are the only way to get BIG pictures, and what I want is a BIG picture, like maybe the Mitsu 72" 1080p DLP.

For a room with ZERO ambient light where all you're going to do is game and you want a HUGE screen, DLP is the way to go.

Skelix

11-05-2007, 12:43 PM

Yeah maybe I spoke too harsh, as the other guy said even 7 months the bulb shouldn't have blown. I guess time will tell, if I have to change my bulb out again in 3-4 months then I'll be anti-DLP.

And I did get used to the rainbow effect to where it doesn't really bother me anymore.

We'll see it was a great price for the size, the 1080p and the 2 hdmi inputs.

NE146

11-05-2007, 01:03 PM

I own three 50" HDTV's and all are Plasma (panasonic's from Sams Club & Costco).

However, if I had a choice I would have gone for an LCD (Sharp Aquos maybe) but they were just too pricey for the size I wanted.

I will say I'm perfectly happy with the plasmas.. even though they are max 720p (or 1080i).. they look fine enough. For the price and the size and the quality they work great. Anymore would be just more tweaking for what I consider to be minimal improvement.

Now that being said, now we're going for a much larger set.. maybe 60"-70". That's gotta be a DLP if you're gonna go that size. The rest are just not worth it imho :p