zephramc said:
FrontLine said:
THanks for the comments so far. Ok so far as I know the LEDs in a DLP set replace the standard bulb(s) so you get the added lifespan as well as being able to pack in more bulbs in the same package. So far as HDTV content goes, I've got Verizon FiOS and don't plan on leaving it. They keep adding and adding to their HD channel lineup, so I'll wait for more channels to be added.
From what I'm seeing here is that Plasma has the best over all quality? Is that correct?
Based on my understanding, yes plasma has the best overall picture quality, with the exception of CRT. Plasmas will have a sharper picture, more vibrant colors and deeper blacks than an equal sized LCD. They are also sharper than DLP (color and contrast is about the same). All this plus they can hang on your wall like an LCD.
As far as the negatives on plasma, they're extremely susceptible to burn in. DLPs and LCDs don't have this problem. I think lifespan is an issue also. Last I looked, and that was a couple years ago, the picture on a plasma TV will degrade as you watch it and after ~50,000 hours, it will be 1/2 as bright as when it was new. DLPs in theory will last forever as long as you keep replacing the bulb (about $200) or LED (not sure about price). LCD TVs fall somewhere in between.
All-in-all you made the right choice. DLP is the "best bang for the buck". I have a Mitsubishi 52" DLP. It's worked flawlessly for the past 2 1/2 years, and I expect many more hours of enjoyment. Some people complain about the "rainbow" effect. You will basically see a rainbow on bright white areas of a picture due to the color wheel. I'd noticed it a couple of times when I first got the TV, but I don't see it anymore. Either my eyes have adjusted or I'm getting too old.
Well, let's speak to each point one by one. This is coming from a Magnolia Home Theater Pro, so I know of what I speak.
LED DLP "bulbs" (actually 3 elements - red, green, blue) do last a lot longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. However, no TV lasts forever. Let's not exaggerate just because we're partial to a particular technology. DLP (including Sony and JVC's LCoS), and LCD, and plasma can now last 18-26 years before they go "bad". So, useful spans are getting to be about the same. Look at it this way. On average, Americans replace a tv every ten years anyway, so the odds are good you'll find something better you like before it "dies".
Picture quality? It's so subjective. Trust your eyes. It's YOUR tv, and YOUR eyes that are going to be fixated on it for years to come, so make sure you love it before you buy. But, like the others said, there's something about an HD plasma picture that just makes you grin stupidly and salivate. (Especially Pioneer and Panasonic playing back Blu-Ray or HD-DVD movies).
Okay, about burn-in: a lot of the information circulating around there about "burn-in" is from years ago (especially if you watch it on TV). If you stick with a top brand name plasma tv, permanent burn-in is not an issue, if you treat it responsibly. What does "responsibly" mean in this case? I'm glad you asked. I'll tell you. In this case, it means the following:
1. Go ahead, play your video games on it! Next-gen graphics look phenomenal on plasma tvs. Now, here's the responsible part. Don't play them for longer than 4-5 hours at a stretch. Why? Because your HUD or game GUI (health, weapon meters and shit) can cause temporary image retention after HUGE swaths of time (and then you're going to have to throw "Planet Earth" in HD on there to make that go away). Plus, if you're playing Bioshock on your new plasma, DO NOT pause the game and forget to turn off your tv and go on vacation for a week. Same reason.
Plus, plasma work best and last longer if you break them in properly. What does that mean? Well, in most HDTV picture menu options, you'll see a pull down menu for pq presets "brilliant/vibrant", "Standard/normal", "cinema/movie", and "custom", if not a few more. Set it to "movie" mode and leave it for the first 2-3 months you watch it. By backing off the out-of-the-box settings (typically called "torch mode" by owners of sets, an allusion to the way manufacturers ramp up all the settings on the picture to make it grab your attention first on the shop floor), you'll both prolong the life of the set (keeping it in torch mode has the same affect on its longevity as redlining your new car does on its longevity), and you'll improve the accuracy of the picture.
Also, price. Yes, DLP costs less than both LCD and plasma. But, LCD and plasma are about equal in price. You can actually find cheaper larger screen plasmas than LCDs.
Does that help? I have a tendency to prattle.
)' I went with a 73" Mitsubishi DLP and in the end was very happy because if you want a LARGE screen; DLP will give you the most bang for your buck - when I bought it in January, Plasma's and LEDs topped out at 56" or so and were MUCH more expensive. I love the DLP set, and it has just as clear of a picture as the 42" Sony Bariva III LCD I hung in my master bedroom.
