LED or Plasma?

[Emher]

So I'm buying a new HDTV withing the next few days (or actually maybe even tomorrow) but I'm having second thoughts as to whether I should get an LED or Plasma screen. I'm looking at either Samsung or Panasonic.

What I'm going to use the TV for is mostly for watching blu-rays and DVDs in assorted image formats, and some gaming as well. For the latter I prefer to have low lag in the image. Any pros and cons between the two types?

Also, yes, I am bringing my PS3 to play a bit and try a blu-ray on whichever screen I'll be looking at, I've already checked that it's okay.

 

[Trekker4747]

I have a Plasma and it's great. LEDs have issues with viewing angles and black levels. LEDs also tend to be more expensive than their Plasma counterparts.

I'd say a Plasma is the way to go there's very few drawbacks with them other than, maybe, their power consumption.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I bought a 51" Samsung plasma screen last year during the holidays, and I love it.

There were some suggestions in a recent thread here:

http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?p=6361906#post6361906

 

[Gary Mitchell]

I have a 42" Panasonic plasma tv. It's got a great picture. To me it looks better than my sister's LED tv.

 

[Mr. B]

If gaming is only a portion of your usage, plasma all the way.

 

[Emher]

Asked my cousin about this as well and he mentioned burn-in being an issue for especially gaming on Plasma. Right me if I'm wrong, but isn't this less of an issue these days?

 

[Haggis and tatties]

I have both a LCD and a plasma and to be honust, the only diffrence i can see between the two seems to be a slighlty darker black on the plasma....and that's about it.

Both do a great picture be it standard or HD and, both play games from any source without any issues.

 

[Trekker4747]

Asked my cousin about this as well and he mentioned burn-in being an issue for especially gaming on Plasma. Right me if I'm wrong, but isn't this less of an issue these days?

"Burn in" is very much less of an issue these days. Unless you put something on pause and let it sit there for a few days any "burn in" will correct itself pretty quickly the next time the TV is used or the image is changed to something not causing the "burn in." (Most notable examples being stations with scrolling tickers or prominent "watermarks" in the corner of their picture.)

In fact as the TV gets older the image retention will become less and less of a problem.

It's only a real serious problem for places that use them with the same image every day like display screens in businesses or on TV shows that use them for displaying an infographic or something like that. Airports that use TVs to show Arrival/Departure Schedules, for example will suffer more serious and damaging "burn in" from showing the same or similar static images constantly throughout their lives.

Your home TV? It'll be fine.

 

[MacLeod]

I have a very nice 40" Samsung 3D LED TV, can't say I've noticed any lag in the image as for the blacks you do notice a difference between the differing types of screen with LED showing a far truer black.

Things to look for are the contrast ratio, the higher the better.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Asked my cousin about this as well and he mentioned burn-in being an issue for especially gaming on Plasma. Right me if I'm wrong, but isn't this less of an issue these days?

I've never had any kind of burn-in problem even after accidentally leaving the TV turned on half the day with the X-Box start screen on. I think most newer plasmas would go into standby mode long before this could ever become a serious issue anyway, and on my TV normally static images like the mute symbol bounce around the screen a bit to avoid burn-in.

 

[Relayer1]

I've got a Samsung LED and it's excellent. It's got great blacks, is pin sharp and vibrant colours.

I'd only really consider Samsung or Sony and go for LED over LCD.

 

[StolenThunder]

I like my Samsung LED a lot. I would certainly purchase LED over LCD. I've not got much plasma experience, so I can only say that I've not been disappointed with the TV I've got.

 

[bbailey861]

My best advice to you would be the advice given to me - pick whichever one you like the best. Everyone 'sees' things differently. Even within the LED and plasma world there noticeable differences within the same formats, sometimes within the same company.

 

[MacLeod]

Samsungs tend to be slightly cheaper, but don't mistake that for a lack of quality.

 

[trekkiedane]

58" Cinema 21:9 LED-TV from Philips (specifications here) Very nice (dynamic) contrast, viewing angle: 176º (vertical and horizontal), loads of proprietary picture enhancing software.
Now, I have read about people having problems with 'ghosts' when they watch certain films in 3D -but I've never done that myself nor have I any experience with 3D viewing on any other TV.
I have no idea if the added width of the monitor is any good for a gamer though...

I like my Samsung LED a lot. I would certainly purchase LED over LCD. I've not got much plasma experience, so I can only say that I've not been disappointed with the TV I've got.

LED is LCD!

Liquid Crystal Displays need to be backlit; in the old days there was a Compact Fluorescent Light source behind the LCD monitor, these days there is an array of Light Emitting Diodes, aka. LEDs...

 

[Misfit Toy]

I've got a 55" LG 3D LED and am very happy with the price and quality. No viewing angle issues at all.

 

[Winged Victory]

I have a 42" LG LED in the bedroom; looks fantastic. It has great black levels. Doesn't get hot; has very vibrant colors. I've never had an LED, but I would definitely buy it again!

 

[NCC1701]

I'd definitely go for the LED, I've got a 42" LG LED as well. Unless you have a particularly cold living room, then the plasma might be the way to go

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Unless you have a particularly cold living room, then the plasma might be the way to go

Maybe older models, but on mine you don't feel any warmth unless you're right next to the screen.

 

[EmoBorg]

If you go plasma, Panasonic is famous for it's plasma.
If you go LED, Samsung is the brand to trust.