Follow Up On TV Querry For 2007 Purchase......


Hello Again All:

Remember a few months ago, I was inquiring about what would be the best TV to buy if I was buying a Plasma TV??? I was eyeing a Visio 42" Model at the time, and the consensous was that I should pony up and consider buying a Panasonic or a Toshiba (which I do not disagree with that assessment 100%).

Well People....... I'm still stuck (kind of).

Yesterday, after leaving my part-time job at a local shopping center in Prince Georges County, Maryland, I went to the new Circuit City that happens to be across the street from the mall I work at. I met a gentleman who seems to be QUITE knowledgeable about HDTV's in general, and he pretty much gave my ass a crash course on the difference between Plasma and LCD TV's. I am beginning to start saving up for the TV at the end of this month. Until yesterday, I was set to go with a Plasma as Plasmas as a whole seem to provide better blacks than an LCD model could ever dream of. But after looking at a Toshiba 42HL167 (a 1080p LCD set, mind you) hooked up to a Toshiba HD-A20 HD-DVD Player yesterday, I was stunned at the black level this set was producing, as well as the fast refresh rate this set was doing when it was doing a sports scene. This set was producing a picture that was close to any Plasma set that inside the store. If I didn't know any better myself, if I hadn't known that it was an LCD set yesterday, I would've said that had to be a Plasma set. The picture was so crisp, so sharp and so vivid, my jaw just dropped inside the store. After seeing that set, I also asked the saleman to show me the 720p variant (the Toshiba 42HL67) of the same set (so I can see if I can see enough of a difference to warrant paying an extra $400.00 for the 1080p version of this set (the 42HL167)), and quite frankly, I couldn't see that much of a difference off the bat. After looking at these sets yesterday, I still kind of want to go Plasma because of the quality of blacks they tend to produce. But after looking at these Toshiba LCD's yesterday, I'm starting to have second thoughts and starting to second guess myself.

I guess, the question I'm am getting at is are LCD as a class are really THAT good today (as far as picture quality, black level and fast refresh rates are concerned)??? Because these were the VERY things that LCD's took a lot a flack and criticism for in the past. Are the differences between LCD and Plasma really THAT narrow??? Because after looking at these two Toshibas yesterday, I am almost sold on the pictures these sets produce, and that's not to say that they're attractively priced to boot.

Any feedback on experiences between LCD and Plasma, as well as any opinions are appreciated in advance.

Thank you for your time.

--Charles--
128x128chaskelljr2001

Showing 3 responses by chadnliz

If the LCD produces the picture you desire I would go LCD as long as cost isnt a factor. What you describe as the strength of the LCD is exactly what would seal the LCD deal for me because of easy placement (no glare issues and burn in that plague Plasma). I wish Plasma and LCD could get to the point of the good old High Def glass tube monsters, my Sony XBR WEGA is far better then any offering from either camp, but the screen can only get so big, and the rest of the unit can only get so small.
Why would anyone listen to an Htnovice?
When making a purchase in December my choise was the 58in Panasonic Plasma but if LCD looks as good as Charles found I would have maybe leaned towards LCD.
The Panasonic Plasma that was purchased replaced a Pioneer Eilte Projection unit so there was alot of Pioneer video loyalty, the unit never failed and was great. I mention this because when looking at Pioneer Elite for a new HDTV the Panasonic was chosen, you may or may not agree but I just wanted to offer my real world experience.
I think you should purchase your unit from a hi-end dealer because while you may pay a bit more you will get it installed for free (most likely and you can always haggle to get it included) plus if it should need service you have a direct smaller outfit to handle any needs, at BestBuy and like minded stores you get a discount, but could quickly regret it if any issues arise. Just remember you get what you pay for and I think most would agree the bigbox stores are not very good with service.