Plasma televisions: only now are they typically better than the best CRT (traditional) TVs. Recommend one?

As for your statement about only now are they getting better than CRT, well that depends what category you’re talking about. When it comes to sharpness and getting deep blacks, a DLP CRT will kick the crap out of any LCD or Plasma TV. That’s right.

But here are other categories where that’s not the case:

- Viewing angle: Plasma leads the pack, and LCD’s are getting better. Projection CRT’s run in dead last here.

- Brightness and color: Plasma again leads the pack here. LCD’s place a close second, with Projection CRT’s eating dust.

- Clarity in a dark room: Both Plasma and CRT aren’t affected by the amount of light in the room. However, LCD doesn’t come close and is easily in last place here.

- Life: This is debatable, but it is typically accepted that Plasma’s and CRT’s are the best in this category. Plasma is often rated at 30,000 to 60,000 hours which can easily come out to being more than 20 years. We all know that Grandma has a CRT that’s been running for 30 years or more. LCD’s on the other hand heavily rely on a bulb or bulbs known as the “backlight”. This can start to fade after only 5 years, and if you’re lucky might not burn out in the first 10 years.

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I’m here in the States, so I don’t know how much this stuff sells for in the UK. But over here, A decent 50″ Plasma from a reputable brand like Panasonic or LG is going to run you at least $2,000 – $2,500. You’ll save about $500 going with the next lowest common size, 42″.

Have a look at LCD. They have enough advantages over CRT to be considered here, and they’re not all that expensive anymore. 42″ LCD’s are under $1300 now from almost any brand.