Talking about 106cm ones (42 inch) particularly.
Thanks codeman. Very detailed and helpful answer. We will be sitting 'just' 4 feet away, maybe even 3 and half feet away and it is relatively small room hence the 42" screen we are looking at. Is this okay?
thanks dorg - good bit of advice, I didn't know this.
Related posts:
- Can I use my NTSC plasma / lcd televisions in Europe (PAL)? Do I need a converter or will it work as is?
- What are the advantages of LCD televisions over Plasmas? And what are the adv. of plasma over LCDs?
- What is the difference between LCDs and Plasma televisions?
- Plasma Televisions?
- All About Plasma Televisions
First of all let me give you a bit of advice: don’t purchase a 1080p HDTV unless you are getting a screen larger than 50in (which you aren’t) or unless you are planning to sit less than 4 1/2 feet from the tv.
The reason for this is your eye will not be able to discern any added detail benefit to the added resolution at the optimal viewing distances for these smaller sizes. 720p will look just as good as 1080p unless you sit much closer to your tv than the optimal viewing distance describes.
Now to answer your question…
Plasmas have color depth and contrast advantage because of the technology on which plasma is based. Also they tend to have a much wider viewing angle allowing for more of your living room to see a great picture. They have been prone to burn-in but this is becoming a non issue.
LCDs run cheaper and less hot, and tend to be in the smaller size ranges, though this is changing rapidly. The viewing angle is much more narrow meaning if viewed off the center axis you may see brightness, contrast or color shifting.
For my money I prefer Plasma, and as a person who watches 1080p HD television in all makes/models/technolgies as his job I have somewhat of an experienced opinion.
For more information check out: http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5102926-1.html?tag=dir
Hope this helps.
If you have children DO NOT buy LCD.
The LCDs have very flimsy very breakable PLASTIC screens.
When broken no warranty, no repair
Plasma TVs have a glass screen.