http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/ Engadget HD Comments for http://www.engadgethd.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadgethd.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/I prefer Plasma, cheaper and fantastic pic Q]]>Dec 21st 2007 11:59PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
I wonder if the glass that is in front of all Plasmas makes a difference. It definitely adds some luminance.]]>Dec 22nd 2007 12:06AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 22nd 2007 12:20AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 22nd 2007 1:00AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 22nd 2007 1:15AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 22nd 2007 1:50AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
@Mike,
CR came right out and said the reason they preferred the Panny was because it was less expensive and the whites were brighter. Both of these factors aren't usually considered when evaluating overall PQ -- unless you plan to watch hockey or alpine skiing most of the time.]]>Dec 22nd 2007 8:21AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/18/ultimateavmag-makes-best-of-the-year-picks/

And LED backlighting has been touted as something of a "Second Coming of Contrast Ratio" by LCD buffs, and Samsung's LED models have proven to be top performers. So it makes sense to pit the current best example of the technologies head-to-head (Pioneer's KURO vs. Samsung LED) as the best representatives in a PDP vs. LCD match-up.

So I'm gonna go with "you are grossly misinformed." ;-)]]>Dec 22nd 2007 1:05PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 22nd 2007 1:04AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
My take is that I prefer a high end LCD over a regular plasma. ]]>Dec 22nd 2007 1:52AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
As such, with the caveat of a display unit haven been monkeyed with (by the store or its patrons), the out of the box comparison is an interesting experience, but not one that I would ever base my final buying decision upon exclusively. Now, taking the out of the box condition out of consideration, I seldom see decent viewing environment to judge one unit over another.

And considering that mainstream consumers in Bad Buy like brick and mortar stores is one based more on price and size, and less on picture quality. So, with all of these noted factors of consideration to keep in mind, I am still bloody amazed that my Vizio LCD had a better out of the box condition than almost every plasma in the store for which I made the purchase.

Now, I will also go and say that every other LCD aside from the one I had gotten was worse than most of the LCDs also on display. But, when I turn off all of the display units the black level is where the glass is the darkest with no ability to produce waste light I have to wonder why plasma glass is lighter in grey than a lot of LCDs.

Throwing black level out the window, the contrast ratio is such a marketing monster that most ignorant consumers buy based on lies. No government standards allow for the manufactures to lie, or at least not have to prove the marketed contrast ratio, nor even enlighten the consumers that they'd have to be in an environment with the said product that is absolutely black to get anywhere near the performance.

I like how some sets are claiming 15,000:1 contrast ratio over a competing product's 2,000:1 CR, but in the same limited viewing environment this means nothing except for maximum light output to overcome ambient light. Both plasma and LCD will still lose in dark scenes. And what kind of scenes am I talking about?

You name any Harry Potter dungeon scene. :) Heck, I watched Dirty Harry a couple of weeks ago on both my flat panel at night and then again on my CRT projector. There is a scene taken at night on a car patrol when Harry and his partner are following someone into an alley. Details can be seen on the CRT, but the high black level of the LCD made for a "just go into the kitchen and take a break" condition.

Until SED comes to the forefront of consumers products I doubt the notion of hiding always-on light will be of much in PQ department for me. As such, flat panels by this consumer are treated like the modern day boob-tube to replace the old 27" headed for the dump.]]>Dec 22nd 2007 6:03AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
I also keep a second cheapo wal-mart 27" crt beside it for watching tv while grinding in particularly boring games (See: Wow). I've been considering replacing it with say a 37" or 42" lcd but do like the detail shown on the hd-channels for the cheapo wal-mart 27" hd-tv crt. It looks much more clear than the sd channels. However, I keep waiting because I still don't really love the look/feel of lcd yet and prefer my dlp picture.

I think your article helped me decide I should wait a bit more maybe for the contrast ratios to improve and better dark details.]]>Dec 22nd 2007 9:34PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
fyi, the Pioneer Kuro plasmas do exceptionally well at contrast. They are about 3000:1. Those 15000:1 numbers some manufacturers use are worthless.

I've watched Harry Potter, the newest one, which is a very dark film. I see plenty of detail on the kuro.

And regarding LCD. It only looks good with good blacks until you compare it to a Kuro. Then you realize either lcd is weak or the kuro is spectacular. As I happen to have both, I'd say its a bit of both. But hands down, the Pioneer Kuro is the best HDTV picture I've seen to date. Better than DLP, LCD, LCoS, whatever. Plasma isn't the best for some things, but if you want the best picture, you have to look at plasma. ]]>Dec 23rd 2007 5:08AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
It all comes down to what the best successor is to regular CRT TV. Plasma, as it has similar qualities.
Anything or everything at any resolution looks good on a Plasma - more natural and easier to watch than LCD. I've got a Wii @ 480p and DVD upscaled to my Pio 5010 and both look amazing. Depending on the DVD encode quality, it could look just as good as HDM. All this can't be possible on LCD - or even LED LCD - I've owned both and LCD is pure crap for watching TV/movies. THe only use LCD is good for is desktop applications and somewhat for gaming.]]>Dec 22nd 2007 3:30PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
The other night I watched APOCALYPTO on Blu-ray from my PS3, with 1080i/60hz output to the Pioneer Kuro, via HDMI, with "smooth" setting on the Kuro's Pure Cinema control [perfect scaling and 3:2 pulldown]. Well... OH MY GOD! Jaw-dropping clarity, color, contrast [w/deep blacks], and no blur at all (unlike LCD) - so much realistic detail, color, and shadow depth that it looks 3-D!!

I will never buy another LCD (except for a office environment, etc), as it is no match to plasma's picture quality, especially the new Pioneer deep-black KURO line released this year. PLASMA ROCKS!]]>Dec 22nd 2007 8:13PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 23rd 2007 12:02AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 23rd 2007 3:36AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
I love my pio but I think most HDTV owners will be happy with whatever they purchase...unless its a phillips.]]>Jan 10th 2008 6:23PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 23rd 2007 2:10AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
Plasma is cheaper than LCD especially on bigger screens like 60" plus. As for longevity, Panasonic Plasmas last 100,000 hrs...40,000 hrs more than any LCD set.]]>Dec 23rd 2007 3:34AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 23rd 2007 3:35AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
people are so stuck on Burn-In, electricy usage and longevity... But they dont realize, burn-in has been halted on a lot of top end plasmas, and its called "Image retention now" not burn-in... I play Guitar Hero on it a couple hours a day and no sign of burn-in on the white screen...

LCD's have been proven to use the same exact amount of electricity as Plasys, and longevity on a plasy is much better than an LCD...

so, if all that is matched or better, why dont you get the one with the best picture and the lower price... Why pay more for a picture thats not as good??]]>Dec 24th 2007 10:38AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 24th 2007 11:39AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 26th 2007 11:51PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 27th 2007 1:44AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 26th 2007 11:49PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 27th 2007 4:20AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/Dec 29th 2007 1:27PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/21/plasma-vs-lcd-plasma-is-still-better/
Plasma vs LCD everyone who experienced both technologies will tell straight to your face that Plasma has no doubt best picture quality and colors.

LCD and Plasmas have their own disadvantages: yeah.. like LCD has no burning issues, and eats less electricity and also maybe don't get as hot as plasmas, this is stupid even to bring this up because people are talking about the image quality not about the power supply is being used in the unit.

if you a man that wants to buy a TV and actually die with it than maybe LCD is right choice for you, make sure you buy a few bulbs along with the LCD purchase, most Plasma TV users will buy a new TV probably every 15 years or so :D even though it would last 25, but who cares I will change mine in 5 years, can't wait for lasers hit the marker wondering if the quality is as good as the web-gossips states. anyway, in my opinion take worst Plasma TV brand out there and compare to the top of the line LCD TV , Plasma will still look better
]]>Feb 10th 2008 12:56PM