Why LCD and Plasma TV’s suck
September 30th 2006 23:47
If you are loaded to the brim with money you might want to look into picking up an LCD/plasma HDTV (High Definition capable TV). Honestly though, they are pointlessly expensive and completely over the top.
When we buy a TV what are we looking for? Two things, first is picture quality and how long it can keep running. Who wants to drop $5000 for a TV they will have to replace in a year or two? We want them to last at least five years, probably more.
We have plasma and LCD TV’s on the market now as well as the regular Tube TV’s. We don’t know if LCD or plasma TV’s can last as long as the tried and true Tube TV’s because the ones that have been around so long now have broken down in various ways, such as image getting blurry, dots popping up here and there, ghosting effects among a myriad of other things.
The newer ones that are on the market now definitely have improved quality, but be honest with yourself, are you really willing to drop $5000 on something that might actually break down within a year?
It appears manufacturers want us to cough up the big bucks for a plasma or LCD TV because apparently they are the only ones that are HDTV worthy. Well the only advantage they have is one of size, and LCD actually lacks that advantage (unless you can afford $50000), and both plasma and LCD TV’s picture quality is inferior to regular Tube TV’s. If you don’t believe me visit your local electrical retailer and make up your own mind.
The real kicker is this, not all plasma/LCD TV’s are HDTV capable in terms of screen resolution. In fact, about six months ago there was not a single HDTV resolution capable plasma TV for sale in Australia. I don’t know if there are now.
There are lots of buzzwords associated with HDTV’s especially when it comes to its picture quality. But here’s a hint, use your eyes. No matter what the salesman throws at you ‘capable of 1080p60’ this or that you are still buying what you see. If the screen is blurry it’s blurry. Also demand a nice long warranty if you are still so inclined to purchase a plasma/LCD TV.
So what exactly makes your TV ‘HDTV’? A digital set top box. What it basically does is read in the HD signal and feeds that information to your TV. They are quite expensive actually, good quality set top boxes cost around $600.
The advantages of set top boxes apart from the fact they give you HDTV is that they come with such advantages as teletext which allows you to add subtitles to shows that support it, they also give you access to television channels not available in standard definition including TV guide channels which some stations have launched. They also come with an inbuilt TV guide which unfortunately is under developed. Stick to the TV guide.
Really when it comes down to it all tube TV’s are by far the superior choice, while their larger variants might not be as large as plasma TV’s and the fact they are quite cumbersome as opposed to the thinner plasma/LCD TV’s they still provide the best value for money and will definitely last you for at least 10 years.
When we buy a TV what are we looking for? Two things, first is picture quality and how long it can keep running. Who wants to drop $5000 for a TV they will have to replace in a year or two? We want them to last at least five years, probably more.
We have plasma and LCD TV’s on the market now as well as the regular Tube TV’s. We don’t know if LCD or plasma TV’s can last as long as the tried and true Tube TV’s because the ones that have been around so long now have broken down in various ways, such as image getting blurry, dots popping up here and there, ghosting effects among a myriad of other things.
The picture might look good now, but will it look this good in one year?
It appears manufacturers want us to cough up the big bucks for a plasma or LCD TV because apparently they are the only ones that are HDTV worthy. Well the only advantage they have is one of size, and LCD actually lacks that advantage (unless you can afford $50000), and both plasma and LCD TV’s picture quality is inferior to regular Tube TV’s. If you don’t believe me visit your local electrical retailer and make up your own mind.
The real kicker is this, not all plasma/LCD TV’s are HDTV capable in terms of screen resolution. In fact, about six months ago there was not a single HDTV resolution capable plasma TV for sale in Australia. I don’t know if there are now.
There are lots of buzzwords associated with HDTV’s especially when it comes to its picture quality. But here’s a hint, use your eyes. No matter what the salesman throws at you ‘capable of 1080p60’ this or that you are still buying what you see. If the screen is blurry it’s blurry. Also demand a nice long warranty if you are still so inclined to purchase a plasma/LCD TV.
Tube TV, capable of HDTV resolutions better than most LCD/plasma TV's
The advantages of set top boxes apart from the fact they give you HDTV is that they come with such advantages as teletext which allows you to add subtitles to shows that support it, they also give you access to television channels not available in standard definition including TV guide channels which some stations have launched. They also come with an inbuilt TV guide which unfortunately is under developed. Stick to the TV guide.
Really when it comes down to it all tube TV’s are by far the superior choice, while their larger variants might not be as large as plasma TV’s and the fact they are quite cumbersome as opposed to the thinner plasma/LCD TV’s they still provide the best value for money and will definitely last you for at least 10 years.
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Comment by bloggism
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I agree with you mate.
Don't know about LCD, but Plasma is just commercial propaganda. Personally suffered.
They gives just 1-1.5 years warranty (out of that 1 year is technical only).
A real expensive toy which works fine first few months, as warranty period nearly comes to an end, started to gives trouble (like picture quality become poor, hazy/blurry picture etc.)
Comment by Ahmed
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I got a 3 year warranty with my Tube TV outright, with Plasma/LCD TV's you'd be pushing a years worth. THey simply dont last the millage. Im not so sure about the newer kinds but certainly the older ones are really bad.
I have seen an old LCD TV at a store and the image was terrible, it was completley blurred up.
That Tube TV I have on the article (second image down) is the one I have, its basically the largest Tube TV available on the market, they simply don't get bigger than that, it is quite heavy too (takes two people to move around anywhere).
It can run HDTV resolutions at 720p and 1080i, it only can't run 1080p which is apparently 'true HD' (what a load of crap, as if you could tell the difference after 5 minutes of TV viewing!), but basically that is really good for what it cost. I dont think there are plasma TV's for sale at an affordabe price range capable of 720p letalone 1080i/p. Pretty sure the best LCD/Plasma ones are like 420p (non-HD) which you can actually afford
Comment by bloggism
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Comment by Ahmed
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Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Like imagine buying a ferrari that breaks down in a year as opposed to a toyota corolla that runs for years on end. It literally is like that.
Comment by bloggism
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Since you are talking about ferari, that was never ment to be a as usual car. Why not go for Mushtang 1968 (old but have juice) or if you wanna go for latest pick Maclaren much more durable than Ferari.
Yes technology cost, but there are better options there. Like those who like high tech TV, get a 45 Inch Sony, wait untill plasma technology is perfected.
Comment by Ahmed
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Comment by bloggism
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Nothing else you can do. Better to stick with a little backdated, but still reliable suffs.
Comment by Ahmed
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Little Green Foosballs
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I imagine with the new formats coming to replace dvd something similar will happen when 99% of the population would in fact have no interest. IF they make it sound like its either blu-ray/hd-dvd or nothing it will force adoption of the tech which wont be good.
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Comment by Cheesy
Lets clear up the HDTV aspect first. Every new model LCD TV is 720P 1080i compatible. The newest models are starting to sport 1080P resolutions.
Most new 42in Plasmas are close to the 720P standard. And the 50in models are 720P/1080i as standard.
The CRT PQ debate is old and stale. Yes CRT have amazing black levels lending to great PQ. now find me a 42in or better yet a 50in HDTV CRT that I can hang on my wall. Oh right I'd need about 6ft of depth and forklift to get it in.
Plasmas particularly had a rough start, with a lot of hype and not much substance. LCD are more robust but suffered from poor black levels particularly, and ghosting or smearing due to poor refresh timings.
Fast forward to now. Panasonic and Pioneer plasmas look amazing. The contrast levels of the best models approaching true CRT levels. Combined with a good HD source there simply is nothing better in consumer home theatre (im not bringing projectors into this debate). Colors are rich and vibrant, detail is razor sharp and lifelike with deep blacks.
LCD's have made huge strides with the Sony Bravia series leading the way, Sharp Aquos is not far behind. Advantages to LCD are is the brightness of the screen, and the almost too vivid reproduction of colours. As they improve the black levels and refresh timings even further it is possible it will overtake plasma.
"Good plasmas and bad plasmas"? Do your research! Im sorry but this is NOT new technology anymore, it is maturing technology and now is a great time to jump in.
"
I completely agree that plasma/lcd tvs suck. People are just so ignorant, while companies are lovin it. I'll never buy this freakkiin bullshiiiyyet!!! fuck consumer products nonetheless!!!"
Mm... yes its the "people" that are ignorant.. Quite..
Regardless, whilst you enjoy your SD content on cherished CRT technology I guess I'll slink away to my pathetic 55in HD Plasma and Digital surround sound setup... I just hate being an ignorant consumer!
Comment by Ahmed
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Heres a quote from the article:
I took the safe way out
I agree that CRT TV's are pretty damn massive in terms of rear ends, and that the size they can go to is fundamentally limited.
I agree that Plasma and LCD TV"s have made 'huge strides' however SED TV's are right around the corner now, based off the same CRT concept which is bound to destroy LCD's and Plasma's on all fronts (patent issues pending).
Oh, btw, I have a CRT TV, it is also HDTV capable, you want to swing round my place and see it?
Comment by Cheesy
I have seen HD CRT's and I like them, I really do. I just dont like the size limiations and restrictions on placement due to size.
Re your comment on SED TV's. Well, I actually worked at Canon from 2004-05 and I remember the buzz about these things inside the company so I kept tabs on it, thinking sweet I can get a company discount!
My opinion now, and that of industry pundits is that SED will come too little too late. The launch has been delayed (again) until 2008. And when it comes, it will be
prohibitly expensive as compated to LCD and Plasma. Remember how much those 2 technologies were in the beginning of their life?
Besides that, brand new plasma technology from Pioneer was shown at CES demonstrating a claimed contrast level of over 100,000 to 1. Not independantly measured however from reactions of journalists at the show, the display was "at least as as good as any SED display shown so far". And it will be ready to go THIS year.
Likewise one of the LCD manufatuctures has some process with the back lighting to dramatically improve their contrast levels.
SED will come, but it just may be DOA.
I guess we can agree to disagree. Personally Im more than happy to keep my big screen plasma for the next 3-5 years as new tech inevitably progress, by which time presto! Time for a new SED/OLED or whatever TV is on top!
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
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I wonder how much a plasma TV with a 100,000:1 contrast ratio will cost
Comment by clohle@mesastate.edu
Comment by Ahmed
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When I had written that there were no HD capable Plasma TV's for sale in Australia, it has changed now.
The picture quality differences between a plasma and lcd is almost non-existant however Plasma TV's are safer to buy because there is no risk of dead pixels or ghosting, the technology behind plasma's makes them more solid throughout, I'm not so sure with the newer LCD displays but thats the way it was way back then.
It is also irrelevant for you to point out that most CRT TV's are not HD capable since there are a few LCD/Plasma TV's taht are also not HD capable, i am comparing HD capable LCD, Plasma and CRT TV's.
I mean looking at it like that it's like comparing two cars and claiming one model is no good because 'most' of them don't have air con, so what? Lets say we take one model out that does have air con and compare it to another model.
Like I said, this is ooooooooooold news, you have to keep up, shape up or ship out
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And my number one priority is Picture Quality!
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Comment by flacjaket
I has BEEN, been, Mr Bean
to the future. they have somethin called nil paint lmv. its paint that is tv. way cool. easy to hang as well. the year is 2034. its gonna be way cool. i loved it!!!!!!!!!