Favorite TV Brand

Wow don't tell the plasma fans that.

It all comes down to the glass.
Buying anything below 42" you are essentially getting the same tv rebadged from sharp, samsung, LG or panansonic.
Some may look a little sharper, some may have better color. In the end at that price point, the picture from one set to another won't be a gasping experieinced.*
The difference between and LED and a LCD at that size won't hiked too much gain. It's still an LCD tv with a different type of back light.
LCD is a florescent light back light and at that size more than likely the LED will be lit from the side, I don't really see any major advantage in this size range other than thickness.*
Thinks to look for is video to audio sync. On some LGs this problem is very obvious. Sharps and I believe panasonics LCDs had line issues. Vizio sets are decent. Again at that price point no one set will really stand out.
Samsung fair well overall, Hitachi never really looked at them.*
I prefer plasma and love my panny p54g10.
Just keep in mind you are not going to get the picture of the $4000 tv on a sub $600.
Just be careful buying top brand names at that price point. The brand mark up will come at the expense of extra hdmi ports, network interface, and potentially picture quality.

What I recommend doing is go on to best buy.com and get the dimensions off their site for the tv size you want and one up and one down. Sizes from the manufacturers are within an inch if eachother for the same size tv.
See if you can get a fridge box and cut templates for those dimensions. You may find out a set is too big or you can go slightly bigger for a small price.
Don't fall for the $100+ hdmi cable sales pitch.
Go to monoprice and buy your cables. Under feet 10 ft or 3 M those cables are fine.
Don't be afriad to shop on line. Their delivery methods have drastically improved.
I have purchased 3 plasmas via the net and no. Issues.
Just inspect upon delivery.

 

Ditto

plasmas got a bad rap when they first made mainstream.
Dlp lcos and rear projection had higher profit margins. Plasma burn inwas an issue but not today. LCD can burn in as well.
Half life of a plasma is 60000 hours. I am willing to bet you will be lookinng for a new tv before it reaches 20000.
I love my panny plasma.
The tv I really wanted was the xbr 5 series, if I recall. Could bring myself to spend $5k on that or the samsung.
The LCD at 120hz looked good for live hockey and 240 didn't do that much more for me. Plasma looked better in this department.
Gaming? Plasma looks very nice.
I moved the 42 inch pany plasma up to the bed room and got a 54 panny for downstairs. When out son is home from school I have to watch sports on the 42, as he is gaming in the ht.

 

Thanks for the input guys...keep it coming!

 

The plasma sets do have an advantage in things like hockey as they run at 600HZ vs the fastest LCD's at 240 HZ .

 

I like my Samsung. A lot.

 

If you guys got pics of the set up then please show me...I am trying to figure out a new setup to!

 

I just picked up a panasonic for 699$ I love it, it's 50" plasma and the picture is awsome for a 720p

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panason...bolsp-app05-31?id=1218175321977&skuId=9788583

 

I have 2 panny plasmas, 1 50" and 1 42". I have had both for about 3 years and have not seen any picture degredation or burn in at all. The main selling point for the plasma vs LCD was that if you view an LCD off center the picture is distorted. On a plasma you can sit on the side of the TV and the picture is as good as if you are sitting in a straight forward eye level view.

 

I added a poll to help guys!

 

At this size stay away from 1080P save your money and get 720P res. You can't tell the difference unless your a few feet away and HDTV or Blueray look the same on this size!

$600 and under 40" I'd look at Samsung 7000+ series. My neighbor has the 7500 and I would be almost as happy with it as my current TV. I have a Poineer Elite plasma. Both are way beyond $600 and 37" in size.

Do a little digging (I like cnet) to find reviews for the larger TV's. You'll find the larger versions have the same specs and features but for much less in the smaller TV's. Reviews, both pro. and am., is where you'll find the best bang for your buck! Also pay attention to inputs, ie: types and how many. These will be very important when you get it home and want to hook 'er up. And look at monoprice if you need any cabling - way friggin cheaper than the overhyped and priced "monster" crap!

Happy hunting.

 

I have a 42" Vizio LCD. I've had it for 3 years and it's been flawless.

 

Thats what I have, 42" Samsung with Dish HD box. Great picture!!

 

i have three vizio's at my mom's house and two at my dad's house, we have had them for at least two years and the lcd's are great but i think the vizio 42in plasma at my dad's is starting to go

 

I don't understand your poll...an "LED" is an LCD.

 

if you want the best, Pioneer plasma 60'' did all research couple months ago, you will pay double but its the blackest black out there.. Joe

 

After measuring today I think I want a 32 inch! So is this a good deal??

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod901264&navAction=push

 

I have a 52" Samsung LCD 1080P in my living room and a 37" Vizio LCD 1080P in my bedroom. From my experience and comments from my friends, we all agreed that the Samsung did have a cleaner and crisper picture then the Vizio. I have also heard anything smaller then a 37" that you couldnt really tell the difference between a 720P picture and a 1080P picture but I beg to differ. I could tell the difference with my 37" Vizio. Not I'm not sure about anything smaller then that but with the 37", I could notice the difference.

 

Plasma is superior to LCD but it's not cost effective anymore, LCDs are cheaper to produce and can sell for the same (therefore more profit). I have a 42" Samsung Plasma, a 32" Sharp and Vizio LCDs. The Plasma blows them away.

 

I wouldn't say plasma is old technology. I would just say it is different technology. Both LCD and Plasma platforms have their pros and cons.

Plasmas don't have picture washout or suffer from motion blur. They do run hotter and weigh more but an average consumer does not lift their TVs on a regular basis.

Of course LED lit LCDs are the current rage and their price reflects this. I would do some research and determine what best fits your needs.

 

What are you talking about plasma leaking out? did you go to best buy?

OTA and satellite are both digital signals and are uncompressed. OTA HD and OTA DTV will provide a much better picture than cable because the signal is uncompressed. The analog signals of 2 years ago were horrible, but now ALL OTA is digital and uncompressed.
I am not sure where you are getting your information.
Check out antennaweb.org and if you are close enough to your local broadcasters you should try to utilize OTA signals. Yes one of those outside antennas may be necessary.

Plasma does use more power.
Plasma depending on the altitude can run hotter but you are not talking about buring a finger or anything, although my panasonics are cool to the tough.
Plasma has deeper blacks.

Plasma is in its 14 generation yes it has been around longer that doesn't make it a less viable solution.

Pioneer no longer makes Plasmas or any displays for home entertainment. Pioneer sold their IP to panasonic and I beleive LG. If you can find a Kuro you will be paying a HUGE premium.

Plasma is heavier because of thicker glass. The difference in weight isn't that much. My 54" plasma is easily lifted by two people. I am 5'6" and I initially placed the TV from the floor to the TV stand which is 28" high.

Here is some good info about the myths of plasma displays.
http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatv/plasmatv-misconceptions.html

720p plasmas are cheap and look fantastic.
Most can't tell the difference between a 720p and 1080p whether it is LCD or plasma.
Just to reiterate a $600 set is not going to look anywhere like a $4000.
A 50"720p may not look as good as a 40" or 42" set.
A 60"+ 1080p set may not look as good as a 52" or 54" set.
many variables.