Which tv is better.LCD,plasma or rear projection?

Answer 1

Here are some issues to consider:

Picture quality of plasma is brighter, better color, better blacks than LCD. (There is something about looking directly at glowing phosphors!)

Sharpness is the same for equivalent pixel counts. Some newer LCDs have 1080 x 1920 resolution, most plasmas still in the 720 x 1280 range.

Plasma is heavier and uses more power than flat panel LCD.

There are reports that plasmas are not as reliable or they don't last as long, but that is no longer true with the latest models. Plasma phosphors dim slowly over time (but not as fast as CRT phosphors); but direct view LCDs use flourescent lamps which also dim and eventually burn out (some are replaceable). Projection LCD sets have bulbs of limited life, but are replaceable and the lifetime is a few thousand hours of viewing.

Plasmas are subject to burn-in. A stationary image left on the screen for a long time could produce a permanent ghost image. The most risk is when viewing a lot of 4:3 ratio pictures (non-HD), which are displayed with vertical dark areas on the left and right to fill in the wide screen. There are ways to minimize this, however. many sets have a "stretch" mode which widens the picture to fill the whole screen. This could also be a problem with extended playing of video games if there is a background image that remains stationary.

Plasmas come in larger sizes, although large flat panel LCDs are coming out, but they are expensive. LCD projectors can be 70".

LCD contrast and brightness can be reduced when viewing from off-center (both flat and projector, but sets will vary).

Regarding rear projection TV:


Picture quality of plasma is brighter, better color, better blacks than LCD. (There is something about looking directly at glowing phosphors!)

Sharpness is the same for equivalent pixel counts. Some newer LCDs have 1080 x 1920 resolution, most plasmas still in the 720 x 1280 range.

Plasma is heavier and uses more power than flat panel LCD.

There are reports that plasmas are not as reliable or they don't last as long, but that is no longer true with the latest models. Plasma phosphors dim slowly over time (but not as fast as CRT phosphors); but direct view LCDs use flourescent lamps which also dim and eventually burn out (some are replaceable). Projection LCD sets have bulbs of limited life, but are replaceable and the lifetime is a few thousand hours of viewing.

Plasmas are subject to burn-in. A stationary image left on the screen for a long time could produce a permanent ghost image. The most risk is when viewing a lot of 4:3 ratio pictures (non-HD), which are displayed with vertical dark areas on the left and right to fill in the wide screen. There are ways to minimize this, however. many sets have a "stretch" mode which widens the picture to fill the whole screen. This could also be a problem with extended playing of video games if there is a background image that remains stationary.

Plasmas come in larger sizes, although large flat panel LCDs are coming out, but they are expensive. LCD projectors can be 70".

LCD contrast and brightness can be reduced when viewing from off-center (both flat and projector, but sets will vary).


Regarding rear-projection TV:

LCD (liquid crystal display) is available either as flat panel, rear projection or front projection TV; DLP is available as projection TV only. To learn the techincal difference, see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lcd_display...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dlp...

At present, DLP provides higher brightness and more contrast than most LCD. An exception is the Sony SXRD, which can match DLP contrast and black levels. You have to be wary of the "rainbow effect" in DLP displays: before buying a DLP TV, look at a picture with bright areas and scan your eyes across the screen. If you see a trail of colors, you can see the "rainbow" and you may want to avoid this set. Many people (including me) cannot see these, but some can. For all sets, check off-center viewing of the screen. LCD flat panel in particular can lose brightness and contrast in off-center viewing. Both LCD projectors and DLP projectors are available in "1080p" resolution (they display 1920x1080 pixels on the screen). However, only the Sony SXRD is true 1080p; the DLP sets simulate this resolution with a tecnique called "wobulation". See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/wobulation...

These DLP sets do provide a high resolution picture that is a little "softer" than the LCD units, but some people find that preferable (more "film like").

You should go look at the set and decide what you like better.

My personal preference at this time is the Sony SXRD. This is a LCD-type rear projector (LCOS) and has probably the best picture you can get in a consumer TV today.

Answer 2

Yeah, what "gp4rts" said. :-) I asked myself the same questions a couple weeks back. I settled on a Samsung HL-S6187W. It's a 61' 1080p DLP HDTV and could not be happier. True, a DLP does not have the "coolness" factor of hanging on a wall but I think you get more for the cost and some aspects of the picture quality is better then then the LCD and Plasma. You do have to watch out for rainbow effect on the DLPs but most of the newer DLP TVs have a faster color wheel alleviate this problem. Also, i believe some DLPs have multiple processors.

Bottom line is that each one of the TVs has it's advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, plasma use alot of power and output alot of radiation. They also issues with pixelization. This is sometimes called the "screen door" effect. They also have issues with burn in and have the shortest life span compared to the DLP and LCD TVs. Also, both the plasma and LCDs do do blacks very well or as well compared to the DLP. I should say that some of these issues are not as prevalent in some of the newer plasmas and LCDs but it is still there.

I would like to have a plasma or LCD someday but the cost vs size and performance was not there for me spend the extra $$. If you have the room, I would seriously check out the DLPs.

Answer 3

Actually DLP. Plasma can have an image burned into them (if the same image stays on too long).
LCD can have that (but less) and they can lose pixels, which end up with permanent black dots.
DLPs have a picture that looks like a moving photograph. The only con with those right now is that they use a bulb for illumination, which only lasts for about 2,000 to 3,000 hours and costs between $200.00 and $300.00 to replace.
They are getting ready to produce them with lasers, which will not only be brighter but last for as long as the whole set keeps operating (more like a CRT).
That is what my next set will be, and 1,080P
Been in electronics for over 50 years.

Answer 4

LCD tv's last a lot longer than plasma where you may get a better picture but they only last half as long and cost twice as much.

Rear Projection is almost as out of date as black and white but if you are looking for a bargain that might be the way to go.

Answer 5

its a matter of personal preference-all formats have their plusses and minuses-the only one i wouldn't go for is any rear-pro set-the picture is just not up to standard for me (and the viewing angle dissappears after about 100 degrees) plus they are too big-i've seen some the size of small wardrobes......nb the strange thing with the rainbow effect dude refers to-is that some people see it others can't!!.

Answer 6

plasma

Answer 7

LCD