DLP? Plasma? LCD?...which is best?

wonder · Post by **wonder** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:49 pm

Hey guys...i know this is off topic...

but I'm buying a tv/monitor for my studio and want to get the best.

whats better? plasma? LCD? DLP?

any opinions/facts will be appreciated!

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 7:01 pm

wonder wrote:Hey guys...i know this is off topic...

but I'm buying a tv/monitor for my studio and want to get the best.

whats better? plasma? LCD? DLP?

any opinions/facts will be appreciated!

Generally,plasma is better for larger screen; LCD better for smaller ones.You might want to invest a few bucks ($20?) for an online subscription to Consumer Reports online. They have a great series of articles on this as well as ratings for the models they tested. Well worth the $$ when you consider the investment. And you'll use it for a lot of other stuff.

Unfortunately, they don''t rate DAWs...

builder · Post by **builder** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 8:07 pm

HD or non HD? if so HD ready or tuner built it
Computer monitor or some other kind on monitor (PS2 sort of thing)
Price?

I just bought the 23" LCD from samsung for the bedroom and it very nice picture and is good for PS2, my powerbook, and HD TV
1000$ at Best But, 750 on Amazon

They generally get rated the following ways (Best to worst)

TV Picture Quality
1 Plasma
2 DLP
3 LCD

Price
1 DLP
2 LCD
3 Plasma

Computer Monitor
1 LCD
2 DLP
3 Plasma

Plasma is more prone to burn-ins so for a computer I would say nay to Plasma. LCD seems to give you the thiness and picture quality, DLP is bulkier but has a very nice picture.
Then again the size has a lot to do with it too. LCD's are more expensive is larger sizes compared to Plasma

I have a consumerreports.org suscription. Let me know if you want me to send you some of the information. I'd be happy to do so.

giles117 · Post by **giles117** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 8:16 pm

Plasma has the shortest life span of all 3.

I prefer DLP over LCD as you dont get the same pixelization, but for your studio LCD IMO may be your best choice....

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 8:21 pm

giles117 wrote:Plasma has the shortest life span of all 3.

I prefer DLP over LCD as you dont get the same pixelization, but for your studio LCD IMO may be your best choice....

I'd also heard that plasma is the most expensive to produce, so there's some skepticism regarding it's longevity as a supported technology (or so says some NPR investment guy).

I agree with giles on this one, I think.

jwfatgruv · Post by **jwfatgruv** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 11:04 pm

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:
wonder wrote:Hey guys...i know this is off topic...

but I'm buying a tv/monitor for my studio and want to get the best.

whats better? plasma? LCD? DLP?

any opinions/facts will be appreciated!
Generally,plasma is better for larger screen; LCD better for smaller ones.You might want to invest a few bucks ($20?) for an online subscription to Consumer Reports online. They have a great series of articles on this as well as ratings for the models they tested. Well worth the $$ when you consider the investment. And you'll use it for a lot of other stuff.

Unfortunately, they don''t rate DAWs...

Actually, I find this to be a VERY good thing!

With CR in particular, anything they report on THAT I DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT, like a microwave, or an alarm clock, or a lawn mower, they seem cool.

BUT, when they report on ANYTHING that has to do with sound reproduction (which I actually do know something about), their reports are completely juvenile.

For the best recommendations about "home theater" gear chack out Mr. St. Croix articles in Mix magazine. This will set you straight.

wonder · Post by **wonder** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:43 am

I saw a SAMSUNG at a restaurant/bar next to about 15other tvs (plasma, lcd?) and it BLEW them all away. It was probably the new LCD.

What about in the 55inch range? I THINK my gf got me a LATE xmas day gift and im wondering if I should keep the plasma and not go with LCD at that same size???

giles117 · Post by **giles117** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 12:02 pm

I'd grab the LCD at that size over the plasma Still.

Sonys LCD units are awesome

builder · Post by **builder** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 1:27 pm

I read on the macrumors.com board about this very same question a couple of days ago and one of the replies mentions that Plasmas built today are not the same as the ones from 5 years ago. Here is what he said:

"first of all, i sell TVs for a living... so i like to think that i know what i'm talking about.

As far as your first comment about no plasma... let me tell you this. the older plasmas, yes, they did have some problems. now, though, mitsubishi and samsung are using a new hybrid gas rated to last 60 thousand hours (27 years at 6 hours a day). Older plasmas used a gas that was very high in red content that caused them to have an un-natural picture. the bad part of that was that the high red content caused the gas to burn very hot and when something burns hotter, it burns faster. Mitsubishi has solved this problem with their PD-4265 model, yes a little pricey, but very worth it for a plasma. as far as burn in, it takes a static image set on the screen for up to 6 hours to burn in, so if you're using it as a computer monitor, then yes, you may encounter this problem, but if you don't plan on leaving DVDs paused or not turning video games off then you won't have this problem.

as far as LCDs go, Sony's KDL-V40XBR1 is currently the hottest selling flat panel TV on the market, just go to Circuit City, Best Buy, or Sears and ask for one. Currently the larges flat panel LCD available is 42" made by mitsubishi and it retails for 7999. The Sony has a MAPP of 3499, more than half cheaper for a 2" sacrafice. Toshiba also makes a 37" flat panel with built-in DVD that i sell for 2899 model number 37HLX95 I believe.

Rear-Projection (RP) LCDs are great if you aren't concerned about mounting one on the wall. Generally they are 14" to 18" deep and range from 42" to 62''. Sony's KDF-E42A10 and 50A10 have PC inputs (15-pin Blue VGA) with speakers on the bottom with a respective width of 39.5" and 46.5". Their 55A20 and 60A20 have the same features the speakers are on the sides, cosmetically different. Mitsubishi makes their WD-52527 in silver and WD-52528 in black with a few more features than the silver that both measure 49" wide with a 52" screen. Both of those models are available in 1080i resolutions in 52" and 62" screens... no 1080p RP LCDs yet.

As far as DLPs go, if i were buying one i'd go with the Mitsubishi WD-52627 or 52628 with the same dimensions as the 52527. They, along with the 56" Toshiba, are currently the best 1080p DLPs available. My suggestion, since DLP is such a new product and so sophisticated that Texas Instruments is the only company that manufactures the light engine, is to purchase some sort of extended protection plan since they are very hard to work on.

LCD vs. DLP specifically, viewing angles are about the same, roughly 165-170 degrees. DLP does give you a better quality and generally a brighter picture.

LCoS - Liquid Crystal on Silicon is the new set being manufactured by Sony (model numbers can be found at sonystyle.com) is their rival for the DLP. Since Texas Instruments is the only one who manufactures the DLP engine, and Sony is so proprietary, I'm assuming that is the reason that Sony went LCoS over DLP. The LCoS has 3 color panels with 2 million pixels a piece, giving it, technically, the best resolution on a rear projection set being manufactured today. That TV is available in a 50", 60", and 70" set.

Most HDtvs are equiped with HDMI terminals, which is better than DVI because HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) carries both audio and video where DVI carries only video. Most cable/sat. boxes have HDMI terminals, as well as up-scalling DVD players and the new game systems like XBox 360 and PS3. HDMI is definitely a plus.

As far as the signal itself goes, your TV can only be as good as your signal. Nothing is being broadcast in 1080p yet, and from what i understand the BCS Bowl games are the first things being filmed in 1080p. If you're waiting on price then the 1080p will be a while, but if you need something now, jump on 1080p because a TV of that calliber is an investment, not just a purchase.

As of August '05 every TV manufactured over 32" is required to have an ATSC (high definition) tuner built in to it (HD Ready). Having a tuner, though, only allows you to receive over-the-air (antenna) signals, unless the TV is DCR (digital cable ready) with a CableCARD, which allows you to receive digital and high definition signals without the set-top box. CableCARD has its pros and cons, though, which i can explain later if you're still interested.

Basically, it boils down to how much space you have and if you're on cable or satalite.

PM me, or email me at basic12@gmail.com, if you have any questions or comments that you would like me to follow up on. You can also reply to this post, because i will be subscribing to the thread.

I hope this helps... enjoy..."

__________________

wonder · Post by **wonder** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 2:11 pm

Good post man.

Basically...i have DirectTv and HD Plasma (fujitsu 50") in my living room.

This will be for my room/studio and I'm hoping MAYBE to get a feed from DP/MAC to display DP on it as well.

Im looking at about 55" and wondering for DVD's, movies, tv, work (sessions with PT and DP), which would be best for me.

wonder · Post by **wonder** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:03 am

So....here's the update

still havent got a flat panel tv but moved into a smaller apartment and want to put one on my living room wall ...

would you all suggest LCD? Plasma?

The MAJORITY of the Tv time will be used for just that...watching Tv/Movies. I DON'T play video games. I will probably sometimes hook my MacBook up to it for fun.

Help PLEASE

builder · Post by **builder** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 12:27 pm

What are you looking to spend

I am still pretty sold on the Samsung LCD's they have a great HD picture and are relatively inexpensive.....

If you want Plasma go for the new Panasonic. The piano player in my bnad has one.... unreal...

Good luck

ajkandy2 · Post by **ajkandy2** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:44 pm

I have to agree that the latest generations of LCDs are great - amazing contrast, constantly increasing size + pixel count for the money, and standard features like dual DVI inputs so you can swap from computer to another video device, multiple tuners, etc.

That said, DLP is said to offer a little bit better pixel response (as they are literally driven by microscopic mirror arrays) for motion pictures. There are many DLP projectors on the market, so you could ceiling-mount it and project onto a retractable screen or flat wall (ideally treated with movie screen reflective paint, available from many home theatre retailers) - so you get the advantage of DLP without the bulk of a rear-projection set.

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:20 pm

Unlike studio monitors that you don't choose based on what sounds best, selecting a tv is about what you like the best look of and is something you should probably go into a store to look for yourself. IF YOUR REASON BEHIND THIS is to use as a large-computer screen, you'll be disappointed because you do NOT get the same resolution and screen-space you would as a Cinema Display. I have a nice quality 32" Westinghouse LCD/TV that has 1366 x 768 or something like that for the resolution which is quite high. This is not as much as my 19" LCD monitor that is 1280 x 1024. I get more on my 19" monitor than the 32" LCD/TV, it's just on the LCD/TV is bigger and NOT as clear. But I have it connected to a DVI route that if I want to use it on my computer, it's there. It's also connected for my digital cable, DVD player, and a wireless camera in my drum-room.

Plasmas are amazing for presentations, but as a computer monitor you're better off buying an actual widescreen computer LCD display. Here's the TV mounted in my room.

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 2:03 am

A couple of points:

DLP has fine horizontal viewing angle, but is very poor off axis vertically. Best bang for the buck in larger screen sizes. New bulbs are cheap, so should last a long time.

LCD is the choice at 42" and below. But look out for oversaturated picture... might look good in the store, but will wear you out at home. My in-laws got a Dell and I could not make the pcture look right with the user controls. They may be blind by now.

Plasmas are still a good choice at 50" or above. 50" is the point plasmas hit full HDTV resolution. My Panasonic always gets raves from anyone who sees it's picture. Calibrated beautifully by the factory. And viewing angle is 180 degrees in all planes. An LCD this size will cost $$$.

Don't forget about great sound. In-ceiling speakers are really nice for the surrounds, with a high S.A.F. (spouse approval factor.) outdoorspeakerdepot.com

MOTUnation.com

DLP? Plasma? LCD?...which is best?

DLP? Plasma? LCD?...which is best?

Re: DLP? Plama? LCD?...which is best?

Re: DLP? Plama? LCD?...which is best?

Don't forget projectors