Plasma,LCD or what.

[yo yo ma]

I pass kawana everyday this week(working :shock.

Me too! Got my LCD at Big W Kawana.

 

[Wannabee]

My overall tip would be to look at a 50" Pioneer Kuro.

I would second that! I have a 50" and a 42" Pioneer plasma. For both these I waited until the next years model was out and then picked them up pretty cheap (compared to their RRP). The 50" which was a 07 model (507) I got for $3800 when the RRP was well over $6000 and the 42" (428) I got for $2000. These were brand new units that the shop (Harvey Norman) wanted to clear.

They are still going strong and have a great picture in both of our lounge rooms.

For bargains check out the Pioneer clearance store at:
https://web1.pioneer.com.au/itf/phx/phoenix.nsf/Index

BRAND NEW KURO HD INC STD SPKR & 3yr Wty - Was:$5499.00
PLASMA TV'S - Home Entertainment - C509TABLENEW
Quantity Available:1 Price: $3,799.00
For product details please click on the following link -
50" BRAND NEW KURO FULL HD INC STD &SPKR - Was:$5499.00 ...



50" full HD Kuro Inc wallmount & Spkrs
PLASMA TV'S - Home Entertainment - LX508WALL
Quantity Available:1 Price: $3,299.00
50 FULL HD PLASMA TV (PDPLX508A) incl. wall bracket and speakers. Table stand not included


They also have stands available for the 508 for $199

 

[simongr]

On top of all of this we have 2 x iMacs, 2 x Macbook pro laptops, 4 x iPhones, 1 x Apple Tv and approx 6 ipods.

Nice! I thought we were bad with 2xiMacs, 2 iPhones, 3 iPods and a Macbook...

One thing though drron - if you are going to get foxtel I would get HD as the pic quality is not that amazing on a good TV for regular foxtel. We have IQ as well and I plan to upgrade to HD soon. I know there aren't that many HD channels but the number is increasing...

Also don't get suckered into a DVD recorder....

 

[serfty]

... Also don't get suckered into a DVD recorder....

On this note, I use a 300 Gbyte HD/DVD recorder combination.

It has it's own HD decoder (as well as analog) and I have it connected to Foxtel and a VHS. I can record programs and watch them easily.

Any programs I want to keep, I simply dump onto a DVD. I can easily copy VHS tapes to DVD as well.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If you want to watch a lot of sport...I would go the plasma as so far from what I have viewed LCD's do not seem to be able handle quick movement as well.

When I bought I took a sports CD of mine with me and compared various sets.

The stores naturally show images that show sets at their best.

 

[localknowledge]

Definately Plasma!!!

When the time came early this year (after many years) to upgrade to large flat-screen I had it in my mind to get the latest Sony Bravia, but after looking around for bout two months, tonnes of research, specific plasma/lcd forums, talking with reps from premium hifi stores, it was pretty much unanimous, Plasma was still the king over LCD.

To the untrained eye (which was me) LCD initially looked superior over plasma, but after a while, looking at the broader range of colours, virtually no aberrations around objects, smoother tones (eg skin tones) and more natural motion (sports and panning scenes) leaves lcd for dead. Sure, LCD screens are brighter, but i would say un-naturally bright.

I went straight to the top, Pioneer 9 series 50" Kuro and find it even goes well in a reasonably lit room, but it is 9th generation, earlier models maybe would not be as bright. Two weeks after purchase, Pioneer announced they will shelve their Plasma technology for a few years, maybe will go back into business of TV's?? Regardless of this, the 5 years warranty where they come to your house if any issues is pretty cool. This is still arguably the best TV in the world. The new LED's coming out i think look nice, but it is still based on LCD (LCD display and LED backlight I think). OLED will probably wipe all technologies in the near future but nothing out yet so why wait get something now Also, I have hooked up a media centre PC (via hdmi output vid card) and can adjust to any res (up to 1920*1080p) with crystal clear sharpness. The large LCD screens would i think only look sharp at their native resolution.

At the end of the day, it is what is pleasing to the eye, so do alot of research and make an informed choice. My perception has changed from when I started looking. Now when i visit a HIFI store, pretty much all of TV's (LCD at least) look inferior as they just don't have the colour or tonal ranges of plasma. Sony claim to be the best, but I don't think so (at least now). They have a massive marketing budget.

In Summary, grab a Pioneer 9 Series Plasma while you can (50 or 60"), or go for the cheaper (but still very very good) Panasonic or Samsung Plasmas and you will never look back. Your movies will never be the same again!

Cheers

 

[oz_mark]

I'll echo the "Plasma as an aging technology" point.

The recent California energy requirements for TV's are potentially a bigger problem for Plasma's than LCD's. While there have been great strides in reducing energy consumption in Plasma TV's, no one is sure if they will be able to achieve the goals set by California.

LCD's movement to LED backlighting is going to help LCD Tv's here.

 

[edman]

Plasma still has a place if you aren't a techhead. Equivalent size in a plasma would save a few hundered dollars at least on a 2k purchase, so if you don't notice the difference why not.

However I went LCD because the plasmas only had a 1 yr warranty as opposed to 3 with LCD. That was 8 months ago.

I noticed that the LED TV's are only about $400 dearer on a 3k purchase price, I would go that way if I was doing it again. The new ones are superslim and very sharp picture, and don't have the lag problems of the older generation. You really notice the difference in picture quality when they are on display at the shop and its easy to do a comparison, but anything you get will seem pretty good when you get it home on its lonesome.

 

[medhead]

One thing though drron - if you are going to get foxtel I would get HD as the pic quality is not that amazing on a good TV for regular foxtel. We have IQ as well and I plan to upgrade to HD soon. I know there aren't that many HD channels but the number is increasing...

IIRC the new channels/packages that were released in October have 12 to 16 HD channels. All the main channels have a HD alternative available

Personally, I have no problem with the foxtel picture on a 46" LCD. I do occassionaly have issues with the picture quality for foxtel into the analog tuner connected to my Mac Mini.

The main point of my set up is to get the Rah Rah in south australia. I have no problems with watching sport on an LCD. (Sony) I also find the colour to be fine. I was really keen on the pioneers plasmas for the black black, but I'm not noticing any backlight bleed on my LCD or anything like that. SWMBO is movie and "shows" fan and she is also happy with LCD.

The big thing that turned me off plasma was the fact that you have to keep them upright. KISS IMO. I'd be getting LED TV if doing it again.

Also one newish product is PlayTV that is a dual TV tuner for the Playstation 3. This seems to be a good alternative to a PVR or DVR, and PS3 has blue-ray. It is also possible to connect to your TV recordings remotely with a PSP. But this is probably technohead territory.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/aus...o-video-recorder/story-e6frgazf-1225802413766

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...hotcakes-sony/comments-e6frg996-1225803254919

 

[IainF]

"However I went LCD because the plasmas only had a 1 yr warranty as opposed to 3 with LCD. That was 8 months ago."

Thats why I have had 3 Pioneers..
5 Year warranty. And they deliver to the house, install the plasma and then take all the boxes etc away.

Premium price, but premium service with a premium quality.

I can't say enough positive things about Pioneer, as opposed to my Brother in Law who had more troubles with his LG LCD than he can remember.
But that may be two of the fundamental differences.. Japanese vs Korean, Plasma vs LCD.
Drron, at the end of the day you buy what makes you (and MrsDrron !) happiest.

 

[samh004]

Yesterday, I bought an AWA 47" LCD at Big W for $1296 - It has a 3 year warranty and is found on the front page of this week's catalogue (ends tomorrow). Whatever you get, you'll love it! Makes a huge difference.

That’s a good deal actually, had a look at it today and might buy it tomorrow.

Funny how this thread has popped up right as our projector finally packed in.

 

[medhead]

5 Year warranty. And they deliver to the house, install the plasma and then take all the boxes etc away.

You know this (5 year warranty) has got me thinking about my (our) first colour TV. Got it for Charlie's first wedding and it lasted until either 1996 or 1999. Amazing how far progress has got us from that typical excellent useful life of 14 to 17 years, to a useful life of about half that. Amazing so short sighted to accept such a situation.

But that may be two of the fundamental differences.. Japanese vs Korean, Plasma vs LCD.
Drron, at the end of the day you buy what makes you (and MrsDrron !) happiest.

Japanese vs Korean - but all made in a factory in China.

But, yes, go with what you like.

 

[drron]

You know this (5 year warranty) has got me thinking about my (our) first colour TV. Got it for Charlie's first wedding and it lasted until either 1996 or 1999. Amazing how far progress has got us from that typical excellent useful life of 14 to 17 years, to a useful life of about half that. Amazing so short sighted to accept such a situation.



Japanese vs Korean - but all made in a factory in China.

But, yes, go with what you like.

That gave me a chuckle-the new purchase will replace our old rear projection Sony bought 14 years ago.That replaced the set we purchased 15 years before that.It doesnt look like i will get the same life out of the next one .

 

[oz_mark]

Japanese vs Korean - but all made in a factory in China.

Mine says it was made in Malaysia

 

[medhead]

Mine says it was made in Malaysia

Opps, my bad

 

[ejb]

That gave me a chuckle-the new purchase will replace our old rear projection Sony bought 14 years ago.That replaced the set we purchased 15 years before that.It doesnt look like i will get the same life out of the next one .

I am sure my plasma (Pioneer 50") will last at least 10 years. Purchased it 2.5 years ago, at the time it was double other tv's but the quality won over the price.

People these days are just taking to new technology faster.

ejb

 

[Dee Thom]

Premium price, but premium service with a premium quality.

Ahhhh, sounds like QF Plat...............

Cheers Dee

 

[edman]

Thats why I have had 3 Pioneers..
5 Year warranty. And they deliver to the house, install the plasma and then take all the boxes etc away.

My local electronics retailer (used to be a retravision until the dramas with the head franchisor) delivers and installs free regardless of brand, so the difference then came down to preference, and as Plasma was being phased out and LCD's were dropping in price, it seemed the logical decision. Optional extended warranty is also very cheap these days. Nothing against Pioneer as I do like their products.

That gave me a chuckle-the new purchase will replace our old rear projection Sony bought 14 years ago.That replaced the set we purchased 15 years before that.

I passed on a 68cm Sony Trinitron that had already been in the family for 19 years to my sister who has had it for the last 2. Still runs like new and the picture is sensational. Not ideal for 16:9 unfortunately

 

[serfty]

These posts generally indicate that currently < 50" LCD is a better option and ≥ 50" Plasma is better.

Of course, this may be moot in the future with the probable demise of Plasma.

 

[oz_mark]

These posts generally indicate that currently < 50" LCD is a better option and ≥ 50" Plasma is better.

Of course, this may be moot in the future with the probable demise of Plasma.

...and the size has been drifting upwards over the last few years. Not so long ago I would have said <42" and >42".