LCD vs Plasma.... LG vs Samsung!

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

So, I just been to Argos to buy a 37" HD Ready LCD made by LG. Much pissing about later seems they are out of stock and probably won't honour the offer price so I walked out without a TV.

Just been looking again and they have a Samsung 42" PLASMA screen in stock, it's a bit more money though.

What is likely to be better? My dad has 2 Samsung plasma's at home and an LG LCD, so I've had a bit of a comparison and the Samsungs do look better, but his are top range models and the one I'm looking at I guess is a base model so don't know how accurate my comparison is!

These are the two tv's I've been looking at

LG 37" Hd Ready LCD

and

Samsung 42" Plasma

The plasma is 100hz, the LCD isn't.. so I guess that's a big + point to the samsung?

They both are HD Ready (720p I guess) and both have freeview. I like the aesthetics of both, the LG is really chunky though especially at the bottom. Samsungs are a bit thinner. LG seemed to sound better. Samsung colour was more vibrant.

Don't know what to do Laughing

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Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

The plasma vs. LCD debate is a pretty close one.

Personally I prefer LCD's because you don't get the burn in issues that you can get with plasma's(I use mine for gaming). Plasma's tend to be more power hungry than LCD's, but the colour is much more vibrant.

The next generation of Organic LCD's should be something to see!
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JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

I agree Samsung really shot themselves in the foot by producing decent screens, but their speakers are something left to be desired.

As for the Plasma LCD issue, there isn't much difference, although I heard Plasmas only last for about 5 years.
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trevoriv · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Karma :

LCD all the way up to about 46 - 50 " and then Plasma comes into it's own.

Plus the cheaper the set generally the more likely the plasma burn.

40" Sony Bravia V4000 should be getable for around £500-550 these days, worth every penny. Not a big fan of LG screens, alright but noticably not up to the standards of the Philips and Sony sets out there as soon as you get a decent HD source.
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Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

Sparks, Just had a look at a couple of favourite places of mine and you can get hold of that LG3000 if you still want it. Beyondtelevision.co.uk have it in stock delivered for £434.

Theres also the full HD version (LG5000) for £488 delivered. The step up to 42" LCD isnt much from there either.

I think your on the right track with Samsung and LG. I saw a Samsung plasma in the pub on Saturday that always has Sky Sports news on it, the TV's been there for about 6 weeks however and had the most horrific screen burn ever!!

I personally prefer LCD (and LG to be honest Laughing

) but if your just watching sky and stuff then the plasma seems to be a better option, they seem to handle the lower res stuff better (might just be my imagination). I wouldnt let the 5 year thing worry you, in 5 years time it will be worth nothing anyway and be old hat. I wouldnt be keeping the same TV for 5 years plus anyhow.

Also try RGBdirect.co.uk to see what your money can get you, then its time to troll through some reviews and see which one sounds best!! Thumbs Up

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dabigginger · Crazy Courier Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Karma :

Get What Hi Fi magazine and compare loads of different models in the back pages. They have a brief summary of each one there as well as a 5-star rating. That way you can see what's best for your budget! There may other makes/models that are decent that you haven't considered!

Plenty of manufacturers can be pretty good, but everyone has their duff models from time to time!

I hope that helps...

MattHirst · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Karma :

I thought the burn in problem with plasmas was only if you left the imagine static for a long time (ie if you paused a game/sky + for a long period of time)

I saw the Samsung 100hz jobby in currys.digital when i was telly shopping and it was really impressive. And at that price i would of probably bought one if my room was big enough for a 40" or whatever they are.

I was told that under 40" you don't really notice the difference between 720p and 1080p. Not sure how true that is though.
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True Blue · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Karma :

I've got a 52 inch Samsung LCD and It's hard to imagine I could get a telly with a better picture for the same money. I also have a 32 inch Samsung LCD, and I'm not too impressed with the picture. It's alright for the amount of time I actually watch it, as it's in the bedroom. It's hard to describe, but the picture just seems a bit too vivid. So I think it really does just depent on a particular TV to whether it's going to be good or not. Which is why you should always try to view it first. Thumbs Up

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True Blue · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Karma :

Oh, yeah... the speakers on the Samsung (more so on the 52 inch) are god awful!!!!! Shocked

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GodzGift · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 May 2006 Karma :

If you google: plasma vs LCD they can compare the difference. I would personally get a £2K projector then buy a 50-60" Plasma.
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lukamon · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 May 2007 Karma :

plasma screens las 50 - 60 thousand hours if coninully switched on 24 / 7 so you'd be hard put o wear i out in 10 years in your home Thumbs Up

screen burn isn really an issue either if you're careful

hitachi 32" plasma full 1080 here, brill picture Thumbs Up

my broher just bought 37 in sharp lcd, and tbh the LCD blur gives me a headache watching it! Sick

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tribal_tiger · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Karma :

I've a Samsung LCD and my folkes have an LG LCD, both of which are 37". The big difference I notice is the LG looks a lot more washed out than the samsung. The samsung has a much better contrast ratio and the blacks are fantastic. I also find I don't get aas much motion blur as they do, this is with both TV's being used with the same model of Sky+ so it's fairly good comparison.

That said they just got a new LG 24" for their bedroom and the picture is great. Both of the big screens were bought last xmas, so I don't know how things have progressed in the last year.
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Stoo · PoshBoy Joined: 11 May 2006 Karma :

I used to work in retail so I have plenty of experience(read bias), good and bad, with the various brands. Just comparing the brand sometimes isn't enough as there are various ranges within each brand. Generally though the Sonys look better but you'd pay 200 quid more than a similar Samsung. The best picture I ever saw was on a Samsung 50" but then it was 1200 quid.

Comet also have a trading style, https://www.laskys.com/ whcih can be worth a look once you've settled on a model.

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Was in Sainsburys earlier getting some rolls and salad so decided to have a quick look at their TV's

They had a Samsung and Sony side by side!

The Sony seemed to look better quality picture, but the colours seemed a bit washed out compared to the Samsung.. the picture quality may have been to do with signal rather than the TV itself though.

Anyways, saw on Comet website a Hitachi 37" full HD 1080p for £499.... anyone with experience of Hitatchi?

Argos have a 37" Samsung HD Ready 720p for £430...

Just can't make me bloody mind up! Laughing

Ideally I want a Samsung or LG as i've seen both and like the picture on both. It's just a question of is 1080p /really/ worth the extra?
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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

True Blue · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Karma :

Only ever saw the LG in Plasma, and the ease at with screen burn occured was shocking! Shocked

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MattHirst · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Karma :

Stoo · PoshBoy Joined: 11 May 2006 Karma :

Another into the mix,

https://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/513660/TOSHIBA-40XV551D?cm_re=homepage-_-tab2-_-product1

TomR6 · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Dec 2006 Karma :

JodieWodie · Reflective Banana Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

I would never get a plasma, too shiny and reflective
My front room has a big window, so I wouldn't be able to see a plasma for half the day!
I was also worried about the burn in issues of the plasma screens

I have a 42" Samsung LCD and it's great
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Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Ok decision made!

Samsung Series 5 40" 1080p LCD.

Will prob wait till next week or so on the off chance prices come down in a sale somewhere Smile

in no rush as its for my bedroom which isnt carpeted yet (next week hopefully)

thanks for the advice and help everyone, I'm glad I asked, my dad rates plasma's well but he doesn't play games or anything so I don't want the risk of burn problems etc.. think LCD is the way forward for me.

Can't wait to play Call of Duty on a screen bigger than 17" lol.
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Stoo · PoshBoy Joined: 11 May 2006 Karma :

Well, bear in mind that prices do go up too and stock runs out. Most places operate price guarantees as well if you find it cheaper, as long as the other place has it in stock.

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

True Blue · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Karma :

I think thats the same tv I have. I think the picture on it is superb. I would say that the Samsungs are better than the Sonys these days. My Last 4 TVs were Sony, there was a time when that was all I'd buy lol But I think since the CRTs, that Sony are nothing special.
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