Plasma Screen v. Flat Screen v. regular Big Screen TV

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pinkpod

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Topic # 13712 25-May-2007 09:08

I recently got a new job (working with bud.tv) and am finnnnnallly moving into my own apartment. So I have a bit of money saved up (and my parents are willing to help me some)...Wondering what type of tv to get. There are so many available right now. I don't really understand the difference (have just started doing research) between a flat screen, flat panel, plasma screen? Would love some insight...does anyone have a tv they love? Just want to make sure I am spending my money wisely as tv seem to be quite expensive and I am just starting out...

dreadeye

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Reply # 72172 25-May-2007 10:24

Flat screen is a generic term. The different tvs you will look at will most likely be plasma screens, lcd screens and projection screens. Each have there upsides and downsides so check them all out.

You need to spend some time in an electronics store. Even better, try and watch different types of tvs in normal living conditions (not in a big bright open space).

I have an HD Plasma which i love. But there are plenty of other really good tvs out there. Happy hunting.

Nety

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Reply # 72176 25-May-2007 10:35

Try here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV#Display_technology. It will at least give you some insight into the different technologies but suggest that you spend some time researching then some time in front of different units.
Unfortunately often shops are not ideal for getting an idea as the TV's are usually setup in correctly and the viewing environments are very different to what you have at home.
Prime example of this is Rear projector TV's which tend to sit on the floor in the shop but you are standing looking down at them which makes them appear dark. Try crouching down to normal viewing level and they come to life.

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allstarnz

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Reply # 72186 25-May-2007 11:18

if you're in NZ, go to Whitcoulls or whatever and grab a copy of the latest Tone magazine, it has a really good writeup on Plasma v LCD

ezytiger

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Reply # 72491 28-May-2007 11:16

Also, a projector may be worth considering depending on your setup at home. We have a 2400 lumens BenQ, and it is excellent. Bulb life can be a factor but with most projectors at about 3000 hours lamp life costing between $1000 and $1500 at the moment, that works out to 600 days of tv watching at 5 hours every day.

Batman

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Reply # 72919 31-May-2007 00:02

hey bro not to be unhelpful or anything but i think you need to do some comprehensive read up otherwise you can just get the box that the warehouse girl recommends ... really there are lots of differences, pros and cons and if you really want to care you need to understand those! if you wanna know what i think for your situation - get the sony bravia 42" rear projection from harvey for $1500 if you're good at bargaining. if you wanna know why the other guys disagrees totally you need to read up.

tstone

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Reply # 72957 31-May-2007 09:54

joker97: hey bro not to be unhelpful or anything but i think you need to do some comprehensive read up otherwise you can just get the box that the warehouse girl recommends ... really there are lots of differences, pros and cons and if you really want to care you need to understand those! if you wanna know what i think for your situation - get the sony bravia 42" rear projection from harvey for $1500 if you're good at bargaining. if you wanna know why the other guys disagrees totally you need to read up.

Hi joker97, this person appears to live in the United States so it will probably be too expensive for him to come to NZ to look at Harvey Norman

Batman

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Reply # 72964 31-May-2007 10:17

oh heh heh

will be even cheaper then! you could get it for under $900!!! goodluck!

dreadeye

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Reply # 72977 31-May-2007 10:38

I have read that Tone article. the comparrison between plasma and lcd is really interesting. They say that there is very little between the latest generation lcds and the better HD plasma screens.

The only difference at the moment appears to be price. A 40 inch X-series Sony LCD will set you back 7k whereas a Panasonic 42 inch plasma costs between 3 & 4k. I acknowledge that the LCD will have true 1080p as opposed to the plasma's 720p, but that is still a huge difference in price.

Nety

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Reply # 73082 31-May-2007 20:12

Don't take too much notice of where the flag says you are from. The company I work for is US based and our internet gateway is a US registered address.. that is why I show up with a US flag...

tstone

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Reply # 73095 1-Jun-2007 05:50

My apologies to joker, I had always assumed that the flags were related to your personal profile/address on Geekzone. You learn something new every day!

pinkpod

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Reply # 73102 1-Jun-2007 08:03

The flags are a good touch...I didn't realize what they were for either...makes it a bit easier.

Anyway thank you all for your advice and opinions on the different types of tv (I am going shopping this weekend - probably just window shopping since I don't move in until the end of june).