TV for HD Gaming - LCD vs Plasma

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › TV for HD Gaming - LCD vs Plasma

simcore

68 posts

Master Geek
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Topic # 55963 11-Jan-2010 16:34

So, I was just reading this informative thread by BazNZ (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=34&topicid=24554) and was about to reply when I realised it was locked.

On the weekend I was in Dicksmith checking out the TV's they had on offer, when I noticed how much better one of the (cheaper - HD ready) Samsung Plasma screens performed at displaying faster moving action, or seemingly just had a more crisper image in fact. [the ASB tennis tournament was on]

Basically, I was really impressed with the difference, even as an HD Ready TV, and not true 1080p, and now want to hear more REAL opinions, much like the other thread - what confused me about that thread however, were two people praising the plasma screens, but saying "lcd for gaming though" as though they just shot their own opinions in the foot with an infactual statement?

My wants/needs for a TV are...

PS3, full HD - 1080p kinda gaming
Best performance with fast moving images [100hz minimum - lowest ms/response time possible] (ideal for FPS shooter kinda games)
42" screen quite large enough for the size of my home

Can someone tell me why two people responded with "lcd for gaming" or suggest which plasmas would be great for some HD gaming?

Cheers!

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219 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 289131 12-Jan-2010 03:23

Plasmas will usually deal with motion better than LCD. This 100hz thing you hear everywhere is slightly different again and comes with it's own problems/benefits.
The resoloution of a screen should have little to no effect on it's response.

The reason they probably recommended an LCD for gaming is because of plasmas reputation for burn in and image retention, these days plasmas have advanced and you would have to really abuse your tv to get permanent damage(think 3 days straight of the same image)
LCDs burn in does exist as well though it's not as popular as plasma bashing by the mainstream.

My personal fave value for money is the panasonic 42x10z should be able to get it for around 1100. In general panasonic's plasmas are better than the equivalent samsung model this year.
However it could be worth looking into a full HD set depending on how far back you sit, that extra res could be useful for accurate sniping in FPS etc.
Some of the users on this forum have got the 50g10 which is virtually as good as it gets this year for well under 3000 so who knows what you could get the 42 for?

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Nimma

98 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 289137 12-Jan-2010 07:24

The 100Hz and 200Hz technology on LCD is rubbish for gaming from what I understand as it adds lag to the system - in Samsung gaming mode, this is actually turned off.

Plasma sounds like the way to go for fast motion and like samwooff says, burn in is practially a myth now. The downside to plasma is the energy consumption but this is getting better too. Go for 1080p, the price differential is much smaller now since they are mainstream technology. I saw some of the current model Panasonics recently, very nice picture.

I like LCD for the energy efficieny and the fact that it is on a lot as my primary HTPC monitor, every comes at it from a different angle.

samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 289153 12-Jan-2010 08:55

Some people seem to like the smoothing effect that 100/200hz gives I've not actually witnessed it on games but with movies it introduces tearing, ghosting and a definite soap opera effect. Check it out in a store if you're curious any "good" LCD should have it.
It's true plasmas generally use more power sometimes double or more but it's going to be the difference of $20 or so at the end of a general year of usage so it shouldn't have a huge impact on your decision.

hazza87

340 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 289202 12-Jan-2010 10:59

I'd Go for the Panasonic P42G10 should be able to pick it up for around $2000 with haggling. I have the 50" model and the motion is really good noticably better than my 40" Full HD sony LCD i picked it up for $2358 in the boxing day sales.

kevsterg

11 posts

Geek

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Reply # 289263 12-Jan-2010 12:52

Is there any advantage to using LCD or plasma technology over the new LED TVs?

ascroft

271 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 289273 12-Jan-2010 13:21

Mark Ascroft
Wellington

minimoke

710 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 289288 12-Jan-2010 14:29

Yes there is an advantage in the new LED's - to the marketers and sales people selling the things. What do you think the new LED TV is backlighting - its an LCD TV! They are using LEDs rather than CCFL - but its still an LCD telly.

Arguably the new crop of LED back lights perform worse than an CCFL backlight on the LCD's - both of which, argaubly are worse than a plasma.

Dinuir

41 posts

Geek

Reply # 289295 12-Jan-2010 15:37

For what it is worth, I have had plasma, LCD and now have a Samsung LED 8000 series tv. It is by far the best TV and IMHO the gap between different technologies is minimal as long as you purchase something respectable.

Torquenstein

82 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

Reply # 289305 12-Jan-2010 16:00

Dont mean to hijack the OP's thread.

I am also buying a new TV, I have been looking at the G10 series Panasonic, my brother works at LV Martin so I can get things at staff price. He priced up the 42" G10, and its about $2000, however they only have shop floor models and cannot order any more new ones in, so that leaves me with the S10.

Would the S10 be a good buy, can get the 42" for $1900 or so, and the 50" for $2300ish. Is that a good deal, is there any other option I should choose over the S10?

I cant really justify LED, so would either be plasma or LCD. Wanting full HD.

minimoke

710 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 289306 12-Jan-2010 16:02

Dinuir: For what it is worth, I have had plasma, LCD and now have a Samsung LED 8000 series tv. It is by far the best TV and IMHO the gap between different technologies is minimal as long as you purchase something respectable.

Heres a case in point. $7,500 for a 46 inch Samsung 8000 (or $5,000 for teh 7000 46 inch)"LED" at Noel Leeming. Get a full HD LCD for $2,799 or go to a full HD plasma for $2699 for a Panny. Arguably a benifit of the LED is that it will save around $40 a year in energy costs.

chiefie

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Reply # 289332 12-Jan-2010 16:53

Love the look of those Samsung S9000 demoed at CES; super thin LED TV with touchscreen LED/LCD wifi remote for secondary picture too.

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AmooMan

307 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 289356 12-Jan-2010 17:43

Hi all.. I bought my new TV at the start of Dec09...
I also have Gaming on the mind.. I have a PS3 and play FPS,RPG's,Racing... ect...

After a good 2 weeks of research I went with Plasma...

The Pros far outweighed the cons in Plasmas faver..

So i ended up getting the Panasonic TH-P42G10A

Very very happy with the TV so far.. and I can say that playing games from the PS3 look amazing on this TV.. Would highly recommend this TV to anyone..

samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 289425 12-Jan-2010 21:03

I concur with minimoke, "LED" tvs are great marketing but they come with their own sets of problems, only major benefit atm is power usage.

Torquenstein: Dont mean to hijack the OP's thread.

I am also buying a new TV, I have been looking at the G10 series Panasonic, my brother works at LV Martin so I can get things at staff price. He priced up the 42" G10, and its about $2000, however they only have shop floor models and cannot order any more new ones in, so that leaves me with the S10.

Would the S10 be a good buy, can get the 42" for $1900 or so, and the 50" for $2300ish. Is that a good deal, is there any other option I should choose over the S10?

I cant really justify LED, so would either be plasma or LCD. Wanting full HD.

The picture quality of the s10 is not quite as good as the g10 but theres not a huge amount in it, both very good tvs. See if your brother can organise a dark room comparison for you.
Whats wrong with a floor model though, assuming it's not been abused it should be nicely run in.
Bigger is usually better, go for a 50" :D

Torquenstein

82 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 289432 12-Jan-2010 21:23

samwooff:

The picture quality of the s10 is not quite as good as the g10 but theres not a huge amount in it, both very good tvs. See if your brother can organise a dark room comparison for you.
Whats wrong with a floor model though, assuming it's not been abused it should be nicely run in.
Bigger is usually better, go for a 50" :D

Hmmm, been reading about it on a few other sites, apparantly doesnt have the Neo panel thing, so not as bright etc. and when faced with a moving HD source can only play at 900 horizontal lines, not 1080 like the G10.

I thought I would want to stay away from floor models, because you cant guarantee its been taken care of etc..?

I wish I could get a 50" G10 but lv martin dont even list it! Arg, choosing a TV is so hard.

I havnt actually moved into my house yet, I may have to wait until then to decide which size tv to get.

samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 289498 13-Jan-2010 05:48

I'd expect slightly better blacks plus you get more control in the picture settings to improve the colour. Don't worry about the moving lines resoloution unless you really like watching test patterns or something lol. There is no discernable benefit with normal viewing material.

Well if your brother works at the store he should have a fair idea, I know how all the tvs in my store are treated because I spend all day with them and ensure no one mucks around with them.
If you do decide to go down the 50g10 route fear not, many forum users have got amazing prices on them just by haggling a bit.

There are a few reccommended ratios concerning screen size, resoloution and viewing distance but in most cases a bigger tv will give you greater viewing pleasure.

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