MSU Red Cedar Message Board

seriously? slice vertically.

Love my Vizio

Always sage advice, PortlandSpartan. Is RCA not a reputable brand? As I said, I'm hopelessly lost with the newer technology.

I'll check on Samsung and Panasonic.

I've also been told that the best deals can be found after Christmas. Any truth to this?

I miss Portland. Did get to hang out/watch my buddies Red Fang and Lord Dying a few weeks ago. I'd kill for a sandwich from Bunk's right now.

Oh, completely off topic, did I tell you my wife recently had some tattoo work done by London Bellman. I'm pretty sure you recommended him. Turned out great.

I've been looking at Paul Zenk's stuff recently. Love his style for a 3/4 sleeve

There are people here who know a lot more about this than me, but in my experience (and in my research before I bought mine) the general thought is that LED > LCD > Plasma.

Basically (and I cannot stress that enough as I'm about to oversimplify everything), LCD is a screen of tiny little red/blue/green bulbs that are charged by electricity to produce pictures. Plasma is a panel of glass laid on top of gases that are charged to create pictures. Historically, the criticisms of plasma TVs are that they take more electricity to use, have a shorter lifespan (which is still measured in tens of thousands of hours iirc), and they have the risk of "burn in" on the screen which can damage your screen by burning an image onto it if left in one position for too long. LCD cannot do this. Also, because of the glass panel on plasma TVs they WILL reflect any lighting that is around them. Don't put them near room lights, facing tabletop lights, or windows, because they will reflect in the screen and making your viewing experience miserable.

The contrast, depths of black coloring, and general image quality of LCD tvs are less than a plasma, but our main TV is an LCD and I have to tell you I honestly don't have any problems with it. The picture is still beautiful and HD programs look great. I'm perfectly happy with an LCD even though it's a little more expensive than plasma. Like others said, you get what you pay for. My understanding of LED is just that it's a brighter, better version of LCD. I don't know the specifics but from friends and seeing in them in stores, they look fantastic.

From there it's just finding a price and size that works for you. I have a plasma in our basement (lack of windows and lighting) and an LCD in our living room and both are pretty good TVs. I personally prefer the LCD and would love to try an LED but just can't find a reason to spend the money when neither of ours are broken. Good luck!

you want this Sony XBR-84X900

LCD's aren't necessarily better than plasmas. There are pros and cons to both.

Plasmas generally are superior in terms of contrast, black levels, motion and viewing angles.
LCD's use less power, are lighter and cooler, and have less glare and are better suited to bright rooms.

This is a fairly succinct description of the pros and cons.

Of course each tv is different, and these should not be considered an absolute. A really good LCD tv will have better black levels than a cheap plasma, and a good plasma can use less power or be lighter than a cheap LCD.

The thing that drives me nuts about any TV is the reflection in the screen. I went with a Sony LED because it seemed to be best at not working as a mirror of my living room.
The Samsung LCD was a gorgeous picture but the glossy screen would've reflected everything back at me. I'm certain I would've eventually tossed a potted plant at it.

Plasma gets the best picture IMO, but only if its a darker room, if there are a lot of windows get an LED, plasmas reflect light.

More expensive is not necessarily better, plasma is cheaper because its been around for a while longer and is a more mature manufactured product.

LED is a great picture too and doesn't reflect as bad as plasma so it's better for a brighter room, probably a brighter picture than anything. LED will be more expensive, make sure to get at least a 120 hz refresh rate. Plasmas have 600 hz.

Plasma if its a dark entertainment room or basement, LED if its a lighter room, get at least 46".

The 60 hz is a red flag, don't buy it if you intend to watch sports or action movies. Also LCD is inferior to LED although it's the same basic technology.

Me? I love my 50" plasma, I have yet to see an LED with as good of a picture.

If you watch football you might want 120Hz which is the refresh rate. 1080p is as good as it gets. Since you don't buy a TV every day may as well spend an extra $20 and get those.

Plasmas have better contrast if you enjoy a power sucking space heater in the summer

You should be able to get 42" 1080p 120Mhz for $430 or so if you wait long enough i.e use slickdeals

Just bought a 39" insignia (best buy brand) that is 1080p 120 hz, that freq is all you need, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was so good that I replaced the 35" Sony I had in my bedroom with it and instead used that in my gym.