Question#1:
Plasma or LCD or DLP?
The first important decision to make is which of the three main
types of HDTVs is the best one for you.
Here's a quick primer on the pros and cons of plasma vs. LCD vs. DLP sets:
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
PROS:
* Excellent when images are more still, like PC use
* Generally excellent brightness, easier to view in brighter conditions.
* Typically thinner than plasma sets
* Tend to have long lifespan, up to 15 years when watched 6 hours per day.
CONS:
* Fast action can cause "image blur" on many LCD sets
* Black levels are typically not as accurate as plasma
* When watching on an angle, picture quality usually suffers
* Dead pixels. This is becoming less of an issue as technology improves, but there's still a risk certain pixels won't function in your set.
PLASMA
PROS:
* Great lifespan: many plasmas are expected to last up to 20 years with usage of 6 hours per day
* Better viewing angles. Unlike LCDs, you can watch a plasma at an extreme angle and still see a bright, colorful picture
* Excellent contrast ratios, showing better detail particularly in shadows and dark scenes
* Faster picture response, which you'll appreciate in fast-moving scenes
CONS:
* On many plasma sets, image burn-in can occur if the same image is left on screen for many hours
* Limited plasma options under 37" or so
DLP (Digital Light Processing)
PROS:
* Are often cheaper than LCD televisions
* Excellent brightness and color
* Good variety of sets available in very large sizes
CONS:
* Projection bulbs need replacing. These can be expensive and sometimes difficult to find
* Can't be mounted on walls
* Like LCDs, picture quality suffers when viewed on an angle
* In general, overall picture quality is not as good as LCD or plasma
* Image blur in scenes of fast action
Here's one of our favorite sets from each category. Check out the specs to see how they differ, then continue on to Question #2.
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