So today I decided to take some time out of my busy schedule and create a topic that is always on everyones mind: What kind of TV should I buy for some good ol' next generation gaming? The guide that I am going to post here will give you ultimate reference to the HD Televisions on the market today. Weather your looking for a LCD, Plasma, DLP, etc. TV this is your number one stop shop for everything HD.
Before I get into the details of all the differences and brands, I sight my knowledge from working in the industry (As some of you may know) and mass amounts of time and research on the subject. However the knowledge that I will represent here today can be taken any way you want.
#1
I hear this about this one A LOT, and I'm sure most of the general public has some knowledge of this. It is said that Plasma TVs will do the following: Die in 4 years, need to be recharged, break easily, are dangerous to your health, won't last as long as a LCD, etc. etc. I hear these things so much that its getting to a point where its just annoying. So I will make this is big bold letters:
MOST RUMORS ABOUT PLASMA TVs ARE FALSE
They do not die in 4 years, there lifespan is just as good as a LCD television (60,000 Hours, equivalent to about 20 years). The gas that is used in plasma TVs never has to be recharged, and it is not harmful. Now about them breaking easier next we'll compare both LCD and Plasma and you decide which is easier to put your foot through.
Comparison - LCD vs. Plasma vs. DLP/SXRD/RearProjo
This is always debated in a fierce argument where you have one person saying "OH WELL MY FRIEND TOLD ME THIS" or "MY FRIEND TOLD ME THAT". Well throw-out what your friend has told you because there probably morons who don't know anything about TVs.
Advantages:
LCD - Better for rooms that have A LOT of light flowing in them, due to there plastic matte screen (Unless its a samsung [the higher series]). LCDs are generally going to have a brighter picture then most TVs because its constant light source in the TV called the back light.
Plasmas - Better for darker rooms due to that glass screen and having to deal with reflections off of it. Plasmas are generally going to have a better color range than any TV out on the market, along with a better picture a plasma TV has a indefinite motion rate. Plasmas will produce the best black colors because there is no constant light source in the TV. A plasma picture is made up of gas that is electrified. The glass screen can also be an advantage due to it being able to take more of an impact hit if something is to strike it.
DLP/SXRD/RearProjos - Big screen size for the cheap price.
Disadvantages
LCD - Motion on any LCD TV is garbage. It doesn't matter 60Hz, or 120Hz it will never compete with a plasma. Black colors on an LCD are also very atrocious due to the back light always on in the TV (Making blacks look like Blues, Reds more like pinks, etc. etc.). Finally, pixel burn out can happen on LCD tv which is pretty much un-repairable.
Plasmas - The screen is glass (or a hard plastic) which you will get reflections off the screen. Plasma TV heat up more than an LCD TV and will get hotter, here in will cost slight bit more on your electric bill. Plasma do have a problem like the LCDs called burn in, however un-like LCD it is NOT permanent.
DLP/SXRD/RearProjos - Considering rear projection it has more Disadvantages then Advantages. In a rear projection there are bulbs, 65% of the time they will need to be replaced every 3 - 5 years. The bulb can cost anywhere from 200 - 400$. Under most 4 year service plans they DO replace the bulbs for free. Another disadvantage is you have to sit right in front of a projection screen to get the best picture, because they have a small FOV where as both LCD and Plasma have a 178 degree viewing angle.
Brands to look for:
LCD - Best: Sony, Samsung | Good:: Sharp, LG, Toshiba, Panasonic | OK: Polaroid, Vizio, Insignia, Phillips | BAD: Dynex, Westinghouse, Element, Olevia
Plasmas - Best: Pioneer, Panasonic | Good: Samsung, LG, Hitachi | OK: Insignia, Dynex | Bad: Element
DLP/SXRD/RearProjos - Best: Mitshubishi, Samsung
Finally, things that are generally needed for a TV. Not to sound like a salesmen but a surge protector is needed for your TV. Now I don't mean a piece of crap power strip, I'm talking about a power center. What a power center is, is when electricity comes into your home there is a lot of noise and junk in it. A power center will filter that noise out and produce a clean picture on your TV, and a better sound on your audio equipment.
One last thing before I finish off this guide: If you plan to mount the TV yourself, it DOES void your manufactures warranty.
FAQs If you guys have any questions feel free to reply to this thread and I will answer them as soon as possible.
Hope this helps!
- PS Gamer
Before I get into the details of all the differences and brands, I sight my knowledge from working in the industry (As some of you may know) and mass amounts of time and research on the subject. However the knowledge that I will represent here today can be taken any way you want.
#1
I hear this about this one A LOT, and I'm sure most of the general public has some knowledge of this. It is said that Plasma TVs will do the following: Die in 4 years, need to be recharged, break easily, are dangerous to your health, won't last as long as a LCD, etc. etc. I hear these things so much that its getting to a point where its just annoying. So I will make this is big bold letters:
MOST RUMORS ABOUT PLASMA TVs ARE FALSE
They do not die in 4 years, there lifespan is just as good as a LCD television (60,000 Hours, equivalent to about 20 years). The gas that is used in plasma TVs never has to be recharged, and it is not harmful. Now about them breaking easier next we'll compare both LCD and Plasma and you decide which is easier to put your foot through.
Comparison - LCD vs. Plasma vs. DLP/SXRD/RearProjo
This is always debated in a fierce argument where you have one person saying "OH WELL MY FRIEND TOLD ME THIS" or "MY FRIEND TOLD ME THAT". Well throw-out what your friend has told you because there probably morons who don't know anything about TVs.
Advantages:
LCD - Better for rooms that have A LOT of light flowing in them, due to there plastic matte screen (Unless its a samsung [the higher series]). LCDs are generally going to have a brighter picture then most TVs because its constant light source in the TV called the back light.
Plasmas - Better for darker rooms due to that glass screen and having to deal with reflections off of it. Plasmas are generally going to have a better color range than any TV out on the market, along with a better picture a plasma TV has a indefinite motion rate. Plasmas will produce the best black colors because there is no constant light source in the TV. A plasma picture is made up of gas that is electrified. The glass screen can also be an advantage due to it being able to take more of an impact hit if something is to strike it.
DLP/SXRD/RearProjos - Big screen size for the cheap price.
Disadvantages
LCD - Motion on any LCD TV is garbage. It doesn't matter 60Hz, or 120Hz it will never compete with a plasma. Black colors on an LCD are also very atrocious due to the back light always on in the TV (Making blacks look like Blues, Reds more like pinks, etc. etc.). Finally, pixel burn out can happen on LCD tv which is pretty much un-repairable.
Plasmas - The screen is glass (or a hard plastic) which you will get reflections off the screen. Plasma TV heat up more than an LCD TV and will get hotter, here in will cost slight bit more on your electric bill. Plasma do have a problem like the LCDs called burn in, however un-like LCD it is NOT permanent.
DLP/SXRD/RearProjos - Considering rear projection it has more Disadvantages then Advantages. In a rear projection there are bulbs, 65% of the time they will need to be replaced every 3 - 5 years. The bulb can cost anywhere from 200 - 400$. Under most 4 year service plans they DO replace the bulbs for free. Another disadvantage is you have to sit right in front of a projection screen to get the best picture, because they have a small FOV where as both LCD and Plasma have a 178 degree viewing angle.
Brands to look for:
LCD - Best: Sony, Samsung | Good:: Sharp, LG, Toshiba, Panasonic | OK: Polaroid, Vizio, Insignia, Phillips | BAD: Dynex, Westinghouse, Element, Olevia
Plasmas - Best: Pioneer, Panasonic | Good: Samsung, LG, Hitachi | OK: Insignia, Dynex | Bad: Element
DLP/SXRD/RearProjos - Best: Mitshubishi, Samsung
Finally, things that are generally needed for a TV. Not to sound like a salesmen but a surge protector is needed for your TV. Now I don't mean a piece of crap power strip, I'm talking about a power center. What a power center is, is when electricity comes into your home there is a lot of noise and junk in it. A power center will filter that noise out and produce a clean picture on your TV, and a better sound on your audio equipment.
One last thing before I finish off this guide: If you plan to mount the TV yourself, it DOES void your manufactures warranty.
FAQs If you guys have any questions feel free to reply to this thread and I will answer them as soon as possible.
Hope this helps!
- PS Gamer