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What do you think? What is the right way to go?
I agree 100%....but, that still leaves the Plasma V LCD preference out there ;)
>For all of you buying these sexy new flat TV's how have you installed them? Did you place them on a cabinet or install them on the wall and if the latter what did you do with the wires?
The huge advantage of a flat screen (Plasma or LCD) is that it is wall mounted, it provides extra living space, even in a large room. I would never put a flat screen in a cabinet, the objective should be to remove the existing cabinet IMHO :)
To install a flat screen on the wall in the USA there are two+ major issues:
1. You have to fish the wiring through the wall cavity to make it totally hidden, especially tricky in a poured concrete home :(.
2. That wiring includes the power cable, which means that only a licensed electrician can do it, or you do it yourself and save yourself $500+. In most States non-licensed contractors are not allowed to install "mains electrical outlets", but, homeowners are?
I "fished" the cables myself, installed a mains jack socket within the wall bracket space, and then asked a non-licensed electrician to help me get the puppy (or should I say Elephant) up on the wall.
The hardest part with Plasma is lifting that sucker up 6+ feet onto the wall bracket (LCD's do win on that one, much lighter to lift). A large Plasma weighs in excess of 130lbs, 2 biggish guys need to walk up separate ladders simultaneously holding that monster as they go, it is scary even for the pros!
In the USA using "professionals" to do the entire installation of a Plasma is going to run you between $1,200-$2,000+, a DIY approach will cost less than $300 (including surround sound wiring and the wall bracket).
1) Elevation. Plasmas start to have trouble around 7000 feet. So don't get one and then move to Santa Fe or Flagstaff or other cool mountain towns. (remember that LCDs are on planes)
2) Power usage and life span. LCDs use less power and can go solar and batteries. Plasmas are power hogs and slowly fade over time.
3) Heat. I live in a hot climate and plasmas put off more heat than I need added to my space. Many models also make noise with their fans. LCDs are silent.
4) Handling and Weight. I can move my large LCD myself if I need to. Same size plasma is nearly twice the weight and I would need another person.
Since I hope to move to a cool mountain town and I want to use backup solar power, these things clinched it.
Has anyone tried the Sony Bavaria Wega LCD's?
They have been reduced in price a little over here, and I can't help thinking how nice it would be to watch the World Cup matches on.
