Plasma /LCD TV

LCD any good?

[aspdaddy]

Anyone have any experience with LCD screen TVs?

Im looking at 17" widescreen Sony for about a grand, just for watching DVD not TV. Are these as good a plasma screen, I cant see any plasma screens that small.

Any buying tips?

Thanks

[nutsandbolts]

LCD beats Plasma screens by quite a way - just go to any showroom and compare the definition/contrast in skin tones or fur (as in Monsters Inc!)

[dmorison]

I've noticed that Laptop LCD displays can have a hard time keeping up with fast action - but my experience may be out of date...

[Macro]

dmorison, you are correct. They have improved, however I wouldn't use anything but a boring old CRT screen to watch/work with fast video.

The other issue with LCDs is of course that viewing angle is limited so you've got to sit straight ahead of the screen. Apart from the obvious advantages of LCD many of them come with USB hubs integrated, facilities to swivel the screen, and with speakers or a TV receiver built into the unit.

Plasma disadvantages are cost ... and not just initial cost. Replacing proprietory bulbs can be a horrendously expensive affair.

Tip: check the "dead pixel policy" of the LCD manufacturer before you buy one. This may help:
www17.tomshardware.com/display/20030319/lcd_pixels-05.html

[nutsandbolts]

There is a big difference between a laptop LCD and the new TV LCDs. I've seen lots of fast movement and the screen has no problems keeping up with it.

Macro is bang-on about the dead pixel policy.

[aspdaddy]

Thanks for that tip macro, its a Sony Im after anyway :)

Yes this is just for DVD, not TV or computer.

I just spoke to a guy in NY and he reckons about US$600 for a branded 17" Widescreen without speakers or pre-amp? Now im confused.

The cheapest branded here is the Sony at £600, still surfin though..

Any reccomendations?

[Macro]

aspdaddy, what are you confused about? Please explain.

I don't think anyone got sacked for buying Sony :-)

I would avoid Samsung, but that's purely on service issues. Iiyama is a little known name that makes excellent products AND offers an excellent service here in the UK. There are of course also the LGs and others. Good luck.

[aspdaddy]

Macro,

just a bit confused about what extras I will need (speakers, amp?) , and what they are actually designed for - flatsreen tv or a pc monitor.

The iiyama are v good prices but are they suitable to watch movies on? They look like they are marketed as pc monitors.

It would be nice to find something that listed the min spec for good dvd viewing...

[lawman]

A PRIMER [circuitcity.com] on LCD and Plasma TV from Circuit City.

lawman

[aspdaddy]

Thanks for that lawman, very good info.

Its put me of a little, but I still *want* one . I have a shelf and theres nothing in CRTs that will fit in the space, I really dislike huge TVs :)