Advice Needed On Buying Lcd/plasma Tv

[Phil Conners]

Actually since LCD panels already are considerably cheaper to manufacture than CRT's and CRT based TV's are still costing a fraction of LCD TV's the current pricing has more to do with market forces than actual production costs.

[sumrit]

Actually since LCD panels already are considerably cheaper to manufacture than CRT's and CRT based TV's are still costing a fraction of LCD TV's the current pricing has more to do with market forces than actual production costs.

No they're not. As an example over 12 years ago I remember a 14" crt costing just £7 to produce by CPT in Malaysia (which was/is part of Tatung), I can't remember exactly how much a large screen CRT was but I believe a 29" was about £25/30 and I know that they're cheaper to produce now(down to less than £20 as far as I can remember), or at least they were two years ago when I finished work. Just recently my friend from Tatung was telling me that since full production of LCD panels had commenced in China the cost of a 32" panel had come down from over 100$ to 75$ (US dollars) and they would continue to come down in price as production increased but at the moment they're still more expensive.

[fisherd3]

Would someone please explain why quality of audio has anything to do with whether a TV is CRT/LCD/plasma/rear projection etc , isn't it a separate section of the whole that can be good or bad according to its own design parameters?

Edited June 5, 2007 by fisherd3

[LivinLOS]

Dont understand the question.. The quality of audio doesn't have anything to do if a TV is LCD / Plasma / CRT / Etc..

Either can be good or bad, the display or the audio.. But that doesnt define if a TV is LCD, plasma, CRT, etc.

[bkk_mike]

Hi Phil,

Just a quick question, do you know if a HDTV from USA will work in Thailand? Im not sure about the compatibility of the HDTV systems of the 2 countries. I do know about the difference between PAL and NTSC.

Thanks

Carlosa

You probably meant to ask tomazbodner but it's a simple question that even I can answer: No, your USA NTSC TV will not work in Thailand. PAL is used here. In fact, afaik only USA uses NTSC now, hopelessly behind the times just like with cellular phones.

AFAIK the multiple HDTV standards are actual standards and not different in different parts of the world. 720p, 1080p, 1080i - all standardized.

For standard definition TV (SD) there is the PAL vs NTSC issue, though I know from old analog TV sets that they often supported both standards. I would imagine LCD panels can do the same?!

We had a modded PlayStation back in Europe and I remember that it would play U.S. games in NTSC + the TV would switch into NTSC mode automatically. Some games were *much* faster in NTSC because the frame rate was somehow tied to the TV frame rate, so PAL would have 50 Hz and NTSC 60. Which made the PAL based games dead slow... Tekken was like in slow motion... I wouldn't call NTSC a worse standard - fewer lines but better refresh rate.

Check your TV specs to see if it can do both PAL and NTSC.

I imagine it would be pretty inconvenient with the power conversion 220V - 110V unless your TV is dual voltage capable.

Broadcast HD, there ARE differences, like on the frequency.

i.e. Europe's standard is 50Hz (so 25 full frames per second 1080i), where the States is approx. 60Hz

This was done because the EU decided that having 60Hz screens in locations with 50Hz fluorescent lighting would cause noticeable flickering. (The lighting is 50Hz because the EU has 50Hz electricity supply at approx. 230v to the US's 110v at 60Hz.)

Add in that the US broadcasts HD using ATSC, whereas the EU's HD is generally DVB (mainly DVB-S from satellites, but some terrestrial DVB-T), so any internal HD tuners will be incompatible. (And Japan's HD broadcasts are in yet another standard, as their HD broadcasts are actually analogue.)

Thailand is none of the above (at the moment), as Thailand doesn't have any HD broadcasts. (which does beg the question of where the DiscoveryHD that they show on the TV's in the shops is coming from).

For non-broadcast HD, or where there's a set-top box involved, you should be OK (with a transformer to give you 110v). As generally the component inputs on the TVs can cope with pretty much whatever signal they're getting, and the box feeding your HDMI or DVI (at a HD resolution) can "usually" be switched to a working resolution/frequency.

However, I doubt it's worth transporting an HD screen from the States. - Plasmas are too sensitive to transport much, and although LCDs are cheaper in the States, by the time you buy a decent transformer, and pay for the shipping, I doubt the saving would be worth it.

[solo siam]

I don't think that TV's are cheaper in the states than here, couple of examples;

LG 42" LCD here is 39k baht, the TV has halved its price in less than 4 months.

Samsung 26" LCD here is 19k baht.

[bkk_mike]

I don't think that TV's are cheaper in the states than here, couple of examples;

LG 42" LCD here is 39k baht, the TV has halved its price in less than 4 months.

Samsung 26" LCD here is 19k baht.

If it's 1366x768 - where's that LCD? - I want one at that price...

I think you'll find you're maybe looking at a 852x480 plasma??? - i.e. EDTV (enhanced definition - i.e. plain widescreen, not HD).

If you go LARGE, it's a lot cheaper in the US, mainly because there is more stock turnover. (the average American has a lot more spare cash than the average Thai). However, getting a large screen to Thailand would be problematic, and if it's new (or even just looks like it might be new), you could find customs asking for import duty based on the Thai price...

[sumrit]

However, I doubt it's worth transporting an HD screen from the States. - Plasmas are too sensitive to transport much, and although LCDs are cheaper in the States, by the time you buy a decent transformer, and pay for the shipping, I doubt the saving would be worth it.

Plasma sets should always be transported upright, even for short journeys, if transported horizontally any 'bouncing around' during transport will damage the panel. If being transported abroad plasma sets must be shipped, if they are put in an aircraft hold, which is unpressurized, then the panel will be destroyed whilst in the air.

As far as price goes, I don't know about the States but prices in Thailand seem to be a little bit cheaper now than in the UK. Of course the spec isn't exactly the same so you can't compare models like for like but the manufacturing costs of any differences would be negligable in the overall cost. All the LCD sets I have seen on dispay recently in Thailand are HD ready (although somebody is bound to come back and tell me of a shop selling one that isn't).

[bkk_mike]

I don't think that TV's are cheaper in the states than here, couple of examples;

LG 42" LCD here is 39k baht, the TV has halved its price in less than 4 months.

Samsung 26" LCD here is 19k baht.

If it's 1366x768 - where's that LCD? - I want one at that price...

I think you'll find you're maybe looking at a 852x480 plasma??? - i.e. EDTV (enhanced definition - i.e. plain widescreen, not HD).

If you go LARGE, it's a lot cheaper in the US, mainly because there is more stock turnover. (the average American has a lot more spare cash than the average Thai). However, getting a large screen to Thailand would be problematic, and if it's new (or even just looks like it might be new), you could find customs asking for import duty based on the Thai price...

Sorry - might have to eat my words. Saw an LG 1366x768 LCD at 44,990 today, so I'll concede it might be available 5K cheaper somewhere. (would still like to know where you saw it at 39K)

[Firefoxx]

Bought my Benq 37" 1920x1080 LCD a bit over a year ago (I think) at 80k baht. Back then anything that could do 1920x1080 was astronomically priced, or just not available, period. Today it's only 40k, while the bigger brands have only just reached 90k. If you're not stuck on branding, then you might want to check it out.

[solo siam]

I don't think that TV's are cheaper in the states than here, couple of examples;

LG 42" LCD here is 39k baht, the TV has halved its price in less than 4 months.

Samsung 26" LCD here is 19k baht.

If it's 1366x768 - where's that LCD? - I want one at that price...

I think you'll find you're maybe looking at a 852x480 plasma??? - i.e. EDTV (enhanced definition - i.e. plain widescreen, not HD).

If you go LARGE, it's a lot cheaper in the US, mainly because there is more stock turnover. (the average American has a lot more spare cash than the average Thai). However, getting a large screen to Thailand would be problematic, and if it's new (or even just looks like it might be new), you could find customs asking for import duty based on the Thai price...

Sorry - might have to eat my words. Saw an LG 1366x768 LCD at 44,990 today, so I'll concede it might be available 5K cheaper somewhere. (would still like to know where you saw it at 39K)

Its 39,900 in Courts, and 41,990 in Powerbuy - You can pick up a plasma for less, 35k baht in tescos I believe.

50" Plasmas are 59,900 baht now (LG) or 69,900 (Samsung) with a free home theatre thrown in.

Edited June 8, 2007 by Ben@H3-Digital

[Mumbo Jumbo]

Well I have to soon buy a new TV, and after reading the posts

here , and looking at all the LCD TV's now on sale,

I think I will go for a New LCD TV. Not knowing too much about the technical

side of the LCD TV's could some please advise me as to what to look for regarding the specification ..Eg Contrast, Resolution Etc..?

to day ive seen a Samsung 32 inch wide screen LCD TV ( model LA 32S71B ) , at 29,000 Baht and on the sales sheet it said .... Resolution in pixels ... 1366x768 and Contrast 3000:1

So what do I look for regarding a decent specification..?

Thanks …. Mumbo

[jezchesters]

The Samsung 32" seems to be advertised at 25,900 Baht here, but I can't read Thai - can anyone help?

http://www.prakard.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=22723 Post no. 3

[pampal]

Konka and TCL both from China have excellent prices and quality.

Konka is rebranded in the US and sold as RCA.

[gettingno]

anybody knows if Gold Star is any good? Saw at tesco lotus their 32' lcd TV 1366x758 1200:1 price 18990

[ThaiLife]

Plasma vs LCD: Which is right for you?

By Randolph Ramsay, CNET.com.au

The two different camps of flat-panel display standard will, of course, gladly spruik the advantages of their own standard and the deficiencies of the other. But which type of display, plasma or LCD, is better? And which will give you more bang for your buck?

1. Plasma and LCD technology--what's the difference?

Plasma and LCD panels may look similar, but the flat screen and thin profile are where the similarities end. Plasma screens, as its name suggests, uses a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells charged by precise electrical voltages to create a picture. LCD screens (liquid crystal display) are in layman's terms sandwiches made up of liquid crystal pushed in the space between two glass plates. Images are created by varying the amount electrical charge applied to the crystals. Each technology has its strengths and weaknesses, as you'll read below.

2. Is there a difference in picture quality between plasma and LCD screens and normal CRT TVs?

It's not what's happening behind the screen that's important--it's how the screen performs as a television that matters the most. In that regard, both plasma and LCD sets produce excellent pictures, although many home entertainment specialists and gamers still say CRTs offer the best overall images (even if the latest plasmas are particularly good and LCD sets are quickly catching up in terms of quality).

Those same home entertainment specialists will tell you that for basic home theater-like usage, plasma screens have a slight edge over LCDs. This is because plasma screens can display blacks more accurately than LCDs can, which means better contrast and detail in dark-colored serial or movie scenes. The nature of LCD technology, where a backlight shines through the LCD layer, means it's hard for it to achieve true blacks because there's always some light leakage from between pixels. This is steadily improving with every new generation of LCD, however.

3. What advantages does plasma have over LCD?

Apart from better contrast due to its ability to show deeper blacks, plasma screens typically have better viewing angles than LCD. Viewing angles are how far you can sit on either side of a screen before the picture's quality is affected. You tend to see some brightness and color shift when you're on too far of an angle with LCDs, while a plasma's picture remains fairly solid. This is steadily changing, however, with more and more LCDs entering the market with viewing angles equal to or greater than some plasmas. Plasmas can also produce a brighter color, once again due to light leakage on an LCD affecting its color saturation.

Plasma pundits will also tell you that some LCD screens have a tendency to blur images, particularly during fast-moving scenes in movies or in sports. While that was true for older-generation LCD screens, newer models have improved significantly--so much so that the differences in performance between LCDs and plasmas in this regard are almost negligible (here's a tip--if you're shopping for LCDs, check the pixel response time, measured in ms. The lower it is, the better the image quality in fast-moving scenes).

Traditionally, the biggest advantage plasmas have had over their LCD cousins is price, particularly in the large-screen end of the market. In the past 12 months, this has changed, with LCDs matching plasmas in both resolution and price. Plasmas being sold in Asia generally run between 42-inches and 63-inches wide, with the cheapest standard-definition 42-inch selling for approximately S$2,300 (US$1,463.29) (although you can expect to find sets cheaper than S$2,000 (US$1,272.43) in street prices). 60-inch and above plasmas can go for as much as S$99,000 (US$62,985.01).

LCDs, on the other hand, top out around the 52-inch mark--though there is a 65-inch Sharp available--but are price competitive with similar-sized plasmas. Sony's high-end 52-inch KLV-52X200A LCD, for example, retails for S$15,999 (US$10,178.01), while Pioneer's top-of-the-line 50-inch PDP-5000EX plasma goes for the same price.

4. What advantages does LCD have over plasma?

Apart from being price competitive, LCD has the edge over plasma in several other key areas. LCDs tend to have higher native resolution than plasmas of similar size, which means more pixels on a screen. If you're a true high-def junkie who's keen to see every pixel of a high-res 1080i/p image reproduced pixel-by-pixel (providing you have a source that high, of course), then LCDs are seemingly the way to go. However, top-of-the line plasmas will also display 1080p content, so the choice isn't as easy as it once was.

LCDs also tend to consume less power than plasma screens, with some estimates reporting that power savings could be up to 30 percent less than plasma. LCDs are also generally lighter than similar-sized plasmas, making it easier to move around or wall-mount.

LCD pundits also point to the fact that LCDs have a longer lifespan than plasma screens. This was true of earlier plasma models, which would lose half of their brightness after more than 20,000 hours of viewing. Later plasma generations have bumped that up to anything between 30,000 and 60,000 hours. LCDs, on the other hand, are guaranteed for 60,000 hours.

You might have also heard that plasmas suffer from screen burn-in, an affliction not as commonly associated with LCDs. Screen burn in occurs when an image is left too long on a screen, resulting in a ghost of that image burned in permanently. Newer plasmas are less susceptible to this thanks to improved technology and other features such as built-in screen savers, but burn-in is still a problem. But after a few days of use most burn-in images may fade--they are no longer permanent.

5. Which is better value for me right now: plasma or LCD?

If you're in the market for a big-screen television--and we're talking 50-inches and above--then we'd suggest plasma as a safe bet. Plasmas give you more bang for your buck at the big end of town, and while LCDs can give you better resolution, plasma still has the edge in terms of picture quality. One other thing to look for, whether you opt for plasma or LCD, is an integrated TV tuner--many sets still have analog tuners, which look pretty terrible on a large screen. Try to get a model with an inbuilt HD tuner if you can.

At the smaller end of things (15- to 42-inch TVs), LCD is the only way to go if you want something slim and tasteful. And the best thing is that LCDs are getting cheaper all the time.

Source http://www.bangkokpost.com/gadget/gadget.php?id=122