Plasma Vs Lcd

[raro]

I asked that already in a thread in the Pattaya forum, but here I might get better answers....

I'm also in the market for a flat screen set, but for the purpose of watching videos only.

Three questions:

1) Does any of those sets come with a USB connector so that I can directly plug in a HDD?

2) Are there mobile stands on wheels available as I want to watch in both, living room and bed room.

3) Plasma versus LCD: I understand that plasma has the better picture quality. The downside is shorter lifespan and burn-in. Is this still an issue nowadays?

...oh and a fourth one: How is the sound quality of the built-in speakers? I am not an audiophile but cannot stand crappy sound.

[LivinLOS]

1) Some very rare ones do.. Then theres also the HP media smart systems which have MS media center extender technology in them.. However they are really rare and will cost far more than simply an additional divx playing USB using box as an add on.

2) Such things exist yes.. unusual these days but they do exist.

3) The issue is not so clear cut. LCD in the same price bracket will usually be a higher resolution than plasma, you usually get a 1365x769 LCD for the same price as a 1024x768 plasma.. Once the plasma is up at the 1365 price range then the LCD has moved up to 1080p (1920x1080).. Plasma does have a better black level, and I tend to see more of the awful UBC signal on the LCD where the plasma appears softer, however you can say that the other way and say the plasma is less accurate in displaying detail .

Also plasma puts out quite a bit of heat (not good in this climate) and has a lesser life span (possibly) and the burn in is (less so now) still an issue. LCD has better colors, Plasma has better blacks.

It really depends on what your use is ?? Connect a game system or a proper high def (blu ray) source ?? Then LCD has some advantages... Just watching UBC and dont really care about much else ?? Plasma may look better..

Bear in mind what I mentioned about the heat tho.. I have 3 LCD's in one room, plus a projector, 2 computers, amps xbox360's etc etc etc.. The combined heat buildup needs to be understood.

Edited April 15, 2008 by LivinLOS

[merijn]

I asked that already in a thread in the Pattaya forum, but here I might get better answers....

I'm also in the market for a flat screen set, but for the purpose of watching videos only.

Three questions:

1) Does any of those sets come with a USB connector so that I can directly plug in a HDD?

Yes both my televisions have USB connections and all other sort of connectors. eg for HMDI

2) Are there mobile stands on wheels available as I want to watch in both, living room and bed room.

YES we call them an table with wheels. Be carefull for topping over the screen when on the move.

3) Plasma versus LCD: I understand that plasma has the better picture quality. The downside is shorter lifespan and burn-in. Is this still an issue nowadays?

NO Plasma is not better LCD is better as the resolution is higher and sharper. but is also more expensive.

I have a plasma ( 52 " ) from LG which is great for the sleeping room and an LCD HD ( 52" ) phillips in the living which is great.

...oh and a fourth one: How is the sound quality of the built-in speakers? I am not an audiophile but cannot stand crappy sound.

Both my televisions have good sound but don't expect perfect sound, i connected my Phillips to an 6.1 Phillips sound system which completes the system perfectly for watching movies.

Edited April 15, 2008 by merijn

[raro]

Thanks for the answers!

As I said, I won't use it for watching TV, as I haven't done that in about 17 years. I have no time for games wither. Movies only, and the movies are on HDDs. My DVD player has a USB connector but it can play only from memory sticks, not from HDDs...

The mobile unit: The toppling over is the issue...I am thinking about a steel construcion on wheels that the set is mounted on - similar to wall mounted.

The LCDs seem really to be the better option, heat, crispness...but come at a premium...choices, choices...

[LivinLOS]

if your downloading hidef movies then use a media PC or get one of these new networked media boxes for playback..

Much more convenient and upgradeable system.

[raro]

if your downloading hidef movies then use a media PC or get one of these new networked media boxes for playback..

Much more convenient and upgradeable system.

errm......sorry, not sure what you mean. Media PC, is that a regular computer with soundcard and speakers? Got that one, but the screen is still a bit tiny.

Never heard about networked media boxes either.....

[Tywais]

Never heard about networked media boxes either.....

Another term is 'media juke box' and I have one. You stick a standard hard disk inside and put all your movies, mp3s, pictures on it and you can play them direct to your TV/stereo. Very small box not much bigger then the hard drive. Mine has s-video out, component video, composite video and a DVI output for direct digital to TV. Others have HDMI also. Nearly all video formats supported including 1080 and 720. Plays most standard formats isuch as divx, mpg, etc. including DVDs in .iso format. Also has an ethernet port and can support wifi. Has USB ports to allow connecting an external hard drive box if need more space and an USB port to connect to the PC for transferring files to it.

However it wasn't cheap and the model I wanted I had to order overseas for it. I understand there are USB hard disk boxes in Thailand that can do some of the above relatively cheap (seen in another topic - that's what got me looking around).

[weary]

To learn more about media boxes and streamers: www.mpcclub.com

For HD content as well as many other movie formats, these two boxes get good reviews:

http://www.tvix.co.kr/Eng/products/HDM6500A.aspx (around 19000 baht in Thailand)

http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/ (around 13000-14000 in Thailand, can also be ordered directly from their home page at half that price)

If you do not need HDMI output and high definition content, but are content with Xvid and DivX as well as DVD quality, this is a good choice:

http://www.mediagateusa.com/mg45.html

There are lots and lots of these boxes in the market now. For basic Xvid/DivX functionality, some noname boxes are around 1000 baht.

[raro]

I must admit, I am amazed what gizmos are out there...

What about plugging my laptop into the TV et voila? Or is that too eazy for the gizmo brigade? Directly plugging in the USB drive would be preferred as it saves the effort with the laptop, but if all else fails, why not....

[Tywais]

What about plugging my laptop into the TV et voila? Or is that too eazy for the gizmo brigade? Directly plugging in the USB drive would be preferred as it saves the effort with the laptop, but if all else fails, why not....

As long as you have a compatible output on the laptop to the TV it will work fine. That is, S-Video or if the TV has a VGA/DVI input. I've done that with my EEE-PC with no problems (using the VGA output) and used an external USB Drive for the media.

[LivinLOS]

if your downloading hidef movies then use a media PC or get one of these new networked media boxes for playback..

Much more convenient and upgradeable system.

errm......sorry, not sure what you mean. Media PC, is that a regular computer with soundcard and speakers? Got that one, but the screen is still a bit tiny.

Never heard about networked media boxes either.....

A HTPC (home theater PC) or a media PC is a PC thats set up to

Run silent or near silent

Look like a component electronics device

Start up into a menu system (doesnt look like windows)

Controlled through a remote control (wireless keyboards for config)

Fast boot / hibernate etc..

So yes a regular PC but configured not for general purpose duties but as a media display device.. Mine is connected to the projector setup and a LCD TV.

Dont forget a PC is often the highest quality upscaling DVD player money can buy. Thats changed a bit with HDMI and digital bitstreams but the post processing filters for when you get really into your video quality are pretty impressive. Theres whole huge net forums devoted to all this (PC as a hidef player too). Like AVS forum, where I used to mod.

As to a networked media box.. Look at media center extenders, the xbox360 or the many many devices out there.. will dig some links..

[LivinLOS]

Yeah it works.. Laptops dont have the best GFX cards in the world but if you set 1:1 pixel mapping to the TV and feed a good signal it will blow away most low def sources..

The interpolation in all digital upscaling works well.

[ya5702]

I asked that already in a thread in the Pattaya forum, but here I might get better answers....

I'm also in the market for a flat screen set, but for the purpose of watching videos only.

Three questions:

1) Does any of those sets come with a USB connector so that I can directly plug in a HDD?

2) Are there mobile stands on wheels available as I want to watch in both, living room and bed room.

3) Plasma versus LCD: I understand that plasma has the better picture quality. The downside is shorter lifespan and burn-in. Is this still an issue nowadays?

...oh and a fourth one: How is the sound quality of the built-in speakers? I am not an audiophile but cannot stand crappy sound.

Apart from the useful information from the other TV members, bear in mind that a few major manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, Hitachi etc have announced the end of production of their plasma TVs.

(Sharp has never made plasma TVs, only LCDs. Sharp is known to make excellent LCD TVs.)

[raro]

Apart from the useful information from the other TV members, bear in mind that a few major manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, Hitachi etc have announced the end of production of their plasma TVs.

(Sharp has never made plasma TVs, only LCDs. Sharp is known to make excellent LCD TVs.)

that is very good news! So I'll wait a little bit and get a plasma at good discount and until this one kicks the bucket, the LCDs are cheaper and better....