plasma telly - worth extra for 1080?

[crisgal]

ok, so we've resigned ourselves to the fact that we have to replace our telly.
John Lewis are doing a great deal on all tvs, with a free 5 year warranty on them all.

There is a 50" panasonic viera for 600 squid. It hasn't got the 1080 thing though, and when we look on t'internet, there are so many arguments! Some say it doesn't really make a difference, and others imply we could regret not spending the extra.
I don't even know what it all really means!

I'm confused - dot - bloody - com!!

[crisgal]

BTW it's another 300 for the 1080 technology - so it is a big big difference in the price. Hopefully this telly will last a lot longer than two and a half years!

[kawakiri]

If you have Sky HD or HD player it would be worth it.

[ChuckFickens]

Yes, worth the extra, though you can get a 1080p 50" plasma for about £600 anyhow, I have one of these

http://www.superfi.co...o.cfm/Product_ID/6873

[crisgal]

that is a good price, chuck, but to get an extended warranty would cost about 2-300.

from what i can understand 1080p is beter, but only if its a massive screen and you're watching from over 12 feet way. Is that right?

i'm not that bothered about hd everyday, but we would like a blu-ray playe for the odd movie.

[ChuckFickens]

It's worth considering the running costs too, Plasma TVs use a hell of a lot of electricity and also put out a lot of heat (I've been known to turn mine on just because the rooms getting a little chilly!) LCD TV's may cost a bit more at that sort of size, but if it's going to be on a lot you'll save the extra in electricity over time.

[ChuckFickens]

Here you go, pick a 55inch plasma and then a 55inch LCD from the top drop down menu, (they don't list 50inch in both, 55inch is close enough to compare)

http://www.sust-it.net/energy_saving.php

A plasma TV with average use will cost about £100 a year more to run.

[crisgal]

goodness me - that is very interesting!

We went for plasma, as we were told that lcd were more easily damaged by kid's fingermarks. do you know that to be true chuck?

[ChuckFickens]

I can't really see that there would be much difference when it comes to fingerprints, they will clean off just the same on both. The difference will be that LCDs will tend to be plastic in front of the screen (so they are stronger but will scratch easier) and plasmas will be glass (more resilient to scratches, easier to smash though)

But if they are mounted at a normal sort of height for this sort of TV size then kids shouldn't really be able to reach it until they are old enough to know better.

BTW, if you are planning to wall mount the TV then weight is another consideration. Plasmas will weight about 3 times as much as LCDs (mine weighs just under 60KG (about 9 and a half stone!)) and that's a hell of a weight to hang on anything other than a solid brick wall!

[36TEAK36]

Chucks advice is as usual spot on.

I nearly purchased a Plasma a few years ago from John Lewis, but when I saw it in action at the store, the heat it was chucking out was considerable. I ended up getting an 42" LCD. I have 2 small kids who are always getting fingermarks on the screen, but I have never had a problem with wiping them off.

As for the 1080 option, if you were planning on getting a Blu Ray player, I would recommend getting 1080P if you can afford it. I have a BR Player, and on my 42" LCD the picture (and sound) is absolutely amazing. I also have Sky HD, and although the HD does not seem as good as BR, it is still far better than standard quality TV.

[crisgal]

that's a help too, thanks.

[gingejbee]

You are definitely buying it at the right place - wouldn't buy this sort of thing from anywhere else (although Richer Sounds are excellent, too). Both have excellent staff who will advise you well.

[ChuckFickens]

Oh, one last point, don't get ripped of with the HDMI cables.

The shops will try and tell you that you need to buy a £50 + HDMI cable to get the best picture, this is a load of rollicks! you can get HDMI cables on the internet for under £2 or a value one from tesco for about £4 and the results will be exactly the same as a £50+ cable.

Just ask them to explain how a digital signal (i.e. a string of 1s and 0s) can be clearer.

http://www.amazon.co....ds=hdmi+cable&x=0&y=0

[Mattk]

SKy do not broadcast in true 1080P HD. They broadcast at 720P/1080I.

[AlBags]

Buy the Plasma at that screen size. Make sure it's a good brand. I have Pioneer, but Samsung, LG are good.

[sara3]

btw, M&S are doing a free blueray player with every samsung (I think) tv over 40"

[RainbowPrism]

I recently bought an LG plasma 42" tv, fantastic, also has an 'eco' energy saver to help reduce the running costs, mine doesnt get that warm either and it is wall mounted, i love it....

[AlBags]

Pioneers have energy reduced picture too. I leave mine with it on all the time.

[Vagrant]

Make sure your room's big enough for a 50" - if you sit too close to it, you won't be able to take in the whole picture, and will get neck ache from moving your head side to side to take in the whole picture.