In a TV quandry

[Roughquest]

I wish to purchase a new TV, 40", but no idea weather to go for a plasma, LCD or LED ! ! I found an LG plasma 42" at an excellent price but I really have no idea, help....any reviews on good TVs out there or recommendations please....TIA x

[Count-A-Strong]

LEDs are much dearer than Plasmas at the mo. The picture production isn't done any differently it's just that one is backlit by fluorescent light and tother by LED. We got a 42" Hitachi from Argos for £399. Excellent picture even on SD rather than HD.

[Roughquest]

Thanks CAS, but was your TV LED or LCD ? What brand...someone told me to get a Samsung....but I have been reading up about LG and they seem to be okay...

[Count-A-Strong]

Plasma. And Hitachi as I said.

[TTG]

Think about how far you will sit from the screen. A 42'' sounds impressive but your eyes won't be able to take in the full picture if your viewing room is small.

[Count-A-Strong]

Good point TTG. We sit about 3 m away and that seems ideal.

[Roughquest]

Thanks TTG, I calculate that my sofa is approx. 13 ft away from the viewing wall....

[ChuckFickens]

Counts first answer is way off the mark (sorry count)

LED/LCD and plasmas are nothing alike at all and create the picture in totally different ways. Both LED and LCD are essentially the same in that the screen works by blocking light created behind the screen, the difference being with LCD screens the light is provided by 1 or 2 large tubes whereas in LED tv's the light is created by, well, LEDs obviously. Plasma screens work by each pixel creating it's own (ultraviolet) light which in turn causes a coating of phosphors to glow which creates the picture you see.

I think, personally, at 40inch would go for a LED if money no object, or if not a LCD screen over a plasma, most of the disadvantages of LED or LCD screens have been ironed out these days but plasma screens still have the main disadvantages they always have (expensive to run, run quite hot, heavy, and worse of all, can suffer from screen burn in)

(for the record I have a samsung plasma and although generally happy with it do often wish I could have got a LCD screen at the size I have.)

[AlBags]

In addition .. the best Plasmas will always be better than average LED or LCD's at this stage of evolution.
I have friends with a couple of budget LCD's and the picture is abysmal. Sort of blocky, un-natural images .. look computer-generated.