MEDIA CENTRE. LCD or PLASMA TV
Thread Starter
MEDIA CENTRE. LCD or PLASMA TV
Early Christmas present.
Capital sanction has been given so it's time for my old 28" CRT TV to make way for a HD TV.
I run all my media through a purpose built Media Centre PC.
Question is this,
What to choose LCD or Plasma screen?
37" seems to be about the right size as we will be sitting between 9 and 12 feet away.
Any advice appreciated.
Capital sanction has been given so it's time for my old 28" CRT TV to make way for a HD TV.
I run all my media through a purpose built Media Centre PC.
Question is this,
What to choose LCD or Plasma screen?
37" seems to be about the right size as we will be sitting between 9 and 12 feet away.
Any advice appreciated.
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Wivenhoe, not too far from the Clacton VOR
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PLASMA Pros: Better, deeper and richer colours, especially black.
Cons: Huge increase in electric bill
Another Pro: No need to turn on central heating.
Edited because I pressed "submit" by mistook.
Cons: Huge increase in electric bill
Another Pro: No need to turn on central heating.
Edited because I pressed "submit" by mistook.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tracey Island
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lcd....Smaller fuel bills..Less weight...Better if there is a window nearbye (Less reflected light). Differences between the two picture wise are now so close that it doesn't really notice too much and is heavily dependent on specific models.
If you tend to watch TV in the usual lounge situation. i.e lit then LCD would suit you better....If you are watching in a darkened home cinema environment then Plasma would be better.
Having fun choosing is the main thing....
If you tend to watch TV in the usual lounge situation. i.e lit then LCD would suit you better....If you are watching in a darkened home cinema environment then Plasma would be better.
Having fun choosing is the main thing....
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Perth
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cons: Huge increase in electric bill
Another Pro: No need to turn on central heating.
Another Pro: No need to turn on central heating.
Solution ? Check the power consumption of the unit/s that interest you.
If you look carefully at many LCDs, you will possibly see the screen flickering when the scenery changes rapidly. Plasmas do better in this regard.
The only other points are to do with Burn-in, where a stationary image on the screen can leave an after image that can take quite a long time to dissipate.
Plasma's are getting much better these days, but the LCD still has the edge. This makes the LCD a better bet if you ever want to use the screen as a LARGE monitor for your computer.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sunny Sussex
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If the question is what specifically would work best for media center, then there is no real difference. Personally, I run all my media through VMC plus an extender, on to a Samsung 32" & a Phillips 26" lcd.
The Samsung is the later model & the colours it produces are rich & deep, the only noticeable negative effect being the prescence of ghosting for around a minute or so when the tv is first switched on and you're navigating in say, the music menu.
One of my pals moves his media center through a monstrous 50" plasma beast & it's also fine, the colours being deeper still, but with the added downside that he has to open a window after ten minutes, or take his clothes off...
The obvious thing to look out for is connectivity - nowadays, most models will have HDMI, which is the best option, but depending on what comes out of the back of your graphics card (HDMI at a guess is the most likely), you will want to make sure you can connect without the faff of adapters. One other thing, depending on how what tv you put through media centre - sky/freeview/freesat etc. you may want to ensure your new telly has an IDTV slot, which lets you add a CAM card, so if desired, you can add say, Setanta or Top up tv etc. I added a Hauppauge cam module & had a devil of a time getting it to work in vmc. An idtv slot would have been far preferable.
Also, rmember that media centre cannot handle hi def tv as things stand, although I would not be surprised to see that change in windows 7, or as an update to the existing package in the next year or so - Freeview is going hi def next year & Freesat already is Hi def in part & if you can get hold of a copy of tv pack 2008, you get access to the red button through media center also.
The Samsung is the later model & the colours it produces are rich & deep, the only noticeable negative effect being the prescence of ghosting for around a minute or so when the tv is first switched on and you're navigating in say, the music menu.
One of my pals moves his media center through a monstrous 50" plasma beast & it's also fine, the colours being deeper still, but with the added downside that he has to open a window after ten minutes, or take his clothes off...
The obvious thing to look out for is connectivity - nowadays, most models will have HDMI, which is the best option, but depending on what comes out of the back of your graphics card (HDMI at a guess is the most likely), you will want to make sure you can connect without the faff of adapters. One other thing, depending on how what tv you put through media centre - sky/freeview/freesat etc. you may want to ensure your new telly has an IDTV slot, which lets you add a CAM card, so if desired, you can add say, Setanta or Top up tv etc. I added a Hauppauge cam module & had a devil of a time getting it to work in vmc. An idtv slot would have been far preferable.
Also, rmember that media centre cannot handle hi def tv as things stand, although I would not be surprised to see that change in windows 7, or as an update to the existing package in the next year or so - Freeview is going hi def next year & Freesat already is Hi def in part & if you can get hold of a copy of tv pack 2008, you get access to the red button through media center also.
Last edited by Parapunter; 11th Nov 2008 at 08:25.
Thread Starter
Thanks, one and all.
It never occurred to me that power usage and radiated heat would be an issue here. Just when you think you have all the info......!
Looks like LCD is the way to go for my situation especially as I will be using it as a PC monitor too.
As an aside, Parapunter, TV Pack 2008. Is that a free download or do I need to get me wallet out?
Off to the shops now to have shufty.
Cheers, T.
It never occurred to me that power usage and radiated heat would be an issue here. Just when you think you have all the info......!
Looks like LCD is the way to go for my situation especially as I will be using it as a PC monitor too.
As an aside, Parapunter, TV Pack 2008. Is that a free download or do I need to get me wallet out?
Off to the shops now to have shufty.
Cheers, T.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sunny Sussex
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TV pack requires a clean install of VMC hp or ultimate, and afaik, has only been released to box builders & oems, putting many noses out of joint. From a European perspective, I don't think it adds a very greay deal of functionality, but if like me, you build your own boxes, you probably look at it & start getting itchy fingers
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Perth
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It never occurred to me that power usage and radiated heat would be an issue here. Just when you think you have all the info......!
Thread Starter
A quick update and thankyou to all for the good gen'!
I ended up with this SAMSUNG LE40A656. Got it for less than £700 from Dixons on-line with free delivery and a 5% off e-voucher.
Very pleased with it so far and the above link also has a handy setup page for the multiple colour and picture tweaks.
One question though, and Parapunter is probably the Oracle on this.
I've fiddled with the picture size and resolution settings ad-nauseum but I still can't get the Media Centre picture to fit the screen. It looks like it's zoomed in but no matter how I set it up it will not change. It is annoying as any subtitles slip off the bottom of the screen.
Output is DVI into HDMI using a single cable.
Thanks in advance.
I ended up with this SAMSUNG LE40A656. Got it for less than £700 from Dixons on-line with free delivery and a 5% off e-voucher.
Very pleased with it so far and the above link also has a handy setup page for the multiple colour and picture tweaks.
One question though, and Parapunter is probably the Oracle on this.
I've fiddled with the picture size and resolution settings ad-nauseum but I still can't get the Media Centre picture to fit the screen. It looks like it's zoomed in but no matter how I set it up it will not change. It is annoying as any subtitles slip off the bottom of the screen.
Output is DVI into HDMI using a single cable.
Thanks in advance.
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: uk
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was only looking at that deal yesterday. Be nice to see how you get on with that set.
Was thinking in future using the Western Digital media centre with seperate Freecom hard drive.
Was thinking in future using the Western Digital media centre with seperate Freecom hard drive.
Thread Starter
My only gripe is that it has a glossy screen instead of the more usual matt, non-reflective type fitted to most LCD screens.
When I was comparing TVs in the shops this particular model stood out streets ahead of the other makes to the point I upped my budget by £100 just to get it. The reflective screen was not apparent in the shop but at home lights-out viewing is required sometimes.
When I was comparing TVs in the shops this particular model stood out streets ahead of the other makes to the point I upped my budget by £100 just to get it. The reflective screen was not apparent in the shop but at home lights-out viewing is required sometimes.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chasing Dreams
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Was thinking in future using the Western Digital media centre with seperate Freecom hard drive
But the sound and picture are excellent. I'd go as far to say it's better than my DVD player as I don't get a layer change and it remembers my place in ever movie I watch on it.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Thinking about it, give me a minute.
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mmm. I overheard a salesman in a large high street electical chain telling a prospective customer that the major difference between Plasma and LCD was the life of the unit, intrigued I moved closer and heard him state that a Plasma would be good for about five years and an LCD maybe eight! I was shocked. I have a Sony Bravia HD LCD which I bought 'on the crest of the wave' and thus paid a small fortune for it I would hope to get more than 8 years out of it. My old Sony Black Trinitron was bought in 1990 and it is still going strong.
The salesman also told his customer that when the Plasma started to show signs of deterioration they could be 'refilled'?
The salesman also told his customer that when the Plasma started to show signs of deterioration they could be 'refilled'?
Thread Starter
Try the 'just scan' setting off the Samsung picture menu. Fixed the same prob yeaterday on me mates 50" Samsung plasma only yesterday with that.
Thanks anyway.
Friend had a Phillips screen - one of the bits on the PCB went recently - he was told that 5 years is your maximum life expectancy. He wasn't too impressed as it cost him about £3k - so it's not just the car that depreciates like hell.
The bigger screens do give off some heat - recently installed some 60" screens for a client they consume 750W - almost a one bar electric fire. Even the smaller 42" ones were consuming 600W. We ended up installing three 60", one 63" and seven 42" screens - all in one house - Premier League footballer - say no more!
The bigger screens do give off some heat - recently installed some 60" screens for a client they consume 750W - almost a one bar electric fire. Even the smaller 42" ones were consuming 600W. We ended up installing three 60", one 63" and seven 42" screens - all in one house - Premier League footballer - say no more!
Thread Starter
I take it you've fannied around with the graphics card settings? and run through the media centre set up and played with the zoom thing?
Got a small improvement tonight by setting the screen type as TV instead of Flat Panel. Got the subtitles back-just.
Will continue to fiddle, another day.
Cheers,
T
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sunny Sussex
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One thing on my Samsung, it's native rsolution is 1360x768, which the gpu (nvidia) detects & sets the display to accordingly. This doesn't work well in practice & so I set it to 1024 by something or other & put up with VMC telling me the resolution is incorrect. Bear in mind too that some channels broadcast in 4:3 for some of the time & thus you will get the huuuuge borders on media centre that you describe.