What is a Plasma television

[This Just In]

Good evening, FReepers. We are not hooked up to satellite or cable, but view DVD's and video's on occasion. I am shopping to purchase a television and it's been quite a while since we've bought a new set. As a matter of fact, it has been so long that I have come to realize they don't make televisions the way they used to.

Just as going out to simply buy yourself a cup of java has become a major undertaking(For goodness sakes, one must take a class in: How To Order At Starbucks, just to navigate your way through the process. Why, just a few weeks ago we visited family in Las Vegas. I went to a trendy coffee shop. Ordered a hot cup of coffee. And when they called my name, I stood there perplexed as I looked at the COLD, dark, drink which I held that was covered with frothy cream and a light dusting of cocoa powder. Not wanting to draw attention to my ignorance while standing in the midst of what seemed like a mob of coffee connoisseur's on the verge of caffeine withdrawal's if they didn't get their fix, I confidently strode out of the cafe', artifully placed the horrid tasting drink in the recepticle, and promptly began experiencing caffeine withdrawals as I drove off and made my way to the nearest McDonalds), purchasing a television is no longer simply deciding what size screen you wish to buy, and/or how much you wish to spend.

There is the question of whether or not you want a flat screen. Do you want your television mounted on a pedestal? There's the "pixel" factor, and finally, do you want a plasma, LCD, HDTV, or ???????????

Now, I must inform all of you that we live in a remote area of the country. So remote, in fact, that Santa ignores us all together. Christmas shopping, if we choose to drive somewhere, is quite an undertaking. We must travel a long distance. To save us the hassle, we often times shop online.

Which brings me, finally, to my question. Would someone please explain what a "Plasma" television is, and what is the difference between a "Plasma" and "LCD"?

Your input would make my shopping far more convenient and hassle free than ordering a simple hot cup of coffee at Starbucks.

Forever Grateful, TJI

[Larry Lucido]

So, that's why the salesman wanted a pint of blood as a down payment?

[Humidston]

Love coffee actually. My own!

Ummm, have I told you about my new digital coffee maker?

Never mind...

[dread78645]

LCD is a solid-state film that electricity "twists" to make the the colors.
Plasma (so called) is gas filled element that emits the color based on the amount of electrical charge.

LCD gives a nice sharp picture for slow moving or static images, Plasma works better for faster programs such as sports.
LCD colors go "wrong" if you get too far off center (walk past an older laptop computer) while plasma colors stay true.

HTH

[chuckles]

Leave my sister out of it! Actually, she leads a secret life I know little about. I don't think she has the body for TV though.

The web site for DLP is WWW.dlp.com. Go to the demo thingy and it tells about DLP.

[HAL9000]

I'd suggest a Samsung DLP HDTV, connected to the new Mac mini that will be announced in January (plus a wireless keyboard, mouse and remote control).

The advantage of the DLP sets is that you can use them as giant computer monitors without burning-in the screen, the design avoid convergence problems, and they need little maintenance. (Of course, you can watch high-definition television programs on them too.)

The current Mac mini model is the small white box to the left of the set. The next Mac mini reportedly will include a DVR for recording shows, a DVD player/burner, all of the usual computer and Internet programs, etc., and it can connect to a Samsung DLP set via a VGA connector or DVI connector.

Now imagine surfing Free Republic on a 60-inch screen from your couch.

[A CA Guy]

I have an old fashioned 60" big screen for every day viewing and a HD Commercial PROJECTOR for a few hours a week of special programming or dvds. (12 feet wide) :-)

Plasma is getting better by the way.

I did go to a movie the other day and figured what I had at home created a higher quality picture and wall of sound.

The key is to be patient on what ever you want and to get it all as cheap as possible.

I paid very little for my home set up. Less than the price of a big screen TV for the whole thing.

SHOP and don't have to have your stuff now and you will save money...

It is good you don't have a TV though, it gives you more time to pursue Ann Coulter.

[This Just In]

ROFL!

Digital Coffeemaker, huh. I suppose it has a plasma screen read out. Bragger.

Got rid of my perculator just last week.

[dr_lew]

... Gas in the plasma state is used ...

I knew that. I think it's so strange that you think I didn't know that.

[This Just In]

Goodness, you could open up a theatre in your livingroom with that stuff. As a matter of fact, you should. It will help offset the cost.

Ann Coulter? Ann Coulter? Who's Ann Coulter?

[FreedomCalls]

It doesn't matter. In five to eight years it will be obsolete and you'll have to buy some even newer technology anyway.

[This Just In]

Yes, you input is very helpful. Thank you. I realize I'm going to have to travel to a store to view the two in order to compare. I was hoping I could avoid the hassle, but oh well.

[dersepp]

Check out www.plasmacity.com and have a look at the 55" Hitachi and 50" NECs. The price for Hitachi is great, but the 3 year warranty and great reviews here and elsewhere have sold me on NEC.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

lawlz.

[Cougar66]

Plasma = Similar technology, except the liquid is plasma extracted from the human body.
LOL

[A CA Guy]

I have this one great big room that was converted from a garage and even had ten feet added onto that.

There are three parts to one side of the room and the middle part is perfect to project to.
15 feet wide and 8.5 feet high.

I enjoy the local sports, have a special DVD player that up-scales the 480P dvd to near an HD quality.

I have an older but still good Yamaha 5.1 Dolby system and a powered sub-woofer and it comes off great.

I go the projector cheap off Ebay and got the speakers and things all on sale cheap.

I have an amazing system and it was all well under $2,000.

The Projector is 3300 lumens which is powerful. Digital xga.

It's impressive. The bulb alone to replace will be near $400 when that happens.

[goldstategop]

You can buy an external hard drive and a USB 2.O PVR and you're all set to record shows with the current Mac Mini.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Humidston]

"Got rid of my perculator just last week."

Is it for sale?
I may have a buyer for it.

[This Just In]

Well, if you should ever decide to venture into a Starbucks, be prepared. Oh, if you wish to look like a city slicker go to the toy dept. at WalMart and purchase a faux cell fone :^).
Walk in and pretend you are talking on the phone. You'll fit right in. And should you suffer the same mistake as I, redirect attention. Speak loudly into the phone and pretend the person on the other line caused you to mess up.

[This Just In]

I've already sold it to your next door neighbor. By the way, they said your digital coffemaker bugs the heck out of them when you use the auto timer. The gurgling's annoying early in the morning.

[Rockingham]

http://www.plasma-vs-lcd.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_television

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_display

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LCD_television

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_crystal_display_television

The other day, my brother and I were looking at HD plasma TVs side by side with conventional definition LCD and plasma. The difference was stunning, with HD plasma far better than rival technologies. If price were no object. . .