What's better, a 52" lcd or a 52" plasma tv?

Some questions about lcd and plasma tv's.?

• - whats better plasma or lcd and why? - what gives a better picture? - why are plasma tv's have a higher contrast ratio? - whats the best brand of tv's ( who makes the best tv's) - looking for a tv in my basement what size is good? (thinking over 52 inch) -whats better for sports,movies, ect and why?

• Answer:

  Of course, your budget will affect all of your decisions. It's possible to find good TVs selling for a few hundred dollars, while others go for several thousand, and there are many sets that fall in between those extremes. Screen size, features, brands, and more affect the price. We can help you to get the most bang for your buck, no matter how much or how little you want to spend. LCD or plasma If you're like most buyers, you've probably settled on a slim-line flat-panel TV, but you might not know whether to buy an LCD or plasma set. Though they look very similar on the outside, they use different technologies and the pictures have different characteristics. While LCDs outsell plasmas by a wide margin, don't automatically assume LCDs are the way to go—plasma TVs have a lot to recommend them, especially in certain circumstances. Screen size It's likely that you have a general idea of the screen size you want, but you might be torn between a 42-inch set and a 50-inch for your family room or a 26-inch and 32-inch screen for your bedroom. We can offer advice to help you make that decision. 720p or 1080p Then there's the issue of resolution, meaning the number of pixels, or picture elements, a screen contains. Should you buy a 720p TV, or is it worth paying more for a 1080p "full HD" model? That depends on several factors, as we'll outline. Other issues Other considerations include features and brand. We'll lead you through those choices and more, helping you to make the best choice for your specific needs and preferences. Once you're in a store or shopping online, you'll have to judge the picture quality and decide whether to buy an extended warranty, how much to spend on cables, how to get the best price, and more. Our shopping tips will make you a savvy consumer and help you to save money and avoid hassles. What you'll watch on your new TV is an issue that will affect your enjoyment of your set, so you might be thinking of upgrading your TV service or switching to a new provider. See what cable, satellite, and phone companies have to offer before making a decision. LCD TVs LCD TVs LCD TVs Good choice if you want a thin, lightweight TV that comes in a wide range of sizes and is well-suited for viewing in a bright room. Common screen sizes. 23 to 52 inches. Manufacturers have showcased sets larger than 100 inches. No matter how large the screen, most LCD TVs are only 4 or 5 inches thick, and some new ultra-slim sets are even thinner. Typical selling prices. About $500 to $1,000 for a 32-inch model, $750 to $1,200 for a 37-inch set, $1,000 to $1,800 for a 40- to 42-inch set, $1,500 to $3,000 for a 46- to 47-inch set, and $2,500 to $4,000 for a 52-inch set. Pros: Thin and light. Most LCD TVs with screens up to 40 inches or so weigh less than 50 pounds. Can be wall-mounted. LCDs tend to be brighter than plasma screens, and reflections and glare are much less of an issue, so an LCD TV is a good choice for brightly lighted rooms. There’s also a wide selection of 1080p LCD TV sets. There’s no risk of burn-in of static images. Use somewhat less power than plasma sets. Our reliability data show that most major brands have had a very low rate of repairs in the first few years. Cons: LCD TVs haven’t caught up with plasma TVs in terms of viewing angle and the ability to display the deepest blacks. On most LCD sets, the image can lose contrast, look washed out, or lose color accuracy as you angle away from the center of the screen. Most LCD TVs can't display deepest black or distinguish subtle shades of gray and black. Fast-moving images might blur. But the best new sets—typically higher-priced models—have less difficulty presenting deep blacks and smooth motion than in the past. Uneven backlight brightness has been an issue with LCD TVs, but the use of LED backlighting instead of fluorescent lights in some new sets potentially enables them to more evenly distribute light across the back of the panel for more consistent brightness on all parts of the screen. LEDs also use less energy than conventional lamps. Plasma TV's Good choice if you want a thin TV with a screen 42 inches or larger. Common screen sizes. 42 and 60 inches, with more 60-inch-plus models arriving. Typical selling prices. $850 to $1,500 for a 42-inch set, $1,000 to $4,000 for a 50-inch model, $2,600 to $4,500 for 58-inch set, $3,400 to $6,500 for a 60-inch model. Most models are 6 inches or less in depth, and some new ultra-slim plasma TVs are even thinner. Pros: It's hard to beat the best plasma TV sets for accurate colors, deep blacks, and great contrast. And a virtually unlimited viewing angle means no one in the room has a bad view. For screens 50 inches and larger, plasma TVs cost less than similarly sized LCD models. You'll find more 1080p sets than last year, including 42-inch models. Our reliability data show that most major brands have had a very low rate of repairs in the first few years. Cons: Plasma TVs are