I don't have a TV either, but I'm still interested to see what the answer is.

 

as everyone is said, there are TONS of variables to consider. It is like comparing apples and oranges, they are both good at different things and come down to personal preference.

With that said, here are things I have researched and agree with...

-Plasmas are better for movie rooms. Because they operate by gas particles moving to excited states to produce the colors, they can produce high contrast and completely be black. While LCD operates like an extrememly bright lamp with a whole bunch of filters that move around to change the colors. That being said, even if you completely try to filter out all light (to get black), some light will still shine through. That is why LCDs can't create a true black like plasmas, and thus, movies tend to be a bit nicer, especially in dark rooms.

-LCDs tend to be better for TV. Especially if you have a lot of ambient light in the room, LCDs have a warmer feeling and often outshine any light in the room such that watching sports in HDTV is crystal clear throughout the brightest of days.

-As far as reliability goes, both are pretty close with a slight edge to LCDs. Plasmas have come a long way in technology and don't produce "burn-in" as often as before, but LCDs are probably slightly rated a bit longer, but not that bit a deal

-LCDs are still getting bigger, but not as easily as plasmas. So Any LCD over 42" or so will really start to run you a higher bill than plamas of the same size. Compare prices of a 50" plasma vs 50" LCD and you will see what I'm talking about.


So overall, there is no "better picture" winner, it is preference. Like Evo vs STi, you could argue this all day. Call it a stalemate with your friend and move on, seriously there is no clear winner.

 

Well OK how about this scenario... say for instance a manager at Bestbuy said OK pick any TV in the store and it's yours for free! Would you pick an LCD or Plasma 50"???

 

plasma

for the reason of the filtering of light mentioned before. Because of that a LCD can't do black and has dodgy color accuracy.

 

I would pick a plasma as a dedicated TV every time. LCDs suffer in color reproduction, contrast, and motion (like when you're watching basketball). Plasmas give you that 3d look.. the colors pop. plus the blacks are so undeniably better. The only reasons I would select an LCD (I actually do plan on picking up a 1080p 47-52" LCD before summers out) is if you plan on doing a lot of day time watching with direct light where your viewing experience will benefit from the brightness and anti-glare screen, or if you want piece of mind and no consequences for abuse such as image retention, which still is an issue on plasmas that are misused (constant black bars, leave a DVD menu on screen, many many hours of video gaming with static images)

 

Get the LCD and sell it to buy 2 50" plasmas!

 

Many, including I, would pick the most expensive just to have the baller rights.

One of my first big screen TV was a 66" projection by Sony. Everyone was stunned when they first came into the house.
Did they noticed the shitty picture quality? NO just the size
I didn't have my 3 other TV's side by side to compare and I doubt many do.

And if money's not an option, why would you stop at a 50"?
Why not a $70,000, 103-inch Panasonic plasma --> http://www.forbes.com/2007/05/10/tv-plasma..._rr_0511tv.html

And why limit yourself to Best Buy, did someone give you a $7,000 Gift card from there.

 

^ You're missing the point still. We're not talking about size but picture technology. If any electonics manufacturer said hey take anything from our warehouse for free and you were offered 103" Plasma or 103" LCD, I'm very certain most will choose Plasma not because it's more expensive or baller or whatever but that IT IS a better picture!

 

If you're looking at 50" range you should check out Panasonic new 1080p plasma (model - 700u) Best bang for you buck!

 

i spent a couple weeks with the top of the line aquos 52" lcd cuz costco didn't have the plasma i wanted. RETURNED it. lcd is pretty crappy esp when compared in price. 58" plasma from costco:2500, 52" lcd: 3200

image doesn't pop like plasma
poor blacks
more expensive