LCD vs Plasma

[Esoteric]

Okay guys, so normally when I spec out screens in a high glare/high ambient light area, I always go LCD.

However I have a client looking for a large (60"+) screen on a budget (then again, aren't we all)? They are trying to stay around $2500. So I was looking at some of the new anti-glare plasmas, but I have no experience with them. Anyone know how well those work? I also like the greater viewing area of plasmas, but cutting out glare is the #1 priority.

Mike

[Gracetech]

I don't know how your going to get a 60+" lcd or plasma for under $2500. That said, the main difference between Plasma and LCD is life expectancy, pixel clarity, and cost to manufacture. LCD has a longer life expectancy, has more defined pixel clarity(could be a good or bad thing), and the cost to manufacture LCD is lower although they have made break throughs in plasma to bring it closer in price. I believe plasma doesn't refresh as quick as LCD but i can't remember off the top of my head.

crt

[cmchamp]

Additionally, I believe the contrast ratio for LCD's is higher than that of Plasmas. I could be wrong.
Even at dealer cost, any display with a reputable name and history won't be anywhere near $2500.
Might better look for a short throw rear projection option?

[prochlea]

For digital signage, I always go LCD because burn-in issues...

[Esoteric]

Plasmas overcame burn in issues years ago.

I have found 60" plasmas for $2650 here locally and $2400 online. The equivalent LCD is $3200. Plasmas are always less expensive than LCDs, but they have always had glare issues (which would be a real problem for this install). But the difference in cost would allow them to go from a 55" to a 60".

As far as RP it is not an option.

Mike

PS Contrast ratios vary, but as a rule of thumb, Plasmas will always have a better contrast ratio.

PPS After years of installs I am very familiar with the differences between LCD and Plasma displays, the only thing that I don't know is how well the new anti-glare filters work on these plasmas.

[zactommo]

I would say stick with what you know; even with an anti-glare filter, glass is still glass, so i'd expect the LCD's to perform better in the high glare situation.

Personally, i've never liked plasma's, I always though the negatives outwayed the positives, but hey, thats just my opinion.

[prochlea]

Plasmas overcame burn in issues years ago.

I have customers who watch alot of 4:3 programming and the outside sections are significantly brighter than the center square. No matter what the manufacturer's say about overcoming burn in - it's still phosphorus that's burning away, and if one spot stays on the same thing, it's going to burn in. Maybe not as quickly as they used to, but it still happens - and if it's digital signage, it's likely going to have stuff in the same place all the time.

[tedanderson]

it's still phosphorus that's burning away, and if one spot stays on the same thing, it's going to burn in.

I can attest to this first hand. I've connected security cameras to plasmas and CRT's and after a few months of continuous usage, I come back to service the system only to discover that the multiplexer (the device that puts 4 images on the screen together) has burned a cross right down the middle of the screen.

[Esoteric]

How long did this burn in take though? They will be running a new slide every 20-30 seconds and using the plasma in widescreen. I have never had a burn in issue like that.

[prochlea]

How long did this burn in take though?

My customer experienced it within a few months of watching mainly 4:3 programming. I agree that it's not generally an issue, and the manufacturers have made it way better than it used to be, but as a rule, I never spec a plasma in a digital signage system.

As for the anti-glare plasmas, I haven't used any of the new ones, but I did use an anti-glare one from NEC a couple of years ago and I couldn't really tell a difference. It was in a condo with all windows around, and there was still a glare on it.

[Esoteric]

Interesting. I use them as a budget solution in situation where light is controllable. I prefer LCD displays but they run 10-20% more than the equvilent plasma.

[Esoteric]

There are also times when you have to have a wider viewing angle than you can get from an LCD. I have always thought there was a time and place for each.