Plasma or LCD for XL201 Media Centre?

[ITTroll]

Please can you advise on which is best suited for a XL201, Plasma or LCD.

I am looking for a 40-42" display which will connect to the XL201 via HDMI (native HDMI output from the GeForce 7600 GTL). The XL201 is running Vista Media Centre and will be used, in frequency order, for the following:

1. Watching and recording Freeview SD broadcasts
2. Watching SD DVDs
3. Watching downloaded content (some HD)

I have read (and would probably agree) that Plasma is best suited to SD material. However I have also read that LCDs are best suited to HTPCs because of the more compatible resolutions.

The models I am currently considering are either the Panasonic TH-42PX70 or one of the 40" Sonys. Any real life experiences of people with similar hardware would be much appreciated.

[seb21__]

Go for a LCD. Still images (such as Windows Desktop)can burn-in in Plasma screens. This reduces the lifespan of the screen. That does not mean LCDs can't bun-in, it just need much more time.

[MarkLambourne]

If you're using Media Center almost exclusively (and very little usage of the Windows desktop) then I don't think it makes any difference from an XL201 perspective - i.e. neither LCD nor plasma has any particular advantage over the other. If you only use Media Center some of the time, and want to also use the Windows desktop fairly often then you'll probably find LCD preferable.

However, in terms of the quality of video, I still feel that plasma has the edge over LCD. I find that if you spend any real length of time looking at LCD and plasma screens playing SD videos then plasma clearly is superior. LCD is improving all the time, but plasma has a much more natural image.

For what it's worth, I have my XL201 connected via component to a Panasonic TH-42PWD7, which is a 42" standard definition commercial plasma (commercial meaning that it's not part of the consumer range, so it doesn't come with speakers or a tuner, which for me are not required). In my humble opinion, it produces the best picture for standard definition (Freeview) TV that I've ever seen.

If you are really concerned about picture quality for standard definition (and also for DVDs) then I suggest you get a 42" standard definition Panasonic plasma, which can be found for under £1000 I think these days.

[apierc1]

Talking about burn in, would my current high ussage have caused my possible "burn in" of the bright line on the task bar especially as i haven't been sleeping it while im out, just leaving it on screensaver, hmm.

[Blencogo]

Hi Andy - I very much doubt if you have screen burn. It is almost unheard of on a LCD screen.

Hi IT Troll
Plasma or LCD tends to be a matter of choice and you will get conflicting views. I personally agree quite strongly with MarkLambourne - I find the picture (especially DVB-T broadcast) far superior on a plasma panel and Panasonic do this particularly well. I have chosen the Panasonic myself. However - anyone who has spent a lot of money an a LCD TV is going to support that format. The VERY expensive LCD panels are now close to plasma quality but avoid the cheap ones for a few years.

If I were you, I would go to Comet/Currys and decide for myself. After all it is what YOU think that counts.

[ITTroll]

Thanks for the replies. I have been to local stores to look at the LCDs and plasmas and in my opinion the plasmas are better for SD broadcasts. However, I have not been able to see the XL201 running on a plasma (Sony are hardly going to demo one!).

The XL201 will for the most part be running Media Centre but on occasion may be used for a quick web browse or email check. The thing that worries me about the plasmas is their rather odd rectangular pixels (1024x768 for widescreen?) and how this will affect the display clarity after rescaling. What resolution are you Panasonic guys running your PCs at? Are either of you running Vista as I have read reports that some resolutions are not available with the nVidia drivers.

The advantage LCDs have is the direct 1:1 pixel mapping and no danger of any burn in.

[kee-lo_]

I would say it's a persoanl preference - as long as it has the right connections for the XL201 then it's cool.

[ITTroll]

I would say it's a persoanl preference - as long as it has the right connections for the XL201 then it's cool.

If it was just a case of personal preference I would probably go for a plasma. But there are also the practical considerations of Vista driver support and burn-in.

[jumpsuit]

Jumpsuit subtely shouts 'LCD LCD'

[ITTroll]

I've been reading some good things about the Samsung LE40M87BD. Think I might be swinging towards LCD...