I need advice on buying a new TV.

[bbinacan]

I'm looking at getting a 42-50 inch flat screen. Which is better, LCD, LED, or Plasma.

Thanks

[flvegan]

1. Having just bought one a few months ago, it all depends on the budget.

I was originally wanted a plasma (price) but the glare that would have resulted from my lights and windows would have made it useless. I bought a 42" Sony LCD which is more than enough (for me), and I'm loving it.

[bbinacan]

2. My budget is about $1300.

I want a 1080 and used to think plasma was the best. Based on my brief research, it could be LED.

[flvegan]

3. With that budget

you should be able to get a nice 1080/240 LED tv. Probably have several to choose from.

Plasma is nice, but the glare is horrible. Good for dark rooms, IMO.

[bbinacan]

4. So, you think LED is better?

Thanks for the help.

[Chan790]

5. Under the right conditions plasma is best, however those conditions suck for the average consumer.

1.) They really require a dark dark room. Buying one means also investing in some blackout curtains if you want the highest enjoyment possible from your TV. Factor in other costs like the fact you're going to want a good sound system to go with any HDTV purchase and plasma is goddawful on the power bill. (LED is best on the power consumption.)

2.) The glare, as flvegan mentioned, is awful.

3.) The crispness of the picture and the color-depth start to fade after about 4 years if you're using it constantly.

When I worked in NYC in the film industry, did we all have plasma at home? Yes, because the pic-qulity and expense was worth it since we all considered TV watching to be part of our jobs and we were the sort of people who would buy a new TV every 24 months anyways to stay cutting-edge.

[bbinacan]

6. Thanks,

LED it is.

[WinkyDink]

7. Whichever uses the least electricity.

[lazarus]

8. get one bigger than you think you'll want

surveys show that most people wish they had gotten a bigger TV, by several inches. I though I'd be happy at 42", so I went with a 46", and I'm happy with it.

My dad bought a 32", and finally broke down and got a much bigger one just a couple of years later.

Keep in mind you'll likely want a good BluRay player to go with it. Nothing like BluRay on a big 1080p screen.

[Submariner]

9. CNET TV reviews can help you out

http://reviews.cnet.com/televisions/?tag=contentBody;revCatWrap

[Betty88]

10. Here is a trick to figure out the size you want

Cut some cardboard the same size as the TV you think you are going to buy. Tape it to the wall where you are going to place it. This will give you an idea of what you are going to be looking at and let you see it in relation to the room. I have a 42inch and a very small living room, I'm very happy with it (plasma, dark room). I had a friend try to talk me into getting a bigger one, it would have taken over.

[rurallib]

11. Understand LED doesn't use much energy

Plasma uses a bunch.
I like LED best. SIL had a plasma that lasted @ 3 years
We have an LCD and it is good, but LED have a much nicer picture, I think

[blue_onyx]

12. I think LED and LCD are pretty close

At the store, I could see the difference becuase they were next to each other. LED wasn't superior enough to justify the higher price.