Screw Plasma and LCD TVs

[MikesToy]

Bought a plasma tv 8 yrs ago, only lasted 3 1/2 yrs. Parts and labor costs more than the tv. Cheaper just to buy a new one. So i bought an LCD tv after the plasma tv broke and it only lasted 4 yrs. Again, parts and labor costs more than the tv cost. But i still have my projector tv (old skewl) still up and running and i had that tv for more than 15 yrs. Sorry for the rant.

Plasma tv :gun4: LCD tv :50cal:

 

[nated05]

Just curious, what brand plasma did you buy, and what broke?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

You also go through HDMI cables at an unusual rate;you must be very hard on electronics. Part of your problem is you bought the plasma 8 years ago when the technology was still new and plasmas were having issues back then but the LCD must have been bad luck;I suggest a warranty with your next HD TV.
I've had an LG 37" for over 4 years now and a 32" LG in the bedroom for over 3 and zero problems with either.

Your projector might still be working but it looks like ass compared to HD. I tolerate low def programming from the 14" flat tube we have on our back patio but otherwise it's very hard to watch anything but HD and yes,I'm spoiled and picky about my TV watching.

 

[Mark86]

Our plasma TV is still going strong after 4 years and the LCD in my bedroom is still like new after 6 years. Both TV's are Panasonic Vieras.

I have been spoiled with HD so I would never be able to watch anything on SD.

 

[VNT]

I picked up LCD by Samsung about 6 months ago, still going strong :lol:

 

[ran]

My only Plasma is a 42" Slyvania from April '07. HDMI cable or DVD player seems to get a little screwy at times. Guess I will replace the cable soon.

 

[peter78]

Bought a plasma tv 8 yrs ago, only lasted 3 1/2 yrs.

Wow, you got a plasma 8 years ago, I bet it cost 2 to 3 grand to buy, maybe more. I do wonder about these new TV's and how long they will last. My first HD was a little over 2 years ago, a plasma Panasonic and I really love it. My smaller and newer Sony LCD is not as good as the plasma, picture wise.

I am wondering if the TV's have gotten better over the years, I am thinking 8 years ago plama TV's were sort of the cutting edge back, maybe just maybe my plasma will last more than 3 1/2 years, but I am concerned about the reliability.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The biggest issue with plasma or LCDs is bulb life which is estimated to be at least 6-10 years and if I see 10 years from both my LGs I'd be pretty happy and I plan on buying an LED LCD in about a year so prices will be even more affordable by then and LEDs should have a much longer life span. I have seen 47" LEDs for under $1500 which is what my 37" cost a little over 4 years ago. (got it on sale for $1200 tho')

 

[peter78]

The biggest issue with plasma or LCDs is bulb life which is estimated to be at least 6-10 years

I was told by the Best Buy salesman that both plasma and LCD have a half life of 15 years, which means the TV will be 50% less bright than when it was brand new. I was a little skepitical when he said it.

I really do like watching the football games on my big screen TV though.:cheers:

 

[Elton H]

ya im a little worried about getting a new tv hell the one i got now is from 1996 and it still works fine if i can find a lcd to last that long id be thrilled

 

[RonMAIDEN]

For those who are skeptical I'd advise to just wait until the LED sets come down.

Really LCD TVs are cheaper than their CRT counterparts were with comprable sizes. I've seen 32" flatscreens for under $300,CRTs in that size never got that low.
6 years ago I paid about $250 for my Toshiba 27" tube TV and it still works fine but what we thought at one time was an awesome picture looks so anitquated compared to HD. Even highend projector TVs from the late '90s look so dated.

 

[Jed]

Bought a plasma tv 8 yrs ago, only lasted 3 1/2 yrs. Parts and labor costs more than the tv. Cheaper just to buy a new one. So i bought an LCD tv after the plasma tv broke and it only lasted 4 yrs. Again, parts and labor costs more than the tv cost. But i still have my projector tv (old skewl) still up and running and i had that tv for more than 15 yrs. Sorry for the rant.

Plasma tv :gun4: LCD tv :50cal:

I think you just had some bad luck. I purchased a Hitachi 42" plasma TV about 7 years ago. It is the primary TV in the house and it gets used all the time. After 7 years, not a single problem. We also have several LCDs in other rooms (and the bedrooms) that are about 4 and 5 years old and none of those have had a problem either. In fact, every TV in the house is either plasma or LCD.

I only wish I didn't buy the plasma when the technology was so new because that 42" TV costs $5500 back then. Today, a plasma of the same size with comparable features can be purchased for about $2500. But still, we had it back when the technology was new, so I guess you have to pay to play.

I've also heard that not all plasma/LCD tv are created equal. I only buy top rated brands, except for one--- a 26" Vizeo that I put down in the home gym in the basement. So far so good for that one too.

 

[Jed]

Wow, you got a plasma 8 years ago, I bet it cost 2 to 3 grand to buy, maybe more. .

Depending upon the size he purchased, it was probably much, much more. Our first plasma was purchased 7 years ago for $5500 (42"). Back then, there were no LCD televisions in that screen size. So if you wanted a nice big flat screen to hang on the wall, plasma was the only option. It was a few years before LCDs caught up in screen size. I still prefer the picture of the plasma though, even though its the oldest set in the house.

 

[MikesToy]

I don't want to start up any type of flame war in here so I'm not saying what brand/model. I bought the plasma (40") from Circuit City for $2800 (thank gawd they're closed) and the LCD (55") for $3300 from Sears. Warranty on both of 'em was 2 yrs so i was out of warranty. The prob on the plasma was a color bulb for $700 and labor for $500 and 6 mos. warranty for parts. The prob with the LCD was also a bulb connected to the switch for $800 and $700for labor and 1 yr warranty for parts unless i buy the extended warranty. Circuit City wanted $300 for 2 yrs and Sears wanted $250 for 3 yrs. I still have my 45" Sony XBR still up and running with no probs. I'll wait 'til next football season to buy a new HDTV.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

TV Sets


I have an RCA set in my livingroom that is over twenty years old. Picture is still decent, even after all these years. When I want some Redneck Hi-Def TV, I use Windex and some paper towels. Works every time!
:hunter:

In the bedroom, have a flat-screen TV set that is about five years old and it does fine. My son has my ancient (1980s vintage) LXI set in his bedroom, but it is primarily used for his Nintendo games.

I bought my g/f and her kids a Vizo HDTV, so I can go to her house if I really want to view anything spectacular.

I'll probably be the last guy on earth to ever step up to HDTV. Heck, I still use VHS tapes if I am not home when something good is on TV.
:sleepy:

 

[Clemsonfan15]

You must abuse them. All of the ones that I have work fine and have for years.

 

[MikesToy]

You must abuse them. All of the ones that I have work fine and have for years.

Well, the salesmen pretty much warned me 'bout those bulbs. When 2 yrs passed, i thought they were bs'ing me. 3-4 yrs later i regretted not buying the extended warranty. Anywayz, I had 'em hooked up to a Yamaha receiver, dvd player, and Bose speakers (5.1 setup) including the cable box.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

That's interesting.

What you have them hooked up to doesn't really matter.

How many hours a day is it in use? Does it have any burn it?

I guess the quality has improved a lot since you bought yours.

 

[riverwolf]

I don't want to start up any type of flame war in here so I'm not saying what brand/model. I bought the plasma (40") from Circuit City for $2800 (thank gawd they're closed) and the LCD (55") for $3300 from Sears. Warranty on both of 'em was 2 yrs so i was out of warranty. The prob on the plasma was a color bulb for $700 and labor for $500 and 6 mos. warranty for parts. The prob with the LCD was also a bulb connected to the switch for $800 and $700for labor and 1 yr warranty for parts unless i buy the extended warranty. Circuit City wanted $300 for 2 yrs and Sears wanted $250 for 3 yrs. I still have my 45" Sony XBR still up and running with no probs. I'll wait 'til next football season to buy a new HDTV.

Something doesn't sound right. While non-LED LCD flat panels do have a flourescent light source, Plasma does not have a bulb of any type. Plasma functions much like CRT in that phosphors on the glass are energized to produce light, but the ignition source is plasma gas instead of an electron scanning beam.

As others have said, if 2 years was the normal lifespan, the technology wouldn't have caught on. I would be looking for environmental issues...bad power being a leading candidate. Do you leave near an interstate/freeway/rock quarry? Seismic type low frequency vibration could theoretically be a source of failed components as well.

-Brent

 

[004Gunner]

Well, the salesmen pretty much warned me 'bout those bulbs. When 2 yrs passed, i thought they were bs'ing me. 3-4 yrs later i regretted not buying the extended warranty. Anywayz, I had 'em hooked up to a Yamaha receiver, dvd player, and Bose speakers (5.1 setup) including the cable box.

Rear projection sets use expensive bulbs and they do burn out. The bulb can be over $200 easy. Then if you want to pay a half-wit to install the bulb then that would bring you close to $300. Some rear projections can also have color wheels go out on them. Your plasma set doesn't surprise me. That technology was problem prone from day one and flat panel tvs were not a very successful application. They generate too much heat, often have loud cooling fans, brightness fades over time, and they consume a lot of power. I agree with Ron in that you should get the LED light engine in an LCD display for your next tv. LED engines are typically rated to last the life of the set. Oh, if you are just going to toss the broken sets, they should be recycled. You may even be able to sell them on Ebay since some people like to repair those things.