Sent this yesterday, but not sure it came through...Sammie recently bought a plasma TV, and I commented on how I much prefer the more vibrant look of plasmas over LCD's, even though most everyone I know tells me LCD is the way to go. Another thing in plasma's favor is that they seem to do better with the up-and-coming 3D technology for the home. Consumer Reports recently did an article on it:
************************************ August 23, 2010 First Look: New 3D LCD TVs from LG, Sony ClaudioMeter_1 Claudio Ciacci, who heads up TV testing, gets ready to measure crosstalk on 3D TVs. Ever since we tested the first 3D TVs available—a Panasonic VT20-series plasma TV and Samsung 7000- and 8000-series LCD TVs —we've been looking forward to reviewing more 3D TV models. We recently completed testing of newer Panasonic ( VT25 series ) and Samsung ( C7000 and C8000 series) plasma sets, which performed well in the 3D mode, and now have the first 3D TVs from LG Electronic and Sony, all LCD TVs with edge LED backlights . Our preliminary tests of these four new 3D LCD TVs—two from each manufacturer—reinforces our early suspicions that plasma is a better technology than LCD for presenting 3D images. That's because plasma TVs have been relatively free from crosstalk, or "ghosted" double images that occur when images meant for one eye aren't kept completely separate from the other. On the other hand, all the LCD sets we've tested have had fairly significant levels of crosstalk, which can be distracting and diminish the 3D effect. It's our belief that most viewers will accept slight color shifts or a loss of brightness when watching 3D, but will be less tolerant of significant ghosting, which can also add to eyestrain. It's also important to note that all four TVs are capable of very good to excellent performance with all types of normal high-definition programming. (The Sony HX800 set in our LCD TV Ratings , available to subscribers , delivered excellent overall picture quality.) However, one potential differentiating factor could be viewing angle . The tested Sony, for example, had a fairly narrow viewing angle, narrower than most sets. Other Sony sets we've tested have had average viewing angles for an LCD. LG has typically faired better, with several sets judged very good for viewing angle—among the best we've seen from an LCD set. All these sets will have viewing angle scores when they're added to our TV Ratings. Claudio3D Claudio Ciacci with 3D test patterns that reveal crosstalk. Putting 3D to the test The two LG 3D sets in our labs are the LG 47-inch Infinia 47LX9500 flagship model ($4,300), the first 3D TV we've tested with 480Hz technology, and the 55-inch 55LX6500 ($3,600), a 240Hz set. The LX9500 has a full-array LED backlight, while the LX6500 uses an edge LED backlight that can be locally dimmed, something we've previously seen only on some Samsung models. [Ed. note: In an earlier version of the story, the LX9500 was incorrectly described as an edge-lit model.] Neither model comes with LG's 3D glasses , which sell for $130 per set at both Best Buy and Crutchfield. In addition to the Sony model (the 40-inch KDL-40HX800, $2,100) currently in our TV Ratings, we're now also testing the 52-inch flagship Sony XBR-52LX900 ($3,600). Both feature Sony's 240Hz technology. The higher-priced XBR model comes with two pairs of Sony 3D glasses ($150 per pair), but the HX800 model doesn't come with any. It's also the only model we've encountered that also requires you to buy an external sync transmitter , which costs $50. For our 3D evaluations, all four TVs were tested with a range of 3D content, including 3D Blu-ray movies and 3D programs from the ESPN 3D and DirecTV/Panasonic n3D channels, which were stored on a DirecTV HD DVR. In general, we found the LG sets performed similarly to the Samsung LCD models we've tested, delivering a satisfyingly bright, clear picture with plenty of three-dimensional depth. But we also saw fairly significant ghosting. While crosstalk is typically most evident on higher-contrast content (bright objects against a darker background, for example), which can be challenging even for 3D plasma TVs, the LG showed significant crosstalk across a variety of content, though a tad less intense than with the Samsung sets. Overall we found the ghosting on the LG to be distracting, ultimately detracting from a quality 3D experience. The Sony TVs were the most unusual 3D sets we've tested to date. On one hand they could deliver a very good, especially bright 3D image with visibly less ghosting than we've seen on other LCD-based sets. But that's only if you can keep your head completely vertical to the screen. When we tilted our head to one side even slightly, the ghosting increased dramatically—to a level more severe than we've seen on other sets—and the 3D effect diminished. Apparently, Sony uses only a single polarizer on each lens of its glasses. This helps boost brightness, but requires that viewers maintain alignment with the polarization of the screen or ghosting occurs. For some this may be an acceptable trade-off, but for others it could be a deal-breaker. But if you can keep your head completely upright, the Sony is capable of the best 3D performance we've seen from an LCD set, though a clear notch below that offered by plasmas. Not surprisingly, these latest tests have done nothing to alter our belief that plasma is the better TV technology for displaying 3D content. Compared to the LCD sets we've tested, plasma 3D TVs produce less crosstalk, and their great black levels and unlimited viewing angles really make 3D images pop from almost anywhere in a room. But we're also finding that the amount of ghosting is dependent on the program material, and no TV is completely free from it. One additional note: In the absence of industry 3D test patterns, we're creating our own in an effort to include 3D performance in our TV Ratings. We are still gathering lab data for 3D sets and hope to have the results very soon. Stay tuned for more info about our new 3D testing protocols, and how we'll be using them in our Ratings. —James K. Willcox and Claudio Ciacci
