Topic: Hey overwritten friends recommend me a new TV for videogames!

[KontrollerX]

It has to be in the price range of $500 or $600.

Not sure if I can get anything all that great for that price but if I can you guys will know what to get. 

[Antares]

What size?  Are you thinking LCD, Plazma? something else?

My 26"  Sharp AQUOS LCD is awesome.  I love it to death. a year ago I paid around $800 for it I think, they may be cheaper now.

[KontrollerX]

I'll look that one up.

Sounds good.

I'm also trying to look for an HDTV.

I heard plasmas are garbage but maybe I heard wrong?

Anyway thanks Antares. 

[Antares]

Plasma isn't garbage, but they do get steadily dimmer over the life of the TV. LCD will never have that problem.  Plasma is quite a bit cheaper though and I believe a little bit thicker in the back.

[KontrollerX]

Just checked Amazon.

Seems they got a ton of your type of TV's in stock.

$700.

Not quite what I wanted to spend but I think I can manage that.

Looks like a sweet TV to have.

[Cobra951]

Plasmas garbage?  No.  They're the top tech at the moment for video.  The problem with them is image retention and possibly burn in, caused by static images over long periods, such as the score counters and HUDs in a game.  LCD doesn't have that problem.  I think plasmas may have more lag as well, although I'm not really sure about this.  Lag isn't an issue with video (provided the audio circuitry compensates to keep things in sync).  It's a big problem with action games.

I don't know which LCDs are best for gaming right now.  Look for the best combination of quality, resolution and response times (measured in milliseconds).

[Pugnate]

The problem with them is image retention and possibly burn in, caused by static images over long periods, such as the score counters and HUDs in a game.

Doesn't that very thing make them garbage for us? I also read that image quality drops dramatically over time.

[Cobra951]

The original estimates of plasma lifespan were way too conservative.  Now they are thought to be on a par with CRTs.  Also, burn in is not nearly the problem it once was.  And I have to tell you, after watching a good 42" plasma screen for a while, it's very hard to go back to LCD for movies and TV.

[wizall]

I have a 32" LCD from Vizio.  I rather like it and it seems like it ought to be in that general price range--mine was $700 from Costco over a year ago.