OT - Plasma TV question

On 25 Feb 2006 14:42:38 -0800, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

I'm considering installing a big-screen plasma (or LCD) TV in our
meeting room at the inn, for use during presentations, etc.

An alternative (and, to me, more important) use of this equipment would
be as "God's Own Flight Simulator" for visiting pilots and their
families to use. I think it would be way cool to have a wall-sized
flight simulator display available for our guests, and it would be a
great way to hook kids of all ages on aviation in general. (Most of
our guests are not pilots, despite the aviation theme...)

It would also be cool to have "movie nights" at the inn, showing
classic aviation movies. 'Top Gun' on a 60 inch plasma TV would be a
great draw!

Plasma or LCD are getting quite nice.

Sadly, I haven't kept up with this technology, and I notice there are
several competing systems. Also, I'm starting to see the long-awaited
convergence between computers and TV, with Dell offering flat panel
"displays" that look just like TVs.

Starting? This monitor is only a 17" LCD, but being truly rectangular
it's close to the area of a 19" CRT. They are now available much
larger although not as large as the plasma displays. I've been using
it for over 3 years. This computer and the one before it had S-video
out along with advanced sound. It has also had the ability to work
much like TVIO since before TVIO came out. They will also write to
single and dual layer DVDs which are a lot nicer than tapes, but not
re-recordable. The do make disks capable of that but none I've seen
were trustworthy. The only thing it lacks there is the on screen
menu. The video card on the computer in the shop also works with
digital TV and both have tuner capability. (Look up RADEON
all-in-wonder video cards along with tuners)
BTW I've had at least one computer up and running with a tuner, video
capture, and NTSC out for between 4 and 5 years.

OTOH those computers and their setup was probably not something the
average TV viewer would want to tackle. :-))

Both plasma and LCD have their own advantages. The plasma may be a
tad brighter but they are making great strides with LCDs including
very wide viewing angles. Plasma displays do age, but unless you are
like us and it sets on the weather channel for 12 to 14 hours a day
they should last a very long time. OTOH LCD displays may lose
brilliance, but you only have to replace a little bulb.

However, when the Plasma display gets dirty you get out the Windex
(tm) and have at it. LCD screens are sensitive and can be damaged
easily. Then some plasma displays generate a *lot* of RF noise which
might be noticed in a nearby aviation receiver. If you go with plasma
see if you can find a "try before you buy.". I've seen thin plastic
sheets used to cover LCD displays that don't even show when looking at
the picture when properly applied, but I don't know how large you can
get them.

Is anyone on the 'group an expert with this stuff? Anyone already

I'm no expert on the things but I do follow them a bit.

own one? Can anyone recommend (or steer me clear from) any brands?
Are all plasma TVs usable as computer monitors, too?

Here it's one of those "check it out in the store". Many, if not most
have both NTSC and S-video inputs along with digital and some don't.

I'm looking to get about a 27" flat screen LCD for the shop with at
least 1280 X 1024 resolution (preferably 1600 by what ever). In this
case the computer can serve as the TV set. I'm cramped for space and
I'd put the monitor on a swing arm. Currently have one of those hernia
developing, hemroid (sp?) busting, 19" CRTs that is always in the way.
It's big and it's *heavy* and it's always in the way. Did I mention
it's always in the way?


Now for the big couch, refrigerator, small stove...sigh no running
water out there, but it does have heat in the winter and air
conditioning in the summer.

Good Luck,

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com
Thanks!

Both plasma and LCD have their own advantages. The plasma may be a
tad brighter but they are making great strides with LCDs including
very wide viewing angles. Plasma displays do age, but unless you are
like us and it sets on the weather channel for 12 to 14 hours a day
they should last a very long time. OTOH LCD displays may lose
brilliance, but you only have to replace a little bulb.

Say again? Dim LCD displays can be repaired by replacing a BULB?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:utiMf.581199$084.236677@attbi_s22...
Say again? Dim LCD displays can be repaired by replacing a BULB?

Yes. The reason an LCD dims is that the bulb output (usually some kind of
cold cathode or fluourescent) gets reduced over time. A new bulb corrects
the problem.

"Peter Duniho" wrote in message
...
"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:utiMf.581199$084.236677@attbi_s22...
Say again? Dim LCD displays can be repaired by replacing a BULB?

Yes. The reason an LCD dims is that the bulb output (usually some kind of
cold cathode or fluourescent) gets reduced over time. A new bulb corrects
the problem.

I believe they're talking about LCD technology projection systems. They use
a metal halide discharge lamp.

m

"Happy Dog" wrote in message
...
I believe they're talking about LCD technology projection systems. They
use a metal halide discharge lamp.

Doesn't matter what they are talking about. The statement is true for any
LCD display device, projection or flat panel.

Frankly, I don't think many people worry about projectors getting dim,
because they get REALLY dim all at once (ie, the bulb burns out). The bulb
doesn't usually decrease in brightness dramatically much during its lifetime
(which can be short, especially for the very bright projectors).

Pete

Jay,

I am quite fond of the Philips 37" LCD HDTV that I recently purchased
at Costco for $2000... I have really loved watching the Olympics in HD
on it!

I tend to be biased towards LCDs though due to my experience developing
the LCDs for the 777 EFIS.

Dean

I am quite fond of the Philips 37" LCD HDTV that I recently purchased
at Costco for $2000... I have really loved watching the Olympics in HD
on it!

Sounds good -- although I've been spoiled with the 60 inch screen on our
Panasonic rear-projection TV over the years. Size matters, although (of
course) it doesn't approach the clarity of the LCD or plasma displays.

When we bought it in '02, plasma was $20K, and I don't think LCD was on the
market yet, so it was the logical choice at the time. I think I paid less
than $2K for it, and my kids LOVE to play X-Box and Playstation games on it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Go to www.pcmag.com
Scroll to the bottom of the page to FIND BY SUBJECT
Click on tht TV link
Read as desired.

Jay,

I assume you are talking HDTV. If so, this is a pretty good unbiased
source of information.

Rod

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/store/ces-2005.php

"Jay Honeck" wrote:
I'm considering installing a big-screen plasma (or LCD) TV in our
meeting room at the inn, for use during presentations, etc.

After almost a year of shopping and comparing, I got a 50" Panasonic
plasma because it had the sharpest, highest contrast picture of any I
saw. When Consumer Reports top-rated it, that sealed the deal. Hi Def
is awesome.

CR reported that burn-in is no longer a serious problem with plasmas,
given reasonable care. At the rate display technology is advancing, I
don't expect to keep it more than 5 years, anyway.

--
Dan
C172RG at BFM