Sony has released yet more research claiming LCD televisions are better than plasma for high definition, whilst conveniently forgetting to mention that it abandoned the plasma market last year.

What a load of rot. Every LCD television I've ever reviewed - including the $AU5000 1080p Sony Bravia sitting in front of me as I type - is a piece of junk next to the best plasma I've ever seen. I'm talking about Pioneer's incredible 50 inch PDP5000EX - the world's first 50 inch 1080p plasma display. Sure it's $AU15,000 - not exactly something your average mum and dad would pick up at the local bulk discount store on a Saturday morning - but it leaves LCD for dead. It recently graced my lounge room with its presence for a few weeks and nothing I've seen before or since comes even close to matching its image quality for both high and standard definition content. It was exquisite, with none of the contrast and blur problems I keep encountering with LCD. I've never seen an LCD that I felt was worth the asking price, but I'd happily hand over fifteen thou for the PDP5000EX if my bank balance allowed it. If you can name an LCD that can outgun the PDP5000EX I'll be happy to review it.

In particular LCD is not up to handling sport, an important issue in this sporting-obsessed nation. Despite all the claims from manufacturers, LCD is just not good enough yet. I hear this often from people in the industry - from high end retailers and professional display calibrators to the guy who installed my new aerial.

Sony is backing its claims with the fact that over 100,000 LCD televisions were sold in Australia in Q3 2006, compared with just under 40,000 plasmas. Repeating the comment from Sony's Carl Rose; "Consumers and retailers alike are showing their increased understanding of which technology is best for a future that's in high definition."

More rot. Consumers have practically no understanding of new television technologies - in some part due to this kind of FUD from Sony. Most people don't understand digital, they don't understand high definition - most don't even know the bloody difference between digital television and Foxtel Digital. People buy cheap, crappy LCDs because of the low price tag and because they don't know any better. More people buy Honda Civics than Ferrari F40s, does that make the Civic a better car because consumers must know what's best?

Get out there with your own eyes and judge the best LCD and plasma have to offer before you spend your hard-earned money. Don't just take my word for it, but don't just take Sony's either.{moscomment}

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Adam Turner  Blu-ray  Digital TV  HD DVD  Television  Video