LCD & PLASMA SCREENS
Not all cinemas we install use projectors. In some cases there are good reasons to use plasma or LCD screens. If the room is smaller or it is important to be able to use the room in daylight and the budget does not stretch to a high powered projector.
Flat screens are one of the most confusing areas of our business with new models appearing all the time. One of the most frequent questions we get asked is what is better LCD or Plasma? Also what is the difference between one screen and another? - something that is difficult to see at a chain store retailer.
In terms of the choice between LCD and Plasma this mainly comes down to a size issue. Virtually all screens less than 50" in diagonal are now LCD screens. Around 50" you have a choice between LCD and Plasma and although 60" plus LCD screens do exist these are very expensive compared to equivalent plasma screens. So what do we recommend for the 50 inch choice? At this point we'd suggest the Pioneer plasma screens. These produce the most amazing detail in dark scenes of movies something that LCD screens struggle with. LCD technology still isn't quite there at this size but this may well change over time.
So what's the difference between brands apart from the price? Much comes down to the electronics that take the image sent to the screen by your Sky box or DVD and what they do to it before displaying it on the screen. This process is known as video scaling. Standalone video scalers can cost over £2,000 so it is unlikely that the scaler in that bargain 'oojamaflip' brand is likely to be up to standard. A good scaler in a screen which has been properly set up can make a big difference in the image quality. High street stores are just about the worst place to judge the differences.
Our current favourite brands are ...
Samsung
Once a cheap and cheerful brand Samsung are now one of the world's largest manufacturers of flat panels both LCD and Plasma. They take the physical design of the screens very seriously. Needless to say new models are being launched with 3D capabilities.
Samsung screens still offer very good value for money and we have found them to be reliable in use. Their plasma screens are particularly aggressively priced and ideal where you want a big screen on a budget.
Sony
One of the stalwarts of the home entertainment industry after being slow to adopt flat screens Sony now offer some of the best screens on the market. Exclusively using LCD technology Sony produce a vast range of screens in different sizes. The range is often confusing to understand and we can recommend the best model based on your particular requirements.
Sony's new range of screens incorporate their 'monolith' design style and many have 3D capabilities.
LG
Another South Korean company whose products have come on leaps and bounds in the past few years. The Infinia range of screens uses as full array of LEDs to illuminate the screen whilst maintaining an ultra thin profile. Unlike edge lit screens this means the border around the screen is much smaller - meaning you can install a screen with a larger viewable area in the same space. Couple that with an edge to edge seamless glass finish and you have one stylish screen. Many screens are now being introduced with 3D capabilities too.
LG offer a full range of screens and provide lower end models that are extremely competitively priced. All are easy to control from a system such as Control4.
Panasonic
Before Pioneer pulled out of the flat screen market Panasonic entered into technology agreements with them. This has meant that the spirit of the Kuro range has now been incorporated into Panasonic screens. As well as their readily available retail range they also produce a Custom Home Theater (CHT) range. These screens incorporate Panasonics best panels and technology and are specifically designed for plasma based home cinema use. Plasma screens are still the leader if you intend to use a screen as the centre of a home cinema. Because each pixel has its own light source only plasmas can deliver true black in a dark room. Screens range up to 103" in size.
Runco
Not only do Runco make some of the world's finest home cinema projectors they also make some of the world's finest plasma screens. In fact the only screens in the world that have THX certification for their image quality.
A remarkable scaler takes the video images from the various sources and optimises it for the plasma display panel. Each screen is carefully calibrated on site to ensure it delivers the best possible image in each environment.
A 65" screen for £15,000 - well yes actually it does make sense!
