Question on Plasma TVs - Glare?

I know there are HDTV threads out there, but this is a pretty specific question I was hoping would catch the eye of you HDTV owners out there.

I'm looking hard at Plasma TVs because we have a sectional couch which spreads across the whole room, so I want the widest viewing angle possible. Plus, I'm a big fan of Panasonic stuff, and they're rated really well by consumer reports, and are a great value these days.

So my question... do plasma TVs produce glare in well-lit rooms with windows? Anybody experiencing this problem? We've got a big bay window that will be right behind us as we sit and watch the TV. I know Panasonic has an anti-glare screen now, just wondering if it works?

Thanks for the help guys.

Yes there can be an issue with glare, but I know personally that it's never been a major issue with mine. But then again my living room is on the darker side.

If you have a big bay window behind you and there's a ton of light coming through, glare could be an issue for you.

The glare problem is due to the glass top panel on every plasma TV. It's basically like trying to look through a window. LCDs don't use glass, so the light isn't reflected as severely. Sounds like you knew that, but just making sure.

We had a plasma (Vizio) on the short wall of a 18'x30' great room. At the opposite end is the kitchen, which has recessed lighting. I had to return it because I could only see the reflection of the lights on the screen. The LCD we have now is virtually glare-free.

The glare problem is due to the glass top panel on every plasma TV. It's basically like trying to look through a window. LCDs don't use glass, so the light isn't reflected as severely. Sounds like you knew that, but just making sure.

We had a plasma (Vizio) on the short wall of a 18'x30' great room. At the opposite end is the kitchen, which has recessed lighting. I had to return it because I could only see the reflection of the lights on the screen. The LCD we have now is virtually glare-free.

Yeah I had heard Plasmas tended to reflect a lot more light because of the glass. I've also read some product reviews of the new Panasonics on consumer reports, which have an anti-glare coating on the screen. Those reviews seem to say that people think glare isn't an issue. Maybe I need to be asking you guys whether or not anybody has a Panasonic plasma (shot in the dark) and if they notice glare.

Sorry. I went through 3 different brands of plasmas (no Panny's, though), and all had the same glare problem.

If there is a Costco near you, go pick one up and try it out. They have a 90 day 100% return policy, and there is no substitute for seeing it yourself.

Yeah I had heard Plasmas tended to reflect a lot more light because of the glass. I've also read some product reviews of the new Panasonics on consumer reports, which have an anti-glare coating on the screen. Those reviews seem to say that people think glare isn't an issue. Maybe I need to be asking you guys whether or not anybody has a Panasonic plasma (shot in the dark) and if they notice glare.

I have a Panasonic and glare isn't a problem for me, but like I said my living room tends to be a little dark so take my opinion for what it is.

I have a Samsung with NO glare problems. You can see the picture perfectly from any angle in the room. The picture does not get darker when you're at an angle from the side either, like a lot of big TVs do.

ALL Plasma's have glare (the degree of which is determine by the light source in the room) because they all have glass fronts. the more I think about LCD flat screen is the way to go.

I have a Samsung with NO glare problems. You can see the picture perfectly from any angle in the room. The picture does not get darker when you're at an angle from the side either, like a lot of big TVs do.

What type of lighting do you have?

From what I've read, LCD in brighter rooms, Plasmas in darker rooms...