LCD Vs Plasma HDTV

LCD vs plasma HDTV - which is best? If you're looking for a flat-screen, slim and sexy display, to watch HDTV, you have a choice of two technologies, LCD and gas plasma.

Each has benefits and disadvantages and so each is more appropriate in specific
circumstances.

Historically, the LCD vs plasma HDTV choice has been fairly simple. If you wanted a
flat-screen that was about 40in or bigger, you had to choose plasma, otherwise you
should choose LCD. However, as LCD technology improves, LCD HDTVs are getting
bigger and most of the major manufacturers expect the number of LCDs they
produce to grow steadily over the next few years while the number of plasmas will
decrease. However, if you're looking for a flatscreen TV today, plasma still has a lot
to offer.

To understand the LCD vs plasma HDTV question, we need to look at the way the
two technologies work.

LCD

LCD HDTVs work by shining a light behind an LCD panel made up of a fixed number
of pixels. Each pixel is either red, blue or green and is switched on or off when a
voltage is applied to it. When voltage is applied to a pixel, it is switched off,
meaning that light can't shine through it.

The main advantage of LCD vs plasma HDTV is that LCD panels don't suffer from
what's called burn-in. This is a feature of plasma TVs where they are used to watch
TV stations with logos permanently displayed on-screen or where they are used for
video gaming with games that have static images such as a cockpit on flight
simulators. The image literally 'burns-in' the screen meaning that even when the
image is not present you can still see a faint trace of it on screen. So for video
gamers in particular, LCD is a better choice than plasma.

Plasma

Plasma HDTVs have over a million chambers which house one or a combination of
gasses. When a voltage is applied to one of these chambers the gas ionizes and
emits ultra-violet light. This light strikes red, green or plue phophors coated on the
inside of the chamber and a pixel emits this color light.

Plasma HDTVs tend to have better contrast than LCDs because, even when a pixel
on an LCD panel is switched off it doesn't block all the light coming through and
therefore the pixel isn't completely black. Plasma HDTVs also tend to have a wider
viewing angle than LCDs, as on LCD HDTVs the contrast and colour of the image can
change when the screen is viewed from different angles.

LCD vs Plasma HDTV conclusion

Technology is changing rapidly, but for now (July 2004) it's still true to say that at
sizes of 40in and above, plasma offers a less-expensive and generally better
solution. For screen-sizes less than 40in LCD is better. However, as LCD technology
improves and prices fall, this will change.

Plasma Vs LCD Vs LED TVs - What Are the Differences?

In the last 10 years, TV technology has advanced to a great extent and has brought in state of art technologies in providing the finest flat-screen TVs. The most important aspect of the technology used has mainly focused around the size, resolution and compatibility and with this, in the last 5 to 10 years there has been a gradual change in the choice and viewing expectations of people.

The manufacturers have now started to put in unique features in their flat-screen TV models making the product having a distinctive advantage of full film effect viewing along with outstanding sound technology. There are various types of flat-screen TVs in the market today, and in order that you could decide between Plasma, LCD, and a LED TV, you ought to know a bit about the differences.

Overview of Plasma TV: The display in a Plasma TV is made up of millions of tiny plasma cells, and to put it simply, these cells emit light to create a complete image on the screen when a precise voltage is applied to them.

Plasma TVs available now offer larger screen size than LCDs. The screen sizes of Plasma TVs that are commonly available in the market include, 30 inch, 42 inch, 50 inch and 63 inch models, while the lcd tvs are limited to smaller screen sizes, which range from 10 inch to 40 inch models. Presently larger screen sizes of more than 60 inches are being made available in the market. One favourable point is that, the LCD technology is more flexible, which allows wide variety of screen sizes to be developed.

Advantages on Plasma TVs:
- Plasma TVs are available in larger display screen sizes.
- Plasma has better black levels, and also the contrast ratio.
- Plasma TVs can be viewed from any angle, as long as the viewing angle is between 160 to 180 degrees. - Plasma TVs have top refreshing rate which captures every detail in a fast action scene.
- Plasma screen can display billions of colors, producing smooth gradations of shades, enhancing the picture quality to a great extent, making the images life-like and realistic, responding sharply to fast moving images.

Disadvantages of Plasma TVs:
- Plasma TVS do not perform as well at higher altitudes.
- Plasma TVs are more susceptible to burn-in of static images.
- Plasma TVS are thicker than lcd tvs and hence much heavier.
- Plasma TVs produce glare in brightly lit rooms though some advancement in technology has been made to correct this.

Overview of LCD TVs: LCD TVs have Liquid Crystal Displays, a technology which is seen being used in computer monitors, cell phones, and at times are found in camera screens. LCD screen was first created for computer monitors, and now with the application of the technology in LCD TVs, they seem to be a bit better when you are playing games on your TV. However, the choice entirely depends on the user, since some like the vivid colors in Plasma TV, which comes from its deep black levels.

LCD panels work with liquid crystal solution being sandwiched between two polarized glasses. When an electrical voltage is applied to the liquid crystal, the crystals rotate, and this changes the polarization of the light passing through them. A LCD panel does not generate light by itself. It just filters or subtracts its back light source to create an image on the screen.

Advantages of LCD TVs:
- LCD TVs have better longevity than the Plasma. The average life-span has been predicted as more than 30 years.
- The display of LCD TVs uses lower power compared to Plasma TVs, but has more consumption than LED. - The screen sizes of LCD TVs are available in various sizes starting from computer monitor screens to over 60 inches.

Disadvantages of LCD TVs:
- The TV has a very poor contrast level and responds slower to fast moving images, creating a blur.
- The prices of LCD TVs are higher than the Plasma, and because of the demand and increased production the prices are gradually falling.

Overview of LED TVs: The term 'LED' stands for Light Emitting Diode. It is an electronic component which emits light when a certain voltage potential is applied to its terminals. Though the TV using this technology is call LED TV, but the LED light source is used as the TV's backlight, while the TV screen is actually LCD. Though some current TV models use CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps), LED form of backlighting remains a far more efficient TV backlight system.

The Advantages of LED TVs are as follows:
- With LEDs as the backlighting source, the TVs have a far better dynamic contrast level than LCD TVs, since it uses a direct backlighting technology.
- LED TVS are ultra thin as much as about an inch in thickness.
- The power consumption of LED TVs are less than the LCD TVs currently available.
- Out of the flat screen TVs available in the market today, LED TVs are considered to be most reliable.

The disadvantage is that LED TVS are higher priced than LCD TVs, but prices are expected to come down with increased production.

The above is an attempt to provide a basic conception about the differences between the three technologies available presently in flat-screen TVs which would help a buyer to decide which TV to buy.

Check Out the Difference Between the Plasma and LCD TV Now

You might be wondering what kind of flat screen television is better - is it Plasma or LCD? Let this review help you by comparing the features of these two types of television. In the recent market, Plasma television is leading the battle between the two televisions and sooner or later it will get the crown. Checking the features of each of these televisions can help consumers decide which television they should choose.

Plasma TVs came out with the 42 to 50 inch models which became a hit in the market. This made the Plasma TV a leader in the flat screen television industry. And since these large screens TV models have maintained its standing in the world of televisions, their prices started to go down. Initially, you can buy this Plasma TV for more than 5,000 dollars but at this time, you can get it at even less than 2,500 dollars. This is indeed an advantage for Plasma TV.

With this size factor, LCD television manufacturers are not allowing the Plasma TVs to completely take control. Today, they are producing larger screen models same as Plasma TVs at 42 to 50 inches. This makes the battle more exciting!

The 42-inch model leads the popularity when it comes to the screen size. Because of this, television companies tend to produce more than the demands. This is the reason why the prices of these televisions are beginning to go down. However, Plasma TVs is still leading when it comes to the price because they are the pioneer in producing these large models. On the other hand, lcd tvs are predicted to win the battle as it will begin dropping the prices down far more practical than the Plasma TV.

Now, if you are after the multimedia specifications, then you should go for lcd tvs. LCD Television has the features most consumers are looking for such as the PC connections, memory cards and USB ports to be able to connect it to the PC monitors. Another exciting feature is the ability to play MP3 files and to view images taken through your digicams. And for all video game fans, they will surely appreciate the crystal clear graphics and text resolutions.

What are the other factors why LCD televisions are leading the competition between Plasma and lcd tvs? This is the lifespan of the television. The life span of the plasma screen is usually around 60,000 hours while for lcd tvs, it is around 80,000 hours. Another good thing about LCD TV is that it does not have the "burn area" feature which is a shortcoming of Plasma TV. In addition, LCD TVs has become more popular when it comes to portability. LCD TVs have come out with petite and convenient to carry model which is a great deal people love.

Characteristics of LCD and Plasma LCD TV - Understand and Decide!

Year in and year out, there have a lot of models introduced in the market. Samsung LE40A786R2 LCD is a 403 wide screen LCD, Panasonic TX19LXD8 LCD Television, and SHARP LC-37D5U 37" LCD are among the models newly manufactured. Hence, contemporary Televisions have totally outmoded the conventional Cathode Ray tube. At present, instead of the latter, the newer televisions have greatly invaded the abodes of customers during the previous years. lcd tv and Plasma TV are the most loved and admired TV choices by consumers at this moment, hence, regarding them as the two highly significant forms of contemporary TVs.

Plasma TVs are operated by a fluorescent bulb and its images are created by neon-xenon gases. In contrast, lcd tv is a slim, flat gadget which has two glass panels whose light are sourced from outside. Sandwiched in these panels are liquid crystals. The manner of selecting between these two Televisions, several features are very much important. How long will the TV last? Does it provide a good image quality? How about the power expenditure? These queries need responses and they shall be discussed together with some other factors. Surely, you will be given a general idea of the advantages each television have.

Viewing Angles - Plasma takes the lead in this feature as it provides numerous comfy angles while viewing.

Image Quality- Undoubtedly, Plasma TV provides a more superior image quality as compared to LCD Television since the pictures screened in the former are clearer and more detailed.

Display Resolution - Undeniably, Plasma and lcd tvs are capable of Hi-definition depending on the screen resolution. But if we try matching both up, LCD TVs will win over Plasmas considering screen resolution.

Screen Burn-Ins - This is a dilemma suffered by Plasma TVs. Hence, said TV is not a proper to select of you desire playing games with it.

Power Consumption - Who among the two absorbs lesser power? LCD TVs as against Plasma TVs. Hence, there is a little tendency that the gadget will heat up in a little moment. As for plasmas, heating up is one of its downsides necessitating fans to cool down.

Costs - After a thorough price hunt has been done, it was uncovered that huge plasma television sets costs lesser than its LCD counterpart. It is the other way around if the subject is medium or small sized TVs. In the latter case, cheap LCD TVs reign.

Some Other Points of Variation There are other features associated with both types of television sets that make them advantageous in their own ways. These features are compiles as follows:

Other than the aforementioned factors, the following are additional features which will highlight who between the two will reign:

o The Plasma TVs provide more superior motion tracking features than LCD TV.
o The LCD TV screens survive longer than plasma screens
o LCD televisions are slimmer and may be obtained in lesser weight as compared to Plasma TVs.
o Plasma televisions are manufactured at a large size which is not true in LCD TVs.

Therefore, after the aforementioned facts, it cannot be denied that the two contending televisions are market rulers having their unique and amazing features. If you seek a television, your preferences should be more superior to other influencing factors although the latter must still be present. Try searching also some consumer reviews so that you. You may also search for user reviews on the Internet while making a choice as to which you should by. Thereafter, enjoy all that your obtained TV can offer.

Panasonic Viera TXP42V10 THX Plasma TV Review

We never seem to remember furniture or cutlery in our friends places but we surely never forget the high quality TV's. The Panasonic TXP42V10B LCD television is not one you would like to see in your neighbour's home.In terms of styling, quality and TV performance, it stands out amongst its peers. When it comes to LCD Televisions, it is the standard of comparison.

With its NeoPDP panel, this lcd tv can produce brightness levels that are much higher than most plasma TVs. Immediate response time together with 600 hertz allows you to watch a football player running around the pitch without losing resolution and with fluid movement. This is combined with 1080P for full HD picture quality capabilities on suitable HD sources. The Intelligent Frame Creation system sets this LCD television apart from others in its class as it has reduced judder issues.

The Panasonic TXP42V10b lcd tvs also boasts serious acoustic hardware. Those that love Bass performance will not be disappointed as it also comes equipped with Surround Sounds Effects for extra Sound Clarity. Your home theatre system will not need to be thrown away as it comes with an optical output in the back panel for additional sound options.

You do not even need to stop watching your TV when you wish to surf the net. You can hook up to the internet through a built in Ethernet port. You do not even need a mouse or keyboard, your TV remote will suffice. There is more. An extra SD card slot allows you to play AVCHD and DivX video and your favourite pictures. Your TV is quickly turned into a PC with four HDMIs and a D-Sub PC port.

You will never obscure your new Panasonic TX42V10b television from your friends and neighbours. It will easily become the main fixture in any room in your home. It is slim and can fit anywhere in your living room. With a black bezel and glossy silver desktop mount, it looks stunning. Nearly all lcd tv's look great but its black like glass polish is just amazing.

With all the hype in LCD TV's you will be forgiven for thinking that all you will get are just promises. Not with these televisions. It delivers what it promises and more. The fusion between LCD technology and networking capabilities makes it a must have in any home. It has exceptional motion clarity and the Panasonic TXP42V10b's relative affordability makes it a definite buy for those looking for quality.

Plasma TV vs LCD TV - Which is Better?

You know you want to buy a flat-screen TV but you don't know if a plasma TV or an lcd tv would be your best choice.

This article explains the differences between plasma versus lcd tvs, then shows you how to get the best price for a plasma or LCD TV.

Plasma TV

A plasma TV screen consists of millions of multi-colored gas-filled cells. When electricity passes through the cells they light up and produce a picture.

Plasma TV screens have a much higher resolution than tube TV screens. In fact, the picture is so clear it's almost like watching a scene through a window.

Screen sizes range from 42" to 65" wide and are 3" to 4" thick.

LCD TV

LCD (light crystal display) TV screens are made up of a thin layer of liquid crystals sandwiched between two glass plates. When an electricity is sent through the crystals an array of tiny multi-colored pixels light up to create a picture.

LCD TV screens are thinner and lighter than plasma screens. They are the most popular screens for computers, and are quickly gaining popularity as TV screens.

LCD TV screens are anywhere from 1/4" to 4" thick and 2" to 65" wide.

Plasma vs. LCD Features

Picture Quality

When it comes to which type of TV screen is sharper and shows more detail, plasma TVs have a slight edge over LCD TVs, though LCD TVs are catching up.

Plasma TVs are also slightly better when it comes to viewing angle - how far you can sit to one side of a TV screen before picture quality is affected.

Screen Life

Screen life is the number of hours a TV provides before the picture begins to fade. Plasma TVs have a screen life of about 30,000 to 60,00 hours, depending on the make and model, while LCD TV's have a screen life of 60,000 hours or more.

Plasma TVs are also subject to "burn in." This occurs when a TV displays a still image long enough for a ghost of that image to be burned into the screen. LCD TVs do not have this problem.

HD TV

Both plasma and LCD TVs display HD (high definition) signals for a sharper, more three dimensional picture. LCD TVs, however, have a slightly higher resolution (more screen pixels) then plasma TVs.

Video Games

Plasma and LCD TVs are both great for video gaming, however because of plasma TV's tendency toward screen burn in, an LCD TV is the better choice if you play a lot of video games.

Portability

LCD TVs are thinner and lighter than plasma TVs, making them easier to move and easier to mount on a wall.

Plasma vs LCD TV prices

When it comes to which type of TV gives you the most bang for the buck, it depends on what you're looking for.

If you're looking for a large-screen TV - 42" or larger - plasma TVs are currently cheaper than than similar-sized LCD TVs. When I recently compared prices on 42" TVs, the cheapest plasma TV was $999, while the cheapest LCD TV was $1,367.

When it comes to mid-size TVs, I couldn't find plasma TVs smaller than 42." The cheapest 32" LCD TV I found was $619, while the cheapest 27" LCD TV was $550.

How to Get the Best LCD Or Plasma TV

Buying a television before the LCD and plasma TVs were out in the market was a simple task that does not require much effort. You only need to allocate the space and know the screen size you want. Now, these modern day televisions come out and confuse us all. We are at the crossroads not knowing which one to take because they all seem too good to be true. Now we have questions to ask ourselves whether we want a full 1080 pixel television or not? Between a plasma TV and an lcd tv, which one is really the better one? The answer will totally depend on how you will be using it. With the advancement in technology, it is even harder to see the difference between the two.

lcd tvs have been there for quite a time. They started as computer monitors which explains the small size for most of them. The LCD technology is also behind those of the wristwatches. It was only recently that they utilized LCD technology for appliances like television.

The depth of an LCD TV is not more than two inches and it is very easy to mount it on the wall or ceiling. Previous notion says that LCD televisions are limited in sizes but it is now being modified. You can get a 108-inch LCD TV today! Their resolutions are also as good as the plasma technology which makes the competition even tighter.

Burn in problems, dead pixels, blacks that are not really black are some issues that are no longer present in the newer models of LCD TVs. Even if you try to leave an image for an extended period of time, chances for burn in are very less. Dead pixels happen when there is a pressure on one part of the screen where the pixels no longer respond. This is sometimes caused by transportation mishandling. If you watch LCD TV in a dark room, you will no longer have the not-so-black black issue. Black in an LCD TV is not really black since LCD televisions are lit at the back.

Plasma TVs look similar to LCD TVs but they use a very different technology to create images. They use inert gases like neon and xenon. However, plasma and LCD TVs are both high definition TVs and flat screens. You can distinguish plasma from an LCD because it has a characteristic dense black. Of all the modern televisions, plasma TVs have the most realistic images produced. They can be expensive though. You can also mount them but you might want to let someone who knows do the job because plasma TVs are so delicate.

Deciding between an LCD and plasma entails that you should be well-informed about the facts and the features that the models carry with them so that you will not end up regretting what you bought.

What Are the Differences Between a Plasma TV and an LCD TV?

Have a satellite system and now want a flat panel TV?

So you have gone out and purchased a Dish Network or Direct TV satellite system. When you got home, you realized that although you have a high definition receiver, your TV isn't compatible. You have eyed those flat panel TVs in the store but don't know which one to buy?

Two of the greatest changes to the world of televisions are the plasma TV and the lcd tv. Both offer slim and sleek designs and enable unique placement, such as above a fireplace or mounting on a wall. Gone are the days of the bulky CRT (cathode ray tube) televisions or rear projection; long live the flat panel!

So how does a plasma television work?

First introduced in 1964, improvements in processing and manufacturing have made the plasma television one of the best. Differing from other television technology, such as LCD and CRT, the image is created by combining all three colors within each pixel. The signal is sent by a charge through the electrodes sandwiched between two glass panels. This changes the state of the plasma gas inside and makes the red, green and blue phosphors glow, creating light on the picture screen.

You can buy plasma televisions in either Extended Definition (ED) or High Definition (HD) resolutions. ED panels can input full HD content 1080i (interlaced) but output 500p (progressive) resolution. If you are planning to use the plasma with primarily high definition and/or with a computer, consider the HD model. If you are using it mostly with DVD, regular satellite, or cable, you will find the ED model looks great. A good ED model will outperform a poor HD plasma television, so choose a good manufacturer.

So how does a LCD television work?

The LCD television creates a picture by using a system called Twisted Nematic (TM). It is a naturally twisted crystalline structure that reacts to electric currents in predictable manners. These electric currents cause the crystal to untwist to different degrees based on the voltage given. These TM crystals are stuck between panes of polarized glass and the untwisting allows varied amounts of light to pass through.

If you are looking for a flat panel television, here are the guidelines. Below 32 inches, buy a LCD, above buy a plasma. LCD panels are available in larger sizes but the cost and quality of image will make a plasma more attractive.

Plasma televisions are better able to display fast movement without any trailing. As well, plasma televisions have a much greater contrast ratio than LCD televisions. Panasonic lists their plasma televisions at 3000:1, while the best LCD tends to be only 1000:1 contrast ratio. The plasma television has a greater angle of view and better color saturation too.

One area where the LCD television has an advantage over plasma is in screen integrity. You need to be careful with potential burn-in on plasma, but not on the lcd tv.

Plasma Vs LCD TV - What's the Difference?

Flat screen plasma and lcd tvs are more popular than ever with new models being released on an almost continuous basis. This is great because it means there are lots of makes and models to choose from; however all this choice can make buying a new flat screen TV quite complicated. There are a lot of people out there who want to know what the differences are between plasma and lcd tvs, and which one is best. Unfortunately there's no simple answer as to which one is best, it all depends on the individual consumer. However, there are a number of differences between the two technologies, so let's take a look at these so you know what to consider before deciding which type of TV to purchase.

Plasma TVs contain a special type of gas, which turns into plasma when an electric current is passed through it. In turn the plasma emits the light that makes up the picture. lcd tvs on the other hand are made up of thousands of cells containing liquid crystals which are then illuminated by fluorescent backlighting.

Plasma TVs became a firm favourite with consumers because of the relatively low price point. Plasma screens are relatively cheap to produce, which means that consumers are able to get very large screen displays for their money. Even though the prices of many lcd tvs are starting to drop now that manufacturing techniques are becoming more advanced, it is still the case that plasma screens are generally cheaper, especially for screen sizes over 32 inches.

Both types of TV deliver picture quality that is far better than traditional CRT screens; however plasma screens tend to offer a much higher contrast, with very deep blacks and bright whites. Plasma screens also handle fast moving action really well due to the higher refresh rate - this means that you will hardly ever see motion blur on a plasma screen. LCD screens tend to have a lower contrast ratio meaning that colours don't appear quite as refined, and they also tend to suffer from motion blur as the refresh rate is lower. This is being addressed with the newer LCD screens, but there is still a slight noticeable difference.

Plasma screens tend to offer a better range of sizes - typically you can find plasma screens going up to a whopping 103 inches! LCDs tend to only go up to around 65 inches. However, the larger size comes at a cost as plasma screens tend to be thicker than LCD screens. A plasma TV is also likely to be around 10% heavier than a LCD TV of the same size, and will consume much more power.

The expected lifespan of each type of TV is different too. Typically you should expect your plasma TV to last for about 10-15 years, whereas a LCD TV would be expected to last for around 30 years

To summarise:
Plasma TVs: are generally cheaper, are available in sizes up to 103 inches, have a higher contrast for dynamic pictures, are thicker and heavier than LCD TVs, use more power and tend to have a shorter lifespan

LCD TVs: are generally more expensive, are available in sizes up to 65 inches, have a lower contrast ratio, are slimmer and lighter than plasma TVs, use less power and tend to last 2 to 3 times as long

So which type of TV should you buy? Well that really does depend on you. Some consumers prefer to buy LCD TVs for their slim casing and lightweight designs. Many also go for LCD because they are less power hungry and are therefore more environmentally friendly. Other consumers prefer plasma TVs for the large screen sizes and dynamic looking pictures. Both types of screen have their advantages and disadvantages, so it really is a matter of doing your research and deciding which screen type best meets your needs.

Plasma TV Or LCD TV? A Comparison

Both Plasma and LCD technologies attempt to deliver the same (similar, in any case) results; both are used in televisions that are flat and thin. Here you can read side-by-side list of what each has to offer that the other one does not.

Plasma Television Overview

1. Plasma displays are made up of cells that contain glass panels. There's a narrow gap between the panels that's filled with neon-xenon gas in plasma form. This gas is charged when the Plasma TV is in used electrically. This charged gas strikes phosphors (red, green and blue) producing a TV image. Each red, green and blue phosphor is a picture element, better known as pixel.

2. So Plasma TVs burns phosphors to generate images. Which means, it has some of the negative quality of traditional TVs, specifically: you get heat and screen-burn of static images.

3. The screen does emit radiation.

LCD Television Overview

1. LCD displays are made of layers (2) of transparent material that are polarized and 'glued' together. One of the layers is coated with a substance (polymer) that contains individual liquid crystals. When electric current is passed through the individual crystals, they allow light to pass through or block it. So once you have the panels properly set, you put a light source (florescent bulb) net to it and the image the LCD creates becomes visible.

2. The liquid crystals produce less heat than the phosphors of Plasma or CRT televisions. The light source that makes the images visible uses less power.

3. The screen does not emit any radiation.

Here is a list of the advantages and disadvantages of Plasma and lcd tv technologies in relation to each other.

Plasma - better contrast ratio
LCD - worse contrast ratio

Plasma - deep darks
LCD - less deep darks

Plasma - better saturation
LCD - worse saturation

Plasma - better accuracy
LCD - worse accuracy

Plasma - burn-in of static images
LCD - no burn-in of static images

Plasma - individual pixels do not burn out (causing black or white spots that cannot be fixed as individual pixels cannot be fixed)
LCD -yes individual pixels do burn out (causing black or white spots that cannot be fixed as individual pixels cannot be fixed)

Plasma - generates more heat
LCD - generates less heat

Plasma -uses more energy
LCD -uses less energy

Plasma - has issues at higher altitudes
LCD - does not have issues at higher altitudes

Plasma - weighs more (if screen size is the same)
LCD - weighs less (if screen size is the same)

Advantages That Have Disappeared Or Are About To

Plasma used to have better motion tracking (less or no lag in fast moving images).
LCD Used to have more lag in fast moving images. However, these days, lcd tvS that have 120 Hz screen refresh rates and 240Hz processing match Plasma in motion tracking quality.

Plasma Used to last significantly less. However, new technology has changed that so that now Plasma TVs have over 60,000 hours life expectancy.
LCD used to last longer, over 60,000 hours life expectancy.

Plasma - used to be the only ones available in larger sizes.
LCD - did not use to be available in larger sizes.

Plasma - Are still typically cheaper than same size lcd tvs, especially EDTV Plasma TVs vs. HDTV LCD TVs. However the gap is narrowing. The 1080p resolution Plasma TV sets between 37 and 42 inches tend to be more expensive than same size, 1080p resolution LCD TV sets.

LCD - Are typically more expensive than same size Plasma TVS, especially HDTV LCD TVs vs. EDTV Plasma. However, the gap is narrowing. The 1080p resolution LCD TV sets between 37 and 42 inches tend to be cheaper than same size, 1080p Plasma TV sets.

Finally, a non-issue. Some (Plasma TV makers) point out that LCD TV sets contain mercury. It's true, but the amount is small and does not come in contact with the users. LED LCD TV sets do not have mercury at all.

So which one do you buy? Well, it's up to you. But now you are in a good position to decide. All you're left with is deciding which company's TV you want, what screen size, and a few other pesky features (which I cover in another article). And, of course, how much to pay. But you are one step closer to have that TV set in your home.

A Review of 100Hz and 200Hz LCD TVs and Plasma TVs

Recently unveiled at IFA last August, 100hz televisions made a significant splash with a jaded audience literally overrun with video files. Is a 100hz or even a 200hz lcd tv right for you? Should you be investigating the possibilities?

Well, yes. 100hz lcd tvs coming to the market from a number of manufacturers including Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic may represent the next, and possibly step in the development of LCD and plasma flat-screen televisions, pushing the boundaries of high definition video in entertainment.

Why? Because, whether you're really aware of it or not, flat-panel televisions are already taking the source material coming through the cable, satellite dish, or air waves and actually making them look better. This is done through a complex algorithm processed in the TV which effectively adds frames to what you're watching. This reduces blur and other minor distortions in the images, especially with objects in rapid motion.

There was a time when only the very nerdiest videophiles cared about these issues, but with the product cycle pushing onward, more people than ever have relatively large flat-panel LCD or plasma televisions. The upshot of this is a consumer base that's more demanding because it notices every little flaw or problem in the product, including the blurs often associated with large high-definition TVs. In spite of early industry efforts to rectify this, the blurring effects still persist. 100hz and 200hz LCD and plasma TVs ostensibly exist to solve these problems to the satisfaction of even the most discriminating consumer.

100hz LCD and plasma TVs fill in the space between frames with even more frames, extrapolating even more images or frames between frames actually sent in the source material. The effect is especially apparent while watching sporting events like football or soccer in which the rapid motion of the ball can be difficult to discern on traditional TVs or even 50hz TVs.

The higher frame rate tends to make everything sharper, making even more detail and resolution pop out at the viewer. The effort here is to push all those thousands of pixels on the screen as far as they'll go in delivering a sharp, clean image.

200hz LCD and plasma TVs push this effort even further, providing over four times as many fill-in images than the old 50hz models. Initially introduced by Sony at the same IFA last August, many were skeptical. But, according to many, the differences are real, and not just when sitting a few inches away. Granted, attendees saw these images very close, which may bias the apparent results of comparisons. Also, the manufacturers selected the sample videos that would show off the new feature to the greatest effect.

To find out for yourself whether kicking up the hz in your LCD or plasma purchase would really make enough of a difference to justify the expense, there's really no better way to find out than to watch before you buy, an essential shopping tip for HD equipment that will never go out of style.

Flat Screen Television Plasma Versus LCD TV Screen Review

If you're looking to buy a flat-screen television, you probably have already asked yourself which is better, Plasma or LCD. We shall attempt to shed some light on this subject for you.

Nuts and Bolts - The technology of LCD and Plasma Systems

While both Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Plasma panels look similar there is a fundamental difference in the way they work. Both use precise electrical charges to control a matrix of cells to produce a picture. However, in the case of plasma screens the cell contains plasma gas while the LCD cell is a fine layer of liquid crystal held between two layers of glass. This fundamental difference produces differing results which have advantages and disadvantages depending on their application. So let's try and find out which system is best for your needs.

Picture This - Comparing Image Quality

If this article was about Flat Screens verses Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TV sets there would be no contest. Both Plasma and LCD screens produce far superior and accurate images than the older CRT technology can hope to - with a greatly reduced footprint. But here we are interested in the the relative merits of flat screens. There used to be an easy quality distinction to make between LCD and plasma screens based on the amount of light each system produces from its cells. Plasma used to have the advantage of producing a brighter image due to the inherent property of its cells to produce their own light. In order to produce a visible image LCD cells have to be lit from behind - traditionally by fluorescent tubes. This has the disadvantage that even black cells have a little light bleeding through them which reduces contrast. However, backlight technology for LCD has improved significantly in recent years with the introduction of LED banks replacing the older fluorescent tube system. The result is that there is negligible difference in the quality of blacks between the two systems - although purists will still tell you that Plasma rules this roost.

Cooking with Gas - The advantages of Plasma

We have covered the advantage of better contrast control with Plasma's ability to produce blacks that are deeper and more true. Another advantage of gas over crystal is that it reacts to electrical stimuli faster. In ordinary terms this means that it can turn on and off faster. This speed advantage reduces the blurring effect that some flat screens produce when displaying fast moving images. As with the backlight technology issue, advances in LCD technology has reduced the millisecond response gap between Plasma and LCD cells to such a minimal level so as to be almost indistinguishable. Of course our purist friends will continue to argue the toss and will be more than happy to produce millisecond response charts to prove their point. For us mere mortals the difference would be hard to find with the naked eye.

Plasma enthusiasts are quick to point out that their preferred system has a better image fidelity at wider viewing angles. We've all seen the effect on flat screen pictures as we move farther to the side of the panel. The brightness and contrast begin to significantly deteriorate and eventually we experience what some describe as a 'solarising effect' where the darker end of the image spectrum inverts and all sorts of weird effects are produced. Historically this was always more problematic in LCD systems with plasma being able to produce a far more true image at far greater angles. But, we are going to have to say it again; advances in LCD technology...well, you know the rest.

Crystal Clear - The Advantages of LCD

The major advantage of LCD over plasma is that the system is far more compact and individual cells can be faithfully reproduced at smaller sizes. Another advantage is that LCD screens can make use of plastic where Plasma uses glass. What does this mean? It means that you can get more pixels into a smaller screen size, which means better resolution the amount of space you have. It also means that the units are less bulky, lighter and produce smaller footprints. Need to save space? Need a TV for your caravan? Buy LCD.

Fans of LCD will be more than happy to point out that Plasma screens experience something called 'screen burn-in', something unassociated with LCD screens. This phenomenon is caused when a single image is left on screen for a long period which burns a 'ghost' of that image into the plasma cells. In the past this became such an issue on computer monitors that it gave rise the 'screensaver', which is now more a novelty than a system for actually saving your screen from burn-in. Plasma had made huge advances in reducing this effect, it is now hardly an issue worth worrying about.

Are you an eco-warrior? Do you check that every appliance is turned off at night? Then LCD may be for you. LCD screens consume far less power than their Plasma cousins and produce less heat. LCD screens also have a longer life span lasting up to three times the number of hours it takes to loose half their brightness than Plasma screens. This not only gives Liquid Crystal the moral high ground in the green debate but also makes LCD screens more economical to run with less power demands and longer periods between renewals.

Pocket the difference - What about cost?

Plasma has an increasing cost advantage as the screen size gets bigger, so much so that the price of LCDs beyond the 50 inch mark become almost ludicrous. This is why plasma has become synonymous with large screen entertainment. At the small screen end of the market it becomes a much harder fight with LCD units producing good economic results especially when taking into account their longer lifespan and reduce energy consumption.

Skip to the end - Which is best for me?

If you are turning your front room into your own sports bar and fill you wall with premiership footy or perhaps you're trying to recreate the golden age of cinema; then plasma is probably for you. Unless you are seriously loaded LCD is simply far to costly for screens over 50 inches to be viable for most pockets.

If you are after something sleek, elegant and compact to compliment your minimalist living arrangements or just need to conserve space on your narrow boat then LCD is more likely to suit your needs. And, you can say you're saving the planet at the same time.

Another consideration is light. Do you live in a dark dungeon with only candles to light your way or do you live in a glass solarium surrounded by blinding sunlight? The argument over which platform performs best in strong light goes back and forth with each new generation of screen and each new technological advance. Plasma used to have an edge in the light until LCD produced LED backlighting. There was also the issue of Plasma screens being glass as opposed to LCD plastics so you'd have to worry about the position of possible ref elections but then Pioneer brought out their non-reflective Kuro plasma range and we are back where we started. The answer is that it is much of a muchness, but if you have the opportunity to test and compare the two systems in a similar environment to your chosen location then take advantage of this and decide for yourself which best suits your environment.

Finally there is the HD issue. At the moment there is little HD content available to take advantage of LCDs dominance in the resolution stakes but 1080p will eventually become the standard signal resolution. If it were the case now then we would recommend LCD for its native ability to apply pixel for pixel resolutions at lower cost. However plasma manufacturers are producing ever higher resolution screens at ever smaller sizes and will be able to produce screens that don't require 'scalers' to watch HD. By the time HD becomes the norm, we predict there will be little to choose between the two platforms in this regard.

If you're a dedicated techie and simply have to know that you are seeing every pixel, get the LCD. If you don't mind a bit of scaling but just want your picture really big stick with the plasma.

Budget Conscious? Plasma and LCD TV For Every Budget

After comparing the two technologies, the Plasma and the lcd tv technologies, the question is which will suit your budget? Most of us are concerned, primarily, about the cost of the television that we will purchase. Is the TV worth its price?

In spite of the similarities of the two mentioned technologies, they still deliver different qualities of images to the viewers. Both may have similar features like the color filled pictures and crystal clear displays, but prices are really competing tight. Let us talk about the features and their relevance to your budget.

lcd tvs come in more large sizes compared to the plasma TVs. This fact results to cheaper big sized TV prices since they are manufactured in greater numbers than the plasmas. An TV has a simpler technology compared to a plasma TV, this is another factor that makes an LCD more affordable than a plasma television. However, even if prices of the Liquid Crystal Display TVs are cheaper, quality may also seem cheap in some aspects. This somehow proves the notion that more expensive products have higher qualities.

Plasma TVs are mostly manufactured in smaller sizes, their bigger sizes are more expensive because they are made in small amounts. Demand for these new generation plasma televisions is going up so they are continuously being manufactured in growing numbers. This results to going down of prices because larger amounts are manufactured per batch. They are becoming more competitive in terms of pricing, and of course in quality.

Because of this, you may find the TVs more expensive nowadays compared to when they were still being introduced. This is because of the growing popularity of the Plasma TVs, however, the popularity of the plasmas is also causing rollback in TV prices.

Confused? It's really confusing, there is no stable price range as of now, and maybe for the years to come. The two technologies are still evolving, improving, competing. So expect better deals in the coming years, manufacturers are continuously taking technology to higher levels for all of us viewers. Let us just wait and see.

Plasma Vs LCD - TV Technology Comparison Made Easy

With the various models available in the market, you will truly find a hard time deciding which LCD is the best. We have the Samsung 57 1080P Flat Panel LCD HDTV, Sharp Plasma TV, Panasonic Television, and the Sony KDL 40-Brx6 among the wide variety of models available today. But do not worry, help is always around. Read on and think about the following information.

First, let's decide first which product you intend to buy. Would you like to have a new set of the standard TV, or impressive Plasma, or an immensely huge LCD? It seems like a Samsung-Sony TV or LCD-Plasma commercial is needed. Still cannot decide? Let us take a look at the requirements to help you differentiate the three and decide which home-theater monitor is for you.

1. Screen size. Which size would you prefer? Which size fits your home and the location where you want to put the TV unit? Would you like to have it mounted on a wall or placed in a TV cabinet?

Standard televisions are way bulkier than Plasma TVs; but Plasma seems to be a bit bulkier than the sleek LCDs. However, Plasma appears to be more affordable than the sophisticated Liquid Crystal Display technology.

2. Image Clarity. You will buy a TV for the purpose of viewing right? So better find a unit with the best of the best picture quality. An impressive and outstanding image resolution and picture quality will be useful in other TV functionalities such as replacement for your computer monitor or for movie watching and video game playing. Find a product where you can get the best value for your money.

Look for possible defects and future complaints. A plasma television sometimes has a burn area. This is when the image sets on the screen for a long time; it tends to burn the image in the specific area. Their LCD counterparts do not have this.

On the other hand, Plasma TVs have great contrast and visibility. Although LCDs at present are already developed and have a slight and almost unnoticeable difference with the Plasma, LCDs still have some graying effect on the picture which damages the clarity of the image.

3. Angle of vision. There is a 160-175 maximum degrees of viewing angle for LCDs but note that the quality of the image decreases as the angle increases. Plasma, however, can maintain a good picture quality even at a 160 degree angle.

4. Life span. Consider the screen life to ensure that you will enjoy your money's worth for a considerable length of time. LCDs are proud of its 40 year screen life compared to the 20 year of Plasma.

5. Energy Saving. You may think that you will get Plasma because of its extremely affordable price but think again. It may come to you as cheap at first, but reviews have shown that Plasma's power consumption will drain your wallets and bank accounts. There is a tendency that you will actually pay more for the energy consumption of your Plasma as compared to buying the lcd tv itself.

So what can we conclude now? Review your needs. Then base your decision on those needs. Consider the following factors and organize your thoughts. Would you settle for a temporary form of entertainment or go with something that will last for years and years to come?

LCD Vs Plasma - What's The Difference?

So you are contemplating about getting a large screen television to hang in your keeping room. It can get very frustrating with all of the television manufacturers, model numbers, features and styles to select from. As we review at this together you will see that there is no "one size fits all" TV here, as you will see that it depends on several factors. In this article we will look into the most commonly asked question.

So Should I Get A Plasma or lcd tv?

1) What size of a screen will you be selecting?

Both the LCD & Plasma screens are available in up to 65" now. Are you considering a TV bigger than 50"? I believe you will find that with Tv's larger than 50" you will get a better deal on a plasma than a LCD. But here's the good news...LCD's are becoming less expensive every day.

2) What will the lighting situation be in your TV room?

The reason I mention this to you is that the degree of sunlight that enters the room will play a role when choosing your flat panelwall mount television set. The reason I mention this is that the plasma's glass screen can reflect plenty of direct sunlight.So as you can imagine sometimes this can be an issue in very bright rooms. Did you know-- direct sunlight can also contribute to a washout of color. Even indirect or ambient lighting can cause a contrast ratio reduction, especially in black colors produced on the screen.

Now we will talk of one of the LCD's key benefits, since the LCD comes with a plastic matte screen that reflects less light. So if you have a very bright room-- the LCD is probably your best choice. So score a point for the LCD here.

3) Lets discuss your seating arrangements.

The reason I ask is that unfortunately, when you sit at a funny angle from the screen you will get a faded LCD picture. So this may be an important thing to consider when arranging your furniture in your TV room. Sometimes based on the the amount of wall space and windows you have...You really don't have much of an option. So think carefully about the trade off here. You tend to see some brightness and color shift when you're on too much of an angle with LCD's. (Thankfully LCD designers are burning the midnight oil to try to find a solution to this. Here's some good news for you plasma fans, a plasma can be viewed with a fairly solid picture from almost an angle. So score a point for plasma's here. Since technology is changing minute by minute and quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer (and model to model) I would suggest a side-by-side comparison with several flat screens you may be thinking about. Try to make believe where your seating would be so you can watch it from the estimate angle you will be using at home--and simply judge for yourself.

These are just a few concerns to think about when picking a television for your home.

Would you like to learn more about the differences between a plasma and LCD?