| Though both LCD and plasma displays come in the | | | | non-issue especially with the latest generation of LCD |
| form of slim flat panel displays, yet from a technology | | | | televisions, however... |
| perspective, these two flat panel displays process the | | | | Do not always assume that viewing angle is no longer |
| image in a totally different manner. | | | | an issue when comparing plasma vs lcd TVs. The |
| Plasma uses a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells that are | | | | tendency - in particular with the cheaper LCD TV sets |
| charged by precise electrical voltages to emit light and | | | | - is that the deterioration in picture quality with off-axis |
| hence to create the picture image. Liquid Crystal | | | | viewing is more accentuated with LCD than with |
| Displays (LCD) panels - work by trapping a liquid | | | | plasma displays. |
| crystal solution between two sheets of polarized glass. | | | | Image Retention and Burn-in: LCD TVs enjoys a |
| When an electric current is passed through the liquid | | | | technological advantage; they are not prone to burn-in, |
| crystals, they change the polarization of the light | | | | and image retention in LCD TVs - referred to as |
| passing through them in response to the electric | | | | 'image sticking', is often completely reversible. |
| voltage - as a result of which, more or less light is able | | | | It is important to realize here that while burn-in in |
| to pass through the polarized glass on the face of the | | | | plasma displays and image sticking in LCD panels both |
| display. | | | | lead to image retention, yet these are two completely |
| It is not the scope of this article to go into the actual | | | | different phenomena. |
| details of how these different display technologies | | | | Burn-in is no longer much of a concern as it used to be |
| process the image - after all, what really matters is not | | | | with plasma televisions up to the recent past, especially |
| what is going behind the screen but rather how these | | | | for people with normal TV viewing requirements. |
| different display technologies perform as a television | | | | Similarly, image sticking with LCD TVs is unlikely to |
| screen. At the same time, it is worth taking note that it | | | | take place under normal home entertainment use. |
| is these same differences that give each of these | | | | Viewing Distance: It seems that the pixel size and |
| display technologies, its strengths and weaknesses, | | | | shape of an LCD panel renders a smoother picture |
| and that therefore render one more suitable than the | | | | than an equivalently sized plasma panel for the same |
| other in certain circumstances. | | | | pixel count. |
| The list below highlights the most important differences | | | | This means that even if your viewing distance falls |
| between these two flat panel display technologies: | | | | within the recommended distance of approximately |
| Size: For the time being, collision between plasma | | | | twice the screen width for an HDTV, if this is less than |
| television and LCD TV occur in the 40 to 50 inch | | | | at least nine feet, most probably you will be better off |
| screen range. In reality, most LCD TVs top out at | | | | with an LCD TV. |
| around 50 inch; larger screen sizes are also available | | | | Life-time: This is a non-issue with either technology. In |
| though choice is still very much limited. This means that | | | | fact, both plasma and LCD TV sets come with a |
| for anything larger than 50-inch, a plasma display is | | | | quoted half-lifetime of around 60,000hrs. Even if this |
| your only real option if what you are after is a | | | | were just 30,000hrs, it would imply more than 14 years |
| direct-view TV system. On the other hand, at the | | | | of use at 6 hours a day. And this when the average |
| smaller end of spectrum, namely 15" to 36" TVs, LCD | | | | household in the US replaces the TV set every 7 |
| is the way to go if what you want is something stylish | | | | years! |
| and slim (at under 4-inches in depth). | | | | In other words, both plasma and LCD TV sets make |
| Price: Here, the playing field is leveling at a fast rate. Up | | | | use of extremely stable and reliable display |
| to very recent, plasma was the obvious choice for all | | | | technologies. As such, lifetime is more dependent upon |
| screen sizes where collision between these two | | | | manufacturer quality rather than upon display |
| technologies occurs; this is no longer the case. In | | | | technology. |
| general, plasma still leads by a good margin only at the | | | | Response: Plasma TV sets carry an advantage here |
| bigger screen sizes - 50-inch and upwards. At the | | | | because even though LCD technology has improved |
| smaller end (up to 44-inch), the price advantage when | | | | to the extent that this is becoming less of an issue, yet |
| it comes to plasma vs LCD TV sets, starts to shift | | | | LCD has still some way to go to achieve the same |
| more towards LCD TVs. | | | | level of pixel response times as phosphor based |
| Overall Picture Performance: Both plasma and the | | | | displays. |
| latest TFT-LCD flat panel displays are capable of | | | | Power Requirements: The advantage here goes to |
| producing excellent picture quality - with bright, crisp | | | | LCD panels as these consume less electricity. |
| clear images. However, plasma flat panel displays are | | | | Estimates show that the use of LCD panels can result |
| more suitable for basic home theater usage than LCD. | | | | in some 30% power savings for the same screen size |
| The gas cell structure within a plasma display is such | | | | than plasma display. |
| that there is no light leaking between adjacent cells (or | | | | Making the Choice |
| pixels). This renders plasma displays capable of | | | | There is a market for both plasma and LCD displays - |
| displaying deeper blacks - hence more suited to | | | | Plasma gives you a bigger screen for your dollar, |
| television and movie scenes where lots of dark and | | | | deeper blacks, but then LCD do not suffer from burn-in |
| light content is shown simultaneously. | | | | and at the smaller end of the market (less than 40-inch |
| In comparison, the nature of LCD technology - where | | | | screen size), LCD is your only way forward if you |
| a backlight shines through the LCD layer - means that | | | | want something slim and stylish. |
| it is hard for it to achieve true blacks (i.e. true absence | | | | It is all a question of knowing what are the advantages |
| of light) as there is always some light leakage from | | | | and limitations of each with respect to your specific |
| adjacent pixels. | | | | needs. |
| This does not mean that LCD panel s are not suitable | | | | This article is an excerpt from a series of informative |
| as TV screens; today's LCD TV sets make use of | | | | guides appearing on under the Plasma and LCD TV |
| extreme high contrast panels that are capable of | | | | sections of the site. |
| displaying very deep blacks, yet the latest plasma TV | | | | It covers only the very basics when it comes to |
| sets still have a slight edge. | | | | compare plasma vs LCD TVs. There are a lot more |
| Viewing-angle: What used to be a clear advantage for | | | | considerations one has to take into account when |
| plasma displays is becoming more and more a | | | | selecting the display technology for a flat screen TV. |