| Plasma and LCD TVs may look similar but the | | | | LCDs have reportedly had issues with rapidly moving |
| technology that makes them work is quite different. | | | | images becoming blurred. This problem has been |
| The deadline for local TV stations to switch to all digital | | | | worked and corrected too to a certain extent. Make |
| transmissions has been extended until June, so you | | | | sure you pay attention to the refresh rate. The way |
| have a bit more time to get rid of that old tube TV and | | | | this rating goes the lower numbers are better quality |
| be a part of the digital revolution. So what are the | | | | as far as viewing rapidly moving segments. Be certain |
| differences between Plasma and LCD and which one | | | | to purchase a refresh rate below 16ms to get the best |
| is right for you? | | | | quality. The high end models today are more towards |
| The Plasma TV is made up of small gas plasma cells | | | | the 12ms range in fact. |
| that have a specific electrical voltage charged into | | | | The LCDs do well with the higher resolution and have |
| them that creates the picture, on the other hand the | | | | a tendency to look sharper and clearer than the |
| LCD TV has liquid crystals sandwiched in the middle of | | | | Plasma especially when looking at the image in a |
| 2 glass plates. Each on of these TVs has their | | | | resolution of 1080i/p. Now the Plasma screens can be |
| advantages and their disadvantages, which will be | | | | marred easily so they have to have a sheet of glass |
| discussed below. | | | | over them for protection. This not only adds some |
| Depending on who you talk to, picture quality varies | | | | weight it can setup a situation for glare to happen if |
| between each type of TV. You must be the judge of | | | | your rooms is full of windows. |
| the image quality so the best thing to do is take a trip | | | | Life expectancy has always been a concern for |
| to the local electronics store and view for yourself. In | | | | Plasma TVs. The plasma TV was expected to last |
| the past, Plasma TVs had a much better contrast ratio | | | | about 20,000 hours while LCDs had a 60,000 hour life |
| than LCDs. Plasmas were easier and cheaper to | | | | time. The newer generations of plasmas have now |
| make for the larger screen sizes but advances in | | | | been improved to match the life time of the LCDs. |
| technology and manufacturing has evened out the | | | | For the larger screen sizes, Plasmas are less |
| playing field. | | | | expensive and have the advantage of the off-center |
| Typically, Plasma screens had much better viewing | | | | viewing angles. LCDs are lighter and not as fragile as |
| angles than LCDs. When viewing an LCD screen off | | | | plasmas. Plasmas have a better image with fast |
| center, the pictures become darker and the colors | | | | moving scenes and tend to be a bit brighter with more |
| change appearance. Modern day manufacturing has all | | | | contrast. Both now have about the same life |
| but eliminated this problem but you should still check | | | | expectancy so the real difference now comes down |
| the viewing angle when you are looking at flat screens | | | | to the make and model of your new flat screen. Enjoy. |
| at the electronics store. | | | | |