| One of the most common debates that comes up | | | | this, however. But that's beyond the scope of this |
| whenever someone decides to buy a new TV, is | | | | article. |
| whether they should buy an LCD TV or a different | | | | Plasma TV's also have a lower "lifetime" than a LCD |
| type of TV, such as Plasma. | | | | TV. They won't last as long as an LCD TV, which can |
| Many people are unsure about the pros and cons of | | | | last an astonishing 60,000 hours. |
| each different type of technology, so today I'm going | | | | So what about LCD TV's? What are the pros and |
| to tell you the differences between these two modern | | | | cons? |
| technologies. | | | | With LCD TV's there's no burn-in problem. They also |
| The first thing you need to know is how the two | | | | produce less heat and run at cooler temperatures |
| technologies are different. A plasma TV uses two | | | | compared to the plasma TVs. |
| gases (neon and xenon) which is trapped between | | | | One of the disadvantages of LCD TV technology is |
| two layers of glass. The gases are manipulated to | | | | the problem of "ghosting", which is when fast moving |
| show the images on your screen. | | | | images leave a trail on your screen (although |
| An LCD TV is made out of two transparent layers | | | | admittedly, this is becoming less of a problem with the |
| which are glued together. One side has a kind of | | | | newer low response time TVs). |
| polymer that holds the liquid crystals in place. The | | | | Another disadvantage is the possibility of "dead pixels". |
| crystals are then manipulated to display the images | | | | This is when you have a little black spec on your |
| you see. | | | | screen, where the pixel has died... and therefore |
| Okay... that's enough of the science. What's the pros | | | | cannot display any color. Most retailers won't accept a |
| and cons of each type of TV? | | | | return unless there's over 6 or more dead pixels. So if |
| Firstly, plasma TV's main feature is their size. You can | | | | you only have one or two, you are stuck with it |
| have a very large plasma TV, that would be much | | | | (although some people don't even notice them, |
| cheaper compared to the same size screen in LCD | | | | because they are very small). |
| form. Another key feature is the contrast ratios. They | | | | So in conclusion, both technologies have their individual |
| are very good with plasma TV's. They are especially | | | | pros and cons. If you want a very large TV, then you |
| good for rendering dark, night time scenes in movies. | | | | may prefer a plasma. Personally, I think LCD is the |
| However, the plasma TV technology isn't without it's | | | | way to go if you want a TV under 37". LCD TV's last |
| faults. Some people may experience something called | | | | much longer, and the quality of picture has improved |
| "burn in". This is when you have a static image on your | | | | dramatically over the last few years. They really are a |
| screen too long. It can cause the image to burn into the | | | | good investment. |
| TV for some time. There are methods of removing | | | | |