| The apparent war between plasma and LCD TV's | | | | the upper hand in this instance as each pixels is |
| has been raging for some time now. Traditionally, | | | | activated individually. Another area in which Plasmas |
| plasma models have offered owners a stunning array | | | | led the way was the viewing angle as they are able to |
| of technologies designed to deliver a high quality | | | | produce clear images at extreme viewing angles. |
| viewing experience, typically, beyond that of the Liquid | | | | LCD's have made major strides in this area with many |
| Crystal Display format. The bone of contention for | | | | manufacturers quoting viewing angles in the region of |
| most potential buyers is the price; plasma screens | | | | 178 degrees whilst still retaining sharp image quality. |
| TV's are generally associated with premium price tags. | | | | The major drawback with Plasmas is the weight and |
| For most TV fans screen is the most important factor | | | | thicker screens making them heavier and therefore |
| when considering which TV to purchase. However, | | | | more difficult to wall mount. |
| with the price of large screen models running into four | | | | The most recent developments in LCD technology has |
| figures, many users had to settle for flat panel TV's | | | | delivered LED to the mainstream manufacturing |
| which, in their eyes at least, was a 'cheaper version'. | | | | process. TV manufacturers can use an LED backlight |
| The advent of technologies such as Sony's BRAVIA | | | | instead of the standard Cold Cathode Fluorescent |
| engine and Philips Ambilight has levelled the playing field | | | | Lamps (LCD-CCFL) used in most LCD televisions. The |
| and helped to make significant inroads into the sale of | | | | LED backlight has a number of advantages over |
| plasma TV's. | | | | regular CCFL backlight TVs indcluding a lower power |
| LCD TV's and Plasmas work utilise different | | | | consumption and higher brightness levels. LED-backlit |
| technologies to deliver the same viewing effects. LCD | | | | LCD TV's typically have a longer lifespan than their |
| television sets are built around crystal cells that tighten | | | | LCD counterparts and are more energy efficient than |
| and relax when an electrical current is applied to them. | | | | Plasma screens. Also, LED cells can be switched on |
| A backlighting system saturates the cells and, as they | | | | and off more rapidly than traditional LCD backlights |
| rotate, colours not required are filtered out leaving only | | | | which allows the to produce both higher light output, |
| the desired colour cells in place. Plasma screens also | | | | exceptionally high contrast ratios and a greater range |
| work by using millions of pixels. The difference being | | | | of deep blacks (Sony has quoted their 40ZX1 model |
| that, when activated, the cells release gases that | | | | as having a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 2,000,000:1). |
| produce a particular colour from the red, blue and | | | | Considering the rate of development it's easy to |
| green bands that are enclosed within the pixels. | | | | understand why LCD is fast replacing Plasma as the |
| Recent developments in LCD technology have | | | | preferred viewing medium for consumers. Admittedly, |
| allowed manufacturers to build LCD screens that offer | | | | the price of LED TV's is still relatively high however, as |
| comparable viewing quality to that of Plasma TVs. In | | | | manufacturers start to see healthy returns on their |
| particular the handling of fast moving action was a | | | | investment the prices will drop. Will Plasma TV's be |
| issue; many LCD televisions would leave a trailing | | | | with us for much longer? |
| image (commonly knows as 'blur'). Plasma screens had | | | | |