| I was recently asked this question: I am replacing the | | | | It used to be that people chose LCD TVs over |
| old standard TV in my RV. Is it best to go with a | | | | Plasma TVs, because LCD TVs had a longer lifespan |
| Plasma or LCD TV? I remember reading somewhere | | | | than Plasma TVs . That advantage is no longer the |
| that altitude changes and temperature swings were | | | | case, the new generation of Plasma TVs last just as |
| not good for plasma TVs. Is it okay to use either a | | | | long as LCD TVs. The average lifespan of both TVs |
| plasma or LCD TV while the RV is being driven? | | | | should average out to about 60,000 hours. That means |
| My answer was as follows: I would suggest very | | | | if you watched TV for 8 hours every day, these TVs |
| strongly that you go with an LCD TV over a Plasma | | | | could theoretically last 20 years. |
| TV. Here is why: | | | | One other disadvantage of a Plasma TV is picture |
| What you have heard about Plasma TVs being | | | | burn-in. If you leave a static image on the screen for |
| affected by altitude is correct. A plasma TV screen is | | | | too long it could permanently leave that image on the |
| comprised of tiny little chambers containing | | | | screen. But the newer generations of Plasmas have |
| compressed gasses such as Argon, Neon and Xenon. | | | | gotten better at preventing picture burn-in. LCD TVs |
| When you turn on your TV these gasses create the | | | | are much less prone to burn-in. So, if you have children |
| colors that you see on the TV screen. When you are | | | | or grand children that love to play video games and |
| above the 6000 foot level; the pressure changes in | | | | pause their games for hours on end, then you are |
| these chambers cause the Plasma TV to work harder | | | | better off with an LCD TV. |
| to excite (activate) these gasses to create a picture. In | | | | Let's address picture quality. Videophiles swear that |
| fact, you can actually hear a buzzing sound from the | | | | Plasma TVs have a superior picture quality. To be |
| screen, just like the buzzing you can hear when you | | | | honest, the only time I have noticed a better picture |
| stand close to a large neon sign. | | | | quality on a Plasma versus an LCD TV is on TVs that |
| Because the TV components are working harder to | | | | have screens 50 inches or larger. The same thing |
| produce a picture, it also shortens the life-span of the | | | | holds true for the resolution of the TVs. Whether you |
| Plasma TV. | | | | get a 720p or 1080p LCD TV, you will not notice a |
| The Liquid Crystal Screens on an LCD TV are not | | | | difference between the two resolutions until you get |
| affected by altitude. That is why the airlines use LCD | | | | into the 50" and larger screens. |
| TVs for their in-flight entertainment. LCD screens have | | | | Now, to your last question can you use the TVs while |
| been used for TVs, Lap Top Computers, Outdoor | | | | going down the road? Yes, you can as long as you |
| Electrical Equipment, etc. for years because of their | | | | have a generator running or are using an Inverter to |
| durability. | | | | provide 120 volt power to the TV, you can watch |
| Plasma TVs are usually heavier than LCD TVs and | | | | DVDs, play video games or watch satellite TV (if you |
| their glass screens are far more fragile than the | | | | have a self tracking satellite dish on the roof of your |
| screens on LCD TVs. | | | | RV). |