| If you are looking at getting a new TV, or building a | | | | Plasma TV's are now more resistance to burn in and |
| home theater, then there is quite a bit of research to | | | | ship with screen savers while LCD's have increased |
| be done before you make the plunge. Right now there | | | | viewing angles. So what is the difference? Well, first |
| are two competing technologies for High Definition Flat | | | | things first. It is no coincidence that major TV |
| Screen TV. The first is LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) | | | | manufacturers are offering plasma TV's at the top of |
| and the second Plasma TV. Both will offer a great | | | | their lineup while placing LCD's at their entry level |
| picture, perfectly flat screens which will keep your | | | | positions. One reason for this is the fact that LCD's are |
| straight lines looking straight, and immunity from | | | | not economical in larger sizes. It is very uncommon to |
| magnetic distortion, but which technology is better? | | | | see a LCD with a screen size larger than 40". Also, If |
| What are their prospective pros and cons? Read on | | | | you are looking at screen sizes under 37", an LCD is |
| for more information. | | | | your only flat panel choice. |
| Before I get into what you should buy, you should get | | | | In my opinion, overall there is still a gap large enough to |
| the "how does it work run down", the quick and dirty | | | | have a clear winner. I feel that for large cinema type |
| edition. It is quite difficult to compare two competing | | | | applications you will be better off with a plasma |
| technologies because they tend to be, by nature, | | | | solution. Plasma will give you a slightly better picture |
| apples and oranges. This is why it helps to know your | | | | with brighter colors and more contrast at larger sizes. |
| fruit. Plasma and LCD TV's generate their pictures in | | | | LCD however is great for an extra TV and if you |
| extremely different ways. A Plasma TV's pixel | | | | watch your power bill, you will be happy to know that |
| consists of gas-filled cells coated with a | | | | an LCD will use much less power than a Plasma of |
| phosphorescent material. When an electrical current | | | | the same size. |
| charges the gas in a cell, it makes the coating glow. | | | | So if you need a flat screen for the kitchen, you will |
| However, in an LCD TV, the pixels are liquid crystal | | | | not be disappointed with the convenience of a LCD |
| cells placed over a fluorescent backlight. The cells | | | | TV. If you are looking at a TV in a size that does |
| opacity varies in response to an electrical signal, | | | | overlap technologies, then you must decide which to |
| passing or blocking the light. This method has been | | | | go with. I would choose a plasma TV in most cases |
| used for computer monitors for quite some time. | | | | over an LCD TV of the same size. I feel the |
| Burn in has plagued the plasma TV's reputation while | | | | advantages of the plasma's picture quality outweigh |
| the LCD is seen as a "view from the front" only TV, | | | | the cons of the LCD's advantages which also happen |
| but recent technological advances have decreased | | | | to be quickly disappearing as the plasmas technology |
| the gap between these two competing technologies. | | | | matures. |