| You know you want to buy a flat-screen TV but | | | | Screen life is the number of hours a TV provides |
| you don't know if a plasma TV or an LCD TV would | | | | before the picture begins to fade. Plasma TVs have |
| be your best choice. | | | | a screen life of about 30,000 to 60,00 hours, |
| This article explains the differences between plasma | | | | depending on the make and model, while LCD TV's |
| versus LCD TVs, then shows you how to get the | | | | have a screen life of 60,000 hours or more. |
| best price for a plasma or LCD TV. | | | | Plasma TVs are also subject to "burn in." This occurs |
| Plasma TV | | | | when a TV displays a still image long enough for a |
| A plasma TV screen consists of millions of | | | | ghost of that image to be burned into the screen. |
| multi-colored gas-filled cells. When electricity passes | | | | LCD TVs do not have this problem. |
| through the cells they light up and produce a picture. | | | | HD TV |
| Plasma TV screens have a much higher resolution | | | | Both plasma and LCD TVs display HD (high definition) |
| than tube TV screens. In fact, the picture is so clear | | | | signals for a sharper, more three dimensional picture. |
| it's almost like watching a scene through a window. | | | | LCD TVs, however, have a slightly higher resolution |
| Screen sizes range from 42" to 65" wide and are 3" | | | | (more screen pixels) then plasma TVs. |
| to 4" thick. | | | | Video Games |
| LCD TV | | | | Plasma and LCD TVs are both great for video |
| LCD (light crystal display) TV screens are made up of | | | | gaming, however because of plasma TV's tendency |
| a thin layer of liquid crystals sandwiched between | | | | toward screen burn in, an LCD TV is the better |
| two glass plates. When an electricity is sent through | | | | choice if you play a lot of video games. |
| the crystals an array of tiny multi-colored pixels light | | | | Portability |
| up to create a picture. | | | | LCD TVs are thinner and lighter than plasma TVs, |
| LCD TV screens are thinner and lighter than plasma | | | | making them easier to move and easier to mount on |
| screens. They are the most popular screens for | | | | a wall. |
| computers, and are quickly gaining popularity as TV | | | | Plasma vs LCD TV prices |
| screens. | | | | When it comes to which type of TV gives you the |
| LCD TV screens are anywhere from 1/4" to 4" thick | | | | most bang for the buck, it depends on what you're |
| and 2" to 65" wide. | | | | looking for. |
| Plasma vs. LCD Features | | | | If you're looking for a large-screen TV - 42" or larger |
| Picture Quality | | | | - plasma TVs are currently cheaper than than |
| When it comes to which type of TV screen is | | | | similar-sized LCD TVs. When I recently compared |
| sharper and shows more detail, plasma TVs have a | | | | prices on 42" TVs, the cheapest plasma TV was |
| slight edge over LCD TVs, though LCD TVs are | | | | $999, while the cheapest LCD TV was $1,367. |
| catching up. | | | | When it comes to mid-size TVs, I couldn't find |
| Plasma TVs are also slightly better when it comes to | | | | plasma TVs smaller than 42." The cheapest 32" LCD |
| viewing angle - how far you can sit to one side of a | | | | TV I found was $619, while the cheapest 27" LCD |
| TV screen before picture quality is affected. | | | | TV was $550. |
| Screen Life | | | | |