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LCD vs Plasma: Which HDTV Technology is Best for You

Dena Cassella By

LCDvsPLASMA

The battle of LCD vs Plasma continues. Here's our attempt at settling the plasma vs LCD war and helping you find your perfect HDTV.

If you’re ever in a need of a conversation starter, try the good ‘ole Plasma versus LCD debate—you’ll surely get a fun dialogue going over these competing technologies. There are many things to consider with this battle—picture quality, type best suited for viewing, size, price, energy cost per year—but what you really need to figure out, is what HDTV panel best suits you and your lifestyle. To complicate this issue further, price and size have been leveling out the playing field this year as LCD TVs are now being made in larger sizes and at competing prices with plasma. Here are some comparisions and facts to help you win which ever side you choose to argue and assist you in deciding which HDTV technology is best for you.

Picture contrast

Picture contrast is considered the most important aspect of HDTV performance by some industry experts. The main reason for the differences in picture contrast, motion resolution, and viewing between the two panel types is because LCD and plasma TVs use different methods to illuminate their screens. LCD screens are typically brighter than plasmas and tend to produce less glare in a brightly lit room. Plasmas produce deeper black levels making them a better choice if you do a lot of viewing in a home theater type atmosphere, with your room’s lights dimmed. Some LCD TVs also use LED backlighting, giving it a better picture contrast. The LEDs switch on and off rapidly, achieving an outstanding contrast and deep black levels.

Plasma and LCD are very close to in this category. They both produce excellent picture contrast quality—although, plasmas traditionally have a better contrast. Also, another thing to keep in mind is that it would probably be more useful to compare models from the same manufacturers because most manufacturers measure picture contrast differently from each other.

Samsung-UN55B6000Viewing angle

The viewing angle of a TV is more important than you think. All TVs have great picture quality when looking at the screen straight on, but what about during those crowded Super Bowl games, when you’re the one stuck on the far left side of the room, or laying on the floor looking up at the screen—kind of hard to see the game from that angle. LCD TVs have more issues with viewing angles than plasmas do. This is because most LCDs use a constantly shining fluorescent backlight. The LCD pixels act like window shutters, opening and closing to let light through. It’s this shutter effect causing the viewing distortion and limitations as you moves more “off-axis” from the direct view of the TV.  The plasma TVs tend to win with viewing angles.

Longevity

A LCD display will last as long as its backlight does, since the majority of the wear and tear is happening to the backlighting. Some experts say that as the fluorescent backlighting ages, the color change, throwing the whole TV off. The best solution is to recalibrate the TV. Of course, with LED backlight LCD HDTVs, there is far more stability and also more protection for the white balance over time.

Plasmas TVs on the other hand use electric currents to stimulate gases like xenon and neon—so these elements fade more naturally over time and last about as long as an LCD would. LCD used to have a leg up on plasma in longevity, but with these current plasma models, we’d say it’s pretty even right now. Plasma and LCD are tied for the longevity win. Certain makes and models of these differing products may attest this tie, but as a general statement—these two technologies are about the same in this category.

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Showing 14 comments

  1. james at 3:46am 30th June 2010 plasmas have better refresh rates which would make them much better for gaming. i dont know why everyone thinks lcds are better for the gaming aspect... the only drawback is the potential burn in, which on my 42" plasma has never been an issue even after very long hours spent playing.
  2. Catalin at 8:04am 4th June 2010 Some information concerning differences between LCD and PLASMA:

    - Plasma are a little bit more heavier when compared with a LCD of the same dimension
    - Plasma has better and brighter colors, a better quality of images, dark color is the dark we are used to
    - Better seeing from any angle of the room on a Plasma
    - Plasma is suited for darker rooms, or where we cand adjust the intensity of the light
    - Plasma is not the best choice if you're looking for a gaming TV (playing video games on the TV)

    - LCD are suited for brighter rooms, colors are still bright and visible
    - LCD consumption of electricity is lower.
    - LCD are suited for video games, full HD watching (either on PC or vya another device)

    Both LCD and Plasma have the same lifetime expectation, and the prices are also almost the same (Plasma are a bit more expensive).

    So, it depends on what u're planning to do with this TV.
    More information on this site : http://blog.avstore.ro/televizoare-lcd-sau-tele...
    (it's in romanian)

    And a movie explaining this and more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzoFoy8W2dI
  3. Snakey at 8:47pm 18th May 2010 Im surprised they did not mention there is a lot of ghosting on LCDs i saw a demo at a Panasonic outlet , Air travel schedule in motion in both LCD vs Plasma , n i cud not read even a single word on the LCD whereas it was crystal clear on the Plasma. So if u want to enjoy action movies go for Plasma , n personally the colors on LCDs seem too bright n straining.
  4. Sam at 10:19am 4th May 2010 What about comapring LED vs LCD vs Plasma? I am looking for about a 55 inch and samsung seems to have a few very good models out there. I want to mainly watch, Sports, regular TV and movies, no video games. I would like something "green" also.
    Thanks for the help.
  5. Ian Bell at 12:31pm 7th March 2010 What questions do you have? Maybe I can help.
  6. RJ at 10:10am 7th March 2010 This review was as usfull as a Horiscope!!! I was not looking for "... maybee this...possibly that..." I was looking for information.

    Being older I may not have as full a grasp on the internet as others, however, I now see why people say to me it is not that usefull.
  7. Techfused at 6:15pm 21st January 2010 Interesting! I have been looking for this info for the last few hours. Keep us updated I would like to hear more!
  8. ayla123 at 8:14pm 15th January 2010 tell me which is better plasma or lcd
  9. dang at 9:20pm 9th December 2009 Yup, once you got flat screen you'll never look back.
  10. dang at 9:20pm 9th December 2009 What I am impressed with is how thin some of the new LED LCD TVs. Serious, there were ones at CES last year that were thinner then the width of a quarter.
  11. Ian Bell at 6:21pm 9th December 2009 I think Samsung seems to be edging them out quite a bit.
  12. Michael Anderson at 5:58pm 9th December 2009 This has definitely been a long running debate. I work with Sharp and have found either way you decide to go, you can't go wrong with buying a flat screen tv from them.
  13. Michael Anderson at 5:58pm 9th December 2009 This has definitely been a long running debate. I work with Sharp and have found either way you decide to go, you can't go wrong with buying a flat screen tv from them.
  14. Ian Bell at 5:58pm 9th December 2009 My rules for buying a TV:

    If you need a TV for a room with a lot of light: Go with LCD

    If you want a great movie experience and can limit the lighting: Plasma all the way

    Personally I think Plasma's are still better and give you more bang for your buck. Plus regular broadcasts (non-HD) look much better on a plasma. On an LCD/LED they look way too pixelated, especially up close.

    I think video games look better on an LCD TV though.
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