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Newsletter Archives
Plasma vs. LCD: A Buyer's Guide
Plasmas and LCDs are not
as dissimilar as they once were – with their thin, stylish flat screen
(and, in most instances, widescreen) technology, both offer stunning
displays of color and contrast. However, there are still some key
differences in quality and value that might influence your next
purchasing decision.
The technology…
Plasma screens are made of two sheets of glass, between
which plasma (xenon and neon gas) fills thousands of tiny chambers.
Behind each chamber is a series of red, blue and green phosphors. When
electricity hits the plasma chambers, they emit invisible UV light,
which then hits one of the color phosphors. This creates a visible
image on the screen.
LCD stands
for Liquid Crystal Display. A network of hundreds of thousands of tiny
LCD pixels sits behind the screen. Behind these pixels is a fluorescent
white backlight. When the light hits the pixels, an electric current
determines what color appears on the screen, and millions of tiny light
variations make up the image that you see on your Tv.1
The quality…
Both
plasma and LCD sets produce excellent pictures. However, some experts
claim plasma screens can display blacks more accurately than LCDs, which
means better contrast and detail when showing darker content. The
backlit nature of LCD screens makes it harder for them to produce true
blacks due to light leakage between pixels. This can also affect color
saturation, making plasmas the better choice for brighter color. Plasma
screens also typically have better viewing angles than LCDs. You tend to
see some brightness and color shift when you view images on an LCD from
a side angle.
LCDs tend to have higher
native resolution than plasmas of similar size, which means more pixels
on the screen. They also tend to consume less power, with some estimates
showing power use up to 30 percent less than plasma. LCDs are also
generally lighter than similar sized plasmas, making them easier to move
around or wall mount and can have a longer lifespan than plasma screens.2
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Plasma |
LCD |
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Size and weight |
Generally larger
than LCDs, with screens up to 71 inches. Plasma TVs are usually
around 10% heavier than LCD screens (meaning great care should
be taken when mounting on a wall) |
Usually no
larger than 46 inches, though larger TVs are in development.
LCDs are often slightly thinner and lighter than plasma TVs. |
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Quality of Picture |
Plasma screens
often have better contrast. Both have excellent quality and
sharpness. |
LCD usually has
a slightly clearer picture in smaller models and higher
resolution. |
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"Image Burn" |
Nowhere near as
much of a problem now as a few years ago, there is still a
slight concern that images left still for a long time could be
etched into the screen. |
This is not a
problem with LCD screens. |
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Viewing angle |
Plasma tends to
have slightly better viewing angles than LCD. |
Some models have
a restricted viewing angle, but many allow up to 160-degree |
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Brightness and glare |
In a fully dark
room, plasma TVs have better contrast and brightness than LCD
screens. |
LCD TVs
generally reflect less light and glare, so fare better in normal
light conditions |
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Lifespan |
Plasma screens
usually last for up to 60,000 hours before they dim by half. |
LCD TVs usually
last 60,000 hours or more before they dim by a half. |
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Energy usage |
Plasma uses
slightly more power than LCD screens. |
LCD TVs often
use less power than plasma screens. They can consume 60% less
power than a CRT television |
The price…
Traditionally, the
biggest advantage plasmas have had over LCDs is pricing for large screen
versions. This continues to change, though, with LCDs beginning to match
plasmas in many sizes. For small displays, LCDs are the only option.
The decision…
When deciding on a
purchase, think about where you will place the display and why –
considering weight, light conditions, and viewing angles. If you're
looking for a large screen display (50 inches or more), then plasma is
likely your best choice. While large LCDs can sometimes offer better
resolution, plasmas still tend to have better picture quality. If you
are looking for a smaller screen (15 to 42 inches) - LCD is your best
option, with small LCDs getting more affordable all the time.
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