LCD vs Plasma - Which One Is Right For You?
Plasma and LCD TVs are becoming afforable and are an awesome addition to any room. There are lots of choices for TVs: CRT, LCD projection, Plasmas and LCD. If you are looking for a sleak flat panel TV you have to decide between LCD and Plasma. So what is the difference?
Screen Size:
In general Plasmas have an advantage here. If you are looking for something 50" or above, the cost of LCDs becomes more expensive than Plasma. LCDs are getting larger and larger, but at this time the Plasma TVs seems to be larger for the same amount of money. This is likely to change as the glass production needed to make very large plasma TVs is difficult. For extremely large TVs over 60" your choice of LCD models is very limited, while there are a handful of plasma TVs to choose from.
Resolution:
Plasma and LCD TVs both come in a varitey of resolutions. There can vary greatly so be sure to look at this closely. The choice you will have to make right now is 720p vs 1080p. Most of the HD content around is 720p. If you want to be prepared for the future you will want 1080p. Also if you are going to be doing be using your new TV as a computer monitor, the extra resolution of 1080p will be noticable. A lot of people I talk to say they can't really tell the difference between 720p and 1080p while watching TV and movies.
Brightness:
Plasmas TVs are in general slightly brighter than LCDs, however plasmas TVs have a special glass that can reflect light. So under non-optimal contions LCD TVs can actually apear to be brighter.
Burn-in and Dead Pixels:
Older Plasma TV are suceptable to burn in. Meaning if you leave a static image (like the HUD in a video game) on the TV for a long period of time a ghost of that image can perminately burn into the TV. This issue has been improved on newer models with 'pixel orbitor' technology. LCDs do not suffer from Burn In. Sometimes a pixel or two in a LCD TV can become "stuck". Pixels can become dead or stuct often with LCDs.
Lifespan:
People often think a Plasma TV's lifespan is short. This is not true, Plasma TV lifespans are 30,000 to 60,000 hours. LCDs are similar. On average if you watched TV for 6 hours a day your TV would last around 20 years.
Viewing Angle:
LCD and Plasma are about the same when it comes to viewing angle. LCD are a little better with a wider 175 degree angle than the plasma's 160 degree angle.
Refresh Rates:
Plasmas are slightly better at this as they were built from the begining for TV and Video, while LCDs were originally used to display data and adapted as TVs. But in gerenal there is no real difference.
Weight and Durabilty:
Plasma TVs are much hevier and more fragile than LCD TVs. If you are going to be moving the TV around a lot and weight is a concern, LCDs are the way to go. This is also a good reason to have Plasma TVs profesionally installed.
Cost:
When comparing the price of plasmas vs LCD TVs you have to take the size into consideration. If you are looking around the 37"-50" range the prices are pretty similar. For smaller TVs LCDs are cheaper, larger TVs Plasmas cost less.
My Verdict:
Serious Pro Install Home Theator - Plasma
Multi Purpose Stadard Home Use - LCD
Gaming - LCD
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Nice info!
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nice blog...
i jst wanted to knw....i m really confused which one to buy plasma or lcd??
i`ll use it for both gaming (my ps3) and movies....
help!!
thanx in advance
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Well, I got the 42" Westing house LCD and its awesome man. Go LCD you wont be disapointed.
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Thanks for the write-up Dan.
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nice topic..
cheers
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nice article, kind of resumes it all. Good work!
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thanks for the information you wrote.allowing me to distinguish between an LCD and a plasma. I am planning to buy a supposed to be 50 in plasma for myself and with info i got from you i now know the type i would purchased, again thank you.
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Is your LCD set viewable from an angle? I've heard good and bad about viewing from any point other than the "sweet spot" directly in front. What's your experience?
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Ya for sure, the viewing angle on my LCD tv is great. My friend has a LCD rear projection and it goes dark very quickly if you move away from the center of the TV.
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I have had 3 lcds ranging from 30" up to 42" which currently have. i have done multiple tests with samsung and sony lcds, pioneer and panasonic plasmas. the only lcd i would buy is an led backlit one. because at the end of the day you start to notice the contrast ratio on lcds. sure you might not at first, but i could come to your place and put you off your lcd tv quite easily haha.
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Hi, really nice article, I was especially happy to learn about the life of a plasma Tv and the anti-burn-in technologies. They pulled me back from buyn one so far. It would be nice if you cud give other information on plasmas like, the power consumption, the heat and radiations produced etc. Most articles dont really discuss about these so called minor issues but I think they are important and shud definately be considered.
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Hey Dan, I think is a very good summary of most important rules to use when deciding for HDTV.
1) viewing angle: my personal experience is that with LCD you will notice a ver important degradation of contrast and colors quality when move away from the "sweet spot". Yes, you can see the image but the whites are not the same, and most colors get a graynish finish that are less common in plasmas.
2) Contrast: I have been comparing 42 inches HDTVs with similar prices. I'm a picky person when it comes to image quality. With all LCDs you will be in trouble finding a compromise btwen whites and blacks. If you want great whites (light colors) forget about real black (darks colors). LCDs use blacklighting to produce the good whites (most people like to see real whites, and not yelow colors). But backlight impact also the quality of blacks. So for picky people like me, LCDs are not at the right level.
Again, I liked your summary and just wanted to share those points where I found more problems to decide btwen LCD or Plasma. As you said: if looking for great picture quality: Plasmas will be better candidates.
Another references I found true:
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/features/779/plasma-vs-lcd-round-ii-contrast-and-bottom-line-page4.html
Good luck to everyone
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I am buying a new TV, and the Picture Quality is one of my Major Concerns . I was in a store and there was a Plasma 42" and an LCD 42" both playing the same Movie. Yes the Plasma Picture was way far better than the LCD , it was a Panasonic and the LCD was a Sony - The Plasma Picture is Shiny and Clear and detailed , the LCD was Faded and Pixeled and and very provoking for me. By the way , I never Liked LCDs Pictures since they were released . But I liked thier weight and Life span , yet I read a topi that LCDs Lifespan are similar. so I guess I might concentrate on a good Plasma
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