LCD vs Plasma Televisions
A Flat Screen TV Buying Guide
Intro
Flat screen TVs are the way of the future and are fast replacing the old “tube” TVs in modern homes today. Flat screens are sleek and lightweight and offer excellent image quality through the digital display technology they employ.
The biggest downfall of the flat screen TV is the price associated with it, but thankfully the prices are falling rapidly, as tends to happen with most technology over time.
When looking at flat screens, you will be faced with the choice between 2 very different technologies, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. This buying guide will take you through the major differences between Plasma and LCD displays.
How Do They Work?
To simplify what can be a very lengthy and technical answer, LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) rely on a fluorescent back light that illuminates millions of liquid crystals by way of an electrical impulse to make the picture.
Plasma technology utilizes millions of pixel cells which, when stimulated by electric pulses, produce natural gasses which causes them to glow, and produce light which results in a picture.
The following table provides a quick glance at the facts that you should keep in mind when considering a plasma or LCD TV, and a high-level look at which technology typically comes out on top. Click on the hyperlinks for a more in depth look at how the technologies compare for each topic listed below. For a comprehensive guide to Samsung TVs, please click here.
Play by Play
Screen Size in Relation to Price
Screen size directly correlates to price whether you are shopping for plasma or LCD: the bigger the screen, the more it will cost you. The size availability in each of the technologies is what might affect your decision on which to purchase.
Until recently, LCD technology has limited the production of larger screen sizes, although Samsung already has a 70” on the market and most manufacturers are following suit.
Plasma technology however seems to produce reliable and consistent results no matter the screen size and thus allows for the production of large scale units with no draw backs. They carry a price tag of course, but consumers looking for the wow factor in their home theaters are turning to plasma flat screen TVs.
Both plasma and LCD technologies will deliver a far superior picture to the old tube TVs. They are also equipped with a widescreen aspect ratio, which means movies can be viewed how they are shown in a commercial theatre.
Plasma screens are said to have better contrast and deeper blacks, but LCDs are touted to have a slightly clearer picture with their higher resolution.
Image burn is less of a problem as technology advances but is traditionally an issue that plagues plasma TVs. If an image is frozen for too long on the screen it can effectively etch into the screen.
Plasma screens have better contrast and brightness than LCDs in a dark room so are highly suited to home theatre set ups. LCDs reflect less light and glare and are better suited for normal light conditions like in the kitchen or bright family rooms.
Plasmas tend to have a slightly better viewing angle although most LCDs allow up to 160 degree viewing.
Because LCD technology uses florescent backlighting and plasma technology lights each pixel individually, plasma screens use a lot more energy than LCDs when user settings are the same.
Computers & Video Games - Since computer users will be looking primarily at static images, LCDs were previously recommended to avoid image burn. Image retention can happen in plasmas but the image will not burn so this is no longer cause for concern. LCDs do have higher resolution though, and therefore provide a sharper image for documents like spreadsheets etc.
- RECOMMEND: LCD
Sports - Plasma typically performs better in fast moving video playback. LCDs are starting to perform better although the technology suffers a slight trailer effect or blurring during fast moving sports scenes. Avid watchers will be able to detect this even though it is minimal.
- RECOMMEND: Plasma
Movies - Plasmas have better contrast and truer, brighter colour in dark rooms, which makes them the preferred choice for home theaters.
- RECOMMEND: Plasma
Although LCD's have boasted a longer lifespan for many years, new technology in plasmas extends their lifespan to about 100,000 hours. Our research did not indicate whether the lifespan of an LCD was as long, but they are touted to last beyond 60,000 hours.
You are going to come across flat screens that offer HD, and those that do not. HD is an added feature and is available for both plasma and LCD TVs. It offers enhanced sound and picture quality – but only for channels that transmit in high definition. HD channels are available from your cable or satellite provider.
| Televisions (view all) |
$3,199.99 
$3,999.99 at The Source | | $1,099.99
$1,399.99 at The Source |
| LCD TVs (view all) |
| | $749.99
$1,099.99 at The Source | $329.99
$399.99 at The Source |
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