LCD vs. Plasma Televisions

You want a TV that will provide a great display of the New England Patriots choking next year, while also being appropriate for regular television and movie watching, as well as occasional gaming. The decision ultimately comes down to LCD vs. plasma televisions and which is better for you. While the answer to this question will be different for virtually everyone, once you know the facts about both, it should be easy to choose what type of TV to get.

Differences Between Plasma and LCD

Plasma and LCD TVs have many differences. Technically speaking, plasma televisions have a display that is composed of cells and relies on neon-xenon gas to strike each cell so that an image is produced. LCD TVs on the other hand rely on current passed through the crystals within to produce an image and an external light source to make the image visible by the TV viewer.

Sound like a lot of mumbo-jumbo? Well, for those that don’t watch a lot of Bill Nye it’s pretty complicated. An easier way to explain it is that Plasma TVs burn phosphors to show an image on the screen, and as such, often get much hotter to the touch than do LCD TVs. They also occasionally “screen” burn images, which means that the image may show up even after you turn the TV off. LCDs, in contrast, generate less heat and no radiation is emitted.

Reasons to choose a plasma TV

• Better color accuracy. Images on the TV will appear to be much more accurate and life-like.

• A larger screen availability. You might notice black lines around the edges of the picture on a tube or LCD TV, but not a Plasma TV. This is particularly a good thing when it comes to playing videos and reproducing that theater feel.

• Little to no motion lag, so you won’t encounter the pausing you might with an LCD or tube TV.

Reasons to choose a LCD TV

• More energy efficient and not prone to screen burns. They use less energy than Plasma TVs do and also are not prone to screen burns.

• Longer life span. A typical LCD TV is good for 60,000 hours of viewing time, which is almost double that of a typical Plasma TV.

• Less expensive. Plasmas often go for a considerable amount more than does an LCD TV.

• Better image brightness. Plasma TV displays can, at times, be too dim, whereas LCD TV displays are considerably brighter.

So which do you choose? Ultimately, you need to weigh efficiency, price and longevity vs. image accuracy and screen quality. If the former is more important to you, an LCD TV is the best choice. But if you’re looking for image accuracy and a terrific looking display, choose a Plasma TV.