Plasma TVs vs. LCD TVs. Who wins? An informative, easy-to-read report.

Plasma vs. LCD TVs

Who Wins? No-Spin Report. The Good & the Bad.

Size: Both LCD TVs and plasma TVs are thin as you could hope for. In screen size plasmas usually run larger though don’t usually come in smaller sizes, which is sometimes needed. Viewing Angle: Plasma have a wider viewing angle. Life Span: Both have good lifespan. Issues: Plasma sometimes suffer from “burn in” effect. LCD TVs are sometimes susceptible to a delay that causes the outline of figures or objects to appear jagged. Color: LCD TVs are renowned for a sharp picture and vibrant color. Plasma TVs are known for a wide range of colors and accurate color reproduction. Brightness: LCD TVs are said to do slightly better in bright-light conditions. Black Levels: Plasma TVs generally produce very black blacks whereas an LCD TV will produce a very dark charcoal gray. Contrast Levels: Plasma TVs, technically, are said to have greater contrast levels. Cost: Prices for both types of TVs are decreasing rapidly.

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Plasma vs. LCD TV Prices

Finally, price. At the moment, in general, the price of a large LCD TV is going to be a little more expensive than the same large-sized plasma TV. The caveat with all of LCD TVs negatives, as you may have noticed, is that “they’re improving.” The same is true here. While plasma TVs have been out on the market for a while and have established something of a reputation, the truth is, LCD TVs are hot in the public’s mind at the moment. Maybe that’s because they’re new. Maybe it’s because they’ve gotten some good press and good advertising. Whatever the reason, that fact alone will help push manufacturers to lower prices to make them more competitive with plasma TVs. The LCD vs. Plasma battle is already on, but when prices come down even more for each, it’s going to get fierce. But maybe everyone will win in the end. Unlike computers, where compatibility with other computers is an issue, in the TV market, two competing technologies don’t necessarily have to be at odds with each other. Some people will simply have an LCD TV in their homes, and others will have a plasma. No beefs, no problems, no hard feelings. The LCD vs. Plasma war is only important for those in the buying stage.

One last word on prices: Obviously, they can fluctuate quickly, from day to day even. And so listing prices here is almost pointless. You’ll need to check a dealer for the latest.

Plasma vs. LCD TVs: Summary

A Summary of LCD vs. Plasma TVs

Size

Both LCD TVs and plasma TVs are as thin as you could hope for. In viewable screen size, though LCD TVs are getting bigger everyday, plasmas generally run larger. Once you get into the larger sizes, you will also find a bigger selection among the plasma TVs. Plasma TVs, however, don’t generally come in smaller sizes, and sometimes you need a smaller size.

Viewing Angle

Plasma TVs generally have a larger viewing angle than LCD TVs, however high-end LCD TVs do live up to their claimed 170° viewing angle.

Life Span

Both LCD TVs and plasma TVs have good lifespan, but LCD TVs can technically last longer because their light source can be replaced. The low end for both LCD TVs and plasma TVs these days is 30,000 hours, with many going up to 60,000 hours before noticeable picture depreciation takes place.

Issues with Each Type of TV

Burn-in: Plasma TVs have a reputation of occasionally suffering from “burn in” effect. This is not such a problem for your average user, unless you leave your TV tuned to a channel with a continuous news ticker. A function called “white flash” can erase the burn in effect, but it takes some life off the TV's lifespan.

Watching Motion: LCD TVs can be susceptible to a delay that causes the outline of figures or objects to appear jagged or blocky when in motion. High definition TV greatly reduces this effect.

Pixel Problems: Both LCD TVs and plasma TVs can be affected by pixel problems. This is not generally a problem with name brand versions, and if it occurs severely, your warranty will cover it.

Color, Brightness, Black Levels, & Contrast

Color: LCD TVs are known for their sharp pictures and lively color. An LCD TV’s colors are vibrant and can wow you when you walk into a room. Plasma TVs are known for their wide range of colors and their accurate color reproduction. A plasma TV’s colors are warm and deep.

Brightness: Brightness numbers from manufacturers will mean little because they aren’t measured under real-life conditions. Your own viewing area will play into this considerably. LCD TVs have the reputation of doing slightly better in bright-light conditions.

Black Levels: Plasma TVs generally produce very black blacks whereas an LCD TV will produce a very dark charcoal gray. The very dark gray that LCD TVs produce is sufficiently dark for most people. Many would take it for black if not told otherwise.

Contrast Levels: Plasma TVs, technically, are known to have greater contrast levels than LCD TVs, however many see LCD TVs as being more vibrant, which seems connected to contrast, at least in the mind of most viewers.

Cost

LCD TVs are generally a little more expensive than plasma TVs when talking about the larger sizes. Prices for both, however, are coming down rapidly.

The 12 Most Important Differences:

1. Plasmas TVs are made of chemical compounds called phosphors. LCD TVs use millions of crystals suspended in a liquid crystal sandwich.

2. You have a wider selection of larger-size TVs with plasmas (though LCDs are catching up).

3. Plasma don't come in smaller sizes, which you will need for places like the kitchen.

4. Plasmas tend to have a wider viewing angle (though, again, LCDs are catching up).

5. Plasmas can suffer from burn-in effect; LCD don't.

6. LCDs can produce a jagged figure when in motion. Plasmas tends to do better. HDTV improves this problem dramatically for both.

7. You can replace the light source with an LCD, thereby bringing your original picture back. With plasmas you can't.

8. LCDs produce sharp, lively colors. Plasmas produce warmer and more accurate colors.

9. LCDs tend to do better in bright-light conditions.

10. Plasmas tend to produce blacker blacks.

11. Plasmas, "technically," produce a higher contrast range.

12. At the moment, plasmas tend to run a little cheaper, but this is changing rapidly as LCDs flood into the market.

Plasma vs. LCD TVs: An Analogy

Peanut Butter & Jelly

And so, back to our peanut butter and jelly analogy. If I can, without seeming too ridiculous, I’d like to propose that plasma TVs are like peanut butter and LCD TVs are like jelly. Plasma TVs are like peanut butter because, at least for now, they’re generally bigger (more filling in that way). Their picture, compared to an LCD TV's picture, is also somewhat smoother and creamier, like peanut butter. Plasma TVs aren’t so much flashy and sweet as they are filling and hearty. Their colors are earthy and authentic. LCD TVs are like jelly in that they are flashy and sweet. LCD TVs are known for their color and vibrancy, their crisp picture. It’s this crispness, this type of tanginess that brings to mind the tangy sweetness of jelly, the colorful, clean transparency of it. If you have a sweet tooth, if you favor this particular taste, nothing else is going to satisfy you. Not peanut butter, not hamburger, not even a 20-ounce steak. You need an LCD TV. But if you want a good, down-to-earth, filling meal, a plasma TV is probably your choice.

(Warning: Actually ingesting either of the of TVs has been known to cause indigestion.)

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Plasma vs. LCD TVs - The Battle Continues

Plasma vs. LCD TVs Home - Tech Info & Size | Page 2 - Issues: Burn-in, Delay, Dead Pixel Problems | Page 3 - Life Span, Picture Quality | Page 4 - Differences, Prices

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