Longer lifespan: LCD or Plasma?

Question

Okay, there is a TON of contradicting information here on answers. Can I please get a definitive answer to this question. Are the estimates of 5 - 7 years for plasmas based on the ones that are burning out now? If size matters, I'm looking at the 40 - 42" range.

Answer 1

The 5 to 7 year lifespan is purely HYPOTHETICAL at this time...

Everybody is wildly guessing how long a plasma will last....

The same with LCD TV SETS too....

And DLPs....

They just haven't been out long enough for TV techs to KNOW the actual lifespan.

So how can a normal person have any more knowledge, than a person who works on them daily?

I'd sure like to know the answer to that question.....

Presently, I have YET to see ANY plasma TV fail due to the panel going bad....or being worn out.

Answer 2

LCD but toshibas are work for even longer than both of those!

Answer 3

Plasma burns out over a shorter period of time. LCDs can last a very long time if taken care of.

The 5-7 year range is pretty accurate. In a few years, you'll see some reports of consumers having to buy new TVs.

LCDs Lifetime > Plasma. Period.

Answer 4

Its not a huge differnce anymore. Either way most bulbs last 40-60 thousand hours. LCD are almost always 60,000 hours. If you play video games you want LCD as the picture has the ability to burn in on a plasma. If you are a movie or sports watcher only def get plasma as the response time is quicker to the action on screen

Answer 5

I did a lot of research when I purchased my TV. As someone else said, right now it is hypothetical but an LCD as i have been told by many different people in that industry has about a third longer life expectancy . Obviously it will depend on how much you use and how well you take care of your TV. I was also told that the gas bulb in the plasma has a higher chance of going bad than any component in the LCD. I decided to go with the LCD not because of the life of the set,( I'm sure I'll want the next great thing in six or seven years anyway) but the picture quality in all lighting conditions was superior in my opinion. I purchased a 42" Sharp LCD 1080p and it is a thing of beauty.

Answer 6

With some manufacturers, there is little difference in the life span difference between LCD and plasma.  With others, there is a huge difference.

Panasonic's tests in their labs rate both their LCD and plasma for 20+ years based on 7 hours a day, 365 days a year.