What's better, LCD or Plasma

Question

Want to purchase a tv. screen. What's best and why?

Answer 1

Plasmas don't leak.

Plasmas don't heat your room.

Plasmas don't burn out.

Plasmas don't contain water.

Plasmas don't have oil that needs changing.

Plasmas don't cost huge amounts to run.

LCD screens are fragile.

LCDs can't produce good black contrast.

LCDs do suffer from screen burn.

LCDs are no more or less reliable than plasmas.

However, you'd be surprised at how many people regurgitate the same old rubbish, time and again.

(I particularly like the one about being conned into buying an LCD, just because the salesman said so.  I mean, he didn't say that because he gets better commission on the LCD than the plasma, now did he?  Of course not - all sales staff are honest, down to earth people who only have your best interests at heart, aren't they?  Commission, who needs it?)

If you want the truth, rather than the fairy stories, check out the website below:

Answer 2

plasma !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...        

Answer 3

lcd

Answer 4

i have both.

a plasma-lg 42px5d and an LCD-toshiba regza 42 vx505db (this was purchased for its full HD capacity).

and of the two once set up i would say the images are on a par with one another with DVD (blu-ray) but the tosh is absolutely stunning with gameplay (ps3).

again as one poster rightly states the brightness of the viewing room plays an important part here-with plasma a darker room is best-where in a brighter room LCD should be considered.

screen size is important-as a general rule of thumb anything over "42 should be a plasma purchase-below this then it ought to be LCD (there are no plasmas below "37 anyway).

i see the old myths about leakage and re-gassing still abound-rubbish!!

you can expect 60.000 hours from a good quality plasma on four hours usage a day of course it's always best to make yourself aware of the causes of image retention (burn-in) but as most modern sets have various degrees of anti-image circuitry built in this annoying gremlin has with a bit of care on the owners part been mainly consigned to the history bin (though some of the more inferior models suffer badly from it-avoid like the plague).

although you have a lot more leeway with LCD as regards the burn-in issue contrary to popular beleif these are not completely immune from burn-in.

makes to look out for are:

sony

pioneer (if you can afford one!)

lg

samsung

toshiba (for lcd-their plasmas are not that clever)

panasonic viera range (probably the best plasma tv's in the world)

philips

Answer 5

Both LCD and Plasma will soon be phased out for a new tech - OLED - so only buy now if you really need to.  Plasma uses a lot of power compared to LCD and generates a lot more heat.  LCD offers better quality for the lower price.  Top end plasmas give better contrast and colours, but at a price (both in the shop and in your leccy bill).

Many LCD and Plasma TVs have a high failure rate compared to CRT.

Answer 6

Firstly, there is no better type of tv.  There is only what is better for you.  Both plasma and lcd technologies are fairly sophisticated, but they are better at different things.  Secondly, don't let anyone tell you one last longer than the other, they are both rated at about 60,000 hours of use, and plasmas do not leak unless there is some sort of trauma involved.

Plasma sets will provide deeper color- i.e. darker blacks, and more accurate blues and reds.  They also have smoother motion when watching sports and action movies.  In a dark room, a plasma will give you a better viewing experience.  Todays plasmas have technology that virtually eliminates burn-in.

However, Plasma tvs have a glass screen that can create significant amounts of glare.  So if you have a well-lit room, plasma might not be the best choice for you.

LCD tvs are extremely bright televisions.  When compared side by side with plasma you'll know what I'm talking about.  They also don't consume as much electricity as a plasma.  However the color clarity on an lcd doesn't even come close to plasma.  Instead of a true black color many sets have a dark bluish gray color.  You will notice this when you turn off the lights.  LCD's also refresh 4-8 times slower than a plasma, so this can cause motion blur with sports and action movies.  Imagine Randy Moss's legs pixelating as he runs down the field.

LCD's don't experience glare on the same level as a plasma.  If you generally watch television in a well-lit room, than an lcd is going to give you the best experience.

Answer 7

one thing I have noticed with LCD is that hair colours seem to be more ginger, also movement seems to be juddery. Whatever you buy, go for the top models as even with well known brands the cheaper models are made for them by Turkish firms,and tend to have a life span of no more then two years. The most reliable sets are Samsung, series five or six. most troublesome are Philips and Sony, when twenty years ago they were the tops

Answer 8

well plasma leaks, so i would assume that a LCD tv would be better.

Answer 9

i think LCD is better. Save electric and clearer.  

Answer 10

The main benefit of a LCD over a plasma is much less electrical consumption, and less heat generated.  The viewing experience for plasma is superior to that of LCD.

Frankly, if you're going to spend nearly $2000 on a big TV, the electrical usage should be a minor consideration.

Answer 11

Wow, I've never seen so many flat out bad answers to this questions. Maybe 2 are right.

First, salesmen are there to sell, not to always do the best thing for you. They generally make nothing per hour and will generally work at a location for under a year, what do they know?

What the sales people don't know or won't tell you.

LCDs resolution is only good for still and static images. The lag time of LCDs will cause the resolution to take a big hit when things move, and last time I checked, everything moves. Only the best and most expensive models can keep this in check.

LCDs still don't show true blacks. In the brightly lit showroom they look ok, now turn off the lights, when end credits roll, light leakage big time. Again, only the most expensive models can get a good black.

LCD has a huge color and light shift when viewed off angle.

LCD is more expensive per inch.

LCDs can't show the color gamut that plasma can, most panels are 6 and 8 bits. Only the newest most expensive panels are now claming they are 10 bit. Plasma could do 10 bit years ago, and it now even higher.

The only advantages to LCD right now. They are usually lighter, use less energy, and won't burn in with videogames and PC use.  Even though plasma is better today with that, I still wouldn't use a PC for hours and hours on a plasma.

Pure picture quality for hi-def movies and TV, plasma is king. The contrast ratio of the better plasmas like Pioneer's Kuro, Panasonic Viera, etc still have a true (not dynamic) contrast ratio better than any LCD. To beat plasma, you've got to get the new LCD models (coming soon from samsung, sony, LG) with dynamic backlighting, and they won't be cheap and still won't solve the other issues LCD have, like lag time, color gamut and off angle viewing.

So best for movies and such, Plasma.

money no object, that's Pioneer's Kuro Plasma panel.

Best for gaming, PC use, LCD

Answer 12

Kindly go for LCD...

Answer 13

I went in the shop for a Plasma and came out with a LCD because the sales guy said it was better because it had a longer life. Apparently Plasmas burn out quicker.