What's the difference between LCD & plasma tvs?

Question

I just want a nice modern flat screen tv but confused with all the info!

Answer 1

Plasma TV Overview

Plasma television technology is based loosely on the fluorescent light bulb. The display itself consists of cells. Within each cell two glass panels are separated by a narrow gap in which neon-xenon gas is injected and sealed in plasma form during the manufacturing process. The gas is electrically charged at specific intervals when the Plasma set is in use. The charged gas then strikes red, green, and blue phosphors, thus creating a television image. Each group of red, green, and blue phosphors is called a pixel (picture element).

Although Plasma television technology eliminate the need for the bulky picture tube and electron beam scanning of traditional televisions, because it still employs the burning of phosphors to generate an image, Plasma televisions still suffer from some of the drawbacks of traditional televisions, such as heat generation and screen-burn of static images.

LCD TV Overview

LCD televisions, on the other hand, use a different technology (see also question #1 for this same explanation).

Basically, LCD panels are made of two layers of transparent material, which are polarized, and are "glued" together. One of the layers is coated with a special polymer that holds the individual liquid crystals. Current is then passed through individual crystals, which allow the crystals to pass or block light to create images. LCD crystals do not produce their own light, so an external light source, such as florescent bulb is needed for the image created by the LCD to become visible to the viewer.

Unlike standard CRT and Plasma televisions, since there are no phosphors that light up, less power is need for operation and the light source in an LCD television generates less heat than a Plasma or traditional television. Also, because of the nature of LCD technology, there is no radiation emitted from the screen itself.

Plasma vs LCD

The ADVANTAGES of Plasma over LCD are:

1. Larger screen size availability.

2. Better contrast ratio and ability to render deeper blacks.

3. Better color accuracy and saturation.

4. Better motion tracking (little or no motion lag in fast moving images).

The DISADVANTAGES of Plasma vs LCD include:

1. Plasma TVs are more susceptible to burn-in of static images.

2. Plasma TVs generate more heat than LCDs, due to the need to light of phosphors to create the images.

3. Does not perform as well at higher altitudes.

4. Shorter display life span (about 30,000 hours or 8 hrs of viewing a day for 9 years) than LCD. However, screen life span is improving to as high as 60,000 hours due to technology improvements.

LCD television ADVANTAGES over Plasma include:

1. No burn-in of static images.

2. Cooler running temperature.

3. No high altitude use issues.

4. Increased image brightness over Plasma.

5. Longer display life (about 60,000 hours - at which time all you may need to do is replace the light source, not the entire set). This can vary according other environmental and use factors.

6. Lighter weight (when comparing same screen sizes) than Plasma counterparts.

DISADVANTAGES of LCD vs Plasma televisions include:

1. Lower contrast ratio, not as good rendering deep blacks.

2. Not as good at tracking motion (fast moving objects may exhibit lag artifacts) - However, this is improving with the recent implementation of 120Hz screen refresh rates in higher-end LCD sets.

3. Not as common in large screen sizes above 42-inches as Plasma. However, the number is growing fast, with 46 and 47-inch screen sizes becoming more common, and some LCD sets having a screen size as large as 65-inches now available to the general public.

4. Although LCD televisions do not suffer from burn-in susceptibility, it is possible that individual pixels on an LCD televisions can burn out, causing small, visible, black or white dots to appear on the screen. Individual pixels cannot be repaired, the whole screen would need to be replaced at that point, if the individual pixel burnout becomes annoying to you.

5. LCD televisions are typically more expensive than equivalent-sized Plasma televisions (although this is changing), especially when comparing EDTV Plasmas to HDTV-LCD Televisions.

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Answer 2

Plasmas are known for being flat screen, therefore allowing them to be mounted on a wall. Plasmas are good for darker room settings. LCD TVs are better for brighter room settings. It used to be that LCDs weren't good with motion, but new LCD TVs have resolved the issue. If you get an LCD TV, be sure to get something with 120hz.

For more on the difference between plasmas and LCD TVs, go to this link:

http://video.on.nytimes.com/index.jsp

then, on the side bar, go to Technology>David Pogue> and then search the tiles for "HDTV Shoppers' Survival Guide"

I have given this answer to people looking for an HDTV:

Two brands are Samsung and Sony. If you are really looking for Sony to match or overcome Samsung's quality, then you may want to get something in the bravia series and make sure it has XBR, because I believe that allows cinematic quality.

A very impressive chip used by HDTV's developed by Texas Instruments is the DLP chip, which provides awesome quality when it comes to reduced motion blur (for you football game) and has great quality. The DLP chip works greatly with the colors it gets and is especially better when you have LED, which uses more environmentally friendly, lasts longer, and gives the best color you can imagine. You can read moer about DLP and its different technologies on http://www.dlp.com (if it is up, because Texas Instruments seems to have a problem with its sites).

Samsung uses the DLP chip. By the way, you can go to cnet.com and search your specific type of TV (use the model number) and it will give you a very detailed review on your TV. That is how I got my awesome Samsung HLT-5087S. CNet goes into detail and gives specifications. It also has a TV search tool in which you can plug in what you want on your TV.

Now to tackle a big issue. 1080p, 1080i, or 720p? Well, I have a 1080p TV, which will give you the best quality with HD transmission, especially if you have Blu-Ray. But, a 1080p may not do too well with regular transmission channels, although I have seen normal channels on my 1080p TV and have no problem with them. A 1080i TV is not too competitive anymore because a 1080p has the same resolution as a 1080i, and it can much more easily manage movement than a 1080i. A 720p TV may be better if you are only going to watch channels on normal transmission.

When you get a TV, you may also want to be sure that you get at least 2 HDMI inputs on your TV, because as HD gadgets evolve, the HDMI cable will give much better picture quality than any other cable. At least, that is what I hear.

I would recommend that you do not get absorbed into the whole plasma TV gimmick, because it is just hype. You should just do research and see which TV will fit your home best. Do not say that you want a plasma TV and nothing else.

Again, CNet can probably help you in finding the TV matching your desires, because it gives great reviews and specifications, and it has a search tool you can use to find your type of TV. I hope this answer helps and that you get an excellent quality TV.

Answer 3

LCD uses a light behind the screen and then littel filters  made of LCD to filer out light to produce the picture. they are used in SMALL to MEDIUM screens. they have great picture and colour accuracy but can sometime  not show very fast moving action.

PLASMA uses cells of plasma to emit light to create the picture, they give bright pictures but canot show contrast or true colours too well and are used for medium/large to HUGE screens.

in the crossover range 37 to 50" LCD and plasma are often the same price or often plasma is cheaper!

Plasma's use more power than LCD, but can be seen from a wider angle (best straight ahdead), Plasma also weigh around twice that of LCD if youwant to wall mount it.

Personally Plasma is OK for HUGE screens or notice boards or display signs but LCD gives better picture quality.

PLASMA has the kudos of being the first to make TV side flat screens so has almost become a brand identity like Thermos or Hoover. the best Vacuum Flasks are not made by Thermos but are still known as that likewise with Vacuum cleaners and Flat panel TV's

Unless you want over 46/50 inch display LCD offers you a better picture for slightly higher price.  over 50" ther is only Plasma but they are heavy and prone to screen burn in (LCD are not) and eat electricity!