What is the difference between a Plasma TV and an LCD TV?

Question

50" is my target. Money is of no issue. Couldn't care how much it is.

I just need to know before I go into the shops, and if I ask the staff, they will most likely guide me to the most expensive one they have.

Answer 1

I just answered a similar question and have copied that below. I have to point out that plasmas cannot be recharged. This is a rumor that seems to be going around. Also, plasmas have similar life as LCDs and they are not going away anytime soon.

Pros of a plasma are

1. Better picture with no motion blur, higher contrast ratio (deeper blacks which produce depth to the picture).

Cons

The main plasma con is that they still suffer from burn-in (although they have gotten much better). I would not recommend them for gaming even though the manufacturers now say you can. They still won't warranty against burn-in (or after image as they like to say).

They are best viewed in a darkened room because they tend to have screen glare. Shades fix this problem and the newer sets have a anti-glare coatings.

Pros of LCD

1. No burn in problems

2. Lighter and use less electricity to run

Cons

Lcds are getting better but still don't have the contrast of plasmas and they still have motion blur (annoying with fast moving scenes, especially sports).

LCDs don't have as good off-axis viewing as plasmas. If you move far enough to the side of an LCD, you will notice the picture fades.

Neither shows standard def picture very well but plasma does a better job.

They have about the same life expectancy (most rated around 60,000 hrs)

Plasmas don't leak and they can't be re-charged either. Also, they're not a dying breed just yet. There's more money to be made by the manufacturers with LCDs so many have stopped making plasmas but only to bolster their profits, not because the plasmas are bad. Pioneer and Panasonic are 2 makers that continue to produce plasma sets and have no plans of stopping (Panasonic will be buying the panels from another maker but they will still be selling plasmas).

In general, I tell my friends to buy a plasma if they want the best picture and an LCD if they want to play video games on them.

Answer 2

Plasma is your best option. Because LCD screens have the problem of the ghosting in fast moving scenes, and anything over 42" will make this effect really annoying.

Up to 42" the best option is LCD, they have at least 50% more time life in normal conditions than Plasma. And are perfect for gaming, cause they don't burn in, they have brighter colors, and they use around 20-30% less energy.

Up from 42" the best option is a Plasma because it can display images faster.

But it all depend on what you want it for. I have a 50" plasma in my living room, I use it mainly to watch sports and Blue ray movies. A 50" TV must be 1080p for best quality.

In the other hand I have a 32" LCD 720p TV in my room to play my PS3. There is really no point in having 1080p on a 32" TV cause there is no viewable difference.

My advice is that just after you buy your plasma, left it on for 48 hours on a channel without any logo anywhere, that way the Plasma gas stabilize and will endure much more time.

Answer 3

Plasma's use gas trapped in the screen to display the picture. LCDs use the same technology as computer monitors and laptop screens.

Go with the LCD. Plasma TVs sometimes have to be recharged to bring the picture quality back and LCD technology has been around longer. Plasma's are slowing going away because LCD and DLP are overtaking them.

Answer 4

In terms of picture quality, both are practically indistinguishable.

There are a lot of differences in terms of burn-in, viewing angle, lifespan, weight, power consumption, technology etc. Too many to list - check the source http://www.diffen.com/difference/LCD_TV_...

They have listed everything.