Blinded By Science: LCD vs. Plasma TVs

If you are in the market for a new television today, be prepared to be blinded by science. Consumers are spoilt for choice. When you visit an electrical store, you have the option of purchasing the latest technology in the form of an LCD or plasma TV, but if you do not know the difference between the two then buying a TV has never been so complex! The jargon alone is enough to blow your mind. However, there are significant differences between the two and both have distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Appearance

There is no apparent difference in appearance between LCD and plasma TVs. In keeping with the latest technology, both are flat screen. They can both be mounted on a wall or placed on a stand, and, weighing very little, both are easy to carry. The major difference in appearance stems from the fact that plasma TVs are 42” or larger whereas LCD models range from 20” to 82”. Therefore, if you only want a small TV for a bedroom, the LCD TV is probably better for you, but both will enhance your viewing pleasure if you want a larger screen.

Picture

Both LCD and plasma TVs have an advantage over other TV technology on the market. As they do not function via rear projection, there are effectively no parts that may need replacing. Their expected life is also a lot longer than the TVs that we have grown accustomed to at a minimum of 15 years, although some may last up to 30 years. However, it is picture quality that separates the two.

There used to be a distinct difference in picture quality between LCD and plasma TVs. This meant that the advantage went to the plasma screen because it offered the best viewing quality that money could buy. However, in recent years, massive advances have been made in LCD technology and recent models have managed to get over the traditional LCD problems such as poor viewing angle, slow response rate (leading to blurry motion) and the limited range of screen sizes (i.e. if you wanted a 40" screen, plasma was the only option). Latest 4th generation LCD technology is now available in sizes up to 80 inches, with almost perfect viewing angles and extremely fast response rates, possibly making it preferably to plasma technology.

In addition, most technology experts assert that a plasma TV should not be used for playing video games because of the risk of burn in. Any image that remains static for a few minutes may cause that image to be burned into the screen permanently, hence the term burn in. This is a major risk when playing video games but should not be a hazard when watching TV.

Practicality

As far as practicality is concerned, LCD technology has the edge over the plasma TV. If you are looking for a dual-use TV, LCD models will suit you but plasma will not. The LCD TV was designed to be compatible with a PC and thus the two can be easily combined for and interactive experience. However, using a plasma TV as a computer monitor will cause burn-in. The same may be said for a plasma TV showing a cable channel all day - the 'Sky Sports' logo in the top corner may become burnt into the panel over time.

There are also problems associated with the plasma screen that are not present in the LCD models. For example, the first plasma screens have reportedly experienced picture fading. After a few years of use, the colours are no longer true and bright. This does not appear to be a problem with newer models, but it is a factor you should be aware of before making a decision.

In addition, your electricity bills are going to be somewhat higher with a plasma screen compared to a LCD screen. Plasma screens use a vast amount of power (700W vs 70W for same sized LCD screen), roughly equivalent to a household hoover!

Price

Whether you decide to purchase a plasma or LCD TV, bothare quite a significant investment. Both are coming down in price gradually, but the minimum you should expect to pay is 800 at the moment. LCD televisions are slightly cheaper than plasma ones depending on the brand you are looking to buy.

Recommendations

Regardless of whether you decide to go for a plasma or LCD TV, there are some models that come highly recommended that you should certainly consider before settling on one.

For plasma TVs, look at the Samsung PS50Q7HD, the Pioneer PDP 507 XD and 42 XD, and the Hitachi 42PD9700.

For LCD TVs, look at the Samsung LE 40 R 74 BDX, the Toshiba 37 WLT 66 and the Philips 32 PF 7531 D.

Technology is advancing rapidly in all areas of electronics, but both plasma and LCD technology will be a staple in the years to come. Television technology can certainly enhance our viewing experience but the type of technology you choose should suit your needs. Now that you know the pros and cons, you are well equipped to decide!