what is the difference between an LCD television and a Plasma? And which one is the better buy?

Answer 1

To make it as short as possible, I have been doing research on Plasma and LCD over the year. the only advantage the lcd has over plasma is the screen-burn immunity. however, new generations of plasma has already imrpoved on this aspect. Therefore u can almost say that lcd now has NO advantage over plasma[maybe there's one, plasma color fades over time. however, the process is REALLY VERY VERY slow]... even for the price. Since this year, the price of lcd has been dropping alot, but still for a same resolution and screen size plasma n lcd, the lcd will be much more expensive. Advantages of plasma over lcd: Contrast Ratio, grey scaling(black levels), much lesser motion artifacts and much more cheaper. If u wish to know more about them and HDTVs, u can purchase a "What Video" magazine, it's simply an amazing mag with over 25 years of tv reviews! If u wan totally future-proof LCD/plasma, Panasonic PV60 series is your choice, it support 1080p(it has a built-in recorder too!) and is definitly one of the best plasma brand out there besides Pioneer(another plasma leading brand). DO NOT listen to what the saleman recommend, they only promote those TV sets with more comission for them to u. Buy a decent HDTV mag n start reading! =) I will only consider to have a LCD TV if i want a small screen for my room, i'm using Panasonic 42PV500 in my living room now.

Answer 2

This question has been asked many times, so I've formulated my standard answer. Here it is:

Picture quality of plasma is brighter, better color, better blacks than LCD. (There is something about looking directly at glowing phosphors!)

Sharpness is the same for equivalent pixel counts. Some newer LCDs have 1080 x 1920 resolution, most plasmas still in the 720 x 1280 range.

Plasma is heavier and uses more power than flat panel LCD.

There are reports that plasmas are not as reliable or they don't last as long, but that is no longer true with the latest models. Plasma phosphors dim slowly over time (but not as fast as CRT phosphors); but direct view LCDs use flourescent lamps which also dim and eventually burn out (some are replaceable). Projection LCD sets have bulbs of limited life, but are replaceable and the lifetime is a few thousand hours of viewing.

Plasmas are subject to burn-in. A stationary image left on the screen for a long time could produce a permanent ghost image. The most risk is when viewing a lot of 4:3 ratio pictures (non-HD), which are displayed with vertical dark areas on the left and right to fill in the wide screen. There are ways to minimize this, however. many sets have a "stretch" mode which widens the picture to fill the whole screen.

Plasmas come in larger sizes, although large flat panel LCDs are coming out, but they are expensive. LCD projectors can be 70".

LCD contrast and brightness can be reduced when viewing from off-center (both flat and projector, but sets will vary).

Answer 3

A year ago i read about this topic compairing LCD, Plasma and the CRT (conventional screen). I can only recall the author suggested that the Conventional is still the best. It is a very much cheaper than the LCD or Plasma. The picture of conventional and its color is really a lot better.

Answer 4

LCD and Plasma TV have many similiarities but differences as well. They are comparable to display but the material made is different.

LCD utilize Liquid Crystalls which given electrical charge and each crystal reacts to allow and disallow lights. It is non-emissive television

Plasma contains millions of glass bubbles which has gas enclosed in it. All bubbles are enclosed in a phosphor coating. When electric current passes and charge the gases to emit ultraviolet rays which caused the phosphor to absorb and emit different colors

One thing i bring up to people is that if you live in higher elevation, plasma is a no-no. The lower atmospheric pressure shortens your plasma TV lifespan due to gas stress (with lower pressure, higher gas expansion and stress on the bubbles)

Advantages:
Screen Size are comparable the same now (use to be Plasma)
Viewing Angel would be LCD (175 degrees to Plasma 160)
Screen Refresh Rate is a bit better on Plasma
Burn-in does not happen on LCD (but deals with ghosting from retained pixels)
Sizing are the same

In the end, it is a matter of preference. I like my LCD TV (27.5" and 40") and they work as well as my friend's plasma. I like my glass plating on my LCD TV which makes it a bit brighter in comparison to plasma. But it is a toss-up and comes down to price

Answer 5

Get an LCD if you are looking at a TV 42" or less. Go Plasma if you are looking for something larger.

Answer 6

This question has been asked everyday for the past month. Scroll down and find out for yourself.