Which is better a 42" LCD HDTV or a 42" Plasma HDTV? Why is it better?

Answer 1

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 nt 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 largers 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 2

The only real difference (as far as picture goes) is the contrast ratio. If you really care that much about the true color of the color black in movies, plasma is the way to go. On LCD's the black colors sometimes don't come out correct and may make some portions of the picture look fake or improperly mastered. With no obligation, you can go to a high end A/V store and compare the difference in picture quality and some people may not notice unless the two screens are side-by-side. I chose LCD for the life of the display because I am not yet sold on plasma technology's claims on how long the whole display will last. My last understanding in the whole plasma thing is that a certain number or percentage of pixel burn out is considered to be acceptable within it's half-life and for the cost, I am just not going to except that. I have seen store displays with burned out pixels and they weren't that old. I've been using an LCD with my computer for more than 6 years now and never turn it off with no problems at all and that's proof enough for me.

Answer 3

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 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.

#Side note: Both lcd/plasma now have over 60,000 hours of life span.

Answer 4

For me..It was plasma, hands down...A little more weight, but looked way better than LCD. Brighter, and the viewing angle did not display any fades in video, which is so common with LCD. The newer Plasmas feature takes care of any possible 'burn-in', by a hardly noticeable 'orbiting' of the image. I can walk almost 170 degrees side to side, with no change in color. Try that with your LCD!!

Answer 5

i think that LCD is better in many ways some samples, low consumption of energy, not hot enviromental ( you can feel the hot air around it..... LCD no ) ,more hours of use I hear something about 10,000 hours more in use than plasma and is more easy that you find LCD with PC connections than Plasmas about HDTV exist in both so is a little bit better LCD for me ( of course anyone have their own opinion... :-) )

Answer 6

This might answer your question.