Which are better flat panel TVs? Plasma or LCD?

Answer 1

There are pluses and minuses to each type. Here are the major items to consider, and you should decide for yourself after looking at the sets themselves:

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).

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. This could also be a problem with extended playing of video games if there is a background image that remains stationary.

Plasmas come in larger sizes, although large flat panel LCDs are coming out, but they are expensive.

LCD contrast and brightness can be reduced when viewing from off-center.

Answer 2

Better how??

Quality: Plasma
Price: LCD

Simple answer: Plasmas are the best out there but more expensive, LCD's are cheaper and not as good as plasmas.

As far a reliability and all that......depends on the Brand, Model, Year -- there are a million answers. Also is the extra price worth the "better quality" -- very subjective

Answer 3

LCD, plasma is better quality but I heard that LCD is taking over the market from Plasma screens, meaning it could end up the same way as VHS and Betamax.
You will be the owner of a plasma screen, which will be out-dated in no time

Answer 4

I bought an LCD still not delivered.

Among other thing one quality of lcd that won is the glare. The glare from the light behind you like windows or whatever is terrible in Plasma. LCD absolutely no glare. LCD are available up to 46 " at reasonable prices under 2500.

Answer 5

it depends, really. its easier to figure which of the negatives are least important to you. basically plasmas can burn in and be ruined pretty quickly if the same image is on the screen for a period of time (as little as a few hours), and they dont do accurate blacks or dark colors. their other colors are usually more natural than lcds, though. lcds are very bright and sometimes too vibrant, and tend to have a slow refresh rate (a blurry shadow behind moving items) especially on cheaper units. either one, go with a common name brand over a no name unit that may save 100 bucks.

Answer 6

Simple LCD tvs ...lasts long...pretty soon plasma tv technology will be off market as the quality does not last for a long time inspite of spending that much money ..

Answer 7

lcd tvs are better because they have the same picture quality as plasma and flat panels but last longer and are not as delicate and accident prone.

Answer 8

The difference I've heard is that Plasmas get hotter and can go out faster.

Answer 9

it depends on what you may prefer they both give you an outstanding picture & they both have their pros & cons (plasma sets don't have much of a burn in issue as in the past) nor do they go out quick either but they do use a high amount of energy but most electronics do use alot of power so that's a non issue also (just pick one & you can't go wrong )