Which is better- plasma TV or LCD TV and why?

Question

I want to buy a large flat screen TV. What are the pros and cons of Plasma TV and LCD TV?

Answer 1

Hi, I have been doing research on Plasma n LCD Tvs for more than a year. And for the whole year, I'm have been reading "What Video", a HDTV magazine with over 25 years of tv reviewing hstory, it has their own lab with unique equipments to test the TRUE specification of almost every models of HDTV that are on sale. Seriously I have seen the growth in technology of both plasma n LCDs as well as plenty of professional reviews on many HDTVs. Therefore I wish to remind u that never trust what a saleman recommend as they usually recommends those Tvs with high comission for them to u. And don't just look on the specification of the HDTV, many brands boast their specification just to attrach consumers. From "What Video" u can see a Samsung 10,000:1 contrast ratio plasma TV loses out to a Panasonic Veria plasma TV(3000:1) when they test their specification. Serously speaking, look for the brand name than the specification.

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, much comfortable viewing angle and much more cheaper.

Conclusion - If u prefer LCDs over plasm tvs, have either Sony's Bravia[their 1080p LCDs are coming SOON!], Panasonic's TXL50 or 60 series, Toshiba WLT66 series or Samsung R74BD series[choose this Samsung only if u have a budget]. If u chooses plasma tvs over LCD tvs, have either Pioneer newest model or Panasonic's PV500, PX60 or PX600 series. Panasonic always handles motion artefacts very well and their black levels are unbeatable. Some even has a built-in MP4 recorder so that u can save money on a dvd-recorder. If u could wait a little longer, it would be better. Since last month, plasma/lcd tvs of resolution of 1920x1080 has been coming into the market. Plasma top league brands Panasonic and Pioneer are having their 1080p HDTV coming in very soon[maybe a week or the most 2]. Pioneer may cost alot more than Panasonic, and its black levels and motion handling aren't as good as Panasonic, BUT their sharpness is definitely better than Panasonic. Thus it's actually up to indiviual to decide which HDTV is really better.

Here's some selected reviews of the plasma/lcd Tvs, http://www.homecinemachoice.com/whatvideo/ If u wish to see more, I guess u have to buy their magazine. =) Good luck on choosing your tv!

Answer 2

Here is a summary of the two:

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 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

I have had both LCD and Plasma,and in my opinion I prefer the Plasma which is what I have now.The LCD picture was never crystal clear there was a constant shadow around the people on the television and repeated engineers coming out to fix it didnt solve the problem,apparently we were told by one engineer that it is a problem that most LCDs have,although my friend has an LCD and her picture is ok so whether it only occurs on much larger televisions I am not sure,also I dont like the plastic type screen that an LCD screen has.So i would say i prefer the plasma but i suppose it really depends on the size of tv you have and a persons personal preference.

Answer 4

The prices of both technologies have come down quite a bit to the point where they are almost even. In my opinion LCD is the way to go. They have just as good viewing angles as plasma TVs and some have brighter pictures. I just bought an Sony LCD at a local Sears store and got a great deal

Answer 5

They are all good tv's, it's your own personal usage that will dictate what's better. Go to a retail store and demo the product and spend at less 15 minutes each on each one and write the pro's and con's. Here's a few facts, Pioneer Elite plasma is the best TV in the market, but the price for a 50" is in the $5,000 range. LCD and LED suffers from motion blurnes on fast action sports, 120 HZ and 240 HZ does minimize the problem but also comes at a higher price. LED price is higher than the LCD. LCD and LED does consume less energy but not noticeable if you don't watch tv more than 5 hours a day. TV's displayed at retail store are adjusted to the max for better picture due to the amount of light in the store. Go online to Home Theater Magazine and read reviews on Plasma, LCD and soon LED. I personnal have 2 Plasma TV's in my home and no complain at all. High definition or full high def. 720P or 1080P, you won't be able to tell the difference on tv screen small than 46" and the 1080P is at extra cost. Blue Ray disc movies are the only source of 1080P in the market now. If you watch alot of movies (dvd or Blue ray) and watch sports the Plasma tv is better, LCD is better if you use it to play games from your computer or games console. Your own eyes are the best judge.

Answer 6

In my opinion, it all depends on your vision. If you have terrible eye sight, get a Plasma TV. If your vision is very good, or okay, get a LCD TV. Not only will it fit anywhere, but it saves a lot of money for something else, like a laptop or an iPod.

Answer 7

Both have equally great pictures,both require good venting as they tend to run warm which is why as a person who repairs both,i suggest the plazma.The lcd tv's use a lamp which of course has a limited life whereas your warranty is only one year and a new lamps average cost is 350.00 canadian.And dont be fooled by extended warranty,just ask and you will see it does not cover the lamp.So plazma has 3 to 4 replaceable and serviceable boards and of course the panel.All parts on plazmas are covered under warranty and extended.A liitle more money but a much wiser choice is plazma.

Answer 8

i will say lcd tv
pro. last longer , better view in the brighter room, lighter , can be fix e-z if some thing go wrong while Plasma not.

con. viewing angle.

http://dtv.gov

Answer 9

I've heard that if you watch a lot of things with lines it them (as in the widescreen/fullscreen lines) or watch a lot of one channel with a logo in the corner, a ghost image can emerge on the plasma. Also, in my experience, plasma's tend to run hotter. I'd get a LCD.

Answer 10

for newer set of TV, LCD is the choice with improve black level and response time (8ms and lower), viewing angle can reach 178 degree now and bigger size LCD are also available.....they're cheaper also!