Which is better Plasma or LCD?

Question

I was looking in to getting a DELL 42" Plasma Screen Because you can easily finance their T.V's. However I have heard alot of bashing of Plasma TV's, and alot of people arguing LCD's are much better. Now the Contrast Ratio for this Dell is 10,000:1 and A resolution of 1024x768. Would I bet better looking elsewhere for a purchase of this amount?

Answer 1

Before reading this, you should know that there is alot of inaccurate information on answers.yahoo.com. Some of it is regarding your question, so please do your own research and only use this as a starting point.
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http://www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/plasma-vs-lcd.html

You should read that article before making your decision. It's very fair to both types of TVs.

I think plasma TVs have better picture quality and most people won't argue against that. Go to your local electronics store and compare for yourself. Some people aren't able to tell the difference, which is good for them so they can be an LCD TV with confidence and save some $$$. Be careful when purchasing a plasma tv though, not all plasma tv's are HDTVs (especially the earlier generations). Also, don't worry about your TV not lasting a long time, those days are gone (whichever you chose).

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I want to connect my computer to my TV --> LCD

I like to watch sports and stuff with lots of action --> Plasma

I don't care about action or sports --> LCD

I want a lightweight TV --> LCD

Screw resolution, I want the best picture quality --> Plasma

I want a big TV --> Plasma

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in response to another answerer's daylight issue:

A few years ago, I worked at a place that sold Plasma/LCD tvs. We purposely put the one of the plasma TVs next to the window for examination under real world conditions. It gave the customers confidence in buying the units. The LCDs today might have a slight advantage over plasmas in bright settings, but I would say that the advantage is very very slim.

Answer 2

Many of the "general knowledge" about plasma is no longer true. The NY Times recently had an article about the latest in both LCD and plasma technology. i have included that information in this summary comparison of the two:

Picture quality of plasma is brighter, better color, better blacks than LCD.
But LCD pictures can look quite good; we’re not talking huge differences.

Sharpness is the same for equivalent pixel counts. Some newer LCDs have 1080 x 1920 resolution, most plasmas still in the 768 x 1024 range. Even 720p LCD have 1280 pixel horizontal resolution.

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. (Both LCD and plasmas have 60,00hr expected lifetime.) 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. Newer plasma designs have minimized this problem and here are ways to avoid it: many sets have a "stretch" mode which widens the picture to fill the whole screen, or will use gray bars instead of black bars. Burn-in 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). At present, plasmas have very reflective front surfaces which could be a problem in room with lamps and windows that can be reflected by the screen. LCDs look better in bright environments, while plasmas look better in darker rooms.

Answer 3

I spent 2 months researching between the 2 screens before I made the Leap!
LCD will last 19+Years-Whereas PLASMA on lasts 7-10 Years

LCD works best in Bright Sunny Rooms-PLASMA does NOT!
Screen Quality when Feed is from a HD Source is Far Superior on LCD than that of the resolution on PLASMA!

The Panasonic Viera 32 inch is More than enough for a Living room 23 Feet by 35 Feet.

I guess it's down to Personal preference- But for Me and my Gang LCD is far Superior!

Answer 4

I was recently looking into getting a large flat screen TV, but instead we ended up purchasing my mother a 32" wide/flat screen LCD tv by Panasonic from Costco. Cost was $759.00, which wasn't bad. We were originally going to go with a plasma but I have heard that LCD's were better on quality & color. However, LCD's, being a "new" thing is more expensive than the plasmas. After looking at the plasma & LCD's at Costco as well as doing price research & reviews online through Best Buys, Circuit City, Dell, Comp USA and a few other places, they are both good technologies but if you can afford the LCD I would go that route. If you can't afford the pricing of an LCD then go with plasma - you'll still have a good tv with good picture quality, etc.

My best advise is to do your research, homework and utilize the web for reviews, pricing, etc.

Oh, one more thing. If you end up purchasing online go to www.ebates.com first, and sign up, then after signing up click on the link for one of the stores (if they are listed) that you are purchasing your tv from (Dell, Best Buys, Circuit City, Comp USA, HP, are all listed on ebates.com) and you can get a rebate check. If memory serves me correctly, Dell & HP offer a 2% rebate. Checks are cut quarterly and will be mailed to the address you provide if it is over $5.00. Other companies are there as well (1-800-flowers, QVC, HSN, Disney, Staples, etc.). You might as well earn some extra money if you plan on purchasing online!

Good luck!

Answer 5

I actual have a pioneer 40 two" plasma in my lounge and a 4 twelve months previous so no it would not get warm and the photograph is large yet like anyting you get high quality with cost. I actual have a 37" LG liquid crystal demonstrate interior the mattress room and that has an mind-blowing photograph too. Plasma has come an prolonged way from the early variations which did have a very limited life the undemanding one now if run 24/7 will final for 7 years maximum TVs ain't that sturdy liquid crystal demonstrate are actually not each and all the comparable there are sturdy high quality ones and there are crap detect a professional broker that incorporates the two and notice them side by making use of side.

Answer 6

At 42" or larger, plasma will give you a better picture overall. For smaller screens the picture difference is less noticeable. Plasma is the gold standard, but is substantially more expensive and the screen life expectancy is shorter. It's not worth it for small screens, IMHO, but at 42" or larger, plasma is noticeably better.

To read more follow the link below. Scroll down to not quite the bottom and look for a link "LCD or Plasma Television?" Click on that for more details about your question.

Answer 7

lg builds the panel for dell and its not there best panel so go with lg if you can. i sell tvs for aliving and if you like lcd buy it ! both lcd and plasma have 60000 hr half life, plasma have a true black but lcd run cooler less likely to burn in although most plasmas have taken steps to reduce burn in at 10000 you get great whites and edges i would buy plasma over lcd in the 42 range because plasma are cheaper at that size vrs lcd get true black faster pixle refresh important if watching sports dont let the doh heads spread out dated misinformation on plasma just remember 17 yrs half life.burn in isnt much of an issue anymore they arent as noisy anymore, plasma tvs are like million little light bulbs turning on to make the picture and yes you can lay them down with out the risk of draining plasma out and no you cant top them off with more plasma this last little part is what i have heard saleboys at best buy tell me dont they train their people?

Answer 8

LCD u can't play Xbox or playstaion on plasma

Answer 9

Every technology has pros and cons. Check out the TV section over at CNET where they go through each technology and how they stack up against each other.

Answer 10

LCD the picture is beater