I'm buying a new TV - Should I get plasma or LCD?

Question

Whats better plasma or lcd and whats the difference??

Answer 1

The ADVANTAGES of Plasma over LCD are:

1. Larger screen size availability.

2. Better contrast ratio and ability to render deeper blacks.

3. Better color accuracy and saturation.

4. Better motion tracking (little or no motion lag in fast moving images).

The DISADVANTAGES of Plasma vs LCD include:

1. Plasma TVs are more susceptible to burn-in of static images.

2. Plasma TVs generate more heat than LCDs, due to the need to light of phosphors to create the images.

3. Does not perform as well at higher altitudes.

4. Shorter display life span (about 30,000 hours or 8 hrs of viewing a day for 9 years) than LCD. This can vary according to other environmental and use factors.

LCD television ADVANTAGES over Plasma include:

1. No burn-in of static images.

2. Cooler running temperature.

3. No high altitude use issues.

4. Increased image brightness over Plasma.

5. Longer display life (about 60,000 hours - at which time all you may need to do is replace the light source, not the entire set). This can vary according other environmental and use factors.

DISADVANTAGES of LCD vs Plasma televisions include:

1. Lower contrast ratio, not as good rendering deep blacks.

2. Not as good at tracking motion (fast moving objects may exhibit lag artifacts).

3. Not as available in large screen sizes above 37-inches

4. Although LCD televisions do not suffer from burn-in susceptibility, it is possible that individual pixels on an LCD televisions can burn out, causing small, visible, black or white dots to appear on the screen. Individual pixels cannot be repaired, the whole screen would need to be replaced at that point, if the individual pixel burnout becomes annoying to you.

5. LCD televisions are typically more expensive than equivalent-sized Plasma televisions, especially when comparing EDTV Plasmas to HDTV-LCD Televisions.

Answer 2

I got rid of my plasma and got a sony bravia LCD id never have a plasma again,if you pause anything for to long with a plasma you get screen burn,Lcd also has a longer life span than plasma and they use less electric.Make sure whatever you get is HD ready because ive recently had Sky HD and the difference in picture quality compared to normal sky is amazing,esspecially if youre watching a live football match.I got my Tv from http://www.digital-point.co.uk/.its the best place i found on the internet and they do deals with wall brackets etc,and they wont leave your house untill they unpack the Tv so you can check its not damaged.Good luck

Answer 3

Plasma cover the larger TVs while LCD is better for smaller screen. I am not sure if Plasma still have the ghosting problem, but check that out also. Watch something fast paced and look for blurred images around the movement. This comes from the fact that they heat the plasma to cause color and illumination and it has to cool down when the image is no longer there...thus momentary ghosting. Both are good, do your research and you should be good.

Answer 4

This is somthing ive been considering myself of late.
'Which home cinema' magazine have just done an article on the benefits of LCD over Plasma.the new Samsung range of LCD tvs have got new technology which offer a higher screen refresh rate than standard tvs.go to your local tv shop and watch the screens when there is something fast moving on the screens.you'll notice something called "Smearing" which looks like blur because the tv cant keep up with the action its trying to show.this is drastically deduced on the new samsung LCD units.
They may cost a little more but whats the point of spending that much cash and having a regretable visual experience.
I addition, even when its not turned on, these units look fantasic.

In addition plasma can suffer from screen burn like old computer monitors used to get a lot of.They also chew through your electric bill.LCD is the wat im going to go and with christmas ccoming up the high street will be battling like crazy for ya money.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

Did all the research a few months ago, basically the decider was the fact that plasma screen performance degrades after 18 months - LCD good for 5 years. Also terrestrial signals appear bland on plasma.

Answer 6

Plasma

Answer 7

LCD are technically better, but you pay more to get like for like size with a plasma

Answer 8

I've been told by lots of people that plasma screens only have a limited life period - (like they are alive eh!!!) anyway it seems they only last one to two years - so be better getting a LCD I think.

Answer 9

Wow.....scary answers eh?
Scary things like short lifetime---TRUE with PLASMA!

SLUGGISH PICTURE -- NOT TRUE with LCD...

LCD TECHNOLOGY far behind PLASMA TECHNOLOGY -- NOT TRUE!!

You want the Longest lived Picture?? GET LCD...and better yet get either the LAMP with LED or LASER illumination!!!

Now that's new technology and costs around $4000 for a 1080P unit, but it's better than Mercury Lamps...
Stick with a name brand....My favorites are Sony, Mitsubishi and Samsung (in 3rd place)
RCA is a pretty decent unit too.....

If I had $4000, I'd go for Sony or Mitsubishi 1080P with LED OR LASER lighting.....1080i is fine, but the lighting is only in 1080P units.....

Answer 10

Plasma is a lot extra suitable and a I easily have the two, I only bought a plasma for my front room and moved the liquid crystal exhibit to my mattress room and the plasma is a lots extra suitable image in hdtv, in spite of the undeniable fact that the value is extensively extra for the plasma and if i replaced into going to get yet another television i might save the money and get a stable liquid crystal exhibit hdtv and spend the distinction on a advantageous residing house theatre via bang & olfsen. the two tvs I easily have are 40 two" and that i hold close them the two on the wall and the plasma is lighter and thinner than the liquid crystal exhibit.