Is there any difference between a LCD TV and a plasma TV?

Answer 1

There is a lot of difference: picture appearance, cost, and size range.

Picture quality of plasma is brighter, better color, better blacks than LCD. But LCD pictures have improved and the latest sets can look quite good. They do look different, and it is a matter of taste as to which you like better.

Sharpness is the same for equivalent pixel counts. Some newer LCDs have 1080 x 1920 resolution, most plasmas still in the 1024 x 768 range. Plasmas with 1080x1920 resolution have just been introduced, but they are expensive.

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).

LCD screens used to have response time problems, with bright objects moving across the screen leaving trails. This no longer happens.

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 can even "recover" from burn-in. There 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 contrast and brightness can be reduced when viewing from off-center.

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 2

before you buy you need to research the positives and negatives with both of them... They both have different qualities and you need to find one to suit you. I'd recommend getting a LCD personally but research and ask around.
Good luck with that anyway