What is the Difference Between an LCD TV and a Plasma TV?
2007-09-16 15:58:09 · 19 answers · asked by Mani 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
Plasma produces higher contrast and blacker blacks, but requires subdued lighting for best viewing. Plasma displays get quite warm - feel one in the store that has been on for a while.
LCD is brighter but not as constrasty. Some LCD's have trouble with fast moving images.
2007-09-16 16:07:14 · answer #1 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Lets not get to technical or be one sided on the subject. Both types (LCD and Plasma) will have a great picture quality. Lets break this into simple categories. (They are very different technologies.) Power Usage (energy consumption): LCD uses a constant power output and is rated lower than a Plasma. However, Plasma technology does not have a constant power output. The rating on a plasma is if you ran the TV with a white screen all day. You would actually save power using a Plasma at the end of the day. (for about the same time of usage, a Plasma will use about 2/3 as much power but really only equates to a few dollars extra a month on your bill) Picture Quality: Plasma is a different technology that allows for less motion blur and darker black levels. This means you will see a better picture overall. The downside that Plasma has is that it will usually have a reflection but they use a special type of screen to minimize this. Sound Quality: Typically, televisions are not designed to have great sound. This should not be a factor when buying your TV. Price: Plasma over the years have come down in price a lot and they can be found to be cheaper than LCD televisions. You should always shop around for a good deal and compare yourself. Weight: Plasma televisions are really heavy compared to a LCD television. This is because the front screen is glass on a plasma and the LCD has a more fragile front screen. Screen Burn In: LCD does not suffer from this symptom very much. Plasma is typically a temporary problem and is really only a concern early in its usage (first 100 hours). At least Panasonic Plasmas have built in features to minimize this and a wiper (scrolling white bar) that is used to erase these problems. Life Span: LCD and Plasma both have the same probability of breaking. Newer Plasma televisions however have a longer half life (about 100,000) hours. Half life is how much usage the TV has to go through to have HALF the brightness of the TV compared to when you purchased it. Personally, I prefer Plasma televisions but both will give you a great picture and you will not regret spending the money. You should have enough info here to help decide. Happy shopping.
2016-05-21 06:26:22 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some good answers point to LCD. I have an LCD TV but it took me some 6 months to decide which one I wanted (Plasma v LCD), as they all have some good points and bad points with each brand / model. One article I have read indicates that anything up to 40" is LCD and anything larger should be plasma. Your 42" is borderline. My final two choices came down to a 40" Samsung LCD or 42" Toshiba Plasma. The Samsung won because it had a really high contrast ratio and the design was better. Both TV's had everything else I wanted. Watching HD on the LCD is superb, especially cartoons!!! (Keeps ther kids happy). Also, invest in a decent home cinema system, again this opens up another world of choice, but thats for another question. Happy hunting
2007-09-17 02:01:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ignoring the rubbish about plasmas running very hot, or only lasting for 3 years, or only working well in the dark, or needing their oil changed, most people actually prefer plasmas to LCDs.
I have a 37" Panasonic plasma - on many occasions, people have said, "Oooh, nice LCD television" (or something similar) because they have been TOLD that LCD is better, without even comparing the two types. It's always a shock to them, when they find out it's a plasma TV...
For the truth and not the hype, check out the link below:
2007-09-17 07:22:30 · answer #4 · answered by Nightworks 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Plasma screens are better in a darkened room (home theater) while LCD looks better in a room that has more light coming in from the outside. If you go with LCD, try to get one that will automatically adjust the picture with the changing light conditions. Plasmas come in bigger screen sizes and are cheaper but they don't have the longevity that LCDs have. Plasmas also rarely have problems with ghosting because the screen updates very fast. This is why they are top choices for displaying sports events. LCDs are more prone to this problem especially in the past, so pay attention to the refresh rate, the smaller the number the better. LCDs also are the better choice if you plan on playing HD video games on them, again make sure you pick a screen that has a fast refresh rate. Some brands of LCDs in particular have special "gaming modes" built in to make games look even better. You also have to decide on getting a cheaper 720P or the more expensive 1080P models. If you plan on watching HD DVDs or BLUE RAY you will want a 1080P model with an HDMI connection. Most HD programs you see on TV are 480P so if you don't want to watch HD DVDs you can get away with a 720P model.
I hope this helps you out :)
2007-09-16 16:16:24 · answer #5 · answered by PJLAMBO 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Here put simply is the differences between Plasma and LCD
LCD's: Higher resolution (Sharper),brighter, non-reflective.
PLASMA: Faster processor for movement, (Smoother images) more natural colours (because of higher contrasts),and 3 dimensional look.
Most people are buying LCDs, as with HD TV they look that much sharper, etc. If you are a sports fanatic, recommend Plasma still, because of lots of movement, but for general TV / Dvds and gaming, LCD. Follow the trend!
Both are great technologies, just different! Similar prices across the board too.
It seems that no matter who you talk too, or read reviews about, Plasma still comes up with the overall best picture, but most people would rather have Sharper Image, and Non-Reflective screen, than a more Realistic Image with Smoother Movement?!?!
Recommend: Sony/Samsung/Sharp LCDs. Panasonic/Pioneer/Samsung plasmas.
Hope this helps.
2007-09-16 21:05:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
basically you will get a much better picture with an LCD than a plasma. The other main point is that at some time in the future you may have or want to get HD, most plasmas dont offer this but youll find this on most LCDs. Top tip- technology is changing very fast these days, unlike old tv's both plasmas and lcds have a limited life expectancy, normally rated in hours. A friend of mine works at Currys and their 5 year warranty is similar to lots of other major electrical suppliers in that if they cannot fix it economically they have to replace it with a like for like (quality wise) unit. As you will be lucky to get 3.5-4 years from your new TV, for the cost of your warranty, you in effect get a new TV at some point down the line!! Ive already done this with a technics stereo i bought, getting a new denon unit much to my amusement! You also end up with a newer model!
2007-09-17 05:52:18 · answer #7 · answered by johnny mac 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Okay to cut a long story short, go for the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) since they outlive Plasma TVs, and looking at the ratio of Plasma to LCD TVs that I see coming into our store for repair, the LCD wins!
That and the minor fact that LCD screens don't get as hot as plasma!
2007-09-17 00:59:36 · answer #8 · answered by Bavaro_Runner 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Get an LCD. They cost more and for good reason. Better picture, no high altitude issues, no "burn in," they are slimmer and they don't weigh a half a ton. The only (hardly significant) downside with an LCD TV is that (1) the blacks aren't as deep and (2) if a pixel burns out, you'll have to live with that little tiny white speck on your screen, it can't be fixed.
2007-09-16 16:06:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
PLASMA
= Not as clear as LCD
= Cheaper
= different appearances in different angles
= Not as space saver as LCD.
LCD
= Sharper images
= Very Expensive!
= Hi maintenance
LCD tv's produces lots of heat. if your room temperature is constantly not able to cool it down. the LCD's life will shorten.
for example: instead of 6 years maintained in a cool environment, it would go as low as 3.5 years.
turning on the aircondition is recommended while watching LCD.
If you have the space, i suggest you buy the conventional.
If you have the money buy the LCD.
Plasma is out!
2007-09-16 16:14:40 · answer #10 · answered by jace 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋