What's better, an LCD or a Plasma TV? I'm thinking of buying a 42" plasma?

Question

The contrast brightness on the LCD tends to hurt my eyes and I've been told that the plasma tv's contrast isn't quite a glaring because the lines are muted a little.

Answer 1

Plasma has a much sharper picture quality but can be prone to breakdown. If its quality picture you want go plasma.

Answer 2

Warning: This is a warning you are not gonna get from the dealers or the manufactures. LCDs have very fragile, very breakable PLASTIC screens. Screens because there are two. The "inner" screen of my 7 mos. old Sony Bravia 42" is broken. Broken by a 34 lb., 3year old throwing an empty plastic cup. Plastic because it can be and it prevents the screen from being reflective. It also makes them CHEAPER to make. No warranty, no repair. If you have children or children visit, do not buy LCDs.
Plasma have a glass screen like all other TVs except LCDs. Both are cheap to operate depending on where you live: 3-41/2 cents/hour for plasma and 2-3 cent/hour for LCD.
Plasma is better 42" or larger and in dark rooms or basements and for viewing sports. Most plasma brands also have anti-glare coatings. When I can get another $2000 together I will get plasma.

Answer 3

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 4

LCD is better because Plasmas dont last too long, they last about 3-5 yrs (they Burn out very fast) and plus you can lower the contrast of the lcd or Brightness of the TV

Answer 5

Plasma has more natural colors. If you watch sports, that's your choice. Also, the lines are more sharp, as the contrast is usually (and naturally) higher
Pity that:
It's produced just bigger than 37''
It tends to last around 60000 hours
It's almost impossible to have it cheap AND full hd

LCD is more bright and charming. Watching cartoons or movies is surely fascinating.
Comes in all sizes and last around 70000 hours. Could be found in Full HD under 1500$ (not the best one, but still a 1080p).
Pity that:
the contrast is normally less than the plasma one (lines are not as sharp), but producers usually implement a higher contrast (by preprocessing the image) on high end LCD.
Still, the colors are just less natural than the plasma one.

Answer 6

Turn down the contrast since it hurts your eyes on a LCD screen. I have a 42" wide screen and love it. If a bulb goes out on my TV. I can have it repaired. Since there is no bulb and the TV goes out (plasma) you are screwed out on a TV.

Answer 7

LCD has better price than Plasma, Plasma is better view than LCD due to more ratio and better black level, better for like movie and television but LCD does a bit better to use for PC monitor and Gaming. I stick with LCD because of better value, not many plamas offered 1080p that's not overprice.

Answer 8

Both have good points
Plasma has better colour (contrast), better viewing angle but more expensieve, sometimes you get a double picture, its heavier and a bit more prone to problems.
LCD isnt great if theres kids in the house (the screen's sometimes hard to resist- get a philips one, they arent fun to play with!) or it might smear.
I sell 'em in work and more people buy Plasma, but LCD might suit you better!

Answer 9

My boyfriend use to work in electronics,he recomends LCD over plasma.

Answer 10

I like LCD better