FUNCTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
COMPUTER USE
LCD flat screens display static images from computer or VGA sources extremely well, with full colour detail, no flicker, and no screen burn-in. Moreover, the number of pixels per square inch on an LCD display is typically higher than other display technologies, so LCD monitors are especially good at displaying large amounts of data - like you would find on an Excel spreadsheet for example - with exceptional clarity and precision. For the same reasons, LCD TVs will also be a slightly better image presentation for video gaming.
Plasma technology has increased anti-burn tactics as well as computer and static signal handling. There are still issues with each depending very much on the model and manufacturer.
ADVANTAGE: LCD
FAST-MOVING VIDEO PLAYBACK
Plasma wins here because of their excellent performance with fast-moving images and high contrast levels. There are still some 2nd tier manufacturers whose plasma product displays some phosphor lag, a drag time in scenes changing from bright to dark.
While the "response time" of LCD TVs has markedly improved in the last couple of years, they still suffer from a slight "trailer" effect, where the individual pixels are just slightly out of step with the image on the screen. During fast moving sports scenes, the most discerning eyes can detect this slight motion response lag.
ADVANTAGE: Plasma
LONGEVITY
LCD television manufacturers claim that their displays last, on average, 50,000 to 65,000 hours. In fact, an LCD TV will last as long as its backlight does - and those bulbs can sometimes be replaced! Since this is nothing more than light passing through a prismatic substrate, there is essentially nothing to wear out in an LCD monitor. However, one nasty little known fact about LCD technology is that as the backlight ages it can change colours slightly. When this occurs the white balance of the entire LCD TV will be thrown out and the user will need to re-calibrate, or worse, try to replace the backlighting or ditch the unit altogether.
Plasma, on the other hand, utilizes slight electric currents to excite a combination of noble gases (i.e., argon, neon, xenon), which glow red, blue, and/or green. This is an essentially active phenomenon, so the phosphoric elements in plasma displays fade over time. Many manufacturers state a new half life of 60,000 hours.
ADVANTAGE: Even, depending upon manufacturer quality.
SCREEN BURN
LCD technology is not prone to screen "burn-in" or "ghosting" (premature aging of pixel cells) due to the nature of the technologies "twisting crystals."
With plasma, static images will begin to "burn-in," or permanently etch the colour being displayed into the glass display element. The time it takes for this to occur depends greatly on the anti-burn-in technology of the manufacturer. Recent improvements by plasma manufacturers have certainly extended the time it takes to burn in a plasma pixel cell.
ADVANTAGE: LCD, though not as much a concern as it was a year ago.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
PRODUCTION SIZE AND COST
All television measurements are stated in inches and are for diagonal measurement of the screen from corner to corner - not including the framing.
Both plasma and LCD TVs are becoming more readily available in larger sizes though plasma still leads the size battle by a margin. Pioneer and LG produce 61" plasma sizes while Panasonic has a readily available 65" model.
ADVANTAGE: Plasma, though the playing field is levelling. Even though production costs and retail prices have come down for both technologies, plasma still has the edge as far as production cost and capacity go.
POWER CONSUMPTION
Because LCDs use florescent backlighting to produce images, they require substantially less power to operate than plasmas do. LCD TVs consume about half the power that plasma displays consume. The reason: Plasmas use a lot of electricity to light each and every pixel you see on a screen - even the dark ones. Though plasma manufacturers have improved voltage consumption requirements a plasma TV will consume around a third more power for the same size display.
ADVANTAGE: LCD
PRICE AND RESOLUTION
LCD HDTV displays will have a higher resolution per same size comparison than plasma. The lowest resolution of a 40 inch LCD will be 1366 X 768 - easily full HD resolution in 1080i or 720p. A 42 inch HD plasma has a resolution of 1024 X 768. While this is not truly an HD resolution, it is close enough so that it's difficult to know the difference. A 50 inch plasma TV will have a resolution of 1366 X 768, while a 45 inch LCD displays 1920 X 1080 (1080P) resolution.
Those extra pixels and the production process of LCD HDTVs cost more money to produce. Expect to pay a third as much more for a similar size LCD TV than a plasma display.
ADVANTAGE: Pretty much a moving Target
Conclusion
Many people agree that Plasma screens above 37 inches are the better option. Anything less than this in screen size is predominantly won by LCDs.
Plasma screens traditionally deliver better black and cotrast levels, hence better picture quality.
LCDs are brighter and are more suited to resist glare from lights and are not effected by screenburn. Some LCDs suffer from motion lag and ghosting effects but make excellent PC monitors, assuming your screen is doubling up as a PC monitor too.
All in all, it often comes down to personal taste. The bright and sharp colours of an LCD vs the natural colours displayed by plasmas are often the clincher!
They only way to be sure is view both options displayed side-by-side in the bigger stores and see what appeals the most in the plasma vs LCD stakes. |
