Plasma vs. LCD TVs : Which is Best for You?
t’s shaping up to be a battle for the ages – Plasma vs. LCD, Ali vs. Frazier, Peanut Butter vs. Jelly … Oh, wait, those last two work hand in hand. If only the Plasma vs. LCD question were that simple. But it isn’t. You can't have both, and you can't fit either one of them on a piece of bread.
But perhaps an analogy to the famous sandwich duo is not so far off. If you had to choose between the two, which would it be? One is hearty and heavy and filling. The other, sugary and tangy and sweet. Likewise, LCD and plasma TVs each have their own characteristics. And the decision about which one you prefer is a personal one, related to taste.
This site will go over the different areas where the Plasma vs. LCD battle plays itself out, and hopefully, when you leave, you'll have a better idea of which TV is right for you.
Plasma vs. LCD TVs: The Technology
Tech Stuff - Simplified
Plasma TVs
At the heart of the plasma TV are chemical compounds called phosphors. In a plasma TV, each pixel is made up of three phosphors – one red, one blue, and one green. These phosphors emit light when struck by beams of electrons. The intensity of the electron beam determines the amount of light emitted. It is the phosphors themselves that create the light your see on a plasma screen.
LCD TVs
LCD TVs use millions of crystals, which are suspended in a liquid that is sandwiched between transparent panels. Behind this liquid crystal sandwich is bright florescent light. The crystals are instructed to either let the light pass or not. Color filters are used to determine color.
Plasma vs. LCD TVs: Size and Viewing Angle
Does Size Matter?
Size
Does size matter? In a TV, of course it does. In the Plasma vs. LCD TV debate, both were always thin, and so that question is something of a stalemate. You can talk about the difference between 3" and 5" if you like on certain models, but when it comes to a large screen TV, that almost seems a little silly.
When you talk about the viewing area, however, plasma TVs have always been known for their larger sizes. And in general, that’s still true. Or, at least, you will have a greater variety of plasma TVs to choose from when you’re looking at the big models. It may take a little time before the number of large-sized LCD models catch up to the number of options you have with plasma TVs. LCD TVs, however, are indeed gaining ground.
As for the size of your bank account, I’m assuming that matters too. As of this writing (Jan. 2005), for a large-screen plasma TV and a large-screen LCD TV of the same size, the plasma TV would normally be less expensive. LCD TVs are improving in price as well, however, and many predict the two will be on equal footing in the price department before long. All else being equal, in the Plasma vs. LCD TV debate, plasma tends to win on this one for the time being. But of course, all else isn't equal. The battle continues.
Viewing Angle
The viewing angle is how far off to the side you can sit and still see the picture clearly. Viewing angle is also talked about with computers, but in a computer monitor, this type of consideration isn’t usually so important. Computer users normally sit directly in front of their monitors, and typically there's only one user at a time. For TVs, however, viewing angle can be hugely important. You might have people sitting at various places all around the room.
Historically, the Plasma vs. LCD battle has been won by plasma TVs in this category. LCD TVs have made tremendous strides in this area of late. Many people will tell you, however, that the 170° field of vision claimed by some LCD manufacturers simply isn’t realistic. You may be able to see what’s happening at that angle, but it isn’t the same as sitting more directly head on. Reports from some owners of newer, top-of-the-line LCD TVs, however, say that the 170° is accurate.
