Currently, the two most popular types of flat panel HDTVs are plasma and LCD, and it can be confusing for consumers when it comes time to make a decision regarding which one meets their needs.
Plasma sets were first flat panel sets on the scene and have always excelled in picture quality, but the LCD sets are catching up. It a lot of cases plasma sets are less expensive then LCD sets.
LCD sets were developed later and initially their picture quality lagged significantly behind the plasma sets. Like all technology, however, there are continual improvements being made and LCD sets are now getting very close in picture quality to plasma, and are available in a wider variety of sizes.
For the environmentally-conscious, it is useful to know that LCD set use less energy than plasma sets, and require less human energy to move them since they tend to weigh less than their plasma counterparts.
Here are some basic facts that may make it easier for you to choose:
Plasma might be the best choice under these circumstances:
You are particular about color and would like to experience rich, warm color presentation. Since plasma sets use a phosphor coated screen, not unlike older TV sets, the colors appear to be more natural. Most plasma sets also offer higher contrast and deeper black color presentation than their LCD Counterparts.
Viewers will be watching from varied angles. Plasma provides a better picture from more extreme angle than does LCD. If you have a lot of people viewing your TV from various angles, those that are off to the side will enjoy a superior picture.
You plan to watch a lot of sports programming or action movies. Plasma responds faster than LCD when it comes to content presentation and you are less likely to see smears or other abnormalities on a plasma set during times when the action is fast and furious on the screen. With cameras moving quickly to follow the ball during a baseball game or a puck during a hockey game, plasma’s faster response will be appreciated. The same goes for those spectacular action movie explosions and other cataclysmic events!
LCD might be the best choice under these circumstances:
You intend to do a lot of viewing during daytime hours or in an area that is usually brightly lighted. LCD sets present a brighter picture which will make viewing easier under conditions where the TV has to compete with lots of light in the room. In addition, most LCD sets are equipped with glare-resistant screens to help prevent reflections and keep the picture from being washed out my other light sources.
A lot of gaming will be done on the set or you are planning to watch a lot of programming in the old 4:3 format mode. Watching the narrow picture that the 4:3 mode provides will results in bars on the sides of a wide screen (16:9) set. Both gaming and the presence of bars can cause “burn in” on a plasma set due to the phosphor coating. This “burn in” will leave permanent ghost-like images on the screen than cannot be repaired without replacing the screen on the entire set. LCD sets are not susceptible to “burn in.”
You want a smaller screen size than 42 inches. Currently, there are more LCD set to choose from if you want one that is less than 42 inches. This should be changing as more manufacturers start making plasma sets a bit smaller.
Whatever you decide, if you are purchasing an HDTV for the first time, you will not regret it if you are anything like me. I went from a 19-inch standard definition TV to a 51-inch HDTV, and although I am a bit spoiled at this point and more accustomed to a great picture, when I first bought it, the picture quality of the HDTV really blew me away.
If you don’t watch much TV, then investing in an HDVT set may not be worth it. But if you are a big sports or movie fan or just like watching TV a lot, having an HDTV is the way to go. I cannot even imagine going back to standard definition TV now.