Both the plasma and LCD TV have been with us for some time, being present in homes across the land. For the last few years these two technologies seem to have been battling it out for the title of most popular without a clear winner becoming evident. However in recent times the eco credentials of plasma technology have been called into question, leading many to surmise that the LCD TV will be the device of choice in the future. But what are the differences between the two technologies?



While plasma and LCD TV sets may look extremely similar the differences between the two technologies are startling. Both offer the viewer a sharp, stunningly crisp picture that is a marked step forward from the CRT sets of old. In addition; due to their flat and lightweight nature are a space saving and stylish addition to any home. Typically both varieties are available as widescreen; hence they allow the viewer to watch films in true widescreen definition.

An LCD TV, as the name suggests uses a liquid crystal display to produce an image. Without becoming bogged down in technical jargon, the screen is made up of hundreds of thousands of tiny pixels that change colour and shade as electrical current is passed through them. The LCD display is backlit producing the brightness levels. It is only when backlighting is combined with the pixel changes that an image is viewable.

Plasma TV technology differs greatly. Fundamentally a plasma screen is constructed from thousands of tiny gas pockets, typically filled with either xenon or neon. These plasma ‘bubbles' change shade and brightness with minute changes in voltage; finally the image is put through phosphors made up of the three primary colours, only then is the eventual image produced.

Understandably the two technologies have distinct benefits and advantages. Hopefully the following will compare both technologies along a categorical line.

In terms of size and weight LCD and plasma TV models are quite similar. Normally plasma sets are available in larger screen sizes, usually up to around seventy one inches. LCD TV models on the other hand are usually available in smaller screen sizes and out of the two, are typically the lightest.

Picture quality for both types of television is good, it is generally understood that LCD televisions will perform better in smaller screen sizes, offering a better resolution than plasmas. Some plasma TV models do have the problem of image burn. Put simply this is when an image has been displayed for long periods of time and then stays as a residual image no matter what is being watched. Normally this will either be a network logo or a gaming screen. LCD TV models do not suffer from this problem.

Lifespan is another factor that can split the two technologies. An LCD TV can usually guarantee a lifespan of around sixty thousand hours, more tangibly around seven and a half years of continuous viewing. On the other hand some plasmas will lose around half their brightness after twenty thousand hours, although modern varieties are boasting the uniform sixty thousand viewing hours.

Hopefully this article has given an idea of the differences between plasma and LCD TV technology and how this relates to differences between devices. In terms of which to choose a great deal of the decision can be based upon personal preference. Those with an environmental conscience however will choose the LCD due to the energy efficiency issues with plasmas.