Plasma and LCD TV panels may look very similar, but the flat screen and thin profile is where the similarities end. Plasma TV screens as the name suggests, uses a web of tiny gas plasma cells charged by exact electrical voltages to create a picture. LCD TV screens (liquid crystal display) are like liquid crystal pushed in the space between two close glass plates. Images are created by varying the amount of electrical charge applied to the crystals.

Apart from offering the best value for money, LCD has the edge over plasma in several other key areas. LCDs tend to have higher resolution than plasmas of similar size, which means more pixels on the screen. If you are a true high-definition referrer who is keen to see every pixel of a high-definition image reproduced pixel-by-pixel then LCDs are always the way to go. However, top-of-the line plasmas will also display good pixel quality and content, so the choice isn't now as easy as it once was.

LCDs also use less power than plasma screens, generally saving around the 30% mark. LCDs are also generally lighter than similar sized plasmas, making them easier to move around or mount on the wall.

LCDs generally have a longer lifespan than plasma screens. This was true of earlier plasma models, that would lose half of their brightness after around 20,000 hours of viewing. Later plasma TVs have upped that up to anything between 30,000 and 60,000 hours. LCDs, on the other hand, are guaranteed for 60,000 hours from the start.

If you're in the market for a big screen television, the way to go would appear to be a plasma television. At the moment they are still the best for picture quality. Really though it depends on your budget and with LCD TV ?s being less expensive it's your preference, with these small differences to consider, choose one that suits your individual needs.