So you are thinking about getting a Hidef TV to hang in your den. It can get pretty frustrating with all of the TV names, model numbers, gizmos and types to choose from. As we consider at this together you will see that there is no one perfect TV here, as you will notice that it depends on more than just one factor. In this article we will discuss the most commonly asked question.

So Should I Get An LCD or Plasma TV?

1) How big of a screen will you be selecting?

Both the LCD & Plasma screens are available in up to 65" now. Are you thinking about a TV bigger than 50"? If you are going

larger than 50" the larger plasmas are more affordable than their LCD counterparts. But don't give up yet…LCD’s are becoming less expensive every day.

2) Lets now discuss the rooms lighting.

The reason I say this is that the degree of sunlight that enters the room will play a role when picking your flat screen TV set. The reason I want you to know this is that the plasma’s glass screen can reflect a large amount of direct sunlight.Can you see how this could effect your picture in a very bright room? Here's another thing, direct sunlight can also contribute to a washout of color. Even indirect or ambient lighting can cause a contrast ratio reduction, especially in black colors produced on the screen.

Now we will talk of one of the LCD's key benefits, since the LCD comes with a plastic matte screen that reflects less light. So if you have a very bright room-- the LCD is probably your best choice. So score a point for the LCD here.

3) Lets discuss your seating arrangements.

The reason I ask is that when you watch an LCD from an extreme off centered angle the image may fade a little. So this may be an important thing to consider when arranging your furniture in your TV room. Sometimes based on the layout of the room…You really don’t have much of an option. So think carefully about the trade off here. You tend to see some brightness and color shift when you're on too much of an angle with LCD’s. (LCD manufacturers are working on technology to address this. Here's some good news for you plasma fans, a plasma can be viewed with a fairly solid picture from almost an angle. So score a point for plasma's here. Since technology is changing almost overnight and quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer (and model to model) I would suggest a side-by-side comparison with several flat screens you are toying with. Try to simulate where your seating would be so you can watch it from the estimate angle you will be using at home--and simply judge for yourself.

These are just a few things to think about when picking a TV for your home.

Would you like to learn more about the differences between a plasma and LCD?