Difference between LCD and Plasma TV

CRT (tube) TVs occupy a lot of space due to their bulky shape. Moreover, the picture quality of these TVs is poor. Flat panel and high-definition TVs with superior picture quality are a norm these days! Plasmas and LCDs are used all over the world. Although the two have similarly thin and flat screens, the differences between the two are substantial.

Plasma
Over the years, this technology has become increasingly popular in large HDTVs. Plasma technology uses a rectangular array of gas plasma cells, with electrical voltages that are precise, to create a crystal clear picture. In Plasma TVs, the display is a wide range of rich colors, with a low-luminance black. In this technology, the pixels are individually lit, which allows you to attain a higher contrast ratio.

Pros
Apart from the contrast ratio, screen sizes in plasmas can be very large, which are useful in very large houses. Viewing plasmas from different angles in a room is a treat. The aspect of wide angle viewing is an enjoyable feature in plasma technology. Plasmas produce deep rich color and brightness. Due to the high contrast ratio, the darkest and brightest part of an image is realistic in terms of appearance. The display of the color black is vivid in Plasmas.

Cons
Although the picture quality in this technology is astounding, the life of a plasma television is less as compared to LCDs. If the screen size is very large, wall mounting becomes difficult. These television sets use glass in their screen makeup, which can reflect light and make viewing problematic. Moreover, glass screens are fragile and need to be handled with care.

LCD
Liquid Crystal Display, commonly known as LCD, is popular among most users all over the world. It consists of layers of liquid crystal, sandwiched between two glass plates. The images created, depend on the amount of electrical charge applied. LCDs are preferred by individuals for their sharp picture and low consumption of power.

Pros
In a room with lots of light, LCDs help in reducing the glare, which in turn makes viewing easy. The life span of these televisions is longer as compared to plasmas. LED-back-lighting in the form of 'direct' and 'edge' back-lighting, has significantly improved images in LCDs. Screen burns which result in ghost images, occur when an image is left for a relatively long time. This is a common problem with plasmas, which is not the case with LCDs.

Cons
Viewing LCDs from different angles can be a pain, as images sometimes appear to be dark and hazy. This can cause a problem when large families scattered in different areas of a room view television. The level of brightness in LCD is less, compared to a Plasma. The response time in these televisions is longer as compared to Plasmas. Objects moving at a rapid speed exhibit a blur in this technology. Another drawback in some LCDs is, the inability to display very low resolution, due to scaling limitations. Although LCDs are less expensive than Plasmas, the features included are less as compared to their counterparts.

Although Plasmas and LCDs have their pros and cons, they have become a part of our everyday life. It is advisable to refer to a buying guide before you set your eyes on a Plasma or LCD. Because of their stylish appearance, relative ease of use and excellent image results, they have gained a prominent place in the world of televisions. Although, the aspect ratio of most LCDs and Plasmas comes in a standard 16:9 format, other options are also available. The technology used in these TVs has benefited people in different corners of the world, by setting benchmarks in terms of appearance and picture quality.