LCD vs. Plasma Televisions: Choosing the Best TV for You

You are ready and eager to move and keep up pace with the 21st century, and the 21st century is all about technology my friends. Move aside Discmans, here come ipods and MP3 players and move aside boxy televisions the sleek and sexy flat screen TVs are here to take over. And not just any flat screen TVs, it's time for LCD and Plasma TVs.

If you thought LCD and Plasma TVs are one and the same, you are not the only one...many people think the two terms are synonymous. But they are not; there are few but distinct differences between both. First let's talk about the similarities between the two. The most important similarity and advantage is the fact that both are very very thin monitors, each is only a few inches thick. You have the option to place them on a stand or mount them on a wall, and they both produce high-definition television programming. But this is where the similarities end.

LCD vs. Plasma: What they are:
So while comparing LCD vs. Plasma TVs it is best to understand what each one is. Let's start with Plasma TVs. A plasma screen is one that consists of millions of multi-colored gas filled cells and these emit a picture when electricity is passed through them to light them up. An interesting fact to know is that a Plasma screen TV has a higher resolution that Tube TV screens. Some people say that watching something on a plasma screen TV is like watching something in reality. There are a variety of ranges in Plasma Screens... from 42 inches to 65 inches wide and also the thickness can vary from 3 inches to 4 inches.

LCD or Light Crystal Display TV screens are made of a thin layer of crystals in a liquid form filled between two glass plates. An image or a picture is created on the screen when electricity is passed through the crystals in the form of tiny multi-colored pixels. LCD screens are lighter and slimmer than plasma screens and are more popular in computer screens but are fast becoming popular among TV screens as well. An LCD TV screen can be as slim as a quarter of an inch or as thick as four inches. The width can vary from anything between 2 inches to 65 inches.

Plasma vs. LCD: Features
This is where the real fun is, it is time to really compare the two TV screens and decide which is the best TV for you to buy. Here are the features and how the two screens differ:

• Picture Quality: where picture quality is concerned, Plasma TVs are much better than LCD screens but this doesn't mean that LCD screen TVs are bad, in fact they are getting better every day. The viewing angle of the Plasma TV is also better as compared to the LCD TV, and this proves itself when you place your self on one side of the TV and gauge the picture quality.
• Screen Life: the screen life is estimated to be the number of hours before the picture starts fading. Plasma TVs have a screen life of 30,000 to 60,000 hours whereas LCD TVs have more than 60,000 hours of viewing but this depends on the make and model of each TV. Be careful of 'burn in', in case of Plasma TVs. This is when the ghost of the image is burned into the screen. You need not worry about burn in for LCD TVs.
• HD TV: High-Definition signals of both Plasma and LCD TVs are great, but it is fair to say that LCD TVs have a bit of an edge over Plasma TVs in this field.
• Video gaming: if you are inclined toward video games then it is best that you choose an LCD TV as this does not have the problem of burn in and is much better for gaming.
• Portability: LCD TVs are much lighter and thinner than Plasma TVs, so in case of portability, LCD TVs win hands down.

Plasma vs. LCD TV: Price
Price is always a factor whenever you are buying any TV, but since Plasma TVs and LCD TVs are more technologically advanced the price plays a more important part in the final decision. Let's just say that price wise, an LCD TV is expensive than the Plasma TV but you can always compromise on size and fit your budget.

At the end of it all, both types of TV screens are the best that technology can offer you at the moment. Choose according to your needs and the depth of your pockets. Hope you have some happy TV time.