Technology
Features
Flat screen TVs: plasma vs LCD
Flat screen TVs sales have been growing steadily to feed demand for ever-larger screens, writes Andrew Stucken
Traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TVs are bulky, with a 32” set protruding by as much as two feet at the back.
Enter the flat screen – televisions which are exactly what their name suggests – and only a few inches thick.
As with many things electronic, there are two competing technologies - Plasma and LCD.
Plasma is the name for the gas mixture which fills chambers inside the TV. The atoms within the gas are illuminated by
Both technologies have completely flat screens, and are much thinner and lighter than comparably-sized CRT sets. They offer crystal clear pictures and wide screen technology. This means people not sitting right in front of them still have a good view. Aesthetically, they are sleek and modern-looking and many models can be wall-mounted.
Which offers the best quality? Historically, plasma was generally regarded as superior - but now most observers agree there is little difference in overall quality. Your purchase choice should be influenced by your own particular requirements as each type has the edge in different categories.
Both have excellent overall picture quality. LCD is said to be easier to view in a brightly-lit room, whereas plasma has better contrast and brightness in a fully-dark room. LCD’s higher resolution makes it more suitable for HD TV and Blu-ray DVD. It can also double up as a computer monitor, is lighter, less fragile and uses slightly less power.
Plasma used to have a clear edge with fast moving action, e.g. sports, but LCD has largely caught up.
What about price? For many this will be the most important consideration. LCDs start at as little as 13”– the cheapest sets retail for little over £100. But for living room-sized TVs there is little to choose price-wise.
As a rule of thumb, LCD is the choice for small screen TVs. At the time of writing, plasma only starts at 32”. For really big TVs, plasma is the only option as LCDs stop at 45”.
While these figures will surely change, the choice between the two only needs to be made within this overlapping range.
Do I need one? There is no special need to rush out and buy one. But one day your existing TV will wear out or you will want a new TV for some other reason. And you will need them to get the best out of HD (High Definition) TV shows and next generation DVD.
How future proof is it? Ever-accelerating technological advance is a reality and one day something even more sci-fi will surely come along. But with four to six hours’ use per day you should expect these machines to last you at least a decade. Some experts say LCD has a longer life span.
