What’s the difference between LCD and plasma?
Question: Should I buy LCD or Plasma HDTV? What’s the difference?
Answer #1: I think that plasma is better in low light viewing ares and will provide deeper, sharper blacks. LCD is better in lighted viewing areas. One of the factors in play is that the plasma has a glass screen like a regular TV and is more susceptible to glare. The LCD has a sort of matte finish which cuts glare. I’m also told that the issue of limited screen life for plasmas is no longer applicable. They last something like 40,000 hours which is something like 27 years if you watch it four hours a day 365 days a year. I have been shopping for a 42 inch set lately and haven’t settled on one, but the Samsungs look the best to me for picture quality.
Answer 2: I should just record this stock answer since it comes up so often!
I’ve got both - one 37″ LCD and one 50″ plasma. Both HD, both manufactured around the same time. Here’s how I break them down:
- Size - both slim, the plasma is much heavier than the LCD
- Brightness - the plasma is brighter (by far), but the glass screen is reflective, whereas the LCD is not
- Response time - LCDs are a bit less responsive than plasma displays, only really a problem if you’re going to watch things with constant movement (didn’t notice it so much in sporting events, but a problem with some video games)
- Color depth - Plasma had better color depth (better black levels) than the LCD
- Viewing angle - you get almost 180 degrees out of the plasma, considerably less with the LCD
- Burn-in/longevity - Plasmas are greatly improved over what they were, and you can be sure that either will outlast it’s technology usefulness (or break before they had a chance to die from use LCD here if you plan on watching something with very static images (like all-day stock ticker, or closed-captioning)
For my money, I like the plasma better, but LCDs have been creeping up. I don’t think you can go wrong with either unless weight, ambient lighting, or burn-in are serious considerations to you. Whatever you do, avoid the DLP or other projection sets (due to replacing bulbs and bulb costs) unless you need more than a 50″ display.
Answer 3: I Have Both 56″ JVC LCOS (LCD) and a 42″ Vizio plasma. Both have advantages and disadvantages. My JVC is a great TV.very highly regarded. The Vizio is for the back room, and it’s nice for the price ($1,200). Anyway, do look at them, shop around, read some review, but ultimately, make your own choice. The only piece of advice I’ll give you is, when in doubt, go with the bigger size.