Plasma TV vs. LCD TV - Which is Better?

Plasma TV vs. LCD TV

You know you want to buy a flat-screen TV but you don't know if a plasma TV or an LCD TV would be your best choice.

This article explains the differences between plasma versus LCD TVs, then shows you how to get the best price for a plasma or LCD TV.

Plasma TV

A plasma TV screen consists of millions of multi-colored gas-filled cells. When electricity passes through the cells they light up and produce a picture.

Plasma TV screens have a much higher resolution than tube TV screens. In fact, the picture is so clear it's almost like watching a scene through a window.

Screen sizes range from 42" to 65" wide and are 3" to 4" thick.

LCD TV

LCD (light crystal display) TV screens are made up of a thin layer of liquid crystals sandwiched between two glass plates. When an electricity is sent through the crystals an array of tiny multi-colored pixels light up to create a picture.

LCD TV screens are thinner and lighter than plasma screens. They are the most screens for computers, and are quickly gaining popularity as TV screens.

LCD TV screens are anywhere from 1/4" to 4" thick and 2" to 65" wide.

Plasma vs. LCD Features

Picture Quality

When it comes to which type of TV screen is sharper and shows more detail, plasma TVs have a slight edge over LCD TVs, though LCD TVs are catching up.

Plasma TVs are also slightly better when it comes to viewing angle - how far you can sit to one side of a TV screen before picture quality is affected.

Screen Life

Screen life is the number of hours a TV provides before the picture begins to fade. Plasma TVs have a screen life of about 30,000 to 60,00 hours, depending on the make and model, while LCD TV's have a screen life of 60,000 hours or more.

Plasma TVs are also subject to "burn in." This occurs when a TV displays a still image long enough for a ghost of that image to be burned into the screen. LCD TVs do not have this problem.

HD TV

Both plasma and LCD TVs display HD (high definition) signals for a sharper, more three dimensional picture. LCD TVs, however, have a slightly higher resolution (more screen pixels) then plasma TVs.

Video Games

Plasma and LCD TVs are both great for video gaming, however because of plasma TV's tendency toward screen burn in, an LCD TV is the better choice if you play a lot of video games.

Portability

LCD TVs are thinner and lighter than plasma TVs, making them easier to move and easier to mount on a wall.

Plasma vs LCD TV prices

When it comes to which type of TV gives you the most bang for the buck, it depends on what you're looking for.

If you're looking for a large-screen TV - 42" or larger - plasma TVs are currently cheaper than than similar-sized LCD TVs. When I recently compared prices on 42" TVs, the cheapest plasma TV was $999, while the cheapest LCD TV was $1,367.

When it comes to mid-size TVs, I couldn't find plasma TVs smaller than 42." The cheapest 32" LCD TV I found was $619, while the cheapest 27" LCD TV was $550.

Visit the http://TheSatelliteTVGuide.com to get more information, to compare prices, and to get consumer ratings for plasma TVs and LCD Tvs.

Plasma TV A Big Screen For a Little Room

One of the biggest drawbacks of the big screen television is the space needed for the television set itself. The plasma TV technology has made it possible to incorporate a big screen television into a small room. To understand how this change came about, briefly consider the difference in technology between a traditional television set and a plasma TV.

For the majority of time that television sets have been used as part of the home entertainment system, the television picked up a analog signal sent out by a broadcaster. That signal was analyzed by the television set and cathode ray tubes lit up the screen of the television. Thousands of tiny pixels make up the screen of the TV set in three colors - red, blue and green. Combinations of colors gave different hues as seen in real life and the result was a movie that (as nearly as possible) duplicated what we see in the real world. Digital television systems have increased the quality of the picture though many signals are still in analog form.

The plasma TV uses a different kind of technology for producing the picture though the reception is the same. In the case of the plasma TV, the pixels are lit up using something very similar to a fluorescent light. One of the biggest advantages is that the plasma TV technology uses much less space than the cathode ray tubes. This means that the plasma TV is only a few inches thick as opposed to the tube televisions that were large, bulky pieces of furniture.

This means that a smaller room that might not have been suitable for a big screen television set before could now have sufficient room. Because the screens are flat, you are also not dealing with the distortion at the edges of the screen and don't really have to be directly in front of the plasma TV to get a good view.

Tom Ace is the founder of Plasma tv Resources a website providing information on plasma televisions

Plasma Televisions Have Lifelike Picture Quality-Get The Family Together

Plasma televisions hit the market a few years ago and have made headlines ever since. The picture quality has no equal. Bright picture, sharp colors and one heck of a total picture make the Plasma TV the best television to hit the market ever!

Plasma televisions use a high tech color scheme to make up a lifelike TV picture that will have you in awe! Plasma screens employ a matrix of tiny gas plasma bubbles coated by phosphor and charged by precise electrical voltages to create a great picture. By now it is safe to say that you have seen them in stores across the country and now popping up in restaurants and hotels everywhere. The reason is because people just like looking at them. It does not even really matter what is on.

There is a bit more of a price when purchasing a plasma television, but it will not make a difference when you get it home and realize that everyone is surrounded and together in one room. That is simply priceless. Watching movies, your favorite shows, or letting the kids play there game systems is a great way for families to spend time together.

Plasma televisions are also a flat screen. This means they can be placed on a stand, or hung on a wall. Easily integrated with any surround sound system and placed in any room and you have your own home theater. Easily viewed from any angle. With the big projection screen TVs if you move off to one side too much and the picture disappears. Not so with plasma. The kids will love being in the same room as Mom and Dad again.

Technology is coming along quite nicely these days and the television department is no exception. In most areas by the year 2009 all TVs are going to have to be digital, or you are going to have to buy a digital converter from the cable companies. Here is the good news, plasma televisions come digital ready, or come with a digital tuner already built in. Either way if you purchase these advanced TV systems you are covered. Digital and analog can co-exist in one unit. This means if you have a cable, or satellite provider you can still watch it.

For quite some time the most advancing pieces of home entertainment has been the stereo and the speakers. In this current day and age the television is making the leaps and bounds efforts in technology. Plasma televisions are the most advanced pieces of viewing pleasure you will ever come across. When you want the best and the most lifelike picture then you want Plasma!

Get your plasma TV, gather the family and friends, put in the movie or turn on the show, sit back and relax. You can put your mind at ease because you know where everybody is, they are all around you. If all it takes a simple TV to accomplish that then what are you waiting for? Be bold and show them you are not still stuck in the analog and tube age of televisions, get plasma.

Online Crazy Deals has an entire line of home entertainment systems with televisions, speakers, DVD players and home theater systems. Get your family together in one room and make some memories.

How to buy a plasma television set

Most people think that all you have to do to purchase a new plasma television set is to walk into a shop, look around, and purchase the first set that catches your attention. This is how you're supposed to do it, right? Wrong! Buying a television, whether it has a plasma monitor or a LCD monitor, takes careful planning.

The first step in finding your dream plasma television set is to measure the space where you plan to put it. This will help you to decide which size set to buy and will also help to guide your budget. Remember to measure your car, too- there's nothing more frustrating than picking out and purchasing that perfect plasma television set, if you can't fit it into the car to get it home!

If you're going to splash out and completely redecorate your home entertainment room, you should think about contacting a home installer, to get some tips and ideas before contracting the work. Remember to take into consideration things which might affect your view of the TV, such as lighting, windows, and other parts of the room which could possibly cause a reflection or obstruction of the display.

Once you've thought about where you're going to put your new plasma television set- and how you're going to get it home- you now need to think about what sort accessories you'll need. Will you be using it in conjunction with your camcorder? Will you need to purchase a set of external speakers, or will you be hooking the television set up to your stereo? If so, remember to check that the monitor or set has an AV-hook up. Having the hook up in the front of the TV will make it more convenient to attach your camcorder or gaming system.

Finally, you should consider the television set's overall picture quality and ease of use. Take the time to sit and watch the set in the store, to get an idea of how you'll feel watching it at home.

With a little preparation, you'll find the plasma TV set that is just right for you and your home.

Tom Ace is the founder of Plasma tv Resources a website providing information on plasma televisions.