What is the Difference between an LCD TV and a

Plasma TV?
Outward appearances are definitely deceiving when it comes to LCD and Plasma televisions. Although both
types of televisions are flat and thin, they employ different technology in an attempt to deliver similar
results.

Plasma TV Overview

Plasma television technology is based loosely on the fluorescent light bulb. The display itself consists of
cells. Within each cell two glass panels are separated by a narrow gap in which neon-xenon gas is injected
and sealed in plasma form during the manufacturing process. The gas is electrically charged at specific
intervals when the Plasma set is in use. The charged gas then strikes red, green, and blue phosphors, thus
creating a television image. Each group of red, green, and blue phosphors is called a pixel (picture element).

Although Plasma television technology eliminate the need for the bulky picture tube and electron beam
scanning of traditional televisions, because it still employs the burning of phosphors to generate an image,
Plasma televisions still suffer from some of the drawbacks of traditional televisions, such as heat generation
and screen-burn of static images.

LCD TV Overview

LCD televisions, on the other hand, use a different technology (see also question #1 for this same
explanation).

Basically, LCD panels are made of two layers of transparent material, which are polarized, and are "glued"
together. One of the layers is coated with a special polymer that holds the individual liquid crystals. Current
is then passed through individual crystals, which allow the crystals to pass or block light to create images.
LCD crystals do not produce their own light, so an external light source, such as florescent bulb is needed
for the image created by the LCD to become visible to the viewer.

Unlike standard CRT and Plasma televisions, since there are no phosphors that light up, less power is need
for operation and the light source in an LCD television generates less heat than a Plasma or traditional
television. Also, because of the nature of LCD technology, there is no radiation emitted from the screen
itself.

Plasma vs LCD

The ADVANTAGES of Plasma over LCD are:

1. Larger screen size availability.

2. Better contrast ratio and ability to render deeper blacks.

3. Better color accuracy and saturation.

4. Better motion tracking (little or no motion lag in fast moving images).

The DISADVANTAGES of Plasma vs LCD include:

1. Plasma TVs are more susceptible to burn-in of static images.

2. Plasma TVs generate more heat than LCDs, due to the need to light of phosphors to create the images.

3. Does not perform as well at higher altitudes.

4. Shorter display life span (about 30,000 hours or 8 hrs of viewing a day for 9 years) than LCD. This can
vary according to other environmental and use factors.

LCD television ADVANTAGES over Plasma include:

1. No burn-in of static images.

2. Cooler running temperature.

3. No high altitude use issues.

4. Increased image brightness over Plasma.

5. Longer display life (about 60,000 hours - at which time all you may need to do is replace the light source,
not the entire set). This can vary according other environmental and use factors.

DISADVANTAGES of LCD vs Plasma televisions include:

1. Lower contrast ratio, not as good rendering deep blacks.

2. Not as good at tracking motion (fast moving objects may exhibit lag artifacts).

3. Not as available in large screen sizes above 37-inches

4. Although LCD televisions do not suffer from burn-in susceptibility, it is possible that individual pixels on
LCD televisions can burn out, causing small, visible, black or white dots to appear on the screen. Individual
pixels cannot be repaired; the whole screen would need to be replaced at that point, if the individual pixel
burnout becomes annoying to you.

5. LCD televisions are typically more expensive than equivalent-sized Plasma televisions, especially when
comparing EDTV Plasmas to HDTV-LCD Televisions.
Difference between Plasma and LCD TVs

Everyone seems to be wanting to buy one these days, but what's actually the difference between plasma and
LCD TVs? This document tries to tackle this question, and is based on information gathered from a number
of sources, including TV buyer guides and brand websites.

When you're comparing plasma and LCD TVs, you're actually comparing their two competing technologies.
Both technologies achieve similar things (i.e. crystal-clear, color-filled pictures) and come in similar designs
(i.e. super-thin housing). However, there're some key differences, and the following table will summarise
these:

Table: Difference between Plasma TVs and LCD TVs

Feature Plasma TVs LCD TVs Difference / Advantage

Screen Size Screen sizes range Sizes range from 13 Plasma TVs can be larger,
from 32 inches to 60 inches to 46 inches, but but LCD TVs are catching
inches. larger screens are coming up.
out soon.

Thickness As thin as 3 inches As thin as 2 inches deep. LCD TVs can be just a bit
deep. thinner.

Viewing Angle Up to 160°. Up to 165°. Not too much difference

these days. Plasma TVs
used to have a better
viewing angle, but the high-
end LCD TVs have caught
up.

Burn-in Plasma TVs can suffer LCD TVs do not suffer Newer plasma TVs have
from burn-in produced from burn-in. addressed burn-in and
by static images. After reduced the issues of older
extended periods, models, but LCD TVs are
stationary images obviously better here.
'burn in' the screen and
produce an after-
image ghost which
remains permanently
on the screen.

Screen Refresh Rates (i.e. Plasma TV displays LCD TVs were While the LCD TVs have
how do they handle fast refresh and handle originally designed for markedly improved in this
moving video images) rapid movements in computer data displays, area in the last couple of
video about as well as and not video. Refresh years, they still suffer from
normal CRT TVs. rates have therefore been a very slight 'trailer' effect -
improved. LCD TVs so plasma TV technology
with refresh rates of 16 slightly edges it here.
ms or higher show very
little noticeable
difference.
Colour Saturation In plasma TVs, each LCD displays reproduce Plasma TVs are better here
pixel contains red, colours by manipulating than LCDs with similar
green, and blue light waves and pixel counts and for
elements, which work subtracting colours from moving images. LCD TVs
in conjunction to white light. This makes it are better at displaying
create 16.77 million more difficult for crisp static images (as they
colours. Colour maintaining colour were initially developed for
information is more accuracy and vibrancy. computer users).
accurately reproduced But, LCD TVs have
with plasma TV colour information
technology than it is benefits from the higher-
with any other display than-average number of
technology. pixels per square inch
found in their displays
(especially when
compared to plasma
TVs).

Contrast Ratios Current plasma TVs Current LCD TV For scenes with a lot of
can measure contrast contrast ratios can dark and light images
ratios of up to 3000:1 measure up to 1000:1. shown simultaneously
(which is the measure The way this ratio is (such as with content
of the blackest black calculated is however originating from DVDs and
compared to the slightly different than video games) plasma TVs
whitest white). with LCDs, so it's will normally outperform
difficult to compare them LCD TVs. However, this is
like for like. debatable and many of the
best quality LCD TVs
display sufficiently dark
blacks to please even the
most discriminating eyes.

Product Life-span Typical plasma TVs LCD TVs life span is LCD TVs run about twice
have a life span of typically 50,000-60,000 as long as plasma TVs.
25,000 to 30,000 hours, which equates to LCD TVs are therefore
hours, which equates about 6 years of 24/7 preferred for long-haul
to about 3 years of use. However, LCD TVs applications like 24/7
24/7 usage before the will actually last as long signage in shops.
TV fades to half the as its backlight does, and
original brightness. those bulbs can be
replaced - so in essence
there's nothing which can
wear out.

Weight Plasma displays are LCD TVs weigh less LCD TVs are considerably
fairly heavy. When than similarly sized lighter and as such easier to
mounted on a wall or plasma TVs, and can be mount and install. Plasma
ceiling, these need to more easily installed. TVs will almost certainly
be able to bear the require a professional
weight and may installer.
require additional
supports.
Transportation and Due to their fragile Shipping LCD TVs is LCD TVs are lighter and
Shipping ed to be shipped by not difficult, and is not as far less fragile than plasma
rnight or fast delivery expensive as shipping displays making shipping
mended. Special plasma displays. easier.
their heavier weight
ipping costs (although
t differ the shipping

Production Costs and Plasma TVs are easier The substrate material Although prices for both
Price and as such cheaper to for LCD TVs has proved technologies have dropped
produce in large sizes difficult to produce in significantly over the years,
(40 inches upwards). large sizes (over 32 plasma TVs are still
inches) without pixel significantly cheaper for
defects owing to faulty sizes over 32 inches.
transistors.

Power Consumption Plasma TVs are fairly LCD TVs use florescent LCD TVs use on average
power hungry and use backlighting to produce half of the power from
a lot of electricity images, and as such Plasma TVs.
lighting each and require substantially less
every pixel you see on power to operate.
a screen (even the dark
ones).

Performance at High High altitudes can LCD TVs are not LCD TVs are better at high
Altitude affect the performance affected by high altitude (6500 feet and
of plasma TV displays altitudes. above).
because the gas held
inside each pixel is
stressed, and has to
work harder to
perform. This means
you may get a buzzing
noise, which sounds
rather like the
humming of an old
neon sign.

So, hopefully this table was useful in explaining the difference between plasma and LCD TVs. In
essence, your choice will have to depend on the value you attach to the different features. If you want a
large screen size at reasonable price, than plasma TVs are your best option. If you're going to leave your
TV on a lot, and want to use it to display computer applications as well, than go for a LCD TV.

As we said, it's up to you to decide as quality wise, there's not a lot of difference between them. If you
want to browse a bit further through the available plasma and LCD TVs on the market, then we can
recommend the following retailers: John Lewis (top branded products and never knowingly overpriced)
and Comet (good selection and useful site features).

Happy shopping and good luck with whichever choice you make.
LCD vs. Plasma Screen Displays: Technology Comparison

Liquid Crystal Diode (LCD) Televisions

Technology Overview & Description

Liquid Crystal Display, or LCD TVs use a florescent backlight to send light through its liquid crystal molecules and a
polarizing substrate. LCD TVs work passively, with red, green and blue pixels. By applying voltage to the pixels using
a matrix of wires, the pixels can be darkened to prevent the backlight from showing through. Many LCD displays
double as computer displays by allowing standard analogue VGA input, a great option if you need your display to pull
double duty as a PC monitor to save money and space. Nearly all LCD TVs offer flexible mounting options including
walls or under cabinets.

What’s Next

Bigger, faster, cheaper.LCD screens are just starting to break the size barrier that once held them back (with some
models getting as large as 55”) and it will be up to the manufacturing plants to convert or expand to the point where
these larger screens become affordable and economical to produce. LCDs are not the best for contrast ratios, but they
are getting better and the “blur” effect, where the pixels cannot refresh fast enough for the screen motion, is extinct in
newer models.

LCD Display Advantages LCD Display Disadvantages

• Good color reproduction • Fixed resolution

• Very thin • Notorious “screen door” effect on lesser models
• Lightweight • Poor contrast ratios (even excellent units have
• Perfect sharpness at native resolution only 700:1)
• Excellent longevity • Very difficult to produce deep blacks (see above)
• No screen burn-in effect • Weak and “stuck” pixels are common
• Viewing angle on older models may be narrow
• Potential for slower refresh rates than plasma
(some newer models are getting better)

Plasma Screen Televisions & Displays

Technology Overview & Description
Plasma screens are basically a network of red, green and blue phosphors (each triad makes up a single pixel)
mounted between two thin layers of glass. Plasma screens use a small electric pulse for each pixel to excite the rare
natural gases argon, neon and xenon used to produce the color information and light. As electrons excite the
phosphors, oxygen atoms dissipate and create plasma, emitting UV light. These rare gases actually have a life and
fade over time.

Here’s the cool part: because all the phosphor-excited pixels react at the same time, there is never any flicker
apparent to the viewer. There’s also no backlight and no projection of any kind, so the light-emitting phosphors, result
in a bright display with a penchant for rich color and a wide viewing angle.

What are phosphors? Phosphors are chemical compounds on back glass that emit the visible light that makes up the
picture we see. Hit them with light and they react by producing an amount of red, green or blue. On a direct-view
television (CRT, or cathode ray tube) the phosphors are on the front glass and are excited by a beam of electrons
from the cathode-ray. On plasma monitors the phosphors are excited by UV light produced by electromagnetically
charged plasma.

Plasma screens are sometimes viewed as a wonder of the modern world, and most of their attention comes from their
flat presentation and large screen sizes. They are able to be produced in sizes up to 80” (though not common) and
yield a very nice picture. The downside is that they are power-hungry (not to be confused with the environmentally-
friendly LCD screens) and really need to be professionally installed due to their fragile nature. You may enjoy
watching commercials with plasma screens hanging on the ceiling, but even Philips will tell you that their screens do
much better hanging on a wall (by a professional) or placed on a stand.

What’s Next?
Extinction. You heard it here first. Unless plasma displays can miraculously adapt and compete in terms of longevity,
brightness, (true) contrast ratio, power consumption and burn-in, the technology is on its way out. As LCD displays
become cheaper, faster and more competitive, plasma will be seen for the stop-gap that it truly is.

Plasma Advantages Plasma Disadvantages

• Newer models have much better contrast ratios • Although thin, plasma TVs are fairly heavy
than many direct view TVs (professional installation recommended for on-
• Excellent color reproduction wall use)
• Excellent life expectancy • Very susceptible to screen burn-in
• Excellent viewing angle • Cannot produce deep black levels accurately
• Fragile
• Use a lot of power