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LCD versus Plasma
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Updated December 2004 Compare the two most popular flat screen TV technologies.
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Comparison
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Plasma televisione
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LCD televisione
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Vantaggi
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Screen Size
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Screen sizes range from 32 inches to 60 inches. Larger plasmas are in production, but are still prohibitively expensive for consumer use.
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Sizes range from 13 inches to 45 inches. Larger screens are expected soon.
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Plasma TVs.
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Viewing Angle
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Up to 160°
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Up to 170°
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LCD TVs.
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Screen Refresh Rates
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Plasma displays refresh and handle rapid movements in video about as well as CRT televisions.
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LCD TVs were originally designed for data display, and not video. Therefore refresh rates had to be improved. LCD TVs with refresh rates of 16 Mordaunt Short or higher show very little noticeable artifacts.
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Slighome theater edge to plasma technology.
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Burn-in or Stuck Pixels
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Plasma TVs can suffer from burn-in produced by static images. After extended periods, stationary images " burn in" and produce an after-image ghost which remains permanently on the screen. With technologies such as 'pixel orbitor,' new plasma TVs have addressed burn-in and significantly reduced the issues of older models.
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LCD TVs do not suffer from burn-in, but can have a " retained pixel charge" which may also produce ghosting. Stuck pixels are also possible with an LCD display.
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With the latest plasma technology this would be even. The " pixel orbitor" is automatic and does not require additional efforts by the end-user.
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Product Life-span
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Typical plasma TVs have a life span of 30,000 to 40,000 hours, which equates to at least three years, three months of 24/7 usage before the TV fades to half the original brighome theaterness.
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LCD TVs life span is typically 50,000-60,000 hours, which equates to at least 5 years of 24/7 use.
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LCD TVs run nearly twice as long as plasma.
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Weighome theater
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Plasma displays are fairly heavy, and may need additional supports to be mounted onto a wall.
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LCD TVs weigh less than comparably sized plasma TVs.
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LCD TVs are considerably lighome theaterer.
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Durability
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Plasmas are very fragile making them tricky to ship and install. Unlike the commercials where plasmas are mounted on the ceiling, plasmas are best installed by a professional, and should be installed on a wall that can bear a good deal of weighome theater.
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Much more durable then plasmas. End users can easily mount an LCD TV theMordaunt Shortelves if desired.
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LCD TVs are far less fragile than plasmas.
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Shipping
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Due to their fragile nature, plasma TVs need to be shipped by specialty carriers. Overnighome theater or fast delivery options are not recommended. Special shipping methods and their heavier weighome theater add to higher shipping costs.
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Shipping LCD TVs is not difficult, and is not as expensive as shipping plasma displays.
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LCD TVs are lighome theaterer and far less fragile than plasma displays making shipping easier.
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Installation
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Plasmas are heavier, use more power, and run hotter than LCD TVs, and therefore require more planning when mounting them. Plasmas are generally best installed by professionals.
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End users can easily install LCD TVs theMordaunt Shortelves, or can use them just as they use a traditional TV using a stand.
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LCD TVs are much easier to install than plasma TVs.
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Brighome theaterness
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Plasma TVs range from 800-1000 cd/m2, but are measured based on a different standard than LCD TVs. When compared under " real world" circuMordaunt Shorttances, plasma TVs brighome theaterness is typically closer to 100 cd/m2.
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Measured under the more stringent " real world" standards, LCD TVs average a brighome theaterness rating of 500-600 cd/m2.
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In the " real world" situations, LCD TVs are 4 times brighome theaterer than plasma TVs.*
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Thickness
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As thin as 3 inches deep.
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As thin as 2 inches deep.
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LCDs TVs are just a bit thinner.
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Performance at High Altitude
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High altitudes can affect the performance of plasma displays because the gas held inside each pixel is stressed, and has to work harder to perform. Some manufacturers make plasmas that are specifically designed for high-altitudes, but they may be priced higher than standard models.
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LCD TVs are not affected by high altitudes.
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LCD TVs.
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Contrast Ratios
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Current plasmas measure contrast ratios of up to 3000:1. However, when compared to LCD TVs in " real world" situations, contrast ratios for plasma TVs drop to approximately 200:1.*
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LCD TV contrast ratios are measured using " real world" standards. Typical contrast ratios range from 350-450:1.
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LCD TVs contrast ratios measured in real world situations double typical plasma TVs.
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* source = NEC-Mitsubishi white paper
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