How To Choose An LCD Or Plasma TV

Aug 29, 2010 by VegasKev

Understanding How To Compare LCD and Plasma TV

Nowadays a flat screen television is a must.  No more big boxes that never seem to fit in your living room properly.  In fact, just go into any shopping center and you’ll realize that traditional televisions are now relegated to a corner (if that!)  . But what makes the choice of a product is rather difficult to navigate among a multitude of impressive deals where, in addition to price, are given a set of parameters which should be defined specifications.  Despite the fact that with so many given specifications to choose from and the illusion of ‘transparency’ we will continue to find televisions with the same characteristics but very different in pricing and performance.

To all this we add the question: “What are the ideal characteristics of a flat screen TV to be used in a family’s media center?”

Flat screens are divided into two main categories: Plasma and LCD.  We are referring, of course, to the underlying technology of which they are produced. This article is not intended to be a technical guide but rather help to understand what criteria you must keep in mind when buying a television these days. To choose correctly you must understand, and so a minimum of technical explanation is required…

Comparison Of LCD and Plasma TV

The basic element of any television is the single pixel or a dot screen. Each pixel is composed in turn by three sub-units: one red, one blue and one green.  The color combinations allow the screen to reproduce the various shades of color.  In a plasma TV each sub -pixel is oversimplifying, consisting of a small bulb which emits light when lit.  Even in a LCD TV pixel structure and sub-pixel is the same but here the sub-pixels do not emit light, but merely pass (ie color) or block the white light that is emitted from special lamps positioned in the screen . In the first case we have small bulbs and in the second case, selectors.

Difference Plasma And LCD TV

The difference between these two technologies is all here!

The progress has allowed to considerably dampen the differences between these two technologies that are usually:

• A plasma television has a higher brightness, better contrast, blacker blacks and extremely wide viewing angles (so it can be seen well from the sides)
• A LCD television is usually easier to afford, the pixel size is smaller (and therefore usually have higher resolutions), consumes less power.

As already mentioned differences are that today, in terms of quality performance are decreasing more and more. What is certain is that an LCD TV is easier to afford, and is also easier to repair. LCD TVs are of course the bigger versions of flat panel displays that are used on with computers (and a media center is, in essence, on big giant computer used for entertainment).

In the end, you’ll need to find a television that works best for the purpose you are intending it for.  You’ll also need to find one with a quality screen and a honorable warranty.  You’ll want one that will be durable if you have kids or frequent guests in your home.  And you’ll want one with the proper specs desired for the functions you like the best.  And you’ll need to find one that will deliver all this at a price within yoru budget.