LCD Vs. Plasma Glare
As of 2010, LCD and plasma are the two highest-selling types of flat panel HDTVs. Both types deliver the sharp high-resolution picture that is HD video, and both have their share of advantages when compared to the other. One factor to consider when shopping for a new TV is which one you can see better when it is facing a glare from some outside source.
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Technologies
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In LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs, liquid crystal cells that act as pixels are between two sheets of glass in front of an LED or fluorescent backlight. The reaction of those pixels to the light determines the look and color of the picture. In plasma screens, the plasma is a mixture of neon and xenon gas in thousands of tiny chambers. When energized, the plasma excites phosphors and emits visible light. These differences are a big part of how each will be affected differently by a glare.
Viewing Environment
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With either type of TV, the first option in avoiding a glare is to situate the TV in a spot where glare will not be a frequent issue, such as directly facing any sunlit windows or bright lamps. In brightly lit rooms, you'll generally be able to see LCD TVs more easily seen than plasma. The advantages of a plasma TV--the greater color contrast and deeper black levels--are better appreciated in darker rooms.
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Brightness
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One reason LCD TVs are generally better equipped to handle a glare is that since they produce white naturally with untwisted crystals, they can achieve a much greater level of brightness. Plasma screens, on the other hand, require more power to produce white. And since LCDs make use of a backlight, the brightness can be improved to a higher level.
Reflectivity
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Another reason plasma TVs are not as well seen in bright rooms or when faced with a glare is that their glass screens are more prone to reflecting light than the matte plastic screens of LCD TVs, though some plasma models have glare-reducing screens designed to lessen this problem.
Viewing Angle
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The viewing angle is the area within which you can clearly view the screen. Outside of or on the fringes of this area an added glare can heighten the loss of clarity in picture. This is one area where plasma TVs have the advantage, as they boast a 160 degree viewing angle. Even the best LCDs can top out at 130 degrees, as they tend to lose black level intensity the further the viewer gets from center.
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References
- Photo Credit modern tv 404 image by chrisharvey from Fotolia.com
