A Comparison of DLP, LCD and Plasma Televisions

DLP vs Flat Panel televisions--it can be a tough decision.

In 2010, your television choices are Digital Light Projection (DLP), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Plasma. Each of these types of televisions brings unique features and benefits to a home theater set up.There are factors you need to consider when purchasing one of these televisions to ensure you get the best television for your entertainment needs.

Technology

In DLP technology, a lamp or bulb reflects light off a mirror that has over a million other mirrors built into it. That allows a picture that most resembles the smoothness and realism of a tube television. Plasma television uses gasses compressed between two glass panels to create a realistic image that has a fast response time to handle any type of video. LCD uses polarizing film encased around electrodes to reproduce a video image on the screen. Each pixel is built into the screen independent of each other, but they work together to provide a smooth and consistent image.

Picture Quality

According to CNET, plasma presents the best overall picture, with exceptional bright images and colors. The contrast ratio is very good and allows great low-light video regardless of the viewing angles. LCD also provides excellent viewing angles with a very good contrast ratio without much glare due to the material used on the LCD screen. DLP televisions have excellent contrast ratio when viewed at eye level and within 120 degrees with the best available picture being directly straight-on with the screen. The picture is smooth and consistent without worry of pixel freezing due to the mirror reflecting on the complete image.

Durability

According to CNET, DLP televisions use bulbs to reproduce the picture onto the screen. These bulbs need to be changed generally every four to five years. The projection guns also need to be cleaned yearly to avoid a heavy accumulation of dust that can damage the inner circuits. The Plasma set needs less maintenance and is rated to last at full clarity and strength for 60,000 viewing hours. The LCD televisions also need less maintenance than the DLP and are rated to have full viewing capability of 60,000 viewing hours.

Pricing

DLP televisions are the lower priced of the three technologies when comparing models with similar options. Keep in mind you will need to change the bulb and clean the DLP set over time that will add to the life-long price of the item. The plasma television is lower priced than LCD because the screen is less expensive to build and mass produce. The use of gases allows for bigger screens at lower prices. The LCD televisions are more expensive due to the technology which requires each pixel to be added one at a time. The bigger the screen the more pixels, which makes the LCD set more expensive than other high-definition televisions of the same size.

Disadvantages

DLP sets have narrow viewing angles that really lower the quality of the picture the wider the angle. The wider you sit away from the front of the screen the darker the image will become.There is also a rainbow effect that distorts the colors for short random periods. Plasma still has a minor risk of screen burn and also the risk of overheating if not in a ventilated area. Screen burn occurs when an image is frozen on the screen for too long and it leaves a faint image on the screen even after you change the channel. LCD produces less heat but can randomly get damaged pixels that can affect the viewing consistency.

References

• Flat Panel Comparisions
• Display Technology Guide
• DLP Information