The Cost of Plasma Vs. LCD

When deciding on a flat panel TV, there are a myriad of choices and variables to consider. The biggest and first decision you should make is the choice between LCD or plasma screen. Both have their pros and cons and, depending on what you consider important in a TV, will determine how heavily you weight these factors. It should be stressed that neither is a bad choice, so rather than be afraid of making a poor decision, keep in mind you're choosing between two of the most advanced TV technologies in the world.

Out of Pocket Cost

Per inch of size, plasma TVs are on the whole more expensive than LCD TVs in the smaller size ranges. However, as the size of the TV increases, plasma TVs eventually win out in the cost war. This is in large part due to production costs. Plasma TVs don't really have a size capacity limit, so increasing their size isn't as cost prohibitive, while LCD technology is a bit more expensive the more you use of it.

Overall Picture Quality

Plasma TVs excel in picture quality in low light and no-light situations, while LCD fares better in high-light situations, which is what makes them especially useful in outdoor situations. This isn't to say that either couldn't be used in either situation, of course. It merely matters if you are trying to extract the highest possible picture quality from your TV. If you plan to watch the majority of your television in a well-lit or windowed room, the LCD is your best bet. If you're more a home theater experience type, then the plasma wins out.

Longevity

LCD TVs tend to get the nod for being the longest-lived of the two choices. They boast a life of 100,000 hours before burning out. However, because LCD crystals are back-lit by a separate light source, once the bulb burns out it can be replaced. Plasma TVs, by contrast, operate by exciting gases and these eventually die out and cannot be replaced. However, Plasma TVs boast a half life of 100,000 hours, which means that after 100,000 hours, the TV will be half as bright as a new one. It should be noted that at four hours of TV a day, 100,000 hours is over 65 years of TV life.

Power Consumption

While not directly tied to the cost of the TV, power consumption over time can increase electricity bills. While plasma TV manufacturers have made incredible strides in the arena of power consumption, they still require almost twice the power of comparably sized LCD TVs. This is because LCD TVs use a single fluorescent bulb to light the whole screen, while plasma TVs must use huge amounts of power to excite the electrons in every single pixel.

Burn-In

Although not a part of cost in any way, the threat of burn-in can necessitate a replacement TV. LCD TVs are by their very nature not prone to screen burn. While residual images may persist for a few seconds, they do not last. Plasma TVs, on the other hand, are prone to screen burn. This is easily avoided by simply not putting a DVD or DVR on pause for too long; however, it can be a factor.

References

• Plasma TV buying guide