Plasma TV vs. LCD TV: Which Is Better?
The two most popular types of HDTVs are plasma and LCD. Both have advantages and disadvantages which must be carefully considered in order to choose the TV that's right for you.
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Picture
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When it comes to picture quality, plasma has the overall advantage. Plasma TV's offer deeper black levels, which translates into a richer and more lifelike picture. Plasma TVs also tend to have better edge-to-edge picture uniformity than LCD TVs.
Viewing Angle
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Those sitting far off to either side of the screen will enjoy a better picture when viewing a plasma versus and LCD TV. Therefore, if having the widest overall viewing angle is a primary concern, you should choose a plasma TV.
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Screen Size
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If you intend to purchase a screen size smaller than 42 inches, then the choice has been made for you. Televisions smaller than 42 inches are typically only available as LCD displays. In sizes larger than 42 inches, you will have a choice between LCD and plasma.
Burn-In
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If you intend to use your TV as a computer monitor or perhaps to display still images (such as pictures) for an extended period of time, purchase an LCD TV. Plasma TVs can suffer from "burn-in" when displaying still images for excessive periods of time. When burn-in occurs, the still image is literally permanently "burned-in" to the screen.
Price
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AS of 2009, plasma TVs are cheaper overall than LCD TVs of equal size. Therefore, price-conscious shoppers may wish to purchase a plasma TV if choosing between two identical screen sizes.
Lifetime
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Most plasma and LCD TVs have a lifespan of approximately 60,000 hours under normal conditions. However, the lifespan of certain LCD displays can be extended by replacing the internal backlight. This is not an option on plasma TVs.
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