If you are looking for a flat screen TV one of the first things you have to consider is the type of technology that you want. The two options are Plasma or LCD. This article will examine the good and bad points of each technology and help you to make an informed choice when it comes to purchasing your new television set.
The principle behind Plasma technology is many tiny cells that are filled with xenon and neon gases. These cells are kept between two glass panels. When electric current is passed through the TV the gases in the cells are turned into plasma which in turn excites phosphors which emit light. The light is noted for it range and quality of colors.
LCD or liquid crystal display televisions work by varying the electric current between two electrodes using liquid crystals as a medium for passing the current. Liquid crystals are substances that can exist in the two states - liquid and solid crystal. By varying the voltage passed the liquid crystal colours can be modified and thus produce a picture.
LCD vs Plasma
The most important feature of a TV is the picture. In this respect most people agree that plasma produce better pictures for movies. This is because they have a higher black level ratio. This simply means there is more contrast between the blackest and whitest picture that a plasma screen can produce. This means pictures are clearer, especially in dark scenes.
Plasma screens tend to have a better viewing angle too. This means the picture will remain clear and undistorted at most angles of view from the televisions screen. This makes plasma screens more functional as home theater systems.
LCD televisions generally have more pixels per screen than a plasma equivalent. This means that the resolution of the picture will be better. This is more apparent with High Definition TV or movies. There will be more detail on the screen than a plasma.
Plasma TV's have often suffered from screen burn in. If a picture has been on the screen for a long period it will leave an after effect which is like a grayish outline of the picture or ghost of the original picture. This after picture will be permanently burned on the screen and can impact the quality of other images. LCD TV's do not suffer from this problem.
LCD televisions are also more efficient and will use less electricity to run than a plasma. LCD TV's are generally lighter so are easier to move.
The TV market is a huge and competitive industry so there are constant improvements in the technology. Many of the drawbacks of a particular technology are worked on and bettered each year. Plasma TV makers will tell you that burn in has been reduced in newer models. LCD TV makers will tell you that the black level ratio is increasing with each new model. Ultimately when it comes to plasma versus LCD, you need to get informed about some of the issues that differentiate the prices between the two rival technologies. In general, plasmas have been cheaper but this differential is slowly eroding.
Related : LED television
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