What is the difference between LCD and plasma?

The main share of all the available TVs are models with a liquid crystal screen and plasma panels. When buying a TV, many consumers are interested in what is the difference between LCD and plasma and which option to give preference.

A few years ago, the difference between plasma and LCD was significant, both in terms of technical parameters and price. Most recently, the maximum size of the LCD TV did not exceed 32 inches, and plasma with screens of impressive size won by image quality and was at times more expensive.

Today, these two types of TVs are practically equal in basic characteristics, and the difference between LCD and plasma is known only to specialists, but not too visible to the eye of an ordinary buyer. Modern plasma and LCD TVs do not differ in price, and the size of the LCD screen has long caught up and even overtaken plasma.

Of course, each of these technologies has both advantages and disadvantages about which the average user should have an idea.

One of the main advantages of the plasma is almost instantaneous updating of the screen without the appearance of a loop during dynamic scenes, like the LCD TV. However, thanks to the latest developments LCD manufacturers have been able to significantly reduce the response time of the screen, and the plume today is almost invisible to the naked eye.

The difference between LC and plasma lies in the angle of view. Plasma for a long time was the leader in this characteristic. That is, when watching TV LCD at an angle sharply decreased contrast, while the plasma image was always unchanged at any viewing angle, which is due to the peculiarity of the technology. In recent years, LCD developers have improved this indicator, although minor errors are still being observed.

Plasma panels outperform the LCD in contrasting images. However, some users prefer a more blurry image of LCD TVs. Most experts are inclined to believe that the picture quality of the plasma is higher, and therefore it is preferable. At the same time, many users do not notice the difference and are quite satisfied with the less sharp image of the LCD.

Another superiority of plasma is a better image of dark colors. For example, black color on a plasma TV is deep black, while on an LCD monitor, it's still dark gray. It is believed that the plasma TV transmits more natural colors, although some users prefer LCD colors, considering the plasma colors too harsh.

Users who want to buy a small TV will have to choose from LCD models, because there is no plasma panel of small size, this is due to the peculiarities of the technology.

Another difference between LCD and plasma is the amount of electricity consumed. It is known that plasma TVs consume more electricity, and, consequently, produce more heat, forcing the ventilation system to work more intensively. Over time, the fan noise becomes louder. LCD TVs consume much less energy and do not generate heat, because they are cooled passively.

LCD TV outperforms plasma in terms of characteristics such as burnout. It is believed that LCD is designed for 80,000 hours and plasma for 40,000. It's easy to calculate that the plasma panel will last for 10 years and even more, not to mention the fact that TVs become obsolete much faster.

The choice of TV depends on the dimensions of the housing. In standard apartments, it is recommended to buy LCD TVs, because plasma can create discomfort in a small room due to fan noise and generated heat. In addition, in a small room the distance from the viewing point to the screen of impressive size will be insufficient. Plasma TV should be purchased in spacious rooms with ventilation and high ceilings, with an area of at least 40 sq.m.