Technology: The difference between plasma and LCD technology

If you are in the market for a flat screen television, then you probably have one big question you want answered: plasma or LCD, which is right for me? Most of us will go for the one the one that gives you more bang for your buck. LCD (liquid crystal display) and plasma panels may look similar, but the flat screen and thin profile is where the similarities end. Plasma screens as its name suggests uses a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells charged by precise electrical voltages to create a picture. LCD screens are sandwiches made up of liquid crystal pushed in the space between two glass plates. It’s not what’s happening behind the screen that’s important - it’s how the screen performs as a television that matters the most. In that regard, both plasma and LCD sets produce excellent pictures. Home entertainment specialists will tell you that for basic home theatre-like usage, plasma screens have a slight edge over LCDs. This is because plasma screens can display blacks more accurately than LCDs can, which means better contrast and detail in dark-colored television or movie scenes. The nature of LCD technology, where a backlight shines through the LCD layer, means it’s hard for it to achieve true blacks. In a darkened room, even the best LCD makes deep blacks look grey and transparent. But if you often watch TV in daylight or with lights on, an LCD may well suit you better. Plasma pundits will also tell you that some LCD screens have a tendency to blur images, particularly during fast moving scenes in movies or in sports, it is therefore a well known fact that plasma is better at handling fast-moving sport. This has led to high demand of plasma screens brought about by the growth of televised sports more so for the soccer lovers. Finally, coming on the economic bit, plasmas have had an advantage over their LCD cousins in the prices of their products in the market, although this has been changing recently with LCDs matching or even beating plasmas in both resolution and price. Ends