Plasma or LCD?
Since the release of flat panel technology in television some four or five years ago tech enthusiasts have been bickering among themselves as to the advantages of LCD versus plasma technology. Today it’s not so much about which technology is superior, it’s rather about catering to your needs.
Size
Traditionally, plasma screens have always been better bang for your buck in terms of size. Lower production costs and a larger variation meant that plasma often took first prize in the 47-inch plus range. Although this is still true to an extent, the gap is slowly closing. Today it’s just as easy to walk into any large electronics store and take home a very competitive 47-inch Full HD LCD screen for the same price as a similar plasma model.
The most prominent distinction between the two technologies can be found at either end of the spectrum. If you’re in the market for a giant television then Plasma still remains the only reasonable choice. Samsung’s PS63P5 63-inch Full HD plasma model is currently available at somewhere around the R85 000 mark. Finding an LCD screen of that size at that price is impossible.
If you’re in the market for a smaller screen then LCD is the most cost effective option. The sheer volume of the product range has forced producers to compete with each other which has resulted in more acceptable pricing levels. Today 32-inch Samsung, Sony and LG HD-ready models can be found for as low as R5 800 while larger Full HD sets such as Samsung’s Series 5 (40-inch) are available for roughly R13 000. Plasma models of similar sizes are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
Picture quality
In today’s world the difference in picture quality between plasma and LCD is minuscule. Both technologies have had the opportunity to mature to the extent that each offers similar value. There are one or two things to take into consideration however.
Plasma screens tend to offer a deeper black which in turn offers better contrast in pictures where both dark and light are shown simultaneously. This effect is lost during the day however because plasma screens reflect light and thus generate a large amount of reflection.
In this respect LCD panels are the better option because they don’t generate any glare and are therefore better suited to daytime usage. Plasma screens are also notorious for burn in; this is the effect a static image has on the screen. Even after switching off, imprints of these images are often visible to the naked eye. LCD technology is exempt from this.
In terms of smaller panels, LCD also takes the cake, boasting a higher pixel rate than plasma at lower sizes. This offers a better contrast ratio than Plasma which makes LCD TVs in the 32-inch to 42-inch range the perfect choice for high definition gaming and computer usage.
Generally, the rule of thumb is that plasma performs better at night when not exposed to glare, and LCD performs better during the day. This, however, is becoming more irrelevant over time as each option matures and improves.
Longevity
In the past, LCD manufacturers boasted that the average LCD life span was far greater than that of plasma, and at the time they were right. Today it’s truly irrelevant. Both technologies have a life span of at least 60 000 hours and despite what tech geeks the world over might say, no one watches that much television before replacing their set or breaking it. If someone was to use their set for eight hours a day every day for the next twenty years the average LCD or plasma screen would still be chugging along happily.
Going green
This is the only rock solid distinction between LCD and plasma technology. Plasma sets have long been described as the gas guzzlers of the television world, so much so in fact that they may well be outlawed by the EU in 2009 as part of a project to get rid of inefficient appliances. If you have a conscience about global warming, and perhaps you should, rather opt for LCD.
The general consensus is in. If your heart desires a giant, night time movie monster and you don’t care too much for the environment then plasma is your best bet in terms of picture quality and, more importantly, price. But if you’re looking for something that will support your passion for Super Sport as well as high definition gaming and won’t put a massive dent in your pocket then LCD is the way to go.
Plasma versus LCD TV – give your views
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