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LCD versus Plasma
Compare the two most popular flat screen TV technologies.
| Comparison | Plasma televisions | LCD televisions | Advantage |
| Screen Size | Screen sizes range from 32 inches to 60 inches. Larger plasmas are in production, but are still prohibitively expensive for consumer use. | Screen sizes range from 13 inches to 45 inches. Larger screens are expected soon and will likely also be expensive. | Plasma TVs are the current size champions. Larger LCD TVs and plasmas are already in development. |
| Viewing Angle | Up to 160° | Up to 170° | LCD TVs. |
| Screen Refresh Rates | Plasma displays refresh and handle rapid movements in video about as well as CRT televisions. | LCD TVs were originally designed for data display, and not video. Therefore refresh rates had to be improved. LCD TVs with refresh rates of 16 ms or lower show very little noticeable artifacts. | Slight edge to plasma technology. |
| Burn-in | Plasma TVs can suffer from burn-in produced by static images. After extended periods, stationary images "burn in" and produce an after-image ghost which remains permanently on the screen. With technologies such as 'pixel orbitor,' new plasma TVs have addressed burn-in and significantly reduced the issues of older models. | LCD TVs do not suffer from burn-in, but can have a "retained pixel charge" which may also produce ghosting. Stuck pixels are also possible with an LCD display. | With the latest plasma technology this would be even. The "pixel orbitor" is automatic and does not require additional efforts by the end-user. |
| Product Life-span | Typical plasma TVs have a life span of 30,000 to 40,000 hours, which equates to at least three years, three months of 24/7 usage before the TV fades to half the original brightness. | LCD TVs life span is typically 50,000-60,000 hours, which equates to at least 5 years of 24/7 use. LCD TVs also have replaceable backlights, but the expense of replacing one when the time comes may be greater then simply replacing the entire TV. | LCD TVs lamps will last a bit longer than plasmas, but both are likely to meet general consumer expectations. |
| Weight | Plasma displays are fairly heavy, and may need additional supports to be mounted onto a wall. | LCD TVs weigh less than comparably sized plasma TVs. | LCD TVs are considerably lighter, more portable, and cheaper to ship. |
| Durability | Plasmas are very fragile making them tricky to ship and install. Unlike the commercials where plasmas are mounted on the ceiling, plasmas are best installed by a professional, and should be installed on a wall that can bear a good deal of weight. | Much more durable then plasmas. End users can easily mount an LCD TV themselves if desired. | LCD TVs are far less fragile than plasmas. |
| Shipping | Due to their fragile nature, plasma TVs need to be shipped by specialty carriers. Overnight or fast delivery options are not recommended. Special shipping methods and their heavier weight add to higher shipping costs. | Shipping LCD TVs is not difficult, and is not as expensive as shipping plasma displays. | LCD TVs are lighter and far less fragile than plasma displays making shipping easier and less expensive |
| Installation | Plasmas are heavier, use more power, and run hotter than LCD TVs, and therefore require more planning when mounting them. Plasmas are generally best installed by professionals. | End users can easily install LCD TVs themselves, or can use them just as they use a traditional TV using a stand. | LCD TVs are much easier to install than plasma TVs. |
| Brightness | Plasma TVs range from 800-1000 cd/m2, but are measured based on a different standard than LCD TVs. When compared under "real world" circumstances, plasma TVs brightness is typically closer to 100 cd/m2*. | Measured under the more stringent "real world" standards, LCD TVs average a brightness rating of 500-600 cd/m2. | Both LCD and plasma TVs will meet the brightness expectations of most consumers. However, in 'real world' situations with ambient light, LCD TVs will generally look a little brighter. |
| Thickness | As thin as 3 inches deep. | As thin as 2 inches deep. | LCDs TVs are just a bit thinner. |
| Performance at High Altitude | High altitudes can affect the performance of plasma displays because the gas held inside each pixel is stressed, and has to work harder to perform. Some manufacturers make plasmas that are specifically designed for high-altitudes, but they may be priced higher than standard models. | LCD TVs are not affected by high altitudes. | LCD TVs. |
| Contrast Ratios | Current plasmas measure contrast ratios of up to 3000:1. However, when compared to LCD TVs in "real world" situations, contrast ratios for plasma TVs drop to approximately 200:1.* | LCD TV contrast ratios are measured using "real world" standards. Typical contrast ratios range from 350-450:1. | LCD TVs contrast ratios measured in real world situations double typical plasma TVs. |