The Difference Between LCD and Plasma Televisions

Anyone who has done the conversion from the old tube television to a flat panel television knows the difference. Flat panel televisions display their pictures in deep rich high definition and are, well, flat. Not only do you get a better picture with the flat panel television but the weight and dimensions of the flat panel allows for a whole new host of installation options. Now your television can be mounted on a wall in any room allowing it to become part of the room itself and not part of the room's furniture like with the bulky conventional tube television. The good news is that flat panel televisions have been around for a few years now and the prices are starting to come down. The bad news is there are two types of flat panel televisions to choose from; LCD and Plasma. But what are the differences and which one is right for you?

The first thing to consider when you go looking for your new flat panel television is the size of the screen you want. Plasmas are only available in 42 inch to 65 inch, so if you are considering a television that is smaller, you will want to look at an LCD television. LCD televisions range in size from as small as 19 inches to as big as 53 inches (source: crutchfield.com). While the bigger flat panel televisions are nice for a bigger room such as the living room, some like to have a television in a small room such as the kitchen.

Another consideration is how much you use your television for certain activities such as video games. If you are going to have your television on for hours at a time with the same picture on the screen, like with a video game or a TV channel with a ticker streaming across the bottom, then you may want to consider an LCD flat panel television as opposed to a plasma. LCDs are totally immune to the dreaded "burn-in" on the screen that is caused by one static picture being displayed for hours at a time making them the ideal television for all the gamers and news buffs of the world (source: crutchfied.com).

Lastly you will want to consider is picture. Plasma TVs have been around longer than LCD TVs so the technology is somewhat better. Plasma televisions have a phosphor coating on the screen to give them a more natural color like that of a tube picture TV. Plasmas also offer slightly wider viewing angles and have better contrast and black levels than that of an LCD TV. This is important if you plan on using your television for a home theater. But keep in mind that plasma screens tend to reflect light more than an LCD TV so make sure the room is easily dimmed if a plasma is your choice (source: crutchfoeld.com).

Whatever your choice there has never been a better time to buy a flat panel television. The increase in picture quality and the decrease in price makes it an absolute no brainer if you are in the market for a new television. But keep in mind the differences with the LCD television and the plasma television when you are going to the store to look. If you still can't decide, take a look at the store displays of the two different types of televisions side by side and choose what you think is the best fit for you and your viewing needs.