| 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. |
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. |
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| Viewing
Angle |
Up to 160° |
Up to 170° |
LCD
TVs. |
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| 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. |
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| Burn-in or
Stuck Pixels |
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. |
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| 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 also
have replaceable backlights, but the expense of replacing one
when the time comes may be greater than simply replacing the
entire TV. |
LCD
TVs lamps will last a bit longer than plasmas, but both are
likely to meet general consumer expectations. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 than plasmas. End users can easily mount an LCD TV
themselves if desired. |
LCD
TVs are far less fragile than plasmas. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Thickness |
As thin as 3
inches deep. |
As thin as 2
inches deep. |
LCDs
TVs are just a bit thinner. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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