What is the difference between LCD and Plasma? And which is the better? These are the two questions that questions that we are asked the most frequently.

Plasma and LCD are two completely different technologies. Plasma is a flat lightweight surface covered with millions of small glass bubbles. Each bubble contains a gas like substance, the plasma, and has a phosphor coating. A digitally controlled electric current flows through the screen causing the plasma inside designated bubbles to give off ultra violet rays. This light in turn causes the phosphor coatings to give the appropriate colour. Millions of RGB bubbles glow and dim to make a rich, vivid image on the plasma TV.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) consists of two sheets of polarized material, one with a special coating that holds liquid crystals. The two sheets are adhered together and electric current is passed through the individual crystals. These interpret the information from the signal whether or not to allow light through them to create an image. Fluorescent tubes housed behind the transparent material illuminate the image.

Until recently most manufacturers were using LCD for the smaller screens (up to 32 inch) and plasma technology for screens over this size. This was mainly because LCD was expensive to produce in the bigger screens. Now however it is possible to manufacture the bigger screens more cheaply and some manufacturers are now turning to LCD panels for the larger televisions.

It is only in the larger screen sizes that you will have a choice between LCD and Plasma as all flat panel TV up to 32 inch is currently LCD. Plasma Panels generally start at 37 inch.

There is no doubt that LCD and Plasma panels both give excellent picture quality and are generally very reliable. In deed two of the biggest electronic companies have decided to go different ways with Sony dropping Plasma production and concentrating on LCD, and Panasonic recently opening the biggest plasma factory in the world.

One of the early complaints about plasma TVs was that they could suffer from burn-in produced by static images. After long periods stationary images could burn in and produce an after image which was permanently on the screen. New technology however has virtually eliminated this issue. LCD TVs do not suffer from burn-in, but can have a ‘retained pixel charge’ which can produce ghosting. Stuck pixels are also possible with an LCD display.

With regard to lifespan, it is estimated that modern Plasma screens have a lifespan of 40000 to 50000 hours which if you watch the TV for eight hours each day should last over 15 years. LCD backlights will probably last marginally longer than Plasma and are replaceable, but when the time comes the cost will probably be more than replacing the TV set.

LCD TVs are lighter and less fragile than comparably sized Plasma, and are generally thinner. Plasma is as thin as 3 inches deep and LCD as little as 2 inches.

With regard to the quality of the picture, contrast ratios and brightness are measured differently for LCD and Plasma screens but in real world conditions these levels are higher in LCD than in Plasma. However Plasma screens generally have a better refresh rate which means no image smearing. Plasma also tends to be more reasonably priced in comparative sizes, but is less economical to run than LCD.

Despite the fact that more write ups seem to favour LCD the majority of our salespeople here at Victoria Street will tell you that in the larger screens they prefer Plasma, particularly for fast moving programmes such as sport.

At the end of the day these things are subjective and it is up to you to make up your own mind. If you call in to our showrooms we can help by giving you a full demonstration of both with terrestrial, digital and high definition signals.