Plasma TV vs LCD TV - 2009 version , by Peter Z

Plasma TV vs LCD TV - 2009 version , by Peter Z

HDTV format war has been fighting for a while, for about five years now. They are still fighting and the war is getting more intense nowadays. For a lot of people, they are still questioning which HDTV format they should choose, LCD or Plasma? Today, I will give my latest thought and share this with everyone, and hope to provide a better idea for people who wants to buy their own HDTV.

Picture Quality

Yes, for most people, picture quality of a HDTV is the main concern and therefore, I will put a lot of details explaining the difference between the two.

Watching Plasma and LCD HDTV is two different experience, as they have their own characteristics and weakness.

1) Blur

In the past few years, people will complain about LCD that it can not handle fast moving pictures. Yes, it is still true for most LCD HDTV. However, in 2009, some LCD manufacturers has added a new and improve feature, namely 120Hz or ever 240Hz.video processing for their High-End Model, but with a premium cost. This feature is said to help reduceing Blur and Judder for any picture scene, particularly fast moving scene. Some of them are better than the other. I personally like the Sony and Samsung newest Dejudder Processor. When you switch on the mode, the picture seems to be more stable and sharper. Furthermore, when you watch a sports event, the effect is more obvious as you can see more detail in the scene. Nevertheless, most LCD HDTV does not carry this feature, and thus you can detect blur image on fast moving scenes.

Plasma technology do not suffer from Blur problem as it is fast enough for human eyes to detect any blur occur. Today, some plasma even has 240Hz subfield to stabilize the image even more to produce a more rock solid picture. In here, the winner is Plasma, but LCD is not far behind.

2. Reflection

Most LCD HDTV has Matte screen which has very little or no reflection in any lighted situations. There are a few exceptions such as Samsung which use a highly reflective screen for some of their models. For all non-reflective screen or matte screen on most LCD HDTV, the watching experience is more life like, and some people says LCD has the cinema feel.

Almost all Plasma has reflective screen. When you watch the HDTV during daytime, or in a lighted environment, you can find a lot of reflections. It also appears that you are watching the TV through a thick glass. Some may say watching Plasma is like watching an old fashion CRT type TV. Yes, if Panasonic or Samsung is listening, they should think about how to make it non-reflective.

The winner here is LCD.

3. Side viewing angle

Most LCD still suffer from Side Viewing angle problem. The image also appears to be discolor and wash out or tinted blue if you watch it sideway.

Plasma does not have the problem. The image stay true when you watch sideway.

The clear winner in here is Plasma

4. Color, Black level, Contrast

For the color accuracy and color saturation, both formats are doing very well in here. Both can achieve very good to excellent color accuracy, and can produce excellent color saturation.

Black level is the ability to produce deep black color. Until now, LCD camp can produce very deep black color for most their TV sets. However, plasma sets black color tends to be a little toward gray color. Although you may argue that some plasma can produce very deep black color, what I found out is most Plasma do have the problem of producing dark gray instead of deep black color.

Contrast ratio-Plasma is a clear winner in here. It can produce more details in shadow area. Therefore, you can see more in the pictures. LCD is improving, but still can not equal Plasma in this area.

Availability

LCD has taken more than 80% of the HDTV market share nowadays. All TV manufacturer produce LCD HDTV. You will have plenty of choices if you want to get one from 14 inch for you kitchen to 55 inch for your living room. Furthermore, price is dropping so fast in the last two years and the price is compete well against same size Plasma.

Plasma is really behind in here. Only a few manufacturer, namely Panasonic, Samsung and LG are still actively producing Plasma HDTV. You can find 32 inch, 37 inch, 42 inch 50 inch to 100 inch Plasma in the market. Price is about the same as LCD for the same size today.

Connectivity and Features

Both camp has about the same connectivity and features and it really depends on the manufacturers and the models. In here, both are the winner.

If you want to comment of this article, please feel free to do so.

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