LCD or Plasma HDTV – Which Should You Buy?
Posted by hdtv buying guide on March 25, 2009 under HDTV Buyer Guides, LCD HDTV, Plasma HDTV | 
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Well, it depends. Deciding upon a flat-panel high-definition television is like choosing between Pepsi and Coke, or Windows and Mac.
Both sides — plasma and LCD — have ardent, even zealous support, and both technologies deliver a spectacular picture. And both have their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Choosing one over the other will depend upon how it will be used, and should take into consideration the characteristics of the room in which it will reside.
Let’s jump into the LCD vs plasma debate by looking at their relative strengths and weaknesses.
LCD Strengths
One of the most common descriptions of LCD televisions is “bright.” The technology behind the screen allows LCDs to thrive even in bright rooms. This makes LCD screens a good choice for use in a sunroom, or where natural light is a constant presence.
Mobile phones highlight another LCD strength — size. Screens can be as small as a few inches wide. Virtually all HDTVs smaller than 40 inches in diameter feature LCD screens, making LCD a good choice for applications in which space is a consideration.
Along with screen dimensions, LCD televisions can be made thinner — some less than an inch deep. That also makes them lighter and more versatile.
LCD Weaknesses
The ability of LCD TVs to deliver a bright picture, even in bright rooms, deteriorates as the viewing angle shifts. When viewing the screen from the extreme right or left sides, picture washout often occurs — leaving what looks like a darkened screen.
LCD screens don’t handle fast action as well as their plasma counterparts. Though technology is improving, the slower response times in LCD screens sometimes results in a slight blur when action picks up.
Despite the prevalence of LCD technology in smaller televisions, larger models — 50 inches and up — are more expensive compared to a similar plasma model.
Plasma Strengths
HDTV enthusiasts have long been in favor of plasma TVs for their ability to display deep, rich blacks and bright, vivid colors. For a home theater application, a large plasma screen would be perfect choice.
Unlike LCD screens, plasma displays have very wide viewing angles, with no loss of brightness or color. Additionally, the faster refresh rates of plasma screens make them a great choice for sports and action movies.
Price-wise, plasma televisions are usually less expensive than a comparable LCD model. Currently (early 2009), a 42-inch plasma-screen television can easily be found for between $700 and $800. Many 42-inch LCD televisions are still hovering near $1,000.
Plasma Weaknesses
Surprisingly, the plasma tv doesn’t have a lot of deal-breaking weaknesses, other than size. The smallest readily available plasma screen is usually 40 inches, though a few 37-inch models can be found.
Many of the issues that cropped up during the early years of plasma use in HDTVs have been rectified. Plasmas are no longer energy hogs, and screen burn-in — when an image becomes “stuck” on the screen — is a thing of the past. Durability concerns have been addressed, too. Most of the leading brands have an expected life of 16 years, assuming 10 hours of daily use.
Despite the format’s strengths, many manufacturers are dropping out of the plasma-screen game. Pioneer, a longtime plasma powerhouse, ceased production in early 2009, leaving LG, Samsung and Panasonic as the top brands left on the battlefield.
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