Plasma vs LCD/LED - Select the TV Technology that is Right for You.

Plasma

Plasma TV's produce images by illuminating 'pixels' (the component colours that make up a picture) directly at the front of the display.

• The most accurate color reproduction- The phosphors used to create colour images in a plasma TV dramatically exceed the limitations of other current TV technologies.
• Ultra fast display (native refresh equivalent to 600 HZ) plus incredibly fast pixel response times combine to create best picture quality on high speed moving images. There may also be a viewable advantage when the TV is used with a game consoles.
• Extreme contrast ratio -True or 'native' contrast ratio (the difference in brightness between the darkest black and the whitest white) is responsible for the vivid dynamic picture of a plasma TV. Most plasmas have a contrast ratio of 50.000:1 (native), in comparison to a standard native ratios of 5,000:1 on most LCD/ LED TV's.
• Off Axis viewing - Viewing images while seated off-axis (to the side) of a plasma TV doen not reduce image clarity or brightness.
• Native 96 HZdisplay capability -Without getting into a long discussion, plasma TV's (select models) are the only direct-view display devices capable of perfect frame synchronization with 24-frame movie content.
• Durability -The construction of a plasma TV (glass front panel) makes the TV far more resistant to accidental damage.

• Not ideal for rooms with uncontrolled ambient light issues - Bright rooms are generally not good TV rooms, since they limit the viewers ability to perceive image contrast. If your TV room has this type of amient light (during normal TV viewing times), look at LCD/ LED TV's
• Potential image retention -Leaving a static image displayed on a plasma TV (without anti-image retention technology) may 'burn' an image in the screen. However, all new plasma TV's have technologies to prevent this from occurring.
• Power consumption -On average, plasma TVs consume slightly more energy than LCD/LED televisions. Generally, given similar scrren sizes, Plasma TV's may cost, on average, $10-$15 more per year to operate, based on a viewing timew of 3 hours a day (60" screen size)
• Weight -Due to construction technologies plasma televisions are generally heavier than there LCD/ LED counterparts.( glass panel and metal chassis)

CONCLUSION: Plasma TV's excel at color accuracy, off-axis viewing, image response on fast moving content, and general overall picture accuracy. A plasma would represent the best screen choice in rooms with controlled lighting, and in TV sizes above 42".

FOr more info about Plasma TV read this article abou Why Plasma is better.

View our selection of Panasonic and Samsung Plasma televisions.

LCD / LED

First a point of clarification! Currently there are no LED TV's displays available in the TV market. LCD (CCFL backlit) and LED backlit LCD's are essentially the same display devices. Images are created by polarizing the LED display. The image on an LED-backlite LCD or conventional LCD TV are only viewable when the display is back lit (either with LED bulbs or CCFL bulbs).

• LCD TV's produce the brightest images -Some plasma TV's can be as bright as their LCD or LED counterparts, but generally, LCD's produce brighter images. This is ONLY advantageous in very bright rooms when the TV image must compete with higher ambient room light.
• Lower power consumption- less power is used and less heat is generated.LED backlit displays are significantly more energy effiencent than their CCFL backlit counterparts.
• Advanced LED-Backlite LCD TV's are begiging to address motion artifacting and contrast issues more effectivly than theier LCD counterparts.

• Less accurate colour reproduction than Plasma TVs.
• Lower refresh rates.
• Native Contrast ratio is not as good as plasma.

CONCLUSION: In brighter rooms where lighting cannot effectively be controlled, or when the viewer is more sensitive to brighter images an LCD (LED) displays can be more advantageous.

View our selection of Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp and Toshiba LCD/LED televisions.

To learn more about Plasma, LCD, LED & 3D televisions read this review.

If you have any questions feel free to call or stop by Glubes Audio Video Unlimited and speak to one of our sales people. We will help you make an informed decision.