One of the most common questions I get asked is: Should I buy a plasma or an LCD?
On the blog alone, Heather, Jean, T-bone, and Rachel have recently talked about the debate.
Panasonic recently came out saying that plasma is better, based on interviewing a few hundred people.
There's a good article over at the Gadget Guy website, and if you want to do your own research, here is a great starting point.
I think LCD is the far superior technology because it is:
- Lighter
- Thinner
- Capable of a higher resolution
- Does not suffer from burn in
- More robust (not as fragile as plasma)
- Lasts longer because it has no moving parts
- No parts need regular replacing
Most of the repair agents we have dealt with have said most of their jobs are for plasmas, so LCD is the safer technology.
The only argument in favour of plasma is the contrast ratio. It has blacker blacks. But with the advancements in LCD technology, this is becoming less and less noticable. For example, you're probably reading this on an LCD display. Does the text look black?
What do you think? Is plasma still a consideration, or do you only look at LCD?
Comments
Hear what our customer's have to say.
Matt A says...
If you've seen a Pioneer Kuro against any LCD in a dark room - you will be saying Yes Yes and Yes
On resolution - both Plasma and LCD can do 1080P
Burn-in - extremely rare on new plasmas
Regular replacing - not in a plasma, maybe in a projector?
Posted at 7:13 p.m. on June 19, 2008
John says...
Not much of an issue for me as I am not looking at TV with screen size over 40" (due to small living space) so the LCD is my preferred option. What I have noticed is that in most retail centers where I have comparison shopped, the plasma tv is usually cheaper than the LCD (for same size). This suggests that the general public are moving away from plasma in preference to LCD. I have also heard whispers that plasma is destined to become obsolete as we saw with Beta VCRs. As production is driven by demand, less demand less production....
Posted at 10:48 a.m. on June 20, 2008
Peterm says...
Each technology has Pros and Cons. LCD is 2000:1. GAS PLASMA is 20,000:1. LCD appears to be crisper and sharper. Plasma appears to be a gentler picture, with more natural colours. The rule was under 42" LCD is better value. Are 'dead-pixels' a problem for very large LCD's any more ? Originally, LCD could not handle fast moving pictures, but this has changed. Originally, Plasma suffered from burn-in and only 7 years of useable life, but this has changed. The comparison may come down to “Ford verses Holden” ; and very little difference.
Posted at 9:17 p.m. on June 20, 2008
al-dog says...
i don't really mind as they both do the same job unless you are going hardcore with the t.v. and you want 2 get picky. plasma does sound better but when u come down 2 it, the consumer usually goes by the price
Posted at 9:29 p.m. on June 22, 2008
Will says...
I think power consumption should get a look in as a consideration also. I was under the impression that plasma runs hotter and uses more electricity than it's equivalent LCD counterpart.
This debate may be a moot point once OLEDs are at this level.
Posted at 12:40 p.m. on June 26, 2008
Xasxz says...
In regards to the question "Does the text look black?", the answer is no.
The colour code of the text isn't (0, 0, 0), it's (51, 51, 51), hence making the text a dark grey and not black.
Posted at 11:58 a.m. on June 29, 2008
chippy says...
i love my plas
but getting a lcd for the bedroom.
one of each just in case
and my second tv gonna be a kogan
Posted at 11:22 a.m. on July 8, 2008
benno says...
just gimmy a 50 inch lcd....wooohooo oh yeah, go Kogan, you beauty!
Posted at 10:24 p.m. on July 8, 2008
Davo says...
I own both LCD and a big Plasma, and both have advantages/disadvantages.
Plasma is clearly viewable from any angle in the room, either above or below eye level, and left to right up to 170 degrees - LCD is very poor at these angles.
Plasma is heavier, runs hotter, and consumers more electricity than it's equivalent LCD size unit.
Plasma views better in bright areas, and provides room heating in colder climates. In summer of course this can be a disadvantage.
Overall, I find they are both on a par with each other.
Both can have pixel failure, and these days both have a good working life.
It comes down to what you can afford. Buy the best you can afford, and you usually won't be dissappointed.
Posted at 4:50 a.m. on July 9, 2008
Dean says...
what is the difference between Actual 1600:1 and Dynamic Contrast 10000:1?
Posted at 10:47 a.m. on July 12, 2008
bryan catmull says...
both LCD and PLASMA are destined for the scrapheap
within 5 years, CANON are just about to release SED,
if you do not know what SED is then look up WIKIPEDIA
LCD adverts about 120HZ fixing the blur with high speed
action at 90 degrees to the camera is all marketing hype
and KOGAN brand is no different, LCD's big disadvantage
against PLASMA is the blur, and angle of view, while PLASMA'S big disadvantage against LCD is lack of brightness
and much higher power use, as well as heat generation,
CANON SED overcomes all these disadvantages, because
its based on CRT technology in a flat panel form, as for
burn in on the phospher, that ceased to be a problem
15 years ago, thats why all the major TV studios in the
world have top specification CRT MONITORS in their
broadcast studio's, they are all awaiting for SED to appear
Posted at 9:24 p.m. on July 14, 2008
adam says...
i just bought a 42" plasma which replaced my 32" lcd and of the 2 the plasma has the better picture. the plasma is heavier and runs hotter too. both are viewable from 170degree angles like your standing in front looking at the screen. with the plasma i have found its not as pixelated like the lcd could do sometimes. but it comes down to money time and research dont buy just cause its cheap you get what you pay for. check your refresh rates with lcd will help with fast moving pictures.
Posted at 1:58 p.m. on August 9, 2008
ben says...
easy to say all this guys
but make sure you are comparing apples and apples ...
older generation stuff isn't always a fair comparison
Posted at 9:37 p.m. on September 18, 2008
Brian says...
I had to choose between a 40 Sony Bravia or a 42 Panasonic Viera Plasma. I brought 2 DVDs with me Apocalypse Now and Firefly. In the first film I choose the helicopter scene where they fly in and attack the VC village, It was so much better on the plasma as was the space scenes in Firefly. My main problem with the LCD was ghosting on the fast scenes I understand your comment above about LCD technology but ultmately it's the picture that counts. I buy a TV to watch and Plasma does deliver a superior picture.
Posted at 1:35 p.m. on October 3, 2008
A. Smith says...
First of all, this debate is nothing like "Beta vs VHS" as some have put it. There is absolutely no risk if you invest in one technology you may end up with a non supported TV in the next few years (provided you purchase True HD 1080 TV's), they both produce fantastic pictures with the same tuners and inputs. The LCD vs Plasma choice, causes ridiculous and heated arguments, much of it very emotional based (not unlike ford vs holden) and often involves way too much distortion of the facts in order to put together compelling arguments. Some simple facts: since Nov 2008 the price of Plasma has dropped significantly this is largely due to scales of economy, put simply people are buying more big screen plasmas. This will no doubt hurt LCD sales over the next 6 -18 months as economic times gets tougher and people are more careful with their purchases. LCD on the other hand may actually save users money over the life of the screen as they use quite a lot less power in both standby and while displaying image (though recent plasma screens have started to improve). The image to the eye is a highly personal choice, for my dollar I prefer plasma (I own both by the way)... though i will admit sometimes in the stores i have wrongly identified an LCD as a plasma screen, the picture on both these days is amazing. Effectively there are two simple things which will determine the outcome of both i.e how far can we push the technology... the list of problems is as long as the benefits for each. At the end of the day buy what looks great in your home in the conditions you are going to watch it, test for glare, reflections, brightness and black levels and take the leap and buy one, And in my home, under my conditions plasma is the winner.
Posted at 3:07 p.m. on February 3, 2009
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