LCD vs. Plasma TV

Today's HDTVs offer superior color, picture and sound than traditional televisions. The two main types of HDTVs are LCD televisions, which use liquid crystal display technology, and plasma televisions, which use plasma screen technology. Each has their advantages and disadvantages for television viewers and either type can be a good buy, as argued in the reviews linked to on this page.

Fast Facts

1. Plasmas have deep blacks, rich colors, and great levels of contrast
2. LCDs are lighter, thinner, and less fragile
3. Both TVs present issues if viewing from sharp angles

The Experts on LCD and Plasma TVs

• The LCD TV Buying Guide gives Plasma the advantage when it comes to contrast, blacks, colors, and cost, but LCD has the edge in terms of screen longevity, power consumption, and computer use.
• PC World determined that Plasma TVs had a slight edge, though Samsung models for both Plasmas and LCDs stood out from the rest due to good design and reasonable prices.
• CNET's consensus is that Plasma screens have had a historical advantage over LCDs in terms of picture quality and pixel response time, but that the newest LCD TVs are catching up quickly.
• Yahoo! Tech's Robin Raskin argues that men tend to prefer Plasma screens because of how action and movement looks on them, while women prefer the crisp detail and bright colors of an LCD TV.

Categories