LCD HDTV or Plasma HDTV

Which is the best flat panel big Screen TV, Plasma HDTV or LCD HDTV?

Not so long ago when you bought a TV it was simple to decide on the technology to purchase, because there wasn’t a choice. If you were looking for a TV 35 inches and under then a CRT (tube TV) was your only choice; if you wanted something larger then rear or front projection CRT was the choice. Now with so many competing technologies the choice is not as simple.

The new television technology that has quickly made everyone’s wish list is the flat panel display. In the world of HDTV there are two competing approaches on the flat panel landscape, LCD and Plasma, spurring an ongoing debate on which technology is the best.

LCD and Plasma TVs look similar, provide exceptional picture quality and detail, and are marketed heavily. If you are in the market for a new TV, you will likely want to compare LCD vs Plasma televisions. If you ask the question of which television technology will produce the best picture you will get a different answer depending on which camp you speak to. Some enthusiasts, particularly gamers still insist that CRTs (that’s right, old fashion tube displays) still produce the best overall images. LCD and Plasma displays both have their strengths and weaknesses, which result from the way they produce their images.

LCD screens are a sandwich of two glass (or plastic) plates that contain electrodes with liquid crystal occupying the space in-between. The sandwich is placed in front of a light source; in the case of TV it is a fluorescent light. When an electric current is applied to the electrodes, they filter light to form the image.

Plasma screens are a matrix of tiny cells filled with plasma gas and coated with phosphor material (like little mini-pictures tubes). When electricity is passed through the cells, the plasma releases light photons producing the picture.

Both camps have their wordsmiths producing a compelling argument to support their positions on which technology is better. Right now there is no clear cut winner that is the best for all consumers, in all situations. Regardless of which camp you are aligned with, realize that you are making a choice between great and great. Your eye and budget will lead you to the correct choice.