LCD

Plasma

Advantage

Contrast

Doesn’t have the level of contrast depth when compared to Plasma TVs

Under ideal conditions Plasma TVs can produce higher contrast levels. However the glass surface that is used in Plasma TV reflects ambient light, nullifying the advantage in real world situations

If you always have some light on at night or watch TV during the day LCD will perform better. If you tend to watch in a dark room then Plasma will perform better

Color Reproduction

LCD has a backlight that shines through the LCD layer, making it difficult to product true black, which is the absence of light

Produces black more accurately, which gives it the ability to produce better detail in dark-colored scenes

Advantage Plasma, its better ability to produce truer black will allow it better color reproduction

Screen Refresh Rate

Lower refresh rate than Plasma, which will produce some noticeable trailing artifacts with rapidly moving objects

High refresh rate, allows it to display rapid movement better

Advantage Plasma, fewer artifacts with fast moving objects

Width of View

Up to 178°

Up to 160°

Advantage LCD wider view angle

Available Sizes

Greatest availability is between 15 to 57 inches. Currently the largest measures 100 inches

Greatest availability is between 42 to 60 inches. Currently the largest measures 103 inches

Advantage LCD, Plasma TVs are only available in larger sizes

Weight

Lighter than Plasma

A Plasma screen is a matrix of tiny picture tubes, which give off heat. Additional electronics are needed to dissipate the heat.

Advantage LCD, Plasmas are significantly heavier due to the number and type of additional electronics needed in each set

Life-span

LCDs are expected to operate at least 60,000 hours before it will loose half its brightness

Plasma is expected to last a little over 30,000 hours before it will lose half its brightness

Advantage LCD, longer expected life span

Durability

More durable than Plasma, less things to go wrong. LCD does not suffer from “Burn-in” where images produce an after image ghost which can remain on screens permanently.

Plasma cells are like little bulbs, so a 1080P HDTV set has a little over 2 million points of failure. Special care must be taken when moving and mounting these sets

Advantage LCD, greater durability

Power Consumption

Uses less power than Plasma

Plasma can consume over 40% more power than LCD

Advantage LCD, more energy efficient

Performance at High Altitude

Performs better at high altitude

Higher altitudes place the trapped plasma gases under stress, so that the TV has to work harder.

Advantage LCD, the additional stress placed on plasma operating at high altitudes will increase energy consumption, and shorten the life of the HDTV