A Guide to LCD and Plasma Televisions
LCD TV and Plasma TV's do look broadly similar when you're looking at choosing a new television, as they are both thin and flat to look at - and very different in appearance to `old fashioned` tube TVs. However, the technology is very different between each, and will offer different benefits and features depending on what you're looking for.
A Plasma TV will be based on fluorescent bulb technology. The display is comprised of various cells, with glass panels in each cell that holds neon-xenon gas. This gas gets injected into the cell during production and is sealed in via a plasma format. The gas will then be electrically charged while the set is in use, and then colours are created, showing the image. Each group of colours - or phosphors - is otherwise known as a pixel. Plasma technology means that bulky tubes are no longer needed, however phosphors still need to be burned to create images, so there may be similar drawbacks as those found in regular televisions, such as the screen becoming hot, and static images burning the screen. The pluses are though that the screens tend to be larger, there's a better image contrast and colour accuracy, and better tracing.
LCD technology uses a different technology - the panels are created from layers of a transparent see-through material. These are glued together, and simultaneously polarised. One layer is painted with a liquid crystal-holding polymer. The current passes through these crystals, and these can either block, or transmit light to make the television images. The crystals don't actually generate light, so a florescent bulb is needed to make the image visible. This technology uses less power, and doesn't make as much heat as a regular television. The screen doesn't emit any radiation in LCD technology either. Meanwhile the advantages of LCD are that it doesn't burn any static images onto the screen, and it runs at colder temperatures. It is also brighter than plasma and has a longer lifespan, whilst being lighter. However, the contrast image is generally less good and tracking may be inferior. Finally they may be more expensive than plasma TVs.
When considering what televisions might be right for you - and whether to go for plasma or LCD, it's worth doing your research and speaking to the experts. Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic and LV do some great models, and price wise there's a huge variation depending on spec and screen size - anything from around £250 for budget end models, to around £4000 for large home-cinema style televisions. Consider as well how you will install your new television - if it's to be wall-mounted you'll need a special bracket, and it's recommended that you take up any fitting and installation service on offer alongside delivery to take advantage of the fitter's specialised knowledge and experience. With this completed, you can sit back and enjoy your new television - with a superior screen, and far less space requirements.