The buying of large-screen TVs has absolutely skyrocketed

lately. It seems that everyone wants one – and with good

reason. The large-screen TV has come a long way from those

faded-out behemoths of old that took up half your living room

and never really produced a picture of decent quality. Now,

however, especially in combination with HDTV, you can get not

only a nice, large picture, but a crisp, clean one too.

Once you decide that you’re ready for a large-screen TV, you

quickly discover that you only really have two main options – a

plasma TV or an LCD TV. Plasma TVs were first on the scene, but

the recent mass production of LCD TVs by major manufactures has

put LCD TVs pretty much on equal footing with plasmas. That

said, you will still have to make a choice.

If you’re like most people, you not only have no idea how the

two differ, you don’t even know the areas you should be

considering in order to determine how they differ. But they do

indeed differ, and knowing the difference is extremely

important if you’re going to get the TV that’s right for you.

You can essentially boil the differences between plasmas and

LCDs into twelve basic points. In some areas, plasmas will win

out. In other areas, LCDs will win out. In yet other areas, it

will depend on your own personal taste in order to decide who

wins out.

The twelve ways plasma TVs and LCD TVs differ are the

following:

1. The first is a technical issue, and may seem a little

boring, but it really does affect other areas. Plasmas TVs are

made of chemical compounds called phosphors. LCD TVs use

millions of liquid crystals.

2. The next section is related to how big the TVs are and the

availability of larger sizes. You have a wider selection of

larger-size TVs with plasmas (though LCDs are catching up).

3. The next section is “small size,” which is also important.

Plasmas don't come in smaller sizes, which you will need for

places like the kitchen.

4. Next is viewing angle. Plasmas tend to have a wider viewing

angle (though, again, LCDs are catching up).

5. Although the manufacturers may not like to admit it, each

“can” suffer from certain problems. Plasmas can suffer from

burn-in effect; LCDs don't.

6. Another problem area, but for LCDs, is “delay.” LCDs can

produce a jagged figure when in motion. Plasmas tend to do

better. HDTV improves this dramatically for both.

7. The next area is life span. You can replace the light source

with an LCD, thereby bringing your original picture back. With

plasmas you can't.

8. In the next few sections, the theme of “picture quality” is

considered. First, color: LCDs produce sharp, lively colors.

Plasmas produce warmer and more accurate colors.

9. Next is brightness levels and the TVs ability to handle

different lighting. LCDs tend to do better in bright-light

conditions.

10. Also related to picture quality is “black levels.” Plasmas

tend to produce blacker blacks.

11. Another area to consider is contrast range. Plasmas,

"technically," produce a higher contrast range.

12. Last, and certainly not least, is price. At the moment,

plasmas tend to run a little cheaper, but this is changing

rapidly as LCDs flood into the market. By the time you read

this, in fact, there may be no difference at all.

Essentially, which one is right for you will all comes down to

taste: What potential negatives will you not really notice?

What positives do you want more of? What do you really want the

TV for – movies, sports, news, regular TV shows? Both plasmas

and LCDs have strong advocates in their corners. Both have

deliriously happy customers. But those happy customers are only

happy because they knew what they wanted before they made their

purchase. If you want to make the right choice, you’ll have to

decide what it is you want and which of the two TVs can best

give you that.