Plasma vs LCD TV is the hottest debate in town! Everyone wants to know… Which is best? Plasma vs LCD TV is almost like the debate between granny smith apples vs yellow delicious apples. Which one makes the best apple pie? They are both apples and both make delicious pies but everyone has their favorite.
The same is true in the debate of plasma vs LCD TVs. They both produce crisp clean high definition pictures it’s just a matter of which one fits your life style best.

We’re going to take a look at plasma vs LCD TVs in a number of arenas such as technology, resolution, fast action sports and movies, gaming, size, energy usage and more.

Plasma vs LCD TV Technologies

Plasma and LCD flat screens give you end results that nearly mirror each other using two completely different technologies. Both flat screen TVs have anywhere from 900,000 to over 2 million pixels depending upon your choice of resolutions 1080p or 720p (1080i).

Plasma vs LCD TV pixels are where things begin to change. They both have pixels contain 3 sub pixels made up of green, red & blue bars. Each pixel can create over 16 million colors across your plasma or LCD flat screen TV.

Plasma pixels are filled with inert gases. Then these gases are electrically charged they change to plasma. The color projected on the screen changes as the plasma changes in the pixels. This can sometimes be a problem in altitudes higher than 6,000 ft. as plasma does not work well in high altitudes.

LCD pixels acts more like a blind on a window. When electricity passes through an LCD pixel it untwists a crystal that allows varying amounts of light to shine through and create the exact color desired.

Plasma vs LCD TV Picture Resolutions

Plasma and LCD resolutions are available in both 720p (1080i) or 1080p. Be sure to read our “1080p vs 720p” article to see if the 1080p resolution, that is growing in popularity, is worth the extra money.

Plasma vs LCD TV Screen Response Time

In the past most would say plasma flat screen TVs are the winners hands down. Plasmas have a quicker response time when viewing fast action sports like basket ball and that of action movies. LCD flat screens tend to have a picture delay at that speed and can be frustrating to watch. LCD technology is improving in this area and may not be an issue in the near future.

Plasma vs LCD TV for Gamers

Gamers tend to prefer the LCD picture quality with their gaming systems. Even fast action games look great on an LCD. The gaming systems are compatible with plasma and LCD flat screens. It all boils down to personal taste in this category.

Plasma vs LCD TV in Dark and Bright Rooms

Which one works best? Plasmas tend to work best in darker rooms because it reduces the glare on the glass front of the flat screen. LCD works best in a brighter room and daytime viewing because the Plexiglas cover is non-reflective. The back light of the LCD hinders the picture quality in a darker room.

Plasma vs LCD TV Energy Consumption

Green factors can also be a consideration when weighing the debate of plasma vs LCD TVs. Plasma flat screens use a great deal more energy than LCD flat screens. They tend to run hot to the touch also. This can cost you more money in both watching the television and keeping your room cool if you live in a warm climate.

Plasma vs LCD TV Speaker Quality

This is an area most don’t think about. You can have this fantastic picture and mousy sound coming from your speakers. As with the rest of the industry this too is improving however you should keep in mind that surround sound speakers may be needed to match to total feel you’re looking for with your new flat screen television.

Plasma vs LCD TV Screen Sizes

Plasma and LCD flat screens give viewers a wide array of choices when it comes to screen sizes. Plasma flat screens start in the neighborhood of 37” and run up over the 100”. The LCD flat screens offer those who have smaller rooms a bigger choice. The average LCD market is between 20” – 37”. Plasma vs LCD TV in the larger size screens the plasmas score the best both in price and picture clarity.

Plasma vs LCD TV Price Comparison

Prices have come way down and technology way up in the plasma vs LCD TV war. This is good news for consumers. Plasma flat screen TVs are running between $600 (37”) and $5,000 (65”) . LCD flat screens are going anywhere from $250 (19”) up to $5,000 (65”). There are a few exceptions to this as you get into the larger sizes depending upon how many bells and whistles come with it. There are companies that do sell “refurbished” plasma and LCD TVs this can be a great alternative.  We recommend you stay away from “reconditioned” as there is a big differnce between the two so be aware of what you are buying. Plasma vs LCD TV prices depend upon the make, model and size. This is all a matter of shopping around after you determine what fits your needs best.

When it comes to the decision of plasma vs LCD TV you need to ask yourself what will you be using your television for gaming, action movies, cable, satellite… Read more of our articles that will give you more insight as to which is best for you in the plasma vs LCD TV debate.