dallaswillard
16-04-2004, 05:31 PM
Hi,
We wrote an internal white paper discussing the pros and cons for the every debatable discussion of LCD panels or Plasma Panels. Have a read and post some opinions, cheers
Plasma or LCD?
2nd Quarter 2004
Often when clients enter our store to look at the range of flat-panel screens on display we get asked a simple question, to which there is, no absolute answer for. “Which is better? Plasma or LCD?”
Whilst neither technology is ‘better’ than the other both do have advantages that lend themselves to different applications which differ depending on what environment they are going to be used in.
The following is the nine major points that allow you to determine what technology would be better suited to your needs:
1) Screen Size and Cost
With both technologies still new to the domestic market the cost of manufacture for either is still expensive. However, plasma has been proven to be an easier technology to produce giving us larger screen sizes at reasonable prices.
Plasma screens are available in many screen sizes ranging up to 61” (155cm) where as LCD is still only capable of a 37” (94cm) screen at this point in time.
Advantage: Plasma has the lead here due to lower costs and higher production levels resulting in a price advantage. However further drops in the cost of technology in the future will allow LCD to become more competitive.
2) Picture Quality
The plasma panel uses technology resulting in the ability to produce better contrast and brightness. This provides more natural colours as well as greater black levels.
LCD screens differ to that of plasma. LCD screens are generally better used for viewing in very bright rooms but often still lack the ability to produce contrast and black levels similar to plasma screens.
Advantage: Plasma screens are better suited for scenes with lots of dark and light shown simultaneously on screen. On any video source that outputs a lot of black content plasma will give you the best result.
3) Colour Saturation
Plasma technology lends it self better to producing extremely accurate colours than its LCD counterpart. Colours on a plasma screen appear more natural and vibrant. Smaller LCD panels (14” or 17”) enjoy the capabilities of being able to produce similar colour levels to that of plasma screens but this capability is not as impressive on a screen with the same size and pixel level as larger plasma screens.
Advantage: Plasma excels when used for fast moving images such as DVD. LCD would be the better technology to use if you require static images (computers or displays) due to their no burn-in capabilities.
4) Image Refresh Rates
Plasma screens will have the advantage here because of their excellent performance with fast moving images. LCD screens will suffer from some form of a ‘ghosting’ effect where the electronics are trying to keep up with the speed of the moving image.
Advantage: Plasma for any source that will usually consist fast moving images such as DVD, standard or high definition television.
5) Screen Burn-in
LCD screens have a marked advantage here. LCD technology has almost no image burn-in factors to consider. Plasma screens do have burn-in factors to consider. Some extreme cases of burn-in can begin to occur in just 15 minutes. However, some higher quality brand Plasma screens have technologies such as ‘screen wipes’ or ‘pixel shifts’ that reduce the risk of burn-in to very rare cases. Though burn-in can generally be ‘washed out’ with the display of constant moving images it is a significant factor in determining the usage of a plasma screen.
Advantage: LCD. The technology behind these screens makes them perfect for static images such as game systems, computers or visual display devices.
6) Lifespan
LCD screen are currently capable of life spans up to double of their plasma counterparts. This is because there is nothing in an LCD screen that can effectively burnout. The other marked advantage is that the LCD backlight can actually be changed. Plasma uses pockets of small gasses to produce the images. Over time these gasses do fade and unlike LCD there is no way to directly replenish them.
Advantage: LCD has the substantial lead with its capabilities to last up to twice as long but also with the marked bonus of being able to have the LCD backlights replaced.
7) Viewing Angle
Plasma screens have always had the capability of enjoying a viewing angle up 160 degrees or greater since every pixel is lit individually. LCD screens rely on a backlight to illuminate each pixel which will reduce the viewing angle considerably.
Advantage: Plasma screens allow for maximum flexibility and enjoyment of viewing the plasma screens have the advantage here with their extremely large viewing angle allow for perfect use in places that utilise large and/or wide areas.
8) Computer Use
LCD technology allows it to handle static images extremely effectively and with full colour detail and no flicker. Plasma will be challenged slightly when I comes to displaying computer images because of the burn-in factor as well as a ‘step’ effect in the lower priced / resolution panels when displaying images or words. Plasma still has an advantage on the viewing angle.
Advantage: LCD has the advantage since there is no concern with burn-in but will not perform as well when viewed from extreme angles.
9) Voltage Requirements
Power consumption by LCD panels is considerably lower than that of plasma panels. LCD screens are only required to light a single backlight that works with the whole screen. Plasma screens, on the other hand and depending on resolution, illuminate every pixel individually.
Advantage: If your energy conscious then an LCD screens will suit you better.
Final Thought:
So “which screen is better?” It really comes down to the proposed usage of the panel itself. If you are buying it for television and DVD usage that will consist of fast moving images then a plasma would be better suited. If your using is mostly for computers, games systems or in a commercial use where you have long term static images on screen then LCD would be the better choice. But remember its all up to you!
We wrote an internal white paper discussing the pros and cons for the every debatable discussion of LCD panels or Plasma Panels. Have a read and post some opinions, cheers
Plasma or LCD?
2nd Quarter 2004
Often when clients enter our store to look at the range of flat-panel screens on display we get asked a simple question, to which there is, no absolute answer for. “Which is better? Plasma or LCD?”
Whilst neither technology is ‘better’ than the other both do have advantages that lend themselves to different applications which differ depending on what environment they are going to be used in.
The following is the nine major points that allow you to determine what technology would be better suited to your needs:
1) Screen Size and Cost
With both technologies still new to the domestic market the cost of manufacture for either is still expensive. However, plasma has been proven to be an easier technology to produce giving us larger screen sizes at reasonable prices.
Plasma screens are available in many screen sizes ranging up to 61” (155cm) where as LCD is still only capable of a 37” (94cm) screen at this point in time.
Advantage: Plasma has the lead here due to lower costs and higher production levels resulting in a price advantage. However further drops in the cost of technology in the future will allow LCD to become more competitive.
2) Picture Quality
The plasma panel uses technology resulting in the ability to produce better contrast and brightness. This provides more natural colours as well as greater black levels.
LCD screens differ to that of plasma. LCD screens are generally better used for viewing in very bright rooms but often still lack the ability to produce contrast and black levels similar to plasma screens.
Advantage: Plasma screens are better suited for scenes with lots of dark and light shown simultaneously on screen. On any video source that outputs a lot of black content plasma will give you the best result.
3) Colour Saturation
Plasma technology lends it self better to producing extremely accurate colours than its LCD counterpart. Colours on a plasma screen appear more natural and vibrant. Smaller LCD panels (14” or 17”) enjoy the capabilities of being able to produce similar colour levels to that of plasma screens but this capability is not as impressive on a screen with the same size and pixel level as larger plasma screens.
Advantage: Plasma excels when used for fast moving images such as DVD. LCD would be the better technology to use if you require static images (computers or displays) due to their no burn-in capabilities.
4) Image Refresh Rates
Plasma screens will have the advantage here because of their excellent performance with fast moving images. LCD screens will suffer from some form of a ‘ghosting’ effect where the electronics are trying to keep up with the speed of the moving image.
Advantage: Plasma for any source that will usually consist fast moving images such as DVD, standard or high definition television.
5) Screen Burn-in
LCD screens have a marked advantage here. LCD technology has almost no image burn-in factors to consider. Plasma screens do have burn-in factors to consider. Some extreme cases of burn-in can begin to occur in just 15 minutes. However, some higher quality brand Plasma screens have technologies such as ‘screen wipes’ or ‘pixel shifts’ that reduce the risk of burn-in to very rare cases. Though burn-in can generally be ‘washed out’ with the display of constant moving images it is a significant factor in determining the usage of a plasma screen.
Advantage: LCD. The technology behind these screens makes them perfect for static images such as game systems, computers or visual display devices.
6) Lifespan
LCD screen are currently capable of life spans up to double of their plasma counterparts. This is because there is nothing in an LCD screen that can effectively burnout. The other marked advantage is that the LCD backlight can actually be changed. Plasma uses pockets of small gasses to produce the images. Over time these gasses do fade and unlike LCD there is no way to directly replenish them.
Advantage: LCD has the substantial lead with its capabilities to last up to twice as long but also with the marked bonus of being able to have the LCD backlights replaced.
7) Viewing Angle
Plasma screens have always had the capability of enjoying a viewing angle up 160 degrees or greater since every pixel is lit individually. LCD screens rely on a backlight to illuminate each pixel which will reduce the viewing angle considerably.
Advantage: Plasma screens allow for maximum flexibility and enjoyment of viewing the plasma screens have the advantage here with their extremely large viewing angle allow for perfect use in places that utilise large and/or wide areas.
8) Computer Use
LCD technology allows it to handle static images extremely effectively and with full colour detail and no flicker. Plasma will be challenged slightly when I comes to displaying computer images because of the burn-in factor as well as a ‘step’ effect in the lower priced / resolution panels when displaying images or words. Plasma still has an advantage on the viewing angle.
Advantage: LCD has the advantage since there is no concern with burn-in but will not perform as well when viewed from extreme angles.
9) Voltage Requirements
Power consumption by LCD panels is considerably lower than that of plasma panels. LCD screens are only required to light a single backlight that works with the whole screen. Plasma screens, on the other hand and depending on resolution, illuminate every pixel individually.
Advantage: If your energy conscious then an LCD screens will suit you better.
Final Thought:
So “which screen is better?” It really comes down to the proposed usage of the panel itself. If you are buying it for television and DVD usage that will consist of fast moving images then a plasma would be better suited. If your using is mostly for computers, games systems or in a commercial use where you have long term static images on screen then LCD would be the better choice. But remember its all up to you!