Ding, ding! The gloves are on as two rival technologies step toe-to toe into the ring for a fight to find which flat screen is truly the greatest. But who will win, LCD or plasma?
There is little doubt these days that the future of TV is flat, but there are two rival technologies fighting it out for the title of undisputed market leader. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses but only one will be left standing once the dust has settled and your choice is made.
And in the blue corner, is the leading contender - LCD
Unlike plasmas, LCDs don't emit any light themselves. Instead they use millions of crystals suspended in liquid between two transparent panels. A bright fluorescent backlight is then passed through the crystals, which are instructed to allow it or prevent it from passing to create an image, while colours are controlled by a filter.
In the red corner, is the reigning champion - Plasma
Simply speaking, the technology relies on chemical compounds called phosphors. Each pixel is made up of three phosphors displaying additive primary colours - Red, Green and Blue (RGB). When struck with an electron beam the phosphors emit light that can be controlled by the intensity of the beam to create the images we see on screen.
If you're undecided about which flatscreen should grace your system, why don't we settle it with an old-fashioned knock-down scrap? Let's get ready to rumble.
Round 1 - Size
Both plasmas and LCDs share similar slimline dimensions, although LCDs generally weigh-in lighter as they don't carry the gas-filled chambers and heavy glass panels found in plasmas.
If size is important, plasmas are traditionally the heavyweights offering a massive choice of large screen sizes above 32in. LCDs are fighting back with the release of ever-increasing screen sizes but big picture performance loses points. However, if you want a smaller screen for the spare room then an LCD is your only option.
Verdict: Draw - horses for courses
Round 2 - Price
Pound for pound, LCDs are generally more expensive than plasmas of the same size. Prices of a 42in plasma range from around £1,700 and above for a decent display while you'll struggle to find a 37in LCD for less than £2,500. The cost of LCDs will continue to fall and smaller screen sizes are more affordable, but for the moment plasmas offer more for your money.
Verdict: Plasma wins - more for your money
Round 3 - Life span
LCDs tend to have more stamina with most models offering around 60,000 hours of watching - that's 20 years worth if you watch four hours of TV every day. And the fluorescent light source can be replaced, although it's expensive and by the time the light runs down you'll probably want a new screen anyway.
Early plasmas were limited to around 30,000 hours of life but some of the latest models are claiming double that. However, as very high voltages are required to control electrons, plasmas consume up to 30% more power than LCDs.
Verdict: LCD wins - greater stamina
Round 4 - Viewing angle
Viewing angle is defined as how far you can sit to the side of the screen and still see the image clearly, which can influence seating positions in your room. Traditionally, plasmas offer a wider viewing angle as light is emitted from the pixels themselves while with LCDs the backlight creates excessive brightness and colour shift if you move off-axis from the screen. Plenty of progress has been made by LCDs with some new models even claiming viewing angles of 170 degrees, although it's unlikely these figures are accurate and with a plasma you're guaranteed a viewing angle of 160 degrees.
Verdict: Plasma wins - from all angles
Round 5 - Picture problems
Both plasmas and LCDs can suffer from pixel problems such as 'dead pixels' - a pixel that no longer works and is seen as a black dot on the screen. One or two dead pixels may not detract much from your overall viewing but can still be a nuisance. Sticking with reputable manufacturers lessens the likelihood of the problem occurring and provides better after-sales service if it does.
Screen burn, on the other hand, is a condition that only plagues plasmas. When a stationary image appears on the screen for an extended time, for example black bars on a film, it can be burnt into the phosphorous leaving a permanent shadow of the image. Business applications are more prone to the phenomenon as TV pictures are constantly moving. Some of the latest plasmas feature 'white flash' that can correct screen burn but also shortens the display's life span.
Plasma screens also flicker, which can produce eye fatigue if you're sat too close while LCDs are flicker-free with better image stability.
Verdict: LCD wins - stands firm in the face of flicker
Round 6 - Performance
Picture performance is paramount but often comes down to personal preference with both technologies displaying different characteristics:
Brightness - LCDs are renowned for producing brighter pictures as a consequence of the technology used. Bright pictures expose more detail and make colours look instantly engaging but images can appear superficial and often disguise poor contrast. It's best to ignore brightness figures as they are measured in controlled environments and your room's ambient light will play a greater role.
Contrast - As plasma pixels can be controlled to emit no light at all they produce deeper black levels, which define contrast. Even when an LCD pixel is switched off, light emitted from the backlight escapes leaving blacks a dark shade of grey that's unnoticed against vibrant colours but steals solidity from the picture. Plasmas also produce better greyscale subtleties that reveal more detail in dark picture areas. Contrast figures are given as a ratio, which is the difference between the darkest black and brightest white e.g. 3000:1.
Colour - The bright nature of LCDs makes primary colours appear instantly vibrant but the immediate impact tires with time. Plasmas produce natural, more accurate colours with a wider range of subtleties across the spectrum. Colours are a case of personal preference that can be influenced by the type of films you watch.
Movement - Motion rendering was considered to be better in plasmas as faster pixel response times cope with fast-paced action better, while early LCDs were afflicted by blurred edges and streaming trails - but recent advances have made the difference between the two negligible.
Verdict: Plasma wins - deep blacks, natural colours and cohesive movement
|
After six rounds, a split decision still favours plasma as the leading flatscreen technology. Picture performance and price beats LCD for the moment, but LCDs are improving at a faster rate and prices are steadily falling so the rematch could well yield a different result. |
