Plasma Vs. LCD Projection, Consider Your Options
If you are in the market for a flat screen TV, then you need to consider your options. You may have already considered CRT projection TVS and DMD projection TVs but rejected both of them because CRT projection TVs are too bulky and are prone to burn-in (especially if you use one for gaming), and because the flicker effect of DMD projection gives you a headache. You now have to decide between plasma vs. LCD projection. When trying to settle the question of plasma vs LCD projection, you need to consider a number of factors, as both types have their advantages and disadvantages.
LCD projection TVs use the same liquid crystal display system that appears in a basic form inside a calculator or digital watch, but in a much more sophisticated and complicated form (an LCD projection TV has colour, for example - and that's just the start). Because of the physical properties of liquid crystal, an LCD projection TV can work in odd ways during changes in temperature. This temperature sensitive colour-changing nature of LCDs makes them very useful in thermometers and for fun items like mood rings, but not so good if your projection TV will be exposed to a wide range of temperatures. This will not make your viewing experience a good one, so if you are likely to have your home theatre system exposed to temperature changes (e.g. if you heat your home theatre with a log fire), then this is a big consideration for you in the plasma vs. LCD projection question. Other aspects of the plasma vs. LCD projection debate are size, the issue of burn-in, brightness and, of course, thickness. When it comes to size (meaning width), plasma screens win the plasma vs LCD projection race. Plasma TVs readily available on the market range in width from 32 to 63 inches, while LCD projection TVs range from 13 to 45 inches. However, when it comes to thickness/thinness, LCD displays win the plasma vs. LCD projection stakes - the minimum thickness of an LCD screen is 2 inches, while a plasma TV is at least 3 inches thick. Plasma TVs are more susceptible to burn-in than LCD projection TVs, especially if they are used a lot for gaming. LCD projection TVs, however can suffer from "stuck" pixels or from "ghosting", where traces of an image are left on a screen temporarily. If you use your TV screen for gaming, then LCDs should win the plasma vs. LCD projection stakes. Plasma TVs have better contrast than LCD projection screens, but both types are on a par when it comes to brightness. When it comes to the plasma vs. LCD projection issue, you really need to consider where you will be keeping your flat screen TV, what your expectations for contrast and clarity are, and what you will be using your screen for. |