| The last decade has seen enormous changes to | | | | electrical signals passing through it. Each of these |
| the TV market. Many people do not understand | | | | TVs has advantages over the other. |
| the new technology, and so they are asking more | | | | Plasma TVs |
| than ever, "Which TV is right for me?" Although | | | | Plasma TVs are best suited to a home theater |
| they appear to be similar, LCD and plasma TVs | | | | with dim lighting. They are perfect for watching |
| are very different, and each are suited to | | | | movies. Plasma TVs, generally, have a higher |
| different people. In the past 10 years, the | | | | contrast ratio than LCDs. The contrast ratio |
| television market has changed dramatically. In | | | | compares how bright the white gets to how dark |
| some ways, shopping for TVs has become easier. | | | | the black gets when on the screen simultaneously. |
| It only seems more difficult because we are | | | | The higher the contrast, the more detail can be |
| unaccustomed to the technology and terminology. | | | | seen. |
| Just 10 years ago, if we wanted a new TV, we | | | | Plasma TVs also have a wider viewing angle than |
| had to decide between several different types. | | | | LCD TVs. LCDs must be viewed practically |
| These types included the old CRT, which itself | | | | straight on, and while the viewing angle of the |
| was divided into a standard rounded tube or a | | | | plasma doesn’t match that of the old CRT, |
| flat-fronted tube. On the higher end, a choice | | | | it is noticeably wider than that of the LCD. At |
| existed between rear projection, LCD, and | | | | standard refresh rates, plasma has better motion |
| plasma. Then, we had to determine if we wanted | | | | tracking, and the movements don’t seem |
| a standard 4:3 ratio screen or a widescreen. | | | | as choppy. Colors on the plasma TV are |
| In the intervening years, most of those choices | | | | considered to be very warm and natural. |
| have faded out. CRTs are all but dead, and they | | | | LCD TVs |
| were soon followed by rear projection. You will | | | | LCD TVs usually have a higher resolution than |
| also be hard pressed to find any TV that does | | | | that of plasma TVs. The resolution is the number |
| not have a widescreen aspect ratio. The number | | | | of pixels on the screen. The more pixels, the |
| one question, now, boils down to the LCD vs. the | | | | more defined the images will be. LCD technology |
| plasma TV. As technology progresses, the LCD is | | | | is also not susceptible to image burn-in like the |
| proving to be more popular and versatile, but for | | | | plasma. LCD TVs work well in bright lighting. LCDs |
| some, it makes sense to go with the plasma. | | | | are recommended for any room where the |
| The difference between the two similar-looking | | | | lighting cannot be dimmed. Rooms with bright |
| types of TVs is how they bring a picture to the | | | | lamps or large, open windows are best suited to |
| screen. Plasma uses a special gas contained in tiny | | | | an LCD. |
| cells. This gas emits different colors depending on | | | | LCD TVs are less expensive than their plasma |
| the voltage passed through it. Each cell makes a | | | | counterparts. They also weigh less and are easier |
| pixel and the pixels together bring out the image. | | | | to transport. LCDs tend to have a longer lifespan |
| LCD is short for liquid crystal display. LCD TVs | | | | than plasma TVs and are considered to be more |
| work on the basis of a liquid trapped between | | | | environmentally sound. |
| two glass plates. The liquid changes color by the | | | | |