What is the difference between a plasma and LCD TV

Liquid crystal (LCD) and plasma televisions are nearly indistinguishable in appearance. They also have similar features and interfaces. However, their divergence lies primarily in the device itself and the operational principles.

Differences between plasma and LCD TVs

LCD TVs come in various models, featuring a display that utilizes liquid crystals and a backlight that can be either fluorescent tube-based for LCDs or LED-based for LEDs. The newest technology, OLED, employs self-emitting organic LEDs, eliminating the need for an additional backlight.

Summary: OLED technology has elevated the picture quality of LCD screens to the level of plasma panels.

The LCD-type screen is an active matrix consisting of two transparent plates with liquid crystals sandwiched between them. The plates’ surfaces are coated with a network of transparent electrodes that guide the molecules in a specific direction. These electrodes transmit voltage to the matrix cells, also known as pixels.

Every plate is equipped with a polarizer and a backlight (either a fluorescent lamp or an LED). The polarizer receives the light flux that has passed through the first plate and rotates it in either a horizontal or vertical plane.

As the flux passes through the liquid crystal layer, it becomes polarized and then continues on through the second plate. As it crosses the electrodes, a specific cell in the matrix is activated. The light beam, influenced by a color filter, takes on one of the various shades. Each cell has its own thin-film transistor, which improves the response speed of the electrodes, as well as the clarity and contrast of the image.

For further information, the design of a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes an LCD matrix, backlight, contact harness, and a plastic housing that is reinforced with a metal frame.

Plasma display models (PDP) utilize plasma as the active matrix, which is an ionized gas comprising numerous charged particles. These particles include positively charged ions and negatively charged electrons. By electrically passing a current through the plasma, particles of opposing charges are drawn towards one another. This collision causes the gas atoms to emit photons that fall within the visible color spectrum.

Gas plasma display technology utilizes inert gases such as xenon and neon, which, upon collisions between particles, emit photons in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which are not visible to the naked eye. The display itself consists of two transparent plates – a rear plate and a front plate, with multiple microchambers filled with inert gas in between them. Vertically aligned control electrodes are positioned along the back plate, covering its entire surface area. Horizontally arranged scanning electrodes with a protective coating are found on the front panel. In this way, the electrodes form a rectangular grid configuration.

The microchambers undergo a process in which they are coated with phosphor. This coating allows the microchambers to convert invisible ultraviolet photons into colors that are visible to the human eye. In order to charge the electrons, a special processor is integrated into the matrix. Each pixel within the plasma screen consists of three microchambers that are capable of producing red, blue, and green colors. The quality of the displayed image is directly influenced by the size of the pixels. Smaller pixels result in a clearer and more contrasted image.

Note: The front protective glass of the plasma screen effectively blocks ultraviolet light, minimizing any potential harm it may cause.

Practical differences

The practical distinctions between the two types of television are typically evaluated based on several fundamental factors. The brightness and contrast of the image vary significantly – plasma panels, which do not rely on backlighting, deliver deep black shades and a vivid, clear picture from any viewing angle. In contrast, LCD models with backlighting can only produce a dark gray color and the image appears less vibrant. However, there is an exception with OLED models, which do not require a backlight.

Another differentiating factor is size – LCD monitors offer a wide range of options, ranging from small kitchen monitors to large ones utilized for advertising displays. On the other hand, plasma televisions are only manufactured with a maximum diagonal length of 65-80 inches.

When it comes to weight, LCD models with a clear plastic screen are lighter than plasma models, which use glass. In terms of power consumption, LCDs are more energy-efficient, using only a fraction of the electricity consumed by plasma. On average, plasma TVs consume between 350-450 watts of power. In comparison, LED TVs with an ECO label consume half as much electricity as plasma TVs of the same size and functionality.

The TV may become overheated during continuous operation, which is a common issue with plasma panels. To ensure safe use, cooling fans are installed in these panels. The noise generated by the fans is usually not noticeable from a distance of 3 meters, which is the recommended viewing distance for plasma panels with a large diagonal length.

Plasma models do not have limited viewing angles, while LCD models may experience a lighter or darker screen when viewed at an angle exceeding 160-180 degrees.

The response speed of plasma panels is near-instantaneous, as the inert gas quickly transmits electricity. In comparison, modern LCD panels have a response time of around 8 milliseconds.

The LCD has a lifespan of 80 thousand hours, while the plasma has a lifespan of 40 thousand hours, after which the image quality significantly deteriorates. In practical terms, the plasma models experience a noticeable decrease in contrast after 4 years of intensive use. In terms of safety for humans and the environment, both types of TVs are completely safe and environmentally friendly.

When it comes to mechanical reliability, plasma TVs are considered more resistant. In terms of price, LCD TVs come in different price categories – budget, medium, and premium. Plasma models are categorized as medium and premium. If the size and functionality are the same, LCD TVs tend to be cheaper.

Attention! Most well-known television manufacturers produce both LCD and plasma TV panels.

Functional differences

When it comes to functionality, both types of displays offer similar features. They both have a Full HD screen resolution. Budget LCDs typically have 720p or 1080p resolution, while medium-grade models offer 1080P or 1080i. The newer OLED models support 1080p, 1080i, and UHD 4K resolutions. Plasma displays also offer 1080p, 1080i, and UHD 4K resolutions. The high-resolution 4K option is specifically designed for streaming television content. However, analog TV streaming is not yet optimized for this level of resolution.

All modern flagship models of both LCD and plasma displays support 3D, Smart TV functionality, USB and HDMI connections, HDR technology, and WiFi connectivity. Budget LCDs come with basic video format support and a USB connector, making them more suitable for cable or antenna TV viewing.

Important! It’s worth noting that LCD displays tend to be more affordable compared to plasma panels with the same functionality.

Both types of panels are capable of receiving both analog and digital video signals. They also have an interface for reading SD cards with multimedia content, an NV tuner module, a built-in stereo amplifier of either low or medium power, and an IR receiver for remote control.

Which TV is better to choose

Due to their higher production costs compared to LCD panels, some prominent TV manufacturers have decided to discontinue the production of plasma panels. LG and Panasonic have both ended their plasma production in favor of OLED technology. LCD panels have gained popularity because of their high picture clarity, which is comparable to plasma display panels (PDP), as well as the ability to produce panels with a diagonal size of up to 105 inches. However, premium LCD models with larger diagonal sizes still come at a higher price compared to PDP.

Plasma displays have a standard set of features, but are known for their excellent image quality. Typically, they are the preferred choice for movie enthusiasts who want to set up a home theater with a large screen. When it comes to shopping options, the selection of plasma panels in retail stores is not very diverse. In contrast, LCD TVs come in a wide range of models with various levels of functionality, image quality, and price points.

By the way, it’s worth mentioning that the lineup of LCD TVs always includes budget models that offer basic features but are popular among regular users.