What TV is better: LED, plasma or LCD. Choosing the best option for the home

When it comes to selecting a television for enjoying TV shows and movies, buyers are presented with various terms and product classifications. Among these, three types stand out: plasma, LCD, and LED models. In order to make an informed decision, it is important to understand the unique features, benefits, and drawbacks of each.

Plasma TVs

Plasma televisions are comprised of a cluster of gas-filled cylinders. When an electric charge is applied, plasma is generated. The surfaces of the cylinders are coated with phosphor, which transforms the ultraviolet luminescence of the plasma into specific-colored radiation – red, blue, or green.

• deep and rich colors;
• low black level, which allows for the production of black colors that are as close to perfection as possible;
• high contrast ratio;
• virtually no matrix response time, making plasma TVs ideal for displaying dynamic images, such as movies;
• wide viewing angles of 170 degrees;
• high price tag;
• it is not recommended to display static images, such as photos, for long periods of time as this can damage the pixels.

The abbreviation LC D-display stands for "Liquid Crystal", which is also known as an LCD-display. It is composed of an LC D-matrix, which is made up of two plates. Liquid crystals are located between these plates. The display design also includes a backlight. Traditional LCD TVs and monitors utilize CCFL backlighting, which is a type of fluorescent lamp with a cold cathode.

The backlight lamps are positioned at the end of the matrix’s light-scattering layer. The way they work is that when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystals between two polarized plates, they alter the polarization of light. The polarized plates have perpendicular polarizations, which means that if there were no liquid crystals, light would not be able to pass through these plates. By smoothly changing the polarization vector, the intensity of light passing through the matrix can be adjusted.

To produce a color image, a colored light filter, known as a subpixel, is applied to each cell. There are three distinguished subpixels: red, green, and blue. A pixel is a group of subpixels of these three colors. The display consists of millions of such pixels, which is why this part is referred to as a matrix.

The defining characteristic of televisions in this category is their significantly reduced weight and power consumption compared to plasma panels. Regrettably, they do exhibit a lower viewing angle and contrast compared to plasma. In LCD TVs, the color black tends to be a shade somewhere between dark blue and dark gray, rather than true black. Additionally, the response time of the LCD panel is also lower than that of plasma panels. Manufacturers employ various technological methods to enhance the quality of LCD TVs.

1. Comparatively affordable;
2. Excellent for showcasing photos and other non-moving information;
3. Minimal power consumption;
4. Can last up to 75,000 hours.
5. Higher black levels (closer to dark gray);
6. Weaker contrast;
7. Slower response time.

The main drawback of LED monitors and TVs is their high cost, but this issue has been gradually addressed in recent years, with a downward trend in prices.

Types of matrixes of LCD and LED TVs

Currently, the most popular types of TV screens are:

• IPS, which is primarily used in LG TVs of the 3-6 series, Philips TVs of the 4 and 6 series, and Panasonic TVs. This technology allows for wider viewing angles. However, the black levels are relatively high (around 0.16 nits) and the response time is longer.
• S-PVA, which is manufactured by Samsung and found in their TVs as well as Panasonic and Sony TVs of the 7 and 8 series. This type of screen offers lower black levels (ranging from 0.05 to 0.1 nits), but the viewing angles are not as wide as with IPS screens.
• UV²A – this variety is manufactured by Sharp. They are utilized in high-end models from both Philips and Sharp. Their viewing angles fall between S-PVA and IPS, and they boast the deepest and darkest black levels – ranging from 0.02 to 0.06, which is comparable to those of plasma panels.

IPS type panel design VA panel design

To gain more clarity, let’s compare the unique characteristics of each type of TV – LCD, LED, and plasma.

1. Screen size. In the past, plasma panels were known for their large diagonals due to design peculiarities. However, nowadays LCD and LED TVs can be manufactured in any size. For instance, these technologies have been used to create cell phone screens for over 15 years;
2. Contrast. Plasma panels take the lead in this category, followed by LED, and finally LCD. Although it’s important to note that the type of matrix used in liquid crystal displays also greatly influences the image.
3. Black Depth. The contrast of the image is closely associated with this value, and plasma technology takes the lead here. LED TVs with carpet backlighting and UV 2 A matrix and liquid crystal displays also offer a maximum depth of black.
4. Viewing angle. Plasma models excel in this aspect, providing very good viewing angles of up to 170 degrees. LCD and LED-displays, on the other hand, have their viewing angles strongly influenced by the type of matrix used, with the largest angles being characteristic of IPS;
5. Response speed. Plasma TVs also take the lead in this category, with their matrix having a minimum response time of about 1 ms. LCD displays, however, have response times ranging from units to tens of ms;
6. The uniformity of the screen backlight varies between plasma TVs and LCDs. In plasma TVs, each pixel is a source of light, resulting in a uniform backlight. However, with LCDs, the backlight is typically located at the ends of the screen, except for LEDs with carpet backlighting. CCFL lamps disperse a fairly uniform light through a special layer of the screen. On the other hand, edge-located LEDs generally produce good results, although this can vary depending on their quantity.
7. Screen burn-in. The occurrence of screen burn-in is most likely when a plasma display panel shows static images for extended periods of time. When dealing with dynamic content, all types of screens have their full lifespan.
8. Energy efficiency. LED TVs are currently the most energy-efficient, followed by LCDs, and plasma panels consume the most power in this comparison.
9. Durability. LCD and LED TVs are the most durable, with a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours. However, this value is actually limited to the lifespan of the lamps and LEDs, as the matrix itself continues to function after the backlight has been replaced. The resource of a plasma panel falls within the range of 30,000 to 60,000 hours. This is also the lifespan of the matrix itself, as it serves as the backlight as well.
10. Price. LCD TVs are the most affordable option, whereas plasma and LED TVs can be quite costly.