LCD vs. plasma

Following is a summary of differences between LCD and plasma TVs.

Wall Mounting
Plasma sets are much heavier than their counterpart LCDs. Although all flat panels require a secure mounting, hanging a hundred-pound screen on a wall requires a professional installation. If the studs behind the wall are not conveniently located, reinforcements may be necessary. However, an alternate and always secure solution is to place the unit on a thin cabinet against the wall.

Light Reflection
Glare from ambient light in the room can be a major issue. Plasma TVs generally reflect light just like a CRT, although some anti-glare screens have been introduced for plasmas.

Colors: You're the Judge
Although plasma TVs have always been considered to have the richer color, LCDs have been continually gaining ground. A high-quality LCD TV can look better than a low-quality plasma. The important thing to remember is that you must be the judge. Some people prefer colors that are as bright and rich as possible, while others prefer more subdued colors for lengthy viewing. See flat panel TV, LCD and plasma display.

           LCD           Plasma

 Glare     No            Yes (with some exceptions)

 Weight    Lighter       Heavier (harder to hang)

 Power     Lower         Higher cost to run

 Colors    Less rich     Richer

 Blacks    Less black    More black

 Contrast
  Ratio    Good          Better (higher ratio)

 Viewing
  Angle    Good          Better (greater angle)

 Speed     Good          Faster