People love latest electronic devices meant for entertainment purposes. LCD and Plasma Televisions are on top of the chart of favorite entertainment devices. Therefore, if you have planned to replace your prototyped television with a new LCD or Plasma one, then it is a wise decision. To make it a wiser decision, you need to fix it to a proper place in your home.

Mounting Your LCD/Plasma Television

You have invested heavy amount in buying an LCD or Plasma TV, for their perfect placement you need to buy a mount bracket of good quality, compromising with the price is not a wise decision. A mount bracket will decide the usability and durability of your hi-tech television set. Another thing, which you need to focus, is installation of mount brackets at your home. This is a very sensitive task, because any failures in proper installation may damage your LCD or Plasma television set. Therefore, consulting a professional and skilled installer, who is expert in providing such services, will be the best option.

Some important guidelines during installation of mount brackets:

1. Be sure to subcontract the installation to licensed contractors and keep small children away during the installation process to avoid any kind of accidents during installation.
2. Even moving or dismounting of LCD or Plasma televisions should be assigned to licensed contractors.
3. Do not spill any kind of liquids on LCD or Plasma TV. Any kind of wetness may result electric shocks.
4. Do not play with your mount bracket settings. That means do not remove any screws etc., after mounting your LCD or Plasma TV.
5. Do not try to disassemble or alter the parts of wall mount brackets. It may damage mount brackets and may fall resulting damage to your costly LCD/Plasma TV.
6. Do not mount any other equipment other than the specified product. These mount brackets are specially designed for use with specified product only. Any other equipment may not be compatible to your mount bracket, and it may fall or cause damage.
7. Do not cover ventilation hole of the television.
8. Do not apply any other load on mount brackets.

All the above guidelines are helpful from the installation to handling and maintenance of your mount brackets. It will help you in getting a pleasant experience with your LCD/Plasma TV and mount brackets.

Flat screen TVs are now commonplace in many homes. The most popular forms of these televisions are plasma and LCD. But as a consumer which can be considered the best choice? Hopefully the following article will highlight some of the fundamental differences between the two technologies and how this affects the buyer.

First and foremost it is important to understand the different processes involved in both plasma and LCD technology. While these types of TV may look the same, within there are completely different processes at work producing an image. Apart from both being thin and attractively styled, they have few similarities.

A Plasma TV utilises a system of miniscule plasma gas cells that are charged by electrical current to create changes in UV light. This light is then filtered through phosphorus gasses of each primary colour to make an image. LCD TV screens on the other hand resemble an electronic sandwich, with liquid crystals between two ’slices’ of glass. Once again varying electrical current is applied to the crystals in order to create an image.

One of the major benefits that LCD TVs have over plasma variants is native resolution. This industry term simply refers to the number of pixels on the screen and in this particular instance means that LCD TVs have a higher resolution in terms of pixels than plasmas of a similar size.

One of the most touted benefits of LCD TVs is that they consume far less power than plasma varieties. This has become an increasingly important point in recent months as EU directives on energy consumption have come to the fore in electronic companies’ thinking. It is estimated that some models of plasma TV used thirty percent more power than a LCD of a similar size; the result has been some commentators labelling plasma TVs as the four by fours of the home.

It is also evident that LCD screens tend to have a longer lifespan than plasma models. Early models apparently lose half of their brightness after a measly twenty thousand hours although the latest varieties boast a lifespan of thirty to sixty thousand viewing hours. On the other hand, the average LCD TV typically has a guaranteed sixty thousand hour lifespan.

Screen burn is one of the more commonly highlighted problems with plasma TVs although this is becoming less of an issue. That said, even modern plasmas do suffer from screen burn, a result of a continuous image being shown on the screen and leaving a residual ghost image when viewing other channels. LCD TVs do not suffer from this problem at all.

So which should consumers buy? LCD or Plasma? This decision depends upon the size of the screen. In the majority of cases plasma TVs are better in larger sizes, for example those above fifty inches whereas LCD variants are better in smaller sizes. That said, those with an environmental conscience will be easily swayed by an LCD due to their lower power consumption and subsequent ecological validity. Additionally the longer lifespan of LCD televisions make them a better value buy although this is really a minor consideration. Ultimately the choice is down to the consumer but with plasma TVs apparently on the wane it is understandable that more people will see the benefits of LCDs in the future.

The plasma TV has been with us for some time now and is preferred by many homeowners. However with industry experts surmising that LCD televisions will be more widespread in the future due to energy efficiency problems with plasma TVs, the time has come for consumers to decide which option to take. Plasma or LCD TV, which is the better choice?

Plasma and LCD TV models look almost identical, both are flat, elegant and typically both offer a stunningly sharp and clear picture. There are however fundamental differences between the two technologies. In terms of the improvements from the older, CRT televisions both plasma and LCD models are clearer, they have a style about them that fits into modern living, most have a wide viewing angle and as they are wall mountable they are a brilliant space saving option. Additionally as both varieties are widescreen, they allow the viewer to watch movies how they were supposed to be seen, in the perfect aspect ratio.

The LCD TV works using a liquid crystal display. This put simply is hundreds of thousands of tiny pixels that each change colour and shade to create an overall image. Behind is a backlight that gives the image its brightness and as electronic current is passed through the device, the pixels change rapidly to formulate moving images.

The plasma TV on the other hand is constructed of two sheets of glass, with the gap filled with xenon or neon gas. Behind this screen sits phosphors for each primary colour, as electricity hits xenon it produces UV light that in turn hits the phosphors so they change colour rapidly and hence create an image. This process is far more wasteful than LCD and hence uses more power.

Naturally each type of TV has various benefits and disadvantages, the following will put forward a seven step process to assessing the differences between plasma and LCD.

The first category is size and weight. Typically plasma televisions are available in larger screen sizes, in fact up to around 71 inches, they are however normally heavier than LCD models. In comparison LCD devices are normally smaller, around a 42 inch maximum although this likely to increase in the future.

In terms of picture quality there is not much to split the two; however LCD screens normally have a higher resolution in smaller sizes. One problem that occurs with plasma TV models is image burn. This means that after a long period the screen shows a residual image, typically a network logo. This does not happen with LCD screens.

Viewing angle is generally better with plasma although with the more recent LCD models this is less of an issue, both have a viewing angle of around 160 degrees. Brightness is generally better with plasma TVs although on the other hand LCD screens have less glare and are hence better for bright rooms and environments.

Both TVs have a lifespan of around sixty thousand hours meaning that if the television was left on continuously it would work for almost seven years. Energy efficiency can be a problem with some plasma models and has become a major issue in recent months with technology companies focussing on efficiency as eco laws start to take effect.

Hopefully this article has highlighted the common differences between the plasma and LCD TV. Seemingly the growing trend is for LCD models due to energy efficiency issues; ultimately the choice comes down to personal preference.

Are you still using that dated old “tube” television set? Are you drawn to the electronics section at your local Best Buy where you walk slowly down every aisle fantasizing about watching an action packed thriller on one of those crisp, gorgeous devices? Are you baffled by the price ranges, and confused over the qualities? If that’s what’s keeping you from buying the television of your dreams, it’s time to do your homework. The two biggest questions about the television market today is, “what’s the difference between the plasma television versus the LCD?”

Plasma Television Versus The LCD

There are a few important things to compare when deciding which type of set to purchase. Plasma TVs are the current size champions, particularly when comparing TVs that consumers can easily purchase. Screen size, viewing angle, screen refresh rates, burn-in or stuck pixels, and product life-span are all areas that you want to pay close attention to when shopping.

When comparing the plasma television versus the LCD, start with size options. With a plasma, screen sizes range from 32 inches to 63 inches. Larger plasmas, like a 103 inch unit, are in production, but are still expensive for consumer use. The LCD sizes range from 13 inches to 45 inches. As with plasma, there are larger LCD TVs made, like a 100 inch display, but they are not readily available or affordable at the consumer level. Moving on to viewing angle, LCD TVs have the advantage here, but by a small margin. Your viewing experience is not going to be ideal at 160 or 175 degree angles. LCD TVs used to have a problem in this area, primarily because LCD’s were originally meant for single person computer monitors. Plasma displays refresh and handle rapid movements in video well. LCD TVs were originally designed for data display, and not video.

In essence, refresh rates had to be improved. LCD TVs with refresh rates below 16 ms or lower (5-15 ms) show very few noticeable artifacts. LCD TVs are now available with refresh rates as low as 5ms. Plasma TVs can suffer from burn-in produced by static images. After extended periods, stationary images “burn in” and produce an after-image ghost which remains permanently on the screen. With technologies such as ‘pixel orbiter,’ new plasma TVs have addressed burn-in and significantly reduced the issues of older models.

LCD TVs do not suffer from burn-in, but can have what they call, “retained pixel charge” which may also produce ghosting. Stuck pixels are also possible with an LCD display. Taking into consideration the latest plasma technology, this is less of an issue than ever before. If you plan to use a plasma TV for video gaming, some games with permanent ‘dashboards’ may still cause burn-in. Check user-manuals for available solutions by model. Another option to weigh when comparing plasma television versus the LCD, is the life span.

Plasma TVs have a reported half life of 30,000 to 60,000 hours. Half-life is the time it takes the lamp to fade to half its original brightness LCD TVs also have replaceable backlights, but the expense of replacing one when the time comes may be greater than simply replacing the entire TV Both Plasma and LCD technology should more than adequately satisfy most consumers.

The average tube has a half-life of around 25,000 hours. If the average American household watches an average of four to six hours of television a day, even a 30,000 hour lamp would give you easily over 16 years of use. Fortunately, when comparing plasma television versus the LCD, They are both great options, so find the one that suits your lifestyle.

If you want to buy a new television, you can choose between a Plasma TV and LCD TV. These are the current technologies used for all types of flat panel televisions available in the market.

Getting better value from your new TV is probably one of your big concerns. So here is a brief guide on LCD and Plasma TV. This guide can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of LCD and Plasma televisions.

What is a Plasma TV?

The main component of Plasma TV screen is plasma gas. These are gaseous cells that can be charged electrically. Once electric voltage passes through them, the plasma gasses emit lights. This process is responsible for rendering screen images.

Plasma TV produces vivid colors and clearer images because its screen pixels carry their own light spectrum.

The Strengths & Weaknesses of Plasma Televisions:

High contrast is one of the strong points of Plasma TV. High color definition due to superior contrast is the best advantage of Plasma TV. It can also display black colors in high definition. There will be no grayish spots on your TV even if the scenes on the screen are totally dark. Because of this, you will be able to see other objects displayed on the screen.

If you love to watch fast paced action movies, racing, and other sports events, then Plasma TV should be your choice. That’s because Plasma TV can perform well in tracking rapid movement sequences.

The biggest weakness of Plasma televisions is its susceptibility to screen burn-in. This problem can disfigure the images in your screen permanently. New Plasma models however use devices that can avoid burn-in problems. Older models of Plasma TVs still suffer from this problem.

What is LCD TV?

The utilization of liquid crystals is the primary mechanism of LCD TVs to generate images. These liquid crystals can receive lights from a backlight source. The crystals will polarize the lights thus rendering different color spectrum. These colors will be transformed into millions of pixels producing clear and highly defined images.

The Pros and Cons of LCD Televisions:

You will not encounter any burn-in problem with LCD TV. This is a highly efficient television because it generates less heat so energy consumption is minimal. There is also a built-in anti-glare function for every LCD screen. So if you like to watch TV in a brightly lit room, then LCD TV should be your best option.

However, LCD TVs have weaker color contrasting ratios compared to Plasma TVs. Its ability to display ultra high definition colors will be limited also. Rendering black colors is also not a strong point of LCD TVs.

The quality of high speed movements can also suffer if displayed on LCD TV screens. LCD TVs have less ability to track fast paced movements. New models however have found ways to solve this problem.

LCD color pixels are also prone to color aging. This is the equivalent of image burn-in on Plasma TV screens. So, when the color pixels of LCD degenerate, you might see some white or black spots on your screen.

You can certainly enjoy watching TV from LCD or Plasma screens. These are the latest TV innovations and they are made to provide you with quality viewing experience. But these TVs also have strengths and weaknesses just like any other device. You have to know what you need in order to choose the best high technology TV.

Want to know if a plasma television or an LCD television would be best for your needs? Here’s a side-by-side comparison that will help you make an informed decision …

What’s the difference between plasma and LCD TVs?

Plasma TV screens are made up of hundreds-of-thousands of gas-filled, colored light cells. When an electrical current passes through those cells they light up and produce a picture.

LCD TV screens consist of a layer of liquid crystals sandwiched between two glass plates. When electricity passes through the crystals, an array of tiny color pixels light up and produce a picture.

Which one has the best picture?

Plasma TVs produce a slightly more colorful picture than LCD TVs. This is due to the fact that plasma TVs display blacks better than LCD TVs, which creates better color contrast, and produces brighter colors.

LCD TVs produce a sharper picture than plasma TVs due to their higher resolution.

What sizes do plasma TVs and LCD TVs come in?

Plasma TVs range in size from 42″ to 65″ wide, while LCD TVs are as small as 2″ wide and go up to 65″ wide.” LCD TVs are thinner and lighter than plasma TVs.

Which one is better for video games?

Plasma TVs can experience screen “burn in.” This happens when a still image is left too long on a screen, resulting in a ghost of that image burned into the screen. LCD TVs do not have this problem and are therefore a better choice if you play lots of video games on your TV.

Does a plasma TV or an LCD TV last longer?

Plasma TVs have a screen life of 30,000 to 60,000 hours, whereas LCD TVs have a screen life of 60,000 hours or more.

How much do they cost?

I recently ran a price check for plasma and LCD TVs. The cheapest large-screen plasma TV was a 42″ inch model for $999. The cheapest 42″ LCD TV was $1,367.

The cheapest 27″ LCD TV I found was $550, and the cheapest 32″ LCD TV was $619. There were no plasma TVs smaller than 42.”

So what’s the bottom line?

If you’re in the market for a 42″ flat-screen or larger, a plasma TV will give you the most bang for your buck. If you want a smaller TV, or if you’re really into video games, then I’d recommend an LCD TV.

Visit the http://TheSatelliteTVGuide.com to get more information, to compare prices, and to get consumer ratings for plasma TVs and LCD Tvs.

The author, Brian Stevens, is the senior editor for TheSatelliteTVGuide.com and has written a number of articles on plasma TVs and LCD TVs.

The average person looks forward to relaxing in front of their TV after a hard day’s work. For many people this relaxation can now take place in front of a plasma TV. To decide which of these TVs is best for you will need to look at the difference between plasma and LCD televisions.

The main criteria that you will need to look carefully at are screen size, television thickness, viewing angle and burn-in. These issues will help you to understand the difference between plasma and LCD TVs better for making an informed choice.

In the screen size you will find that a LCD screen can range from 13 inches to 46 inches. This is set to change as there are bigger sized LCD’s about to come onto the market. For the plasma TV the screen size is from 32 inches to 60 inches.

Here the difference between plasma and LCD is that plasma TV’s are currently larger sized but the technology of LCD’s is making the large screen for LCDs a reality. For the thickness issue you will not find too much of a difference as both the LCD TVs and the plasma TVs are both manufactured to similar sizes of thickness. In general the flat screen TVs are about 1 to 2 inches in depth.

This slim style allows you to hang or place your plasma and LCD television anywhere that you want. The other factor you will need to look for in the difference between plasma and LCD is the viewing angle.

Generally LCD televisions have a fixed angle of viewpoint. This means that once you have placed your LCD television on a stand or in a TV hutch you will need to physically change the direction of the TV to see the picture.

With a plasma TV you have the option of placing your TV in a place where you can see it from any place in the room. For the optimum viewing pleasure your plasma TV you should sit at a reasonable distance so that you see the picture clearly but you will not see the individual pixels.

The same is true for LCD TVs but here there is a slight advantage for the LCD televisions because the screen resolution in terms of pixels is clearer. In a LCD TV you will receive a smooth looking image, much more than you would with a plasma TV. For this reason you will find the screen resolution difference between plasma and LCD only ends at the large end of scale for both of the TVs.

The difference between plasma and LCD TVs is not that much when you look at the various issues. You should however remember that these issues are only one way of selecting a plasma TV or a LCD TV.

The leisure of watching a movie or a sport has become even greater with the high end technology’s introduction of TVs like Plasmas, LCDs, Flat TVs, Ultra Slim Fit and the likes. But, the latest hype is about Plasmas and LCDs in particular. Now, the next step is selecting or choosing between the wide ranges of models getting launched everyday.

First of all, you need to set a budget for your purchase; this will curtail half the burden. After the budget, you have to consider the different features which you are looking for. But, for this aspect, you need to have some knowledge about the type of the product that you are looking for.

Measure the space where you will put the TV before going to the store, most of us tend to ignore this, but some TV weigh over 45 kgs and thus can be difficult to move. Warranties are important because they fix defects at little or no cost to the consumer. Retail stores are the best option for buying a TV because you can see your model physically before taking it home and you meet face to face with the ales person.

CRT tvs are the traditional tube televisions which still now offer the best pictures available in the HDTV world, although its losing its shine under the dominance of plasmas and others. However, it has superb picture quality, low cost, excellent with ambient light, have great viewing angle and are easy to maintain. But, its disadvantage like bulky weight, image size and old technology has given way to other latest improvements.

Here are some of the main points of differences between LCD and Plasma TV sets:

Plasma TV Overview

Plasma television technology is based loosely on the fluorescent light bulb. Although Plasma television technology eliminate the need for the bulky picture tube and electron beam scanning of traditional televisions, because it still employs the burning of phosphors to generate an image, Plasma TV still suffer from some of the drawbacks of traditional TVs, such a heat generation and screen burn of static images.

LCD TV Overview

LCD televisions, on the other hand, use a different technology. Basically, their panels are made of two layers of transparent material, which are polarized, and are ‘glued’ together. Unlike standard CRT and Plasma TVs, since there are no phosphors that light up, less power is needed for operation and the light source in an LCD television generates less heat than a Plasma or traditional TV. Also, because of the nature of LCD technology, there is no radiation emitted from the screen itself.

Comparison

- Lcd tvs are best suited in rooms with ambient light as in the case in most of our homes. Plasma tvs, on the other hand are bet for homes that have dedicated home theatre with controlled lighting or night-time viewing, as they produce the best contrast required to how detailed dark scenes.

- Another aspect is picture quality that everyone is concerned about. Both of these tvs produce excellent pictures.

- Lcds score more than plasmas when it comes to picture resolution in models of various sizes.

- Plasmas have an advantage over lcds with regard to fast moving scenes and contrast levels.

- Lcd televisions are typically more expensive than equivalent-sized plasma tvs over 32 inches, although this is changing and prices have dropped for both.

- Lcds are lighter compared to plasmas which require a professional installer.

- With regard to power consumption, lcds use on average half of the power from plasma tvs.

- Plasma tvs are more susceptible to burn in technology, whereas lcds are not.

- Plasmas generate more heat than lcds due to the need of light of phosphors to create the images.

- Lcds run better in higher altitudes unlike plamas.

- Lcds run about twice as long as plasma tvs and are thus preferred for long usage applications like shops and households that operate it for more longer time.

The price ranges anywhere from 25-30,000 and run into lakhs depending on the size and other features, and in these to sets, lcds are more expensive in bigger sizes.

Thus, after considering the various features of the two sets, you need to decide which aspect are your first concerns and accordingly go for the right one, thereby enjoying every aspect of it and avoiding any discrepancy.

Should I buy a plasma or an LCD flat panel HDTV? That is the question for many would-be HDTV buyers in today’s flat panel dominated HDTV world. Plasma panels, or PDPs as they are referred to, are still considered by most display experts, me included, all things considered, to produce better pictures then LCD flat panel HDTVs. That, of course, is a generalization. Let’s define it for the purposes of determining what is better for a particular application. Strictly speaking, if picture quality is the primary priority, then the best plasmas will outperform the best LCD panels. This is due mainly to the fact that the better plasma panels have superior black level performance, which in turn gives them greater contrast ratio. Contrast ratio is the single most important component of a video picture to the human eye. We refer to this as the “Snap” or “Pop” of the picture. Additionally, better black level performance also equates to deeper more saturated color.  

Plasma Pros: 

·     Better blacks means better contrast ratio

·     Better color saturation due to better black level performance

·     Better motion tracking (little or no motion lag in fast moving images)

·     Bigger screen sizes for less money  

Plasma Cons: 

·     Reflective glass screens mean distracting reflections when light is bouncing off the screen

·     Not as bright as LCD panels

·     Potential burn-in problems from static images

·     Draws more electrical current then LCD panels

·     Does not perform as well at higher altitudes

Since we have already covered plasma’s superior contrast ratio due to better black level performance, let’s look at the other factors. If the set is designed properly with accurate color decoding, and accurate primary (Red, Green, and Blue) and colors, then, the better black levels will also contribute to more saturated and richer color reproduction. There are no speed issues with plasma so motion blur is not an issue. This means any fast action material whether film based entertainment on DVD or Blu-ray, Sports, and even video games will likely look better on a plasma panel. As far as pricing is concerned the playing field is getting to be more level now between the two display technologies, but plasma is still more affordable when it comes to screen sizes of 50-inches and larger.

Now let’s go over the negatives behind plasma. Reflective glass screens can be distracting when there is direct light hitting the screen. Manufacturers have, in recent years, refined the coating they apply to their screens to reduce this issue so it isn’t as big a problem as it used to be. It is true that plasma panels are not capable of as much light output inch for inch as their LCD counterparts. This would be an important consideration if the room has little or no light control, and you plan on watching a significant amount of the time during the day. Another issue or problem that is nowhere near as prevalent as it used to be is phosphor burn. This is still a potential problem, but it can be avoided and for the most part is no longer a permanent issue. We refer to it as “Image Retention” as it usually dissipates over a short period of time if you play 16:9 material that fills the screen.

LCD Pros: 

·     Extremely bright and therefore better able to compete with ambient light, which makes them a better choice for bright rooms.

·     No burn in issues.

·     No high altitude use issues.

LCD Cons: 

·     Generally poor black level performance, which also reduces contrast ratio.

·     Poorer motion tracking (potential motion lag in fast moving images).

·     The really large screen sizes from 52-inches and up are still generally more expensive than plasma.

The negative aspects of LCD start with inferior black level performance, which translates into a less snappy three dimensional picture.  Color saturation also tends not to be as good as plasma as a result of inferior blacks. There is a potential for motion tracking problems depending on the make a model of an LCD panel. This can be a real issue with fast motion, which of course occurs with most sporting events, and also with many fast action films as well. 

Before determining what is the best display type for you, the application or where the TV will be located, and what the primary viewing habits are should be carefully determined. For example, if you are going to be using the display in a room where you have control over the ambient light, etc, and picture quality is of primary concern, and you will be primarily interested in watching movies on Blu-ray or HDTV broadcasts from cable or Satellite, then plasma would be the right choice. On the other hand, if you plan on having the set in a room with a lot of ambient light, and little or no control over the light (shades, etc), and you will be using it frequently in high ambient light conditions, then an LCD panel would be a better choice. Also because of phosphor burn issues with plasmas, heavy video game users are better off with an LCD panel as they don’t have image retention or burn issues.  
 
Whichever flat panel display type you opt for, make sure to do your homework as they are not all created equal. Shopping on price alone is a sure way to find disappointment in picture quality. On the other hand, there are some real good values in both categories. Visit TweakTV’s forum and ask our experts their opinions on whatever brand and model you are considering. You will get an unbiased professional opinion that is based on experience, and is heavily weighted by picture performance.  

Invariably in your search for a flat panel TV you will be faced with the decision of LCD or plasma. There’s a lot of good information on the web, however the technology is dynamic. Manufacturers scramble to

close disadvantages and win market space. Your final decision on your new TV should be based upon your own eyes- go to the store and look at the LCD widescreen, and then look at the plasma TV next to it and

choose what you like best. There are advantages to each type of TV- here are the top ten for LCDs.

1. No burn in – Static images can leave permanent ghost images in a plasma tv. Plasma manufacturers have developed some anti-burn in technology, be sure to check it’s there before you pick a plasma over LCD.

2. Brighter – LCD TVs perform better in bright environments than their plasma cousins. If you have a well lit room, add a point for LCD.

3. Less glare – Hand in hand with a brighter picture, less glare means a better picture in the living room with picture windows.

4. Runs cooler – If you have two televisions of equal size- say a 42 LCD and 42′ plasma TV, the LCD will run cooler. There’s some debate, but generally speaking cooler is better for electronic components.

5. Less power- Watt for watt you will use less electricity with a LCD TV. It will probably only be a couple of dollars per month, but if you’re ecology minded it’s a point to remember.

6. Long display life – 60,000 hours – LCDs will typically at least a decade- possibly quite more depending upon your use. Plasmas have made some strides, but be sure to read the specifications if in doubt.

7. Lighter – LCD televisions are lighter- this may be important depending upon where you are considering mounting the television, and of less importance, shipping.

8. Smaller sizes available under 32” – LCDs are getting bigger, and plasmas are getting smaller, but right now if you’re looking for a good HD TV under 32′, it will be a LCD.

9. Performance at higher altitudes – Due to a pressure differential in the plasma gases inside a plasma display and outside it, plasma TVs have to use a bit more power to display a picture at altitudes above

6,000 feet or so. This differential results in a buzzing sound due to higher power required to render the picture, and sometimes the TV’s fan will kick on. If you live at a higher altitude be sure to

consider a LCD television, or make sure that your plasma has been specially built to handle the altitude.

10. Price – Prices are dynamic, but as LCDs get bigger and make inroads on the plasma market, there are some bargains to be had where competition is at its highest (say around 42′); and you can find LCDs

that are less expensive than plasma.

You should also consider how your new TV will be used- there are certain disadvantages to LCD when it comes to blurring fast motion (read the specifications — manufacturers are improving), viewing angle

(also improving- but if you have a group that regularly watches TV be sure to form a semi circle around the TV in the store and check it). A LCD TV makes a great alternative to plasma.