How-to-decide-if-you-should-choose-an-lcd-tv-or-plasma
By Vince-Teoh
2 main types of flat screen panels dominate the high definition market at the moment: LCDs and plasmas. Although these screens are sleek, sexy and capable of spectacular images, most potential owners still cannot decide on which type of flat panel they should purchase. This article will attempt to guide you in choosing the right HDTV by looking at how you’re going to use your HDTV.

Traditionally, TVs were better than LCD TVs in terms of pure picture quality. However, as LCD TVs become better as technology advances, the difference now is minimal at best. That's why to decide on whether you should purchase a TV or LCD TV, you should look at how you are going to use the flat screen HDTV.

If you intend to spend a lot of time playing console games on your new flat screen HDTV, you should choose an LCD over a TV. Although not as big an issue as it was before, TVs are still considerably susceptible to screen burn and image retention that could be easily caused by a long gaming session.

Furthermore, LCDs are generally brighter and have a higher resolution than TVs within a similar price bracket, which make the games look more vivid and detailed, leading to an immersive gaming experience.

You should also opt for an LCD if you are planning to hook up a home theater PC (HTPC) with your flat screen HDTV. The higher resolution of LCDs will make sure that the text on the screen are highly visible; and the enhanced brightness (compared to TVs) is necessary in mimicking a computer monitor. Furthermore, if you sit closer to your flat screen HDTV you may detect a lot of pixel noise



on TVs due to the method the pictures are rendered through pulse width modulation.

However, if you enjoy a lot of fast action sports, a TV should be a strong contender in your shortlist. While much improved compared to older batches, LCDs still suffer from motion ghosting as a result of the sample-and-hold effect that is inevitable in the LCD technology. Newer LCDs powered with frame interpolation technology (100Hz and above) are better in this aspect, but as the technology has not been perfected, it is generally restricted to smaller screens (less than 40”), and side effects like shimmer and motion tearing are occasionally seen.

I realize I mentioned before that there's minimal difference in the picture quality of plasmas and LCDs these days, but as a general rule of thumb, the blacks and shadow detail on TVs are better than those on LCDs. So if you’re a big fan of films with a lot of dark scenes (for example Batman Begins and The Prestige), you should seriously opt for a TV over an LCD TV.

By examining the way you are planning to use the flat screen HDTV, you are more likely to arrive at the right decision on whether to buy a TV or LCD TV. Good luck!

Article Source: http://activeauthors.com

Vince Teoh writes for HDTV Test, an online magazine which conducts professional HDTV reviews. For more info please visit his HD TV Selector.