Plasma vs LED vs LCD
Plasma vs LED vs LCD. Anyone who is in the market for a new television has a very wide variety of choices in technology theses days. Not too long ago, one only had to decide on a style, size and brand as most offerings had basically the same internal workings utilizing the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) as a light source. Nowadays a consumer will only find the clunky CRT sets in thrift stores while electronics aisles are stocked with sleek new offerings featuring different technologies, many of which may confuse a shopper who is not current on the technology trends. Today’s television screen choices fall into a few categories: plasma display panel, liquid crystal display (LCD), or light-emitting diode (LED). Superficially, the three types look very similar as they all feature flat screens and stylish space-saving designs, but the internal workings are quite different, and the care and maintenance of each screen type will also vary. An informed consumer will evaluate the certain features and “pros and cons” of each type with a Plasma vs LCD vs LED comparison. This article briefly describes how each type of display works in the simplest way possible, but those who are curious about the minute processes of each can easily find a lot more detailed information online.
Plasma Screens
The plasma screen television display is an option for those desiring a screen size no smaller than 30 inches. This technology uses millions of tiny gas tubes or chambers akin to fluorescent lighting or neon tubes. When the television is turned on, the electric current charges the gas and lights up each chamber. The display screen for a plasma TV is comprised of these minuscule chambers, also called “cells”, which are tinted in red, blue and green and coated with phosphor. The cells are sandwiched between two glass panels. Each individual pixel on this display contains one of each primary colored cell, thus producing an output with an amazing array and variation of colors that create beautifully clear and lifelike images on the screen.
Plasma displays are popular for good reason. The picture quality of this technology is superior to other current display types due to its unsurpassed contrast ratio. Plasma offers a faster refresh and response rate, which decreases motion blur- a highly desirable quality for today’s popular action films and sports programs. Plasma screens do not suffer from the viewing angle degradation that is typical with LCD types.
Of course, there are some downsides to plasma that may deter some consumers as well. The most bothersome of the “cons” is the dreaded screen burn-in or permanent ghost images. Newer models have technology to reduce this issue, but it only slows down the process. Plasma screens are also known to lose their luminosity over time and they use a lot more electricity than their close cousin, the LCD. People who live at very high altitudes and HAM or shortwave radio users may encounter undesirable feedback and interference on these sets as well.
LCD
The light source is one of the main differences between technologies when comparing Plasma vs LCD vs LED. The technology in LCD displays uses white light emitted from a cold cathode fluorescent lamp in varying amounts through millions of colored shutters. Each pixel of this display is created with numerous shutters to provide excellent screen resolution and color output. There are distinct similarities between LCD and plasma and even the older CRT display, but the liquid crystals, which are actually small polymer rods replace the tiny gas chambers used in a plasma screen.
There are several advantages to choosing LCD televisions over plasma screens. Since LCD does not use as much heat-producing electricity as a plasma panel, it is possible to make smaller screens from plastic, which allows manufacturers to offer more size ranges to consumers. These sets are often lighter in weight as well, and they are usually more affordable. As stated above, an LCD is more energy efficient than a plasma panel.
One of the main drawbacks of choosing an LCD display is that the contrast is not as sharp as a plasma screen because there is always a minute amount of light filtering through the shutters of the LCD, even when it is turned off. The refresh rate is inferior as well, which is most noticeable with HDTVs. Newer models have settings for adjusting the “jutter” effect, which can alleviate some of the picture quality issues related to refresh rates. Viewing angles are more limited with the LCD as well.
LED
LED technology is nothing new as it was discovered in the 1920s and later put to practical use in the 1960′s for simple red lights on electronics. Current application of this technology is much more vast and uses the full spectrum of visible light as well as infrared and ultraviolet waves. An LED television differs from LCD by light source, as it is back-lit using a semi-conductor, meaning there are both conductive and insulating materials involved in the mechanism. Once a light-emitting diode is turned on, it triggers a release of photons which will have varying degrees of energy according to the materials used in the device. These variations are what produce different colors of light.
Some consumers may prefer LED to LCD for its better quality of contrast and wider range of color output. LED also uses the least amount of energy compared to both plasma and LCD, and its light source is quite thin, which allows for sleeker, lighter-weight models. Viewers have more dimming options and better viewing angles on an LED television as well.
In light of the obvious benefits offered by LED technology, one should expect to pay more for this type of television, which is probably the biggest deterrent for consumers. There is more potential for eye strain when using LED units as they are more susceptible to image flicker. Users may counteract the flickering by increasing the brightness setting on the display, but this adjustment will usually cause a degree of loss in picture quality and energy efficiency.
The differences in the lighting technology used in Plasma vs LED televisions effect not only the price of these units but also their size, picture quality and energy output. Consumers interested in the best picture quality and variety of viewing angles should look into the plasma and LED choices available. If one places more importance on energy efficiency and environmental concerns, the LED is no doubt the top contender, with LCD and plasma next in order. If choosing a new set boils down to price, an LCD unit will likely be the best choice for a tight budget. No matter which aspects of a display are most important to the consumer, it is best to thoroughly examine the positive and negative points for each type of display before heading to the electronics department so that one can make the most informed purchasing decision.
