Differences between plasma and LCD
With the passing of time we have been able to witness an evolution in how we humans can entertain ourselves by watching television. This evolution was driven by the introduction of new technologies that contributed to a significant improvement in the quality of television images and increasingly realistic and large screen sizes.
We can say that of those technologies that currently exist we can find plasma and LCD. Consequently, because they are two totally different technologies, differences can be found between them. Next, we will show them.
Plasma
We can say that a plasma screen is one that is made up of a large number of tiny cells that are located between two glass panels and that in turn are made up of a mixture of gases, generally noble gases. Likewise, these gases are then -excited- by using high voltage to generate light and together, form images.
This technology allowed manufacturers to offer images with greater brightness and sharpness, as well as a reduction in the size of the television. This led to plasma televisions being the first flat screen televisions in the world.
LCD
To begin we must know that a pixel is the smallest color unit that is part of a digital image, so an image is made up of a large number of pixels of different colors that give shape and color to said image.
So, we can define an LCD screen, as its acronym indicates, it is a liquid crystal screen that is made up of a large number of pixels that are placed in front of a source that emits light to be seen. This also requires the use of filters on the screens.
Basically, the molecules of this liquid crystal can be oriented by using an electric current, which allows more or less light to pass through. Likewise, through the use of certain filters, different colors can be generated and together, the images are formed.
Between plasma and LCD
| Plasma | LCD |
| They generally offer a greater viewing angle. | Smaller viewing angle than plasma. |
| Less response time, they are faster. | The response time is longer, causing a cloudy effect or ghost effect. |
| Higher contrast, which means that blacks are really black. | Lower contrast, which means that the blacks are actually very dark grays. |
| They are less efficient, being able to consume up to 30% more than an LCD. | They are more efficient than plasmas. |
| At first, there was a “burned screen” effect when an image remained static for a long time, such as a channel logo. But later generations solved that problem. | There is no such effect. |
| They can usually only be found on screens 37” or larger. | There is a wide range of sizes, from tiny to very large. |
| Shorter screen life. | Longer shelf life. |
| Higher overall weight. | Lower weight overall. |
| The display surface tends to be glass, so it tends to reflect light a lot. | The screen surface is usually opaque, although it can also be of the glossy type but never glass. |
| Generally lower cost per inch. | Generally higher cost per inch. |