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Your Guide to Comparing
Plasma TV vs LCD TV
Television Life
Span
Again, LCD vs. Plasma,
and LCD comes out ahead in regards to life span. Plasma TVs generally
have a life span of 20,000 - 30,000 hours according to manufactures.
This compares to around 50,000 - 80,000 hours for the LCD backlight.
Also, since Liquid Crystal Televisions use a backlight, this backlight
can be replaced on some models if needed. Assuming 4 hours of viewing
per day, a Plasma TV will last approximately 13 years, compared to an
LCD TV that would last around 25-40 years. In either case, you will
likely get a lot of viewing pleasure out of both types.
Power Consumption,
Temperature and Noise
Another advantage
for LCD TVs when compared to Plasma is power consumption, and resulting
temperature and noise. Plasma TVs generally require 15-25 times as much
voltage as LCD screens. As a result, Plasma TVs will have higher operating
costs, and will also run considerably hotter to the touch compared to
LCD screens. Plasma screens also often require fans for cooling, which
can be quite noisy in some cases in low volume situations. LCDs run
much cooler, and thus do not require cooling fans.
Final Thoughts
Both Plasma and
LCD TVs are excellent television technologies. The Plasma vs. LCD debate
will likely rage for some time into the foreseeable future. Today, Plasma
TVs offer the advantage of larger screen sizes, lower costs, better
viewing angles, and superior image refresh rates. They are probably
the better choice for most home theater situations. However, LCD televisions
are rapidly improving, and if manufacturers can address the most critical
weakness (ghosting trails on fast moving images), increase screen size,
and reduce consumer costs, the two technologies will be very competitive
in the near future.
Today, LCD TVs hold
the advantage of having no burn-in risk, longer life span, smaller size
and weight, and considerably lower power consumption and heat. Both
offer excellent overall picture quality, brightness and color, with
LCDs holding a slight edge generally in screen resolution and daytime
viewing.
Revisit
Part I of the Plasma TV vs LCD TV comparison
Check
our section on cheap LCD monitors
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