|
When it comes to plasma or LCD TVs there are hundreds of sites, sales people,
friends and colleagues who will often tell you which technology and type of tv
is the one to get. You will have no doubt heard stories of the death of one
technology followed by the same technology being stated as the ultimate in tv
picture quality. The fact is that more often than not most of these stories
arise due to several reasons. Firstly the sales person in the shop often
receives extra bonuses for selling a particular brand. Secondly, some people are
just die hard technology geeks who won't ever believe that the other technology
is better. Finally the other main reason is, if you had just bought a $600 LCD
TV you are hardly going to ever admit that a plasma TV is better. So let's start
listing a few of the myths and facts on plasma and LCD tvs. Myths
Plasma screens suffer from burn-ins and LCDs aren't susceptible to burn-in.
Although in the late 90's when Plasmas first arrived on the consumer market,
there were issues with burn-ins, these issues have been addressed by the tv
manufacturers and most modern plasmas from reputable manufacturers do not suffer
from this problem anymore and although it is always more of a possibility that
burn-in can happen on a plasma or LCD TV compared to CRT TVs, it is by no means
a reason to not buy a plasma. Out of interest we have actually only witnessed
burn-in on two occasions, and both were on LCDs. One being on an LG LCD, when
the colour bars were left on screen for only a few hours. The second was on an
LCD computer monitor but this often happens when using computers as the image
displayed on screen is more constant than a tv picture. LCD TVs have better
viewing angles than Plasmas. The truth is that there is not much in it. If you
want to be really technical then in reality Plasmas often acheive slightly
better viewing angles. Again, though, the difference is minimal and is not a
good enough reason to not consider LCDs. Besides I don't want to be watching TV
at 178 degrees to the TV.....I want to be sitting in front of it! Both LCD and
Plasma TVs provide better picture quality than old CRT TVs. Definitely not true
if you are watching normal Pal resolution TV (i.e. Freeview, Terrestrial, normal
Sky digital or Virginmedia). You'll only get a better picture quality on a
plasma or LCD if you are watching HD content, and that is more to do with the
fact that the image was captured in HD in the first place rather than the TV
technology. LCDs now make TVs that show better blacks than Plasmas. This is
one of the most frustrating statements for us. Mainly because although LCDs have
really improved their contrast ratios and in some occasions matched the levels
of blacks to a plasma, the method of measuring contrast ratios is a very dubious
one and there is no law stopping tv manufacturers from exploiting this. To put
it bluntly, if you ever see a TV claiming that is has over 20,000:1 contrast
ratio then just beware that it is probably not going to give you any better a
contrast ratio than one that says 10,000:1. The reason is that manufacturers can
firstly state 'Dynamic' contrast ratios which is basically what contrast is
possible in extreme pictures. This is not much use as you will want to know what
is your typical contrast. Secondly, some tvs can outrageously use the level of
black when the TV is off as a point of reference for working out the contrast
ratio.
Facts
Plasmas do produce better blacks than LCDs no matter what contrast ratio is
stated on the TV. As mentioned on our homepage (and see further explanation on
the two technologies below) LCDs have to block out the light that is always on
at the back of an LCD screen, while a Plasma does not have this problem and can
just stop the electicity from making one or more pixels from illuminating. HD
CRTs still obtain the best picture quality for HD. The only problem here is that
is they aren't made for the consumer so you have no choice. They are also very
expensive to make. They are often used in the television industry and can cost
around $15,000-$20,000. Samsung did make one for around $600 a couple of years
ago but it never took off, as part of the attraction of plasma or LCD tvs are
that they are flat, sleak and look cool. They are also now improving all the
time and if you ever get the chance to buy the Pioneer Kuro 50" or more Plasma
TV, believe me you won't be disappointed.....although you might be by the $3000+
price tag on it. Both Plasmas and LCDs are inherently progressive. If you read
our 'Buying Guide' you would have read about how CRT tvs display an image. Well,
images are not displayed this way in either plasma or LCD tvs. They don't show
one field of alternate lines in half a frame and then the other field in the
second half of the frame. They are all displayed at the same time, just like
when a light is shone through the film in a projector at the cinema.
 |
Guest Book |
|
|
