Lcd Vs. Plamsa Vs. Dlp - The Battle Of The High Definition
By Mark Pascua, Fri Dec 9th
If you're like everyone else, you've probably been eyeing thosehigh definition televisions you've seen at your local Best Buyor Circuit City. But which one should you buy? Plasma? LCD? Orhow about a DLP? With so much misleading information regardingthese televisions, lets clarify each of these technologies andhopefully explain some of the TV terminologies.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCD technology uses liquid crystals that are sandwiched betweentwo glass plates. The images are produced by varying the amountof electrical charge applied to each crystal.
:: Advantages of LCD ::
- LCD televisions are available in a variety of sizes, from verytiny ones, that'll fit in cabinets, to very large home theatersizes.
- LCD television are less prone to image burn in (imageretention). Image burn in occurs when an image is "etched" intothe screen because it stays in one place for an extended period.(Plasmas are prone to this problem).
- LCDs tend to be lighter and thinner compared to plasmas.
- LCD televisions can also be used as computer monitors.
:: Disadvantages of LCD ::
- Horrible viewing angle. To experience the best possiblepicture, you must view the television straight on. Trying toview an LCD television at an angle will leave you seeing nothingor a dark image.
- Some LCD televisions yield a "pixilated" or blocky picture.
Plasma
Plasma televisions uses a matrix of gas plasma cells that arecharged by electrical voltages to create a picture.
:: Advantages of Plasma ::
- Available in larger sizes. Plasma televisions have reached 60inches.
- Plasmas can produce deeper blacks compared to LCD televisions,yielding improved picture quality (great contrast) and color.
- Plasma televisions retail at a lower price compared to LCDtelevisions
- Plasma televisions have a better viewing angle. You can watcha plasma television from any angle and still see a decentpicture.
:: Disadvantages of Plasma ::
- Cannot replace the gas plasma inside the television when itburns out.
DLP (Digital Light Processing)
Developed by Texas Instrument, DLP televisions function byshining a light through a color wheel then onto a semi-conductorcalled a digital micromirror device (DMD). The DMD uses mirrorson its surface to convert the light into an image.
:: Advantages of DLP ::
- Generally cheaper than both a plasma and LCD.
:: Disadvantages of DLP ::
- Too bulky to hang on the wall.
- Prone to the "rainbow effect." The rainbow effect refers tothe visual artifact associated with DLP televisions and the useof color wheels in a sequential manner rather than continuous.The artifact appears as a "rainbow" which is briefly noticeablewhen focusing on one part of the screen to another. It is notnoticeable to all, but newer DLP models have new color wheeldesign that either minimize or eliminate the "rainbow effect."
Conclusion
Now you're probably asking...which lasts longer? While thatquestion was probably valid a couple years ago, today, you canexpect roughly 50,000 hours of lifetime no matter whichtechnology you choose.
You should ask yourself a couple questions to help decide whichhigh definition technology to buy. Do I want to hang the TV onthe wall? Do I normally watch TV at an angle? Do I want to usethe TV as a computer monitor as well? If that doesn't help,simply visit the electronics store of your choice, and look atall the plasma, LCD, and DLP televisions available. Which everlooks the best to you, buy it. However, with so many "no name"brands out there, it is recommended that you stick to the namebrands, such as Sharp, Samsung, Philips, Sony, and Pioneer.
About the author:Mark Pascua is the webmaster of
