When comparing LCD vs plasma TVs, you will quickly find that just because the two types of television look the same, which does not mean they are the same. Both units are designed to be thin but the similarities end with appearance as completely different engineering is utilized to produce the picture that you see.

Liquid Crystal Display technology requires two layers of clear material that have been polarized and glued together. One layer is then coated with a liquid crystal compound. When the crystals are exposed to an electrical charge, they block the light or allow it to pass through to produce an image. Since the crystals do not produce light on their own, a separate light source is needed.

In addition to delivering a brighter image, LCD televisions operate at a cooler temperature and tend to be lighter in weight when compared with plasma televisions.

The technology used in plasma TVs operates on the same basic principle as the fluorescent light bulb. Many tiny glass cells filled with neon-xenon gas make up the screen. Turning the unit on will charge the gas electrically at predetermined intervals. Red, green, and blue phosphors emit visible light when the charged gas moves through them and creates the picture that you see.

Unlike an LCD screen, which produces a distorted image when not viewed straight on, the picture quality of a plasma screen is maintained in a field vision of 180 degrees. This allows the viewer to see the image clearly from any angle. Plasma TVs are also noted for their superior contrast ratios, which create better shadow detail.

Disadvantages of plasma screen include the possibility of screen burn–in of static images due to the burning of phosphors and severe glare in a brightly lit room.

Your individual needs will be the ultimate factor in determining whether your next purchase will be an LCD TV or a plasma TV.