LCD vs plasma vs LED TVs buying guide
- — 01 June, 2009 11:20
This Samsung Series 7 television has LED edge-lighting to cut down on power consumption.
LED television screens offer significant power savings over both LCD and plasma televisions. Energy-efficient backlighting allows LED televisions to have energy consumption of up to 40 percent less than LCD televisions and significantly less than a plasma screen.
TV screen lifespan
In the past, plasma panels suffered from a short life-span before they lost significant amounts of brightness and image quality degraded. This has been overcome in recent plasma generations, with manufacturers rating their screens with a half-life of 60,000 hours. This means that after 60,000 hours of use, the screen's brightness will degrade by half — and with five hours of use per day this amounts to approximately 33 years. Put simply, plasma screens no longer suffer from a short lifespan.
The lifespan of an LCD television depends on the life of its backlighting bulb. These bulbs are often rated to above 60,000 hours in regular fluorescent-lit LCD panels, whereas new LED-backlit televisions have expected lifespans of over 100,000 hours. It is important to note that the end of this lifespan does not necessarily mean the screen will stop working; it usually means that the backlight will be able to provide half the brightness of a brand new model.
Previously, plasma television screens were hounded by image burn-in issues. Leaving a static image on the screen for a long period of time (such as a computer's desktop or a network broadcaster's logo) led to the plasma cells retaining the image. Improvements in plasma technology, the addition of functionality like screensavers and image-shifting, as well as power saving shutdown features, means the issue of burn-in effectively no longer exists for new plasma televisions. LCD televisions do not experience any of the problems previously found in plasma TV technology.
Price vs screen size
More than any other determining factor, it is tempting to simply pick the cheaper of either a plasma or LCD television when considering any given size. For screen sizes below 42in, we believe LCD screens are your best bet — you can pick up a 37in LCD for under $1000 if you shop around and look for special offers. Contrast and brightness shortcomings are less apparent in smaller screen sizes, while you will also generally find LCD screens below 42in have a higher resolution than their plasma equivalents.
If you are considering a large screen — 42in and above — as your home theatre centrepiece, be sure to check out plasma technology. Plasma panels do have the edge in terms of contrast and overall picture quality at these sizes, and are often cheaper than an equally-sized LCD counterpart.
LED televisions are generally available in similar sizes to LCD televisions, with larger screens also available in premium models. LED televisions generally command a price 20 per cent above that of an LCD television featuring an identical screen size and similar specifications. But when making a buying decision based on upfront costs, it is important to consider the total cost of ownership over the life of the TV. LED televisions’ power-saving advantages make them attractive prospect for long-term use.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- < previous
- next >
Comments
Anonymous
1
Samsung LED Series 7
We paid for one of these on Dec 15th. It still hasn't arrived....very dissapointing. By the time we get it the "new technolgy", wont be very new!
arrrrggggh
2
How much is too much?!
Leonard
3
Great guide, I've been looking around for some good information on this topic for a while now and almost drowned in a sea of unhelpfulness; "This one sucks, this one is the best" to which someone else replys "No that one sucks, this is the best" This has really helped make up my mind, cheers.
Leonard
4
Then again... I guess that's what I get for checking yarhoo answers first...
John
5
Great article. Had a plasma and sold it with the house when I moved. Now want to replace. Much of the information conveyed here matched the information from a salesperson I met today, so makes me feel better about buying there if I do.
Nacholibreband
6
LED is good but we need cash :)
http://www.nacholibreband.co.nr
Mark
7
You might mention too, as pointed out to me that in stores most TV's are running a DVD or Blue-ray movie on screen
the quality is far different to normal TV it would be good to see normal Tv running through them I hear quality is a lot different.
Michael Mihajlovic
8
which is the longest lasting TV and how long is its average life span?
Bob
9
I would like to install a flat screen in my motor home and am curious as to which type would take the shaking caused by riding down the road.
Liz
10
For god sale it's a simple enough question which one is better all I want it's a simple answer not more jargon and tech info. Plasma, LED or LCD is all I needed not 5 yes 5 pages of info
Bill
11
Liz,
Plasma.
Bill
Ti
12
Bill - 10+++++!! LOL
Mike
13
The biggest issue with plasma is the reflections it produces. Next time you compare LED or LCD notice the fluorescent light in the showroom reflecting off the plasma. No so with the others.
Mike
Joffa
14
For someone like me just starting out to upgrade to HDTV, Campbell Simpson's clear and uncluttering comparisons are a revelation compared to so much of the writings of others on this subject. Congrats to Campbell on a very good job.
Joffa
yashi porwal
15
yo rock PCWORLD
James Keyes
16
Excellent article, Campbell. Simple explanations for increasingly complex consumer products. Thanks.
frustrated shopper
17
comparison shopping and adjusting the settings is a great idea, and the way it used to be. But at least in the Atlanta metro area there is virtually no where to do that. I have been to several Best Buys, and no one there can find a remote for even one of the TVs, let alone for multiple comparison. the popular practice of store pricing and then buying on line is eliminating the ability of stores to survive with competent sales help.
Carter
18
We supply DVB-S Set Up Box compliant with TV. If this TV comes with this Set Up Box will be perfect. Come to me here http://www.huaren-tech.com/en/contact.asp
Achint
19
I want to know which television is good LED or plasma
Nathan
20
We have recently purchesed a Samsung series 6 LED TV 50inch. We are very dissapointed with the quality and picture sharpness. Do not buy this product!!!!
ramesh kumar
21
I want to know which television is good LED or plasma, please suggest me.
Geoff
22
Ramish
LED in well lit room and uses less power than Plasma.
Plasma gives better picture for viewing motion e.g. motor racing etc. Horses for courses as they say.
As a motor racing enthusiast I prefer Plasma, but, be aware that new technologies are on the horizon. Soon (I hope) we may see the introduction of AMOLED technology (as per phone screens) used in TVs. If phone screens are any indication those TVs should be brilliant.
Bala
23
This article is not so good as this provides much of information that a layman cannot understand. All I want to know is which tv is good for what reasons in a simple table format.
Bala
24
the below site seems to be good:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57344058-221/led-lcd-vs-plasma-vs-lcd/
Moni
25
Thank you very much Bala for the link for TV review
Cheech
26
I am planning to put a flat screen tv out side in a new out door bar and entertaining area but I am concerned about reflection. It is under cover on one side of the house, then with awning coming out.
What type would best suit this situation.
Andy
27
Never have I ever used a forum for my resesarch so please forgive if I break the techno rules... I am looking to buy about a "32 tv and i would prefer to have a built in DVD player. I know that TV/DVD combos do not come with WIFI due to differences in techno generations but i would like to know if i can make the TV/DVD combo into WIFI capable with a usb WIFI antenna. If so what make and model will allow me to do this.
avlisk
28
I can only speak to my 42" LED LG 120HZ set. Great picture, great performance, great price. I couldn't ask for anything better. 100% happy with it. I got the LED instead of plasma simply because I needed a matt screen due to a window right behind my seating. Zero window glare to report. Did I mention I love my LG LED TV?