LCD or Plasma

8/14/2019 LCD or Plasma

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TECHNOLOGY

Plasma technology is relatively new (1964), having been originally developed as a full colour screen at the

time of the Winter Olympics in Nagano (1998) as a means of showing sporting events on larger screens

than is possible with CRT technology. It was thus developed from the ground up for showing video as

opposed to static pictures.

LCD technology is actually an older technology dating back to 1904 and was primarily developed to display

static images on digital calculators and watches, before being adopted by the IT industry for computer

monitors and eventual development into TV sets.

COLOUR REPRODUCTION

With Plasma technology, every individual pixel (3x cells or sub-pixels) contains all the elements necessary

to make colours, which helps Plasma produce a wider colour palette with more natural tones.

With LCD technology, colours are made by manipulating the light coming from a constant, fixed backlight

then passed through colour filters. This reliance on a fixed backlight source and colour filters may make it

difficult for some LCDs to produce consistently natural and believable colour saturations and tones.

Because Plasma TVs can produce more viewable colours than LCD, Plasmas are able to bring the colour of

your world to TV. If you want to see more vibrant colour on your TV we recommend that you choose a big

screen Plasma TV.

INTENSE BLACKS

With Plasma screens, a pixel can be made to look almost completely black by stopping any electrical

current from entering it. Panasonic are now so good at this that our Plasma’s routinely boast a dynamiccontrast ratio of 30,000:1 (native contrast), helping to create a truly cinematic, deep image.

With LCD, some unwanted light from the backlight may seep through pixels that are supposed to be black,

meaning that dark areas may look grey and flat If you are a movie buff and love the cinema experience, we

recommend that you choose a big Plasma TV to deliver a more cinema-like experience in your home with

deeper and truer blacks which enhance depth and richness of colour.

RESPONSE TIME

Plasma technology works on the rapid electrical discharges in the individual cells to produce an image,

which can react almost instantly to changes in picture content. This makes a Plasma screen’s response

time practically zero. Moving objects are rendered vibrantly and crisply.

With LCD TVs, response time describes the time it takes for a liquid crystal cell to go from active (white) to

inactive (black) and then back to active (white) again (the LCD molecules have to physically move).

Because this whole process can take considerably longer than a Plasma cell to refresh itself,

LCD TVs may blur moving objects as the LCD cells fail to go through their active/inactive/active cycle fast

enough to keep up with the rapid changes in the source image. Some large LCD TVs now utilise frame

interpolation technology in an effort to reduce the effects of monitor blur. The larger the screen, the more

noticeable this motion blur may become – and this is why we recommend Plasma for larger screens.



If you’re looking for a big screen TV to view sport and action movies, Plasma should be your choice.

VIEWING ANGLE

Because Plasma screens emit light directly from each cell,

their pictures retain high contrast and picture quality even

when watched from extreme angles.

THE PRACTICAL WORLDTHE PRACTICAL WORLDTHE PRACTICAL WORLDTHE PRACTICAL WORLD

The wonderful world of TV is somewhat confusing for most people. The concept of several new

technologies evolving at roughly the same time to replace a single TV technology has dumbfounded many.

We have been watching CRT based televisions for more than 50 years and now consumers are being

bombarded by many new technologies including Plasma and LCD.

The obvious question for most people is: “Which one is the best?” The key point to recognize about TV

technologies is they all excel under certain conditions. It is simply a matter of matching the right TV to the

right application. For example, one obvious advantage with Plasma and LCD TVs is their ultra-thin design,

(average depth of a LCD/ PLASMA television is about 10 cm), which makes them very versatile.

LCDLCDLCDLCD PlasmaPlasmaPlasmaPlasma

• Suitable for smaller screen sizes

• Perfect for a kitchen, bedroom or office

• Best for very bright lighting conditions

• Produces a bright picture

• Suitable for larger screen sizes

• Perfect for a family room, living room, or

theatre

• Best for typical home lighting conditions

• Best choice for fast motion

• Offers high contrast

• Delivers natural, true-to-life colour



Questions to consider before purchasing an LCD/Plasma televisionQuestions to consider before purchasing an LCD/Plasma televisionQuestions to consider before purchasing an LCD/Plasma televisionQuestions to consider before purchasing an LCD/Plasma television

Which screen size is right for you?Which screen size is right for you?Which screen size is right for you?Which screen size is right for you?

To get the best performance from your new flat panel TV, you must consider 3 factors:

• Viewing Distance

• Screen Size

• Screen Resolution (EDTV or HDTV)

HDTV Panel:HDTV Panel:HDTV Panel:HDTV Panel:

The minimum viewing distance recommended for an HDTV panel and HDTV video signal is 2x the

diagonal screen size.

For example, a 42” HDTV panel’s minimum viewing distance is 7’.

What will be the most common video signal? (Cable TV, HDTV or DVD Video)What will be the most common video signal? (Cable TV, HDTV or DVD Video)What will be the most common video signal? (Cable TV, HDTV or DVD Video)What will be the most common video signal? (Cable TV, HDTV or DVD Video)

Always try to provide your TV with the best signal. Better quality cables and a high-definition signal will

offer the best picture performance possible.

What is your lighting environment? (Lots of sun, incandescent or fluorescent)What is your lighting environment? (Lots of sun, incandescent or fluorescent)What is your lighting environment? (Lots of sun, incandescent or fluorescent)What is your lighting environment? (Lots of sun, incandescent or fluorescent)Plasma TVs perform best under incandescent or halogen lighting while LCD TVs are very similar to

plasma under fluorescent lighting. Lots of sunlight will wash out any TV display, but a good set of lined

drapes will solve that problem.

Where will the TV be located? (Mounted onWhere will the TV be located? (Mounted onWhere will the TV be located? (Mounted onWhere will the TV be located? (Mounted on a wall, on a shelf or floor stand)a wall, on a shelf or floor stand)a wall, on a shelf or floor stand)a wall, on a shelf or floor stand)

Both plasma and LCD TVs from Panasonic can be hung on a wall, using wall brackets specifically

designed for this application. It is a good idea to consult an install technician to ensure proper support

for the TV and to neatly hide the wires. Most Flat panel TVs come with a matching pedestal stand for

placement on a credenza or in a wall unit. Matching floor stands are also available for select plasma

models.

LCD TV ApplicationLCD TV ApplicationLCD TV ApplicationLCD TV Application Plasma TV ApplicationPlasma TV ApplicationPlasma TV ApplicationPlasma TV Application



LCD TechnologyLCD TechnologyLCD TechnologyLCD Technology

Panel StructurePanel StructurePanel StructurePanel Structure

The material enclosed between the two glass

plates is in a liquid crystal state. When voltage is

applied, the LCD molecules change their

direction, thus increasing or decreasing the

amount of light they will pass.

Light Emitting PrincipalLight Emitting PrincipalLight Emitting PrincipalLight Emitting Principal

Since the LCD panel itself does not emit light,

fluorescent lights (backlight) are used to display

the image. Liquid crystals change the degree of

transparency when the applied voltage is varied.

The LCD TV draws on this unique characteristic of liquid crystals to vary the amount of light passing

through the colour filters on the front surface in order to display the images we see.

The LCD display can be thought of as a panel with more than 1 million miniature shutters opening anThe LCD display can be thought of as a panel with more than 1 million miniature shutters opening anThe LCD display can be thought of as a panel with more than 1 million miniature shutters opening anThe LCD display can be thought of as a panel with more than 1 million miniature shutters opening andddd

closing to display the video image.closing to display the video image.closing to display the video image.closing to display the video image.

Plasma TechnologyPlasma TechnologyPlasma TechnologyPlasma Technology

Panel StructurePanel StructurePanel StructurePanel Structure

Each cell within the panel is coated with either

red, green or blue phosphor, and covered with a

front glass substrate that is embedded with

display electrodes. The space between the two

substrates is filled with a combination of noblegases.

Light Emitting PrincipalLight Emitting PrincipalLight Emitting PrincipalLight Emitting Principal

The data electrodes initiate a pre-discharge,

which triggers a discharge action with the

display electrodes and causes a change of state in the gas mixture. This process produces ultraviolet

light. When the ultraviolet light strikes the phosphor, visible light is generated and this illuminates the

screen surface.

The Plasma TV can be thought of as a panel whose entire surface is covered with tiny arrays of R, G,The Plasma TV can be thought of as a panel whose entire surface is covered with tiny arrays of R, G,The Plasma TV can be thought of as a panel whose entire surface is covered with tiny arrays of R, G,The Plasma TV can be thought of as a panel whose entire surface is covered with tiny arrays of R, G, andandandand

B fluorescent lamps that turn on and off to display the video image.B fluorescent lamps that turn on and off to display the video image.B fluorescent lamps that turn on and off to display the video image.B fluorescent lamps that turn on and off to display the video image.



Myths vs RealityMyths vs RealityMyths vs RealityMyths vs Reality

PowerPowerPowerPower

Independent studies have found that long-term power consumption is approximately the

same (per square inch) for both types of TV

(LCD & Plasma).

Power consumption for a Plasma TV changes

based on the image on-screen (higher for

bright scenes and lower for dark scenes). LCD

televisions use an almost constant amount of

power because the backlights are always on,

regardless of the video image.

LifLifLifLife Span and Burn Ine Span and Burn Ine Span and Burn Ine Span and Burn InUneven phosphor aging (otherwise known as

“burn-in”) was a problem on early generation

plasma displays (5-7 years ago) due to a

shorter lifespan and use in industrial

applications.

The lifespan of the latest generation of

plasma TVs has dramatically improved

(60,000 hours) and an improvement in

phosphors has almost eliminated the

possibility of uneven phosphor aging when

used in a consumer’s home.

Most people watch a variety of programming

ranging from movies to news and reality TV.

This variety in programming results in an

evenly aged panel.

Plasma GasPlasma GasPlasma GasPlasma Gas

The gas in a plasma TV cannot be replaced, nor does it need to be replaced.

The plasma TV panel is permanently sealed just like the old-fashioned tube

TV and the light bulbs you use in your home.



LCD BacklightsLCD BacklightsLCD BacklightsLCD Backlights

The backlight system in an LCD panel does not need to be replaced. It is an

integrated part of the panel and typically a non issue. The bulbs can last up

to 60,000 hours. At 6 hours per day, that works out to more than 27 years.

By that time, you’ll probably be looking for a new TV!

ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion

Now, which product is right for you? From a technology standpoint, LCD is better suited for smallerLCD is better suited for smallerLCD is better suited for smallerLCD is better suited for smaller

screen sizes and regular TV viewingscreen sizes and regular TV viewingscreen sizes and regular TV viewingscreen sizes and regular TV viewing because of its bright clear picture.

Plasma works best for living/family room or home theatrePlasma works best for living/family room or home theatrePlasma works best for living/family room or home theatrePlasma works best for living/family room or home theatre style applications because of its faster

response time, natural colour reproduction and high contrast in typical home lighting conditions. Fast

action sports and movies with dark scenes always look best on a plasma television. It really is all about

the application and not about the technology.

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LCD or Plasma