There are two contending technologies in the flat-panel HDTV market. LCD and plasma televisions offer superior HD viewing while saving space. An educated comparison with each technology will help in choosing your next TV.
LCD
LCD televisions have affixed crystals on a screen and are illuminated using CCFL or LED backlighting. LCD televisions are lighter than plasma TVs and consume less power.
Plasma
Each pixel in a plasma display contains gas and phosphors. When stimulated with an electrical current, each pixel is illuminated and colors are displayed. Because each pixel works independently from the rest of the screen the color gamut, contrast ratios and depth of field are much better than LCD.
LCD Problems
LCD televisions suffer from "judder," an effect of mismatched frame rate and screen refresh rate. Newer LCD televisions offer 120Hz and 240Hz to smooth out judder but are more expensive than other plasma and LCD TVs.
Plasma Problems
On top of increased power consumption over LCD, plasmas have suffered from an effect known as "image retention" or "burn-in." This occurs when a static image is left on the screen for an extended period. While newer plasma technology makes it very difficult to burn an image into the screen, it is still a possibility.
Conclusion
For the best picture quality possible, plasma televisions are the way to go. They are also cheaper than LCD televisions. If you are using a television as a computer monitor, plan on having static images consistently, need a lighter TV or want to save on electricity, LCD is the right choice.
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