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[L143]Lcd Or Plasma Tv

by Veronica Marshall, Ver

Bigger, better, cheaper - those three words sum up the major trends in LCD and plasma TVs this year.

The supersizing of flat-panel screens is hard to miss. More LCD sets are sporting bigger screens, so we have added a new size category (46- to 52-inch models) to our Ratings. In plasma TVs, 50 is the new 40. Forty-two-inch screens are still going strong, but 50-inch and even 60-inch screens have become the star attractions in many electronics stores.

More new TVs of both types can display excellent picture quality with high-definition programming, though lower-scoring models fall short of that to varying degrees.

The best sets are better than ever. The Panasonic TH-50PZ700U had the best picture of any flat-panel TV we have ever tested. One of the new breed of 1080p plasma sets now hitting stores, it combines “full HD”--1920x1080 native resolution, the highest currently available--with the characteristic strengths of plasma technology. Its ability to reproduce the finest detail, plus its rich, vibrant colors and deep blacks, lend an almost three-dimensional look to images.

While screen size and picture quality are on the rise, prices continue to fall. We might not see the extreme pricing fireworks we saw at the Black Friday sales last Thanksgiving, but you can bank on plenty of good deals on plasma and LCD TVs this holiday season. Prices of 42- and 50-inch plasma TVs could be about one-third lower than they were last December, predicts Ross Young, president of Display Search, a research firm in Austin, Texas. LCD sets with 40-inch and larger screens, especially those with 1080p resolution, could cost you about 25 percent less.

LCD TVs outsold plasmas by about three to one last year, in part because they come in more, and smaller, sizes than plasmas, which start at 42 inches. However, if you are buying a bigger TV, do not blindly follow the crowd down the LCD path. In some cases, a plasma display can give you a more satisfying TV-watching experience.

With either an LCD or plasma TV, consider a screen with 1080p resolution for use with a computer. The higher resolution will let you see more content onscreen with greater clarity and finer detail than on a 720p set. (You might have to connect your computer to the TV via an HDMI input to get 1080p resolution and to avoid having outer edges of the image cut off, otherwise known as overscan.)

For somewhat lower electric bills. LCDs tend to use less power than comparably sized plasma TVs. It does not appear that the differences would affect your electric bills by more than a few dollars a month in many cases, so that might not be a major factor in your decision. However, there is obviously an environmental advantage to using a less power-hungry TV.

Whichever TV type you ultimately decide on, do not skimp on screen size. In our surveys, many consumers said they would buy a bigger set if they could do it over. A 40- to 42-inch screen is a sensible choice for an average-sized room. A 46- to 50-inch or larger TV requires greater distance between you and the screen to ensure optimal picture quality.

When the time comes to upgrade your television, there are many choices available, including the standard cathode ray tube, projection, LCD or plasma TV. While one of the main considerations in choosing a television remains price, the picture quality and screen size is also important to individual viewers. In many instances, the size of the unit plays a role in making a choice fo those looking for a television that remains closer to the wall, the choice is narrowed down to a LCD or plasma TV.

With technology of both types still relatively new, LCD televisions initially cornered the market for smaller screen units, commanding a large segment of the computer monitor industry. The restriction of size in LCD monitors also held a slight edge over plasma technology until a few years ago when it was able to increase the screen size to about 40-inches. In making the choice between LCD or plasma TV, there are a few other factors to consider.

When large plasma televisions first hit the market, a 50-inch unit could cost as much as a used compact car, but better manufacturing and competition brought the prices down to where buying a LCD or plasma TV did not have to focus entirely on price. Plasma units, however, are still relatively unavailable in smaller sizes, a market the LCD technology still dominates.

Larger Rooms Use A Larger Screen

The viewing room in which the unit will be installed, is another consideration. The larger the room, the larger the television that will be required. As far as setting up chairs around the room, the plasma television has a slight edge on the angle of view, while both enjoy a major advantage over projection televisions. Also consider the lighting in the room when choosing between LCD or plasma TV. An LCD unit generally offers a brighter picture in bright lighting conditions, whereas a plasma television usually has a higher contrast level providing a sharper image.

The technology of an LCD or plasma TV is also different, and the backlighting necessary for LCD's sometimes does not provide for a true black image while plasma televisions can better show a solid black. The power demand of the LCD or plasma TV is about even, although the brighter the image on a plasma television the more electricity will be used.

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Both Veronica Marshall & Rico Tavares are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Veronica Marshall has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet. . Veronica Marshall's top article generates over 22200 views. Bookmark Veronica Marshall to your Favourites.

Rico Tavares has sinced written about articles on various topics from Do It Yourself Pest Control, Learn French and Computers and The Internet. Confused what brand or model to buy? For more information, visit the Best Plasma TV website. Also available are plasma TV auctions, along with an online store.. Rico Tavares's top article generates over 33100 views. Bookmark Rico Tavares to your Favourites.