| Plasma vs. LCD TV |
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The most common consumer dilemma when buying a flat panel TV is which technology to purchase. This is a rather difficult and complicated comparison; not only do plasma and LCD televisions come in similar slim-style packages, both are capable of similar picture performance. To complicate it further, price and size considerations are becoming irrebevant as larger LCD panels are being manufactured at more competitive prices. However plasma and LCD displays process the image in a completely different manner, so there are some distinct advantages to each. Plasma displays use a matrix of hundreds of thousands of tiny gas plasma cells that are positioned between two plates of glass. These cells are filled with neon xenon gas that is charged by precise electrical voltages to emit light to create the picture image. LCD displays work by trapping a liquid crystal solution between two sheets of polarized glass. When a electric current passes through the liquid crystals, they change the polariztion of the light passing through them in response to the applied voltage. LCD pannels do not generate light-rather they filter or subtract light generated by a back-light source to create the image on the panel surface. |