What is the difference between plasma and LCD TV

It is almost impossible to visually distinguish liquid crystal (LCD) and plasma TVs. Features and interface also have similar meanings. However, the difference between them exists, first of all, in the device and the principle of operation.

Differences between plasma and LCD TV

LCD TVs include models with a liquid crystal display and lamp illumination - LCD with a fluorescent tube, LED with LEDs and the latest OLED with organic self-emitting LEDs that do not need additional illumination.

Reference! OLED technology has brought LCD picture quality to the level of a plasma panel.

The LCD screen is an active matrix in the form of two transparent plates with liquid crystals between them. The surface of the plates is covered with a network of transparent electrodes orienting the molecules in a certain direction. The electrodes conduct voltage to the cells of the matrix - pixels.

Each plate is equipped with a polarizer and backlight (fluorescent lamp or LED). The polarizer receives the light flux passed through the first plate and rotates it in a horizontal or vertical plane.

Passing through the liquid crystal layer, the flow is polarized and passes through the second plate. When the electrodes cross, a specific cell of the matrix is ​​ignited. A light beam under the influence of a color filter acquires one of the shades. Each cell has its own thin-film transistor, which increases the response speed of the electrodes, clarity and contrast of the image.

Reference! The design of the liquid crystal display consists of an LCD matrix, a backlight, a contact harness and a plastic case reinforced with a metal frame.

In plasma models (PDP), the active matrix is ​​plasma, which is an ionized gas with a large number of charged particles - ions with a positive charge and electrons with a negative one. When an electric current passes through the plasma, particles with different charges are attracted to each other. From their collision, gas atoms release photons in the visible color spectrum.

The gas used is inert xenon and neon, the atoms of which, when particles collide, emit photons in the ultraviolet spectrum, inaccessible to the human eye. The plasma display consists of two transparent plates (rear and front), between which there are numerous inert gas microchambers. Along the rear panel pass control electrodes located vertically throughout the area. Along the front - scanning with a protective coating, located horizontally. Thus, the electrodes form a rectangular grid.

Microchambers are treated with a phosphor coating that processes invisible ultraviolet photons into colors visible to the human eye. The matrix is ​​equipped with a special processor for charging electrons. Each pixel in a plasma consists of three red, blue, and green microcameras. The clarity of the image depends on the size of the pixels. The smaller the pixels, the sharper and more contrast the image.

Important! The front protective glass of the plasma screen completely delays ultraviolet, reducing the danger from its action to zero.

Practical differences

The practical differences between the two types of TV are considered to be considered according to several basic criteria.
Image brightness and contrast - plasma panels without backlight produce a deep black color, a clear and bright color picture from any viewing angle. Because of the backlight, LCD models can only produce a dark gray color, the picture is more pale. The exception is OLED models without backlight.

Dimensions - LCD monitors provide a great choice - from small kitchens to large ones used as billboards. Plasma are produced with a maximum diagonal of 65-80 inches.

Weight - lighter LCD models that have a screen made of transparent plastic, rather than glass, as in plasma.
Electricity consumption - according to this indicator, LCDs are more economical, consuming several times less electricity than plasma ones. The average plasma power is 350-450 watts. With the same dimensions and functionality, LEDs with an ECO mark consume 2 times less electricity than PDP.

Continuous operation of the TV - is accompanied by overheating, to which plasma panels are more susceptible. For safe operation, they are equipped with cooling fans. Little noise from the fan is not heard from a distance of 3 m, which is recommended for viewing plasma panels with a large diagonal length.

Viewing angle - for plasma models is not limited, for LCD - when exceeding 160-180 degrees, the screen brightens or darkens.

Response speed - in PDP, inert gas transmits electricity instantly, in modern LCDs this time is reduced to 8 milliseconds.

The service life is the conditional life of the LCD - 80 thousand hours, plasma - 40 thousand hours, after which the image quality is significantly impaired. In practice, the change in contrast in plasma models for the worse occurs after 4 years of intensive work
Safety for humans and the environment - both species are absolutely safe for human exposure and do not harm the environment.

Mechanical reliability - plasma is considered more stable by this criterion.
Price - LCD TVs are presented in different price categories - budget, medium, premium. Plasma models belong to the middle and premium categories. With the same size and functionality, LCD TVs are cheaper.

Attention! Almost all well-known manufacturers of television equipment produce both types of TV panels - LCD and plasma.

Functional differences

In terms of functionality, both types are almost equivalent. Screen Resolution - Full HD. Budget LCDs usually have 720p, 1080p, medium - 1080P or 1080i, the new OLED models are -1080p, 1080i, UHD 4K. Plasma - 1080p, 1080i, UHD 4K. High resolution 4K is designed to watch streaming television. Analog TV broadcast on TV has not yet been adapted for such a high resolution.

3D, Smart TV, USB, HDMI, HDR, WiFi - are supported by all modern flagship models of both types. Budget LCDs are provided with support for major video formats, a USB connector, and are more suitable for cable or antenna TV viewing.

Important! With the same functionality, the cost of LCD will be less than the cost of a plasma panel.

Both types of panels have the ability to receive analog and digital video signals, have an SD card reader with multimedia content, an NV tuner module, a built-in stereo low or medium power amplifier, and an IR receiver for remote control.

Which TV is better to choose

Some leading manufacturers of television equipment refuse to produce plasma panels because of the higher cost of their production than liquid crystal ones. With the advent of OLED technology, such flagships as LG, Panasonic refused to produce plasma. The priority advantages of LCD are high definition images, approaching the quality of PDP, the ability to produce panels with a diagonal of 105 inches. True, the price of premium LCD models with a large diagonal is higher than the cost of PDP.

Plasma panels have standard functionality, but are of high image quality. As a rule, moviegoers prefer it when organizing home cinemas with a large screen. Their assortment in the distribution network does not differ in the variety of choices. On the contrary, LCD TVs are represented by models of various levels in functionality, image quality and price.

Reference! In the line of LCD TVs, there are always budget models with the simplest set of options that are in demand among the ordinary category of users.

When choosing between two types, it is necessary to take into account all their pros and cons. For example, a plasma panel, having a heavier weight, not every wall can withstand. At the same time, they are also less economical in energy consumption. But for fans of Hollywood action movies with amazing special effects, plasma is the best choice. Therefore, deciding which TV is better to choose, you should focus on the parameters that are important for each individual user individually.

Watch the video: LCD, LED, Plasma, OLED TVs as Fast As Possible (March 2024).

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