If you're in the market for a new television, you've undoubtedly looked at many new television reviews and have researched flat screen TVs. You've surely came across LCD and plasma TVs in doing so. However, have you looked into the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as the difference between a plasma TV and an LCD TV?

The concept is the same. Photos are converted to thousands of little dots known as pixels, which are then flashed many times per second, creating the motion effect. Plasma TVs and LCD TVs primarily differ in the method they use to create their images.

With Plasma TVs the picture is created when gas particles are heated with electricity. These Plasma pixels actively throw the light particles off, which means that they tend to be much brighter than LCD screens, making them a better option for watching TV during the day. Also, since the pixels are able to shut completely off, the blacks that they produce are much deeper, making the contrast a good deal greater as well.

In LCD TVs light is passed through a grid of red, blue, and green color crystals (one each per pixel) which become selectively opaque when electrical current passes through them. As compared to Plasma TVs which are susceptible to burn over a period of time LCDs do not burn since the pixels do not emit their own light. In plasma TVs one can observe a permanent image on the screen if the same image has been on screen for a longer time. However in modern plasma TVs this takes considerable period of time.

The resolution is not any different between plasma TVs and LCD TVs. So this means that both can offer the same level of detail. Additionally, they both offer high definition resolutions as well. Typically, the prices for these TVs are comparable. However for either very large screens or very small ones, an LCD tends to be the less expensive choice.

Choosing a format for a TV screen is a matter of personal choice. Usage, picture brightness and the location of the screen are important factors to consider when selecting either a plasma or LCD. If it is to be used occasionally for a computer screen or you are looking for the largest screen available, then LCD is preferred. A plasma TV is the consensus choice to view the brightest picture in well-lit areas. For professional video work both types will perform equally well.

If you're looking to compare a plasma vs lcd tv, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, both come in flat-screen formats, and both use pixels to generate a picture. Plasma displays are generally brighter than LCD versions, with greater contrast. If you look through new television reviews, you'll discover that both plasma and LCD TVs use high definition technology, and cost roughly the same amount. Additionally, according to flat screen tv ratings, both types of screen can be beneficial for different purposes (like computer monitor usage for the LCD).