CRT (tube) TVs occupy a lot of space due to their bulky shape. Furthermore, the picture quality of these TVs is poor. Flat panel and high-definition TVs with superior image quality are a norm these days! Plasmas and LCDs are used all more than the globe. Even though the two have similarly thin and flat screens, the differences among the two are substantial.

Plasma

More than the years, this technologies has become increasingly well-liked in large HDTVs. Plasma technology uses a rectangular array of gas plasma cells, with electrical voltages that are precise, to produce a crystal clear image. In Plasma TVs, the display is a wide range of rich colors, with a low-luminance black. In this technologies, the pixels are individually lit, which allows you to attain a higher contrast ratio.

Pros

Apart from the contrast ratio, screen sizes in plasmas could be really big, which are useful in very big houses. Viewing plasmas from different angles in a room is really a treat. The aspect of wide angle viewing is an enjoyable feature in plasma technology. Plasmas produce deep rich color and brightness. Due to the high contrast ratio, the darkest and brightest part of an image is realistic in terms of look. The display from the color black is vivid in Plasmas.

Cons

Although the image quality in this technologies is astounding, the life of a plasma television is much less as in comparison to LCDs. If the display size is really large, wall mounting becomes difficult. These television sets use glass in their screen makeup, which can reflect light and make viewing problematic. Moreover, glass screens are fragile and need to be handled with care.

LCD

Liquid Crystal Display, commonly known as LCD, is popular among most users all over the globe. It consists of layers of liquid crystal, sandwiched among two glass plates. The pictures created, depend on the amount of electrical charge applied. LCDs are preferred by individuals for their sharp image and low consumption of power.

Pros

In a room with lots of light, LCDs assist in reducing the glare, which in turn makes viewing easy. The life span of these televisions is longer as in comparison to plasmas. LED-back-lighting in the form of 'direct' and 'edge' back-lighting, has significantly improved images in LCDs. Display burns which result in ghost pictures, occur when an image is left for a relatively long time. This is really a common issue with plasmas, which isn't the case with LCDs.

Cons

Viewing LCDs from various angles could be a pain, as pictures sometimes appear to be dark and hazy. This can cause a problem when large families scattered in different areas of a room view television. The level of brightness in LCD is much less, compared to a Plasma. The response time in these televisions is longer as in comparison to Plasmas. Objects moving at a rapid speed exhibit a blur in this technology. An additional drawback in some LCDs is, the inability to display really low resolution, because of scaling limitations. Although LCDs are less expensive than Plasmas, the features included are much less as compared to their counterparts.

Even though Plasmas and LCDs have their pros and cons, they have become a part of our everyday life. It is advisable to refer to a purchasing guide before you set your eyes on a Plasma or LCD. Because of their stylish look, relative ease of use and excellent image results, they've gained a prominent place in the world of televisions. Although, the aspect ratio of most LCDs and Plasmas comes in the standard 16:9 format, other options are also available. The technology used in these TVs has benefited individuals in different corners of the globe, by setting benchmarks in terms of look and picture quality.