When shopping for a big screen television, the number of choices can be overwhelming at first. The three main types of televisions you will find when shopping are plasma, LCD, and LED. In this article I will go over the differences between these three main types, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Plasma Pros and Cons
A popular choice for video gamers and sports fans, plasma televisions have several advantages over their LCD and LED cousins. One major benefit of plasma televisions is their very high refresh rates and fast response times. This virtually eliminates motion blur, making it the better choice if you will be using the television to enjoy content with significant amounts of rapid motion (such as the aforementioned video games and sporting events).
Another advantage of plasma televisions is more accurate color reproduction and fidelity; on most LCD screens the color black looks closer to dark gray.
The third and final main advantage of plasma televisions is price. At sizes of 42 inches and above, plasma televisions are generally cheaper than LCD and LED sets.
Now for the cons: plasma sets are typically heavier than comparable LCD and LED televisions, use more power, and rarely come in sizes under 42 inches.
LCD Pros and Cons
LCD televisions do have some definite drawbacks, yet they are still an attractive option for many shoppers. They come in many different sizes and price ranges, with the sets under 42 inches being affordable for many people. The lighter weight and less power usage compared to plasma televisions are also desirable selling points for some shoppers.
The cons of LCD televisions, as mentioned earlier, can be deal-breakers for the more discerning shopper. The lower color accuracy and low refresh rate can seriously hamper one's enjoyment of many types of different media. If you are planning on using your television for predominantly fast moving media and are looking at purchasing an LCD set, make sure to buy one with a refresh rate higher than 60 Hz.
LED Pros and Cons
LED televisions are similar to LCD televisions except that they use an LED backlight instead of a fluorescent lamp. This eliminates most of the drawbacks of typical LCD televisions and allows the manufacturers to make the sets extremely slim. The major drawback is price - since it is a newer technology, LED televisions are very expensive.
The Bottom Line
When looking for the best combination of performance and value in a big screen television, plasma is the best choice. Once LED sets come down in price they will be a very viable alternative, but at this time plasma is king.
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