LCD and Plasma -- Making the Choice
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As many of you might have noticed, there are now two competitors for "super thin" high quality video displays. And I know you want one!
In the latter part of the 1990s, we saw the introduction of "plasma" displays. The prices started at around $10,000 for a 42" widescreen display. When mounted, these sets took up only six inches of depth! Unfortunately, the picture quality on these early products could best be described as "OK"; although, the six-inch depth remained compelling. No more giant armoires to hold 35-inch 200-pound CRT displays. An interior designer's dream come true! Not to mention saving strain on installers' backs.
Even with the relatively poor image quality, they sold quite briskly. Now, several years later, the picture quality has improved to the point that the phrase "state of the art" has to be used when discussing some of the higher-end HDTV models. At the same time, the price has dropped to roughly $3,000 for a decent 42" Plasma monitor.
Around the same time, another technology was becoming the dominant force in the computer monitor industry. These days, it's hard to find a computer monitor that isn't a bright, thin LCD model. The major limitation to LCD is that it is difficult to make the larger versions. Until fairly recently, anything above 30 inches was unheard of. Not anymore. Sony, Samsung, Sharp and others now have 45-inch LCDs on the market. At a recent product show, Sharp was showing a new 65-inch model. Now that's getting up there!
So what is the difference? Well, plasmas still have the edge in size. Samsung recently showed a 102-inch prototype. So if you want large and thin, plasma is the best choice. Plasma probably has a picture quality advantage as well, but current LCDs are catching up. Although LCDs are more expensive by the inch, they've been ramping up production so the price has been dropping noticeably.
One obvious advantage to LCD is life expectancy. The light source that provides the image is replaceable, so even after the 60,000 hours that the original bulb would last, you can replace the bulb and be as good as new.
Plasmas will live a long life also. Honestly, they will last for much longer than traditional CRT sets. Some plasma models are even guaranteed for 60,000 hours, which is in the neighborhood of 30 years of normal viewing.
One plasma "concern" is that they can be damaged if you leave a "fixed" image like a photograph on the screen for an extended period. This is called "burn in." So some care has to be taken in this regard, although our firm has encountered only one minor occurrence of this problem in dozens of installations.
So what to buy? Well it really depends on your needs. If you want the biggest size and best picture quality for the buck, plasma seems like the best choice. If you want long life with total immunity to "burn in" for a few more bucks, then LCD fits the bill. Or, better yet, let an installer take a look at your situation to help you make the best choice.
Dallas Dingle is the founder and co-owner of Supercalibrations, Inc., located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. He started selling and installing home electronics in the early 1970s. When not consulting or designing for a client, you'll find Dallas fine-tuning his A/V equipment -- which of course involves listening to plenty of music.
Supercalibrations, Inc. designs and installs home electronic systems, including A/V, home theaters and home automation.
