Comparing LCD, Plasma, and Projector display

technologies.
Updated March 2008

Plasma and LCD TVs have finally hit their stride. Major electronics stores have all but phased
out the old CRT televisions, relegating them to the unseen corners. Meanwhile, hordes of
consumers are forced to make choices between two new technologies that they know little of. Of
course you have the helpful sales associates giving out their advice. But without background
information they may be able to take you for a ride. They may sell you something not quite right
for you, or may forget to mention possible alternatives if they don't carry them.

So, below we have created an LCD TV versus plasma comparison guide to help navigate the
differences between the two technologies. We have also included a column for front projectors,
which are an option frequently ignored by major electronics retailers.

Comparison Plasma televisions LCD televisions Front Projectors Advantage

Front projectors are able to
Typical screen sizes from as
Average screen sizes range Average screen sizes range create the largest images by far.
small as 40 inches to as large
from 32 inches to 63 inches from 13 inches to 65 inches Projectors are also the only
as 300 inches (measured on the
(measured on the diagonal). (measured on the diagonal). option which is not a fixed size
diagonal). Projectors do not
Larger plasmas, like a 103 As with plasma, there are (meaning your screen size can
have a fixed image size so
inch unit from Panasonic, are larger LCD TVs made, like change if desired) and projectors
Screen most projectors list their
in production, but are still a 108 inch display which is are also more portable than an
Size screen size as a range (i.e. 40-
prohibitively expensive for to be released in later this LCD or Plasma. Plasma and
300 inches. Most buyers opt
consumer use. Panasonic has year (2008) by Sharp, but LCD TVs are comparable in size
for sizes from 76-inches to
announced plans to release a they are not readily now with the maximum sizes
120-inches if they purchase a
150-inch plasma display by available or affordable at the over 60-inches. Maximum
screen. Optimally the image
2010. consumer level. recommended projector image
should not be over 300-inches.
sizes are around 300-inches.
Viewing Up to 178°. Plasma images Up to 175°. LCD TVs were Viewing angles are not an Unlike rear projection TVs, front
Angle do not suffer from the same originally designed for a one issue with front projectors projectors do not have an issue
degradation at higher user experience, as a because the light source is with viewing angles, so they
viewing angles that LCD computer monitor. As the coming from in front of the have the advantage here.
TVs do because of the nature applications for the screen, and not from behind. Between LCD and Plasma;
of the technology. technology grew for larger The surface on which you Plasma TVs have the advantage,
to larger displays and project (screen or wall surface) but by a small margin. However,
audiences , an issue with may have a slight impact on your viewing experience won't
viewing angles emerged. viewing angles. be ideal at 160 or 175 degree
Although the LCD TV can angles for any technology.
be viewed from up to 176
degrees, there is a "sweet
Comparison Plasma televisions LCD televisions Front Projectors Advantage
spot" which will produce
brighter, higher contrast
images.
LCD TVs were originally
Projectors designed for home Plasma still specs faster than
designed for static data
theater use will handle video LCD for pixel response time,
display, and not moving
better than a projector however LCD has closed the gap
video. Therefore refresh
Plasma displays refresh and designed for business (though significantly in the past 3 years
Screen rates had to be improved.
handle rapid movements in there are some good cross-over or so. For most consumers,
Refresh LCD TVs with refresh rates
video about as well as CRT projectors on the market). projectors, plasma and LCD
Rates / Pixel below 16 ms or lower (5-15
televisions, which is about Response time is not usually displays will have sufficient
response ms) show very few
the standard most viewers specified by projector response times. For video
time noticeable artifacts. LCD
expect. manufactuers so it is difficult gamers, or others to whom
TVs are now available with
to compare directly to LCD instantaneous response is a must,
refresh rates specified by
and plasmas by comparing the lower the 'ms' spec...the
manufacturers as low as
specs. better.
5ms.
Plasma TVs can suffer from
Projectors can suffer from There is no clear winner here.
burn-in produced by static
dead pixels, though there are Manufacturers of each
images. After extended
some manufacturers with a technology have worked hard to
periods, stationary images LCD TVs do not suffer from
'zero dead pixel' warranty. The minimize issues. If stuck pixels
"burn in" and produce an burn-in, but can have a
bigger concern for projector or burn in are major concerns for
after-image ghost which "retained pixel charge"
Burn-in or buyers is lamp life. After long you, check the manufacturer
remains permanently on the which may also produce
Stuck Pixels term use, the projected image warranty for their return or repair
screen. With technologies ghosting. Stuck pixels are
will not be as bright as it was policies. Some manufactuers
such as 'pixel orbitor,' new also possible with an LCD
over the first few hundred offer a 'zero dead pixel policy'
plasma TVs have addressed display.
hours. Lamps are replaceable, and others will repair or replace
burn-in and significantly
however, and cost between products with pixels out in the
reduced the issues of older
$200 - $400. 'sweet spot' of your picture.
models.
Both Plasma and LCD
technology should more than
adequately satisfy most
consumers. The average CRT
TV (the kind most of us have at
Projectors have lamps that last
home) has a half-life of around
up to 5000 hours (usually
LCD TVs have a backlight 25,000 hours. If the average
Plasma TVs have a reported when opperated in a low-
that is specified to last American household watches an
half life of 30,000 to 60,000 power mode). Projector lamps
between 30,000 and 60,000 average of four to six hours of
hours. Half-life is the time it are replaceable, and cost up to
hours. LCD TVs also have television a day, even a 30,000
Product takes the lamp to fade to half aproximately $400. Projector
replaceable backlights, but hour backlight would give you
Life-span its original brightness. lamps can be changed more
the expense of replacing one over 16 years of use. By then
Panasonic recently reported than once. A projector may not
when the time comes may you'll be enjoying your new
life span's approaching be the best choice for everyday
be greater than simply 'Holodeck.' A video projector has
100,000 hours. viewing, but it is the best value
replacing the entire TV. a shorter lamp life, but the lamp
by cost per viewing inch for a
can be replaced multiple times.
home theater.
Projectors are better suited for a
dedicated home theater than as
the sole display for a household.
Projectors are the best value by
cost per viewing inch.
Projectors are lighter and less
Single chip DLP and 3LCD
bulky to ship and to install than
Plasma displays are fairly projectors typically weigh
LCD TVs weigh less than an LCD or Plasma TV.
heavy, and may need between 10 - 20 lbs. They can
Weight comparably sized plasma Projection screens are bulky and
additional supports to be be shipped for less than an
TVs. large however. LCD TVs are
mounted onto a wall. LCD or Plasma TV over 19-
second least heavy, followed by
inches in most cases.
plasma.
Durability Plasmas are somewhat Somewhat more durable Projection surfaces vary, but a A projector screen is durable and
fragile making them tricky to than older plasmas. End wall or screen are obviously cleanable, and walls can be
ship and install. Unlike the users can easily mount an less fragile than an LCD or painted. Projectors are also very
commercials where plasmas LCD TV themselves if Plasma TV. Screens can be durrable. Because of this,
are mounted on the ceiling, desired, although LCD TVs washed and walls can be projectors win this battle, with
plasmas are best installed by should still be shipped with repainted. The projector itself LCD TVs in second place,
a professional, and should be special care, and the screen is also as durable as either a followed by plasma.
Comparison Plasma televisions LCD televisions Front Projectors Advantage
installed on a wall that can
bear a good deal of weight.
However, recent
itself should be cleaned with
improvements to plasma Plasma or LCD TV.
a streak free cleaner.
screens have made them
significantly more durable
and lighter weight.
Projectors are cheaper and safer
Due to their fragile nature, to ship overall. If you purchase a
plasma TVs need to be screen, that will add significantly
Single chip DLP and 3LCD
shipped by specialty carriers. to the cost of shipping. In some
Shipping LCD TVs is not projectors typically weigh
Overnight or fast delivery cases, whether an LCD, plasma,
difficult, and is not as between 10 - 20 lbs. They can
Shipping options are not or projector, the shipping will be
expensive as shipping usually be shipped for less
recommended. Special paid by the reseller. Plasma's are
plasma displays. than most LCD or Plasma TVs
shipping methods and their typically heavier and may
over 19-inches.
heavier weight add to higher require that you ship them on a
shipping costs. pallet, adding to the cost of
shipping.
Depending on how polished LCD TVs are easier to install
you want your home theater to than plasmas because they weigh
Plasmas are heavier, use be, a projector can be very less. Most TVs sold in the
more power, and run hotter End users can easily install easy to set up, or can be a consumer market will come with
than LCD TVs, and therefore LCD TVs themselves, or longer and more involved a stand. Projectors are a more
Installation require more planning when can use them just as they installation. Projectors are complicated installation than
mounting them. Plasmas are use a traditional TV using a lightweight, and can be either a plasma or LCD TV when
generally best installed by stand. removed from an installed they are ceiling mounted. TVs
professionals. location and used in other with a stand and projectors set on
applications - like a make shift a table top require similar efforts
outdoor theater. to set up.
Just about any LCD TV or
Projectors now have contrast
plasma will satisfy the
Plasma TVs report higher ratios of 50,000:1 and higher,
expectations of most consumers
brightness and contrast making them nearly equal by
LCD TVs can often look need for brightness and contrast.
levels than LCDs. Under specification to many LCD
better in 'real-world' Videophiles will look for the
ideal conditions (no ambient and plasma TVs. However,
situations. Plasmas are made hightest contrast ratios and will
light) this is a true advantage with ambient light in a room,
with a special glass surface likely ignore the brightness specs
of plasma technology, contrast and brightness can be
Brightness / that can reflect light, which on an LCD or plasma TV. Newer
because LCD TVs are significantly impacted. For
Contrast dulls the brightness and home theater projectors (1000
backlit and therefore light best contrast that rivals LCD
contrast of the image. LCD ANSI lumens or brighter) should
must be blocked to create and plasma, low light or no
TVs reflect very little light, also satisfy in any controlled
blacks. Plasmas have light environments are best.
allowing them to maintain lighting environment. Projectors
individual pixels that either Different specifications are
levels in well-lit rooms. are not ideal for rooms with a lot
on or off, creating deeper used to measure brightness in a
of ambient light unless they have
blacks and better contrast. projector, so it is difficult to
more than 2000 lumens of
compare directly.
brightness.
The projected image is
(obviously) very thin, and create
Projectors are simply
a truly 'flat' image. LCDs TVs
projecting light onto a surface,
and plasma's are just about equal
so on a screen or wall the
to each other in thickness
image will not take up much
Thickness As thin as 3 inches deep. As thin as 2 inches deep. (around 2-3 inches, and for most
space. The projector itself will
this is not an issue. But a
need to be placed on a flat
projector is the solution that can
surface or mounted out of the
be easily stored away out of site
way.
(using a retractable or portable
screen).
Performance High altitudes can affect the LCD TVs are not affected Most projectors are only LCD TVs or projectors have the
at performance of plasma by high altitudes. minimally affected by altitude. advantage. New plasmas and
High displays because the gas held The one difficulty with projectors have evolved with
Altitude inside each pixel is stressed, projectors will be a more new methods of dealing with the
and has to work harder to active fan, which may make altitude issues. Ask your sales
perform. Some the projector run slightly person for details if you live in a
manufacturers make plasmas louder. high altitude.
that are specifically designed
Comparison Plasma televisions LCD televisions Front Projectors Advantage
for high-altitudes, but they
may be priced higher than
standard models.

Power Consumption is another comparison of interst to consumers. LCD TVs typically spec
lower for power consumption than an equivalent size plasma. Projector power consumption
varies more from unit to unit, with brighter conference room projectors requiring more power
than smaller portable projectors. In November of 2008, new Energy Star ratings will be upgraded
from 1998 standards. Many people are not aware that TVs go into a "stand by mode" rather than
turning off completely. In this mode, energy is still being drawn. New standards will include
power consumption in stand-by modes for a more accurate measure of energy efficiency.
(source)

We hope this information has been helpful in your search for the perfect display technology. Go
now and shop!