LCD FLAT SCREEN TVs AND PLASMA TVs

There is a difference between flat screen TVs and plasma wide screen TV. Most people know that but are not sure what that difference is and how it should affect their choice.

The objective of this website is help you to find the best flat screen TV that you can, using eBay to provide you with the best possible prices. It is generally accepted that eBay is the least expensive online source for new and used items, although the majority of electronic items are new.

Many retailers are now turning to eBay rather than stick to their traditional High Street and online stores. If you are like me, and purchase the majority of your hard goods from eBay, then you will understand the massive savings that can be made.

Here is some information on the difference betwene LCD flat screen and plasma TV sets.

Most people are unsure as to the difference between LCD and Plasma TVs. They operate from different technologies, so here is how they work and what you should be looking for in your plasma or LCD flat screen TVs.

PLASMA SCREEN TVs

Stars are made of plasma, as is most of the universe. Stated loosely, plasma is a mass of ionized gas formed of atoms or molecules have free electrons. That renders the gas electrically conductive.

In plasma TV screens, the gases are neon and xenon, and when placed in a very thin gap between two glass plates, these gases can be charged at very rapid intervals. If these intervals can be made such that the charged plasma hits red, green and blue phospho-receptors on the glass screen then a picture is obtained. Each pixel consists of a red, green and blue phosphor which is activated to the color that the specific charge activates.

That's the technical bit over. What is means to you is that it eliminates the need for the tube behind the screen, but because it operates in the same way as a standard TV, you still get screen burn and the generation of heat. It is just a different way of generating the charge to the phosphors on the inside of the screen that you are looking at.

LCD FLAT SCREEN TVs

LCD (Liquid Crystal display) screens are formed from individual crystals that either pass or block light when current is passed through them. An ideal condition for digital control. Yes or No, Positive or Negative, Light or No Light. Good for binary, for example 101010 (think of the significance of that number – answer at the bottom of the page).

The LCD crystals have no light themselves, so a light source is shone through them to produce the light. There is no radiation from the screen, there is no heat other than from the fluorescent light source needed to make the image visible, and there are no phosphors to heat up.

Each has its advantages and disadvantages, thus:

Plasma Screen Advantages:

You can have larger screens: up top 71 inches, compared to the 46 inches of LCD
Color is more faithful, and the saturation of the hue is more reproducible.
There is very little motion lag, especially in the faster moving images.
Better contrast between black and white – best in a darkened room.

LCD Flat Screen Advantages:

No heat
No screen burn
Slightly clearer pictures
Less glare in a normally lighted room

MISCONCEPTIONS

1. Under normal use a plasma screen does not use more electricity. They generally tend to average out about the same, since the plasma screen uses less electricity when the scene is dark and more when it is light.

2. Flat panel plasma TVs do not need regasing. There is no possibility of the gas inside the cells within the glass panels being lost. Do not believe all that you hear.

3. Plasma and LCD screens last about the same – it all depends on how much use the screen is put to.

WHAT TO BUY

Which to buy depends a lot on where you are going to watch your TV. If you want a smaller screen, up to about 36 inches or so, LCD is probably best for you. If you want a home cinema system with a large screen, then plasma might be best.

There is a general argument in favor of plasma, since it provides a richer color reproduction and better contrast, and overall better reproduction, especially where rapid movement is involved. However, LCD flat screen TVs are generally better if you view your TV in a lighted room where it tends to have slightly more clarity.

The general rule of thumb is that a normal 32 inch TV for a bedroom or lounge is best in LCD flat screen, while plasma is better for 36 inch and above for a proper home cinema system. Between these? Your choice.

The TVs on offer on eBay on this site offer both screen systems, but if you stick to the above general rules then you should not go wrong. However, if in doubt, and don't know what way to go, then a general rule of thumb is that if your TV is small you will probably get a better picture with an LCD flat screen TV, but if it is larger then go for a plasma screen TV.

Don't ask me about the distinction between small and large because when I was young you only got 12 inch! Almost bearable for a laptop now, but for a home TV set??

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