Different types of TV screen

This debate has been going on for several years now. Arguably in the early days it was easier to tell the difference in quality between a Plasma and LCD TV. However as technology has progressed there is little to choose from the two technologies.

Plasma TV

Plasma screens consist of thousands of pixels containing xenon and neon gas plasma sandwiched between two sheets of glass. Behind each chamber are red, blue and green phosphors. When electrical current excites the plasma it gives off ultra-violet light which, in turn causes the coloured phosphors to glow.

• plasma may have the advantage of obtaining a higher contrast ratio
• If you intend to use a large screen TV in a dedicated viewing room or where low ambient light level can be obtained then plasma can give a better viewing experience

LCD TV

A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) consists of thousands of individual liquid crystal pixels with red, blue and green components that allow light from a florescent back light through.

• LCD can generally produce brighter pictures than plasma
• where a set is intended for an average living room then LCD may be better as it is brighter

OLED TV

Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) is a new technology being developed for even better viewing

SED

Surface conductor Electron emitter Display (SED) is a new technology being developed for even better viewing

FLCD

Ferro electric Liquid Crystal Display (FLCD) is a new technology being developed for even better viewing