Plasma vs LCD: Which One is Better?

This is by far the most asked question we get in the biz. The better question would be, what TV is best for me. It is a valid question but not as cut and dry as we would like to see it. One thing is certain both technologies continue to improve with each new generation.
Advantage Plasma:
I will say right up front that I think Plasma wins the picture quality battle over LCD. Due to the manufacturing process, Plasma TV’s have the advantage on one very important factor and that is black levels. Simply put the blacks are blacker and this is the most important factor when it comes to contrast and color saturation. LCD TV’s leak some light between pixels where the black resides which causes the blacks to wash out somewhat and the colors to fade. Another advantage that Plasma has over LCD is a greater viewing angle. LCD tends to degrade slightly in brightness and color when it approaches its maximum recommended viewing angle. The Plasma TV’s picture quality will remain constant throughout the viewing range. Plasma will also give you the best bang for the buck when you get into the larger sizes. Currently, the crossover point seems to be about 42” whereas 42” and up is a better value in Plasma models, although, this is an ever changing target.
Advantage LCD:
LCD TV has its share of advantages over Plasma TV. The greatest advantage is brightness. I recommend LCD when a customer has a lot of natural light in a room. LCD’s better utilize resolution so the image appears slightly sharper. With LCD’s, it easy to be green. LCD’s are about 30% more energy efficient than Plasmas. Talk about guilt free TV. When it comes to choices of size and configuration LCD wins hands down. Models start from 5” and go up in 2” increments. You can get them with speakers on the bottom, on the sides, speakers that are integrated or removable. You can also get cabinet colors in black, charcoal, grey silver and white. Plasma TV’s are generally black or silver and do not come in sizes smaller than 37”. When it comes to small TV’s, LCD is where you get the best bang for the buck. It seems like every time I check the price on an LCD, it has dropped again.
Genius Tip:
Whichever TV you determine is the best choice for your situation, make sure that it comes with a digital tuner. Sometime 2009 analog transmission will be discontinued (no really the FCC said it so it must be true). You don’t want to find yourself needing to buy a set top box or adapter to use your TV.