When shopping for a new television you are bound to come across plasma and LCD televisions when you look at flat screen ratings and new television reviews. But are there certain differences and advantages in one over the other when talking about plasma vs LCD television screens?

The concept is the same. Photos are converted to thousands of little dots known as pixels, which are then flashed many times per second, creating the motion effect. Plasma TVs and LCD TVs primarily differ in the method they use to create their images.

With Plasma TVs the picture is created when gas particles are heated with electricity. These Plasma pixels actively throw the light particles off, which means that they tend to be much brighter than LCD screens, making them a better option for watching TV during the day. Also, since the pixels are able to shut completely off, the blacks that they produce are much deeper, making the contrast a good deal greater as well.

There are differences between plasma and LCD TVs. In LCD screens, light passes through pixels made up of red, green and blue crystals. As electricity flows through the pixels, they can become opaque. Because light shines through the pixels and they don't light up themselves, they are less likely to burn in, which may happen in plasma screens when the exact same picture is shown on the screen for extended periods of time. However, in modern plasma screens this will takes weeks to months of the same image on the screen for the picture to be burned in.

There is no difference in potential resolution between plasma vs LCD TVs, meaning the picture can be just as detailed on either one of them as the other, and both are available in all the high definition resolutions the market has to offer. And prices tend to overlap between the two TV technologies, but for very large and very small screens LCDs are the more cost effective option.

To make the right choice, you have to determine what your requirements are. If you need the television to also function as a computer monitor, you should go with an LCD. On the other hand, if you need a really sharp image and the set will be placed in a room with lots of light, you should get a plasma TV. The LCD is the correct option again if you are looking for the largest possible screen, since they come in rear projection versions. If you are working with videos professionally, you'll find that both can handle the job with equal results.

If you're in the market for a new television, you've undoubtedly researched flat screen TVs. You've surely came across the comparison of plasma vs LCD TV. However, have you looked into the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as the flat screen TV ratings? Read the new television reviews, and you will discover it becomes a matter of compromise when you choose one or the other. If are looking to use the television as a computer monitor your best bet is the LCD. If you are looking for the brightest screen for an area brightly lit the plasma television is best.