LCD or Plasma
What is Best For You?
Many of our clients ask us what monitor technology is best, LCD or Plasma? The answer depends on what you want out of the monitor.
Both types of monitors look great and the differences between the technologies are getting smaller. Flat panel monitors can be placed in many locations that were not possible with CRT monitors. LCD and plasma monitors are digital displays that produce images by illuminating a fixed grid of pixels. Perfectly flat screens maintain image focus and geometry across the entire monitor where as the CRT monitors produce distortions at the edges.
What are the unique characteristics of LCD and plasma monitors:
LCD Monitor Unique Characteristics
- No possibility of screen burn-in. If the monitor will be used continuously with static images on the screen for prolonged times, LCD is the way to go.
- Works well with high levels of ambient light.
- LCD monitors generally have a higher native resolution than the similarly sized plasma monitor.
- Generally more energy efficient when compared to plasma monitors of the same size.
- LCD monitors usually weigh less than plasma monitors which may be a consideration when mounting on a wall or suspending from a ceiling.
- Traditionally LCD monitors have a longer life span than plasma monitors. This gap has been closing and many models of both technologies are now guaranteed for 60,000 hours.
- A complaint about LCD monitors has been that they do not reproduce fast motion clearly. This is a function of the pixel response time and is measured in milliseconds (ms) and has quickly become a non-factor as the response time improves. The lower the number the better.
Plasma Monitor Unique Characteristics
- Displays greater contrast and a truer black colour when compared to LCD monitors.
- Plasma monitors generally have a wider viewing angle than LCD monitors. This is a measure of how far to either side of the monitor the audience can be and still view an even screen image. LCD monitors are quickly catching up in regards to viewing angle.
- Plasma monitors can reproduce brighter colours than an LCD monitor.
What monitor technology is best depends on how you plan on using it.
For more information on what monitor technology is best for your situation, call your Inland AV location and discuss with our Presentation Systems Sales staff.
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