Why Plasma Is Better

[BWLover]

I'd like to start a thread on the technical aspects of plasma displays, and why they are better then other types of displays. I've noticed in another thread I created (Bye Bye Panasonic Plasma) that a lot of us are talking about why plasma rocks and why others are inferior. I would like to learn more about plasma tech, and LED/OLED/LCD. This is an area that I am somewhat knowledgeable in but not the greatest. So how about we all chat about it?


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[sgtjim57]

Natural picture. No to bright, not to dim. Like real life, at least for me.

[Kevin P]

Plasma is an emissive technology, meaning the pixels produce their own light, like a CRT. This results in better contrast and color saturation/accuracy compared to non-emissive technology such as LCD which uses a fixed color light source and creates pixels by blocking light from the source.

LCD due to its nature has a more limited contrast ratio, refresh speed and viewing angle compared to a plasma or CRT.

So-called "LED" displays are really LED-backlit LCD displays. Some of them have an RGB LED array behind the LCD panel that allows the backlight to adjust its brightness and color based on the pixels in that area of the screen, improving color and contrast in a somewhat rough fashion.

OLED is emissive, like plasma, and once it matures will probably be the next big thing.

[mjb]

OLED is emissive, like plasma, and once it matures will probably be the next big thing.

Yes, the world has been waiting a loooong time for OLED to be ready for mass production.

[aud19]

Kevin summed it up pretty well IMO.

I'll add that addressable LED back-lit sets tackle the contrast/black level problem pretty darn well IMO but they're FAR more expensive than their much more common edge-lit cousins (or most plasmas). And all LCD's (LED or CCFL) still have issues with off axis viewing and motion in comparison to plasma. I do find they generally have a slight advantage on fine detail though.

[impala454]

Things have seemed quiet on the OLED front... wonder what the latest is.

[Ovation]

Kevin summed it up pretty well IMO.

I'll add that addressable LED back-lit sets tackle the contrast/black level problem pretty darn well IMO but they're FAR more expensive than their much more common edge-lit cousins (or most plasmas). And all LCD's (LED or CCFL) still have issues with off axis viewing and motion in comparison to plasma. I do find they generally have a slight advantage on fine detail though.

Unfortunately, it seems that backlit LED sets, after appearing on the market in a few models, are disappearing altogether (you can't make a backlit LED TV as thin as an edge-lit LED--and we all know that "thin" trumps all other considerations :roll: ).

[aud19]

Unfortunately, it seems that backlit LED sets, after appearing on the market in a few models, are disappearing altogether (you can't make a backlit LED TV as thin as an edge-lit LED--and we all know that "thin" trumps all other considerations :roll: ).

I think even more importantly than thin is that edge-lit is INFINITELY cheaper than quality, addressable back-lit LED lighting. That is by far the number one consideration of both manufacturers and the overwhelmingly large percentage of buyers.