by J. Alan Beck

Created on: April 15, 2010

Plasma high-definition televisions attract viewers with their well-defined picture and deep black levels. Although advantages like these are dwindling in comparison to the newest liquid crystal display (LCD) HDTVs, plasma sets still have much to offer for those who desire their features. 

To learn if this type of high-definition TV may be right for you, we'll briefly take a look at plasma's best qualities. Some comparisons with LCD sets (the other main HDTV choice right now) will be brought out as well.

Relatively rich picture colors and impressive black levels are perhaps the first qualities viewers notice with current plasma TVs. Picture contrast – the difference between the brightest whites and deepest blacks that a TV can produce – is an important HDTV performance specification. LCD technology requires a back-light shining through the liquid crystal layer, making it more difficult to achieve true blacks. (There is small light leakage through the pixels. Advances with LED back-lighting reduce this issue for some new LCD sets.) Plasmas are generally able to display more accurate black levels, improving comparative contrast and detail. If you are an ardent DVD movie watcher this advantage may be to your liking.

Devotees assert that current plasma sets also present relatively rich or “warm” colors, and highly accurate color reproduction. Excellent picture contrast and plasma technology (itself) may in fact support this claim, but individual viewers should try to compare the two types of displays for themselves. Note though that plasma sets with their shinier (glass) screens look better in darker (room) viewing environments. It may be difficult to accurately evaluate their true picture quality in a brightly-lit retail store. (Some TVs incorporate glare-reducing screens to mitigate this issue.)

A wide viewing angle is another plasma quality. Whether watchers are seated below a wall-mounted TV or want to catch a view from the side, plasmas display their full abilities from virtually any angle. (Plasma panels are illuminated uniformly at the sub-pixel level, producing consistent light output across the entire screen.) LCD displays may fade when viewed from extreme angles but the latest sets better manage this concern.

If you like watching fast-paced sports, plasma displays may further win you over. Evenly self-illuminating plasma pixels are capable of producing naturally smooth motion. High-resolution plasmas with their very high refresh

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