If you're looking for a new TV, you're sure to have come across plasma and LCD TVs in your browsing of flat screen TV ratings and new television reviews. But what are the differences and is there an advantage to one over the other when it comes to plasma vs LCD TVs?

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.

The resolution is not any different between plasma TVs and LCD TVs. So this means that both can offer the same level of detail. Additionally, they both offer high definition resolutions as well. Typically, the prices for these TVs are comparable. However for either very large screens or very small ones, an LCD tends to be the less expensive choice.

Choosing one over the other is a matter of compromise. If you plan on using the TV partly as a computer screen, it's better to go with an LCD. If you want the brightest picture available for use in a well-lit area, you need a plasma TV. For the biggest screen possible, get the LCD as they can be used to create rear projection TVs with huge screens. For professional video work, either can do the job well.

disadvantages of each, as well as the difference between a plasma vs LCD TV?"e"eThe concept behind plasma and LCD TVs are identical. An image is divided up into many smaller pieces called pixels. In a single second, the pixels are flashed on the screen twenty to thirty times a second creating the illusion of motion.