A reader was puzzled about the difference between plasma, LED and LCD television screens, and wanted to know which was best.
It seems the answer to that is complicated.
Answer, from a Wanganui retailer: Plasma screens have a durable coating of glass or perspex on the outside, to protect them from damage. They are good where young children may touch them or throw toys, and they can be very large.
On the other hand they tend to be heavy and are hard to mount on a wall. They produce glare when used in full daylight, and use more electricity than an LED or LCD.
Their picture quality isn't as good either, unless you have one of the very expensive versions.
LED screens produce the crispest pictures, with the blackest blacks and whitest whites. The pictures have more depth, and are lit by a natural white light.
LEDs are also the lightest on electricity use.
They are thin and lightweight, which is convenient for wall mounting but makes them easily damaged.
When the screen is thin the television's speakers can also be thin, and produce a tinny sound. A thicker LED screen will have better speakers and better sound.
Some LED screens are glossy, and produce glare when used in daylight. Anti-glare LEDs are available.
An LCD screen is similar to an LED one, except that it uses fluorescent light. It's also soft, and easily damaged. It's thicker and heavier than an LED, and the picture isn't quite as crisp. It uses more electricity than an LED, but less than a plasma.
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