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Home > Plasma LCD Mount / TV Stands
> About
LCD and Plasma Screens
About LCD
Screens and Plasma Screens, Flat Panel Display
- Comparison
of LCD and plasma monitor technologies and advantages
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Most people are familiar with an LCD screen, because laptop
computers have used them for several decades. The immediate
characteristics you notice are the thinness of these screens
compared to desktop CRT computer screens. LCDs have developed
to become desktop or arm-mounted computer monitors and also
a technology used in designing television sets. LCDs eliminate
screen curvature, allowing them to be dubbed flat screen,
and the 1" to 4" inch thick monitor body-type fits them
into the category known as flat panel display. Rear projection
TVs (RPTV) can be manufactured using liquid crystal display
technology.
Considered the "coolest" television by many consumers, plasma
technology has allowed screen size to expand. Available
in flat panel display sizes from the mid 30" models up to
the mid 60", these bigger plasma panels can come in HDTV,
high definition television. Their body types are from 3"
to 6" deep, which allows them to also be termed flat panels.
Plasma monitors can also be used as computer monitors as
well as television screens, and the industry is moving to
even larger width televisions.
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A plasma screen
is able to deliver a more detailed screen image than LCDs
and the traditional CRT televisions, because of the very
large quantity and extremely small size of phosphor cells
that are foundational to this technology.
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Every
pixel (sectioning) in the screen contains a red, green,
and blue phosphor cell that may be filled with either neon
or xenon gas. There may be over 980,0900 pixels in a 50
inch screen plasma, for example. This gas in each colored
cell changes into a plasma state when an electrical current
passes through them, causing them to emit an ultraviolet
light; that light, in turn, causes the phosphor material
in each cell to emit combinations of the red, green,
or blue light that forms images.
Care must be taken to protect
the display screens from damage. Crushed pixels will render
sections of the screen un-viewable.
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An expanded
list of advantages and disadvantages are noted below, but
what are three primary reasons someone might be attracted
to purchasing a plasma screen display? (1) A desire to watch
television on screens larger than 37"; (2) Clear, colorful,
and responsive video images; (3) When several people or
a group will be watching the set because the wide viewing
field allows clarity at angles.
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There are five layers within a display: a backlight, polarized
glass sheet, a layering of colored pixels, a coating of
liquid crystal solution, another sheet of glass. Each pixel
contains cells filled with liquid crystals (red, green,
and blue cells). Voltage off thin film transistors (TFTs)
power the red, green, and blue cells to untwist and allow
measured amounts of light to shine through them and form
images.
Because light always has to
pass through an LCD chip to create an image and because
LCDs, unlike plasma screens, do not create their own light
source, it is impossible for flat panel monitors to produce
a true black; instead, it will show up as dark shades of
gray. Straight viewing is the best angle for viewing images,
because as you move to either side, image quality diminishes
and, as the angle increases, the image disappears.
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LCDs are manufactured as both
computer monitors and television screens. It is proper to
call them flat panels because of their thin depth of only
a couple inches. Their lack of screen curve may be referred
to as flat screen, as well, but they are most suitable to
be called "flat panel." Their light build enables them to
be mounted conveniently.
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(1) LCDs are excellent
as computer screens, because those images are static, compared
to video images which can create a jagged "image delay"
appearance; Most particularly, it's often recommended that
when you will be using your screen for dual video and computer
use, you consider purchasing a LCD TV with a computer input,
rather than a LCD computer screen with a tuner. (2) When
few people in a contained area will be watching the LCD
television, to ensure viewing is from "straight-on." (3)
LCDs allow you to enjoy more accurate and vibrant color.
Care must be taken with your
LCD screen, which is also true for your plasma flat panel
display, in order to protect them from damage. Crushed pixels
render sections of the screen completely un-viewable.
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Their thin design
takes up less desk or floor surface area. You can hang LCDs
and plasmas from a wall,
ceiling mount them, attach them to articulating arms,
or place them on desk mounts or floor stands or even cabinets
designed to meet your office or home decor. Not all mounting
devices fit screens for both LCD and plasmas, but Ergo In
Demand has complete
mounting solutions that manage your viewing placement
effectively and attractively.
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Thin depth,
usually 1" to 3"
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Long life
span of approximately 30 to 50,000 hours
bulb life for name brand.
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Sharp picture
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More vibrant,
accurate color
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Images display
well in brighter light conditions
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Compact
and lighter weight than plasmas or traditional
CRTs of equal size.
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More user-friendly
image if contemplating a home entertainment
center including a PC for text as well
as graphics.
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Computer
screen image good for still images,
such as computer usage.
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Small "footprint."
Can be hung on a wall, mounted on an
arm, stand, or cabinet. For mounting
options Ergo In Demand offers a variety
of LCD monitor arms and mounts.
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Low operating
cost per hour.
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Largest screens
available. Generally available in 37" to
60" diagonal.
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Thin depth,
usually 3" to 5"
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Long life span
of approximately 20 years (6 hours per day)
for name brand manufactured units.
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Wider viewing
angle than most LCDs on the market at this
time.
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Accurate and
wide range of color
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Good color contrast.
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Generally less
expensive than an LCD TV of the same size.
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Displays well
in darker lighting conditions.
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Small "foot
print." Can be hung on wall, mounted on
an arm, stand or cabinet. Please review
our section
Plasma LCD mounts
and TV stands.
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Some name brand
models include video cards so your plasma
may be "future proofed" for some upgrades.
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Available in
HDTV (high definition).
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Screen sizes
not available in large sizes that plasma
units are, though larger sizes are being
developed.
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Susceptible
to an video image delay making objects or
figures seem jagged or "digital", particularly
with fast action. Most noticeable on screens
over 30".
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Black levels
are not fully black, but they're more dark
gray.
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Poor side viewing
angles; the 170° field of vision often promoted
is less than accurate .
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Pixel failure
possibility, particularly on "no name" brands.
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Presently extremely
expensive for units over 35".
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Burn in (a.k.a., image
retention) may occur if the same still image stays
on screen for a long time.
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Images not displayed
well in brighter light conditions.
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Pixel failure can be
a problem with models built by "no name" manufacturers."
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No tuners in most models.
(Not a problem for those using satellite, digital
cable, or external HD boxes).
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Presently expensive
though prices are coming down.
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