LCD, LED and Plasma: What's the Difference?

Picking out the right television can seem like an imposing task. Good TVs aren't cheap, so it's unwise to impulsively plop down cash on one without first conducting your due diligence. The flood of information out there can be staggering for someone who isn't a tech nut. It's not as complicated as it initially seems, however.


Most people are already aware that there are three main types of televisions: LED, LCD and plasma. But how many of them actually know what the differences between the three are? It's likely that not many are aware of the differences, so how can they possibly expect to choose the set that's right for them? The answer…is that they can't.


There are enormous differences between each of the options, so picking one over the others is not a decision that should be reached lightly. LEDs even differ greatly in performance from LCDs, despite the fact that they are just LCDs with different backlights.


Go back far enough in the relatively short history of the high definition TV and you'll discover a time in which plasmas were the uncontested winners of this war of small screens. The dark blacks and realistic picture quality of a plasma set went virtually unrivaled. Yet thinner and "greener" LCDs have grown far less costly and more able over time. The gap closed and the two jockeyed back and forth for position.


Then LEDs came along and, after several years of improvements, managed to overcome them both in a number of categories. LED sets now boast unmatched energy efficiency and excellent picture quality. The problem with them is that you're usually going to have to pay a premium for them.


As mentioned, there are a number of variables in play between the three kinds of televisions. The biggest difference between them, however, is how they are lit. Phosphors light up in plasma sets and cause the imagery to be created. Conversely, the screen does not light up in LCD TVs. A separate light source is used to make the liquid crystal screen work.


Classic LCDs rely on the same CCFLs (cold cathode fluorescent lights) found in fluorescent bulbs to light things up. LED televisions, on the other hand, are lit via light emitting diodes – thus the name LED. The tech behind LED sets allows them to be incredibly thin while still delivering an unbelievably wide range of color from their brightest bright to their darkest dark. There is still room for improvement, but it's hard for the current crop of competition to keep up.