The Plasma TV Blog

LCD and Plasma TVs both represent new technology that have for the most part replaced CRT (cathode ray tube) televisions on the cutting age of the television market. Although CRT technology was capable of producing sharp images, and good contrast, as the demand for larger screens increased the size of the cathode ray tube, especially in terms of depth, increased to unacceptable dimensions.

The differences in LCD and Plasma technology centers around how the video signal is transferred to the screen. LCD televisions use two panels consisting of liquid crystal cells. The panels are offset in what is called an x/y configuration, which prevents light from passing through until the crystal is stimulated by an electronic signal which causes the light to “twist” and pass through the panel and light the pixel. Color is provided by what is called color subtraction where white light, which contains all colors, is blocked until the proper color is all that remains. This allows a wide variety of colors.

Plasma TVs also have panels but they contain what are called noble gases, xenon and neon. These gases are easily put into a “plasma” state by exciting them with electrical charges. When in the plasma state, the gases become ionized emitting free electrons that rush toward the positively charged neutrons, and the collisions between these particles emit the light that creates the image. The back of the cells are coated with what are called phosphors which emit colored light in response to the strength of the signal received.

Of course, this is a highly simplified look at the differences in the two technologies. In many ways LCD and Plasma technology was developed to address similar needs, and they have done so in their different manners.