Plasma TVs vs. Projection

Over the years, plasma TVs have continued to drop in price to make them more accessible to consumers. So plasma TVs in smaller sizes such as 50” and below are a better deal since most models can be purchased for $2000 or less. Especially since most decent home theater projectors start out at $2000; and that doesn’t include the screen and speakers.

From 50” -70”, plasma TVs take a substantial price jump. However, the endless equipment combinations (projector, screen, speakers, receiver, etc.) that can be made in a projection setup can either be very costly or cost-efficient. All in all, there is no clear cut winner in this size range.

If you want something larger than 70”, projection is the clear winner; especially if you consider a 103” plasma TV costs more than $70,000 with wall-mount kits at about $6000.

Ghost-like images can be formed on a plasma screen if menu bars, logos, or other graphical elements are displayed for a long period of time. Simply put, the light-emitting phosphor compounds lose their luminosity with use. And areas on the display that are more frequently used (showing whites or bright colors more frequently) will deteriorate at a faster rate. So a burn-in is an area of lower luminosity that is now visible. A more detrimental effect is that the luminosity of the display will continue to deteriorate in various areas at different rates, eventually causing a large difference in brightness across the screen.

A big advantage for a plasma TV is that it is an all-in-one unit that you just have to take out of the box, hang on the wall, connect power/cable and you are channel surfing in no time. But this is a double-edged sword. Although it may seem like more of a hassle to choose a projector, then a screen, then speakers and so on; it allows the system to be customized to fit your needs so that you get the results that you desire. And if the plasma screen begins to deteriorate (like the display brightness variations) you have to replace the entire unit. If something begins to deteriorate with the projection setup, you just have to replace/fix the faulty piece of equipment such as the projector lamp (the bulb in the projector is called a lamp).

U.S. Nippura, Inc. | 3611 Tryclan Dr. | Charlotte, NC 28217 | T: 704-561-9191 | F: 704-561-9196

Blue Ocean® is the registered trademark of Nitto Jushi Kogyo Co., Ltd.

U.S. Nippura, Inc. 2006©