This might be an apples-oranges question, but how do LED/LCD TVs stack up against plasma? Thinking about the latter based on picture quality.
Still really nowhere close to a good plasma. The LCD panel technology is deficient and will never equal plasma in picture quality.
“but how do LED/LCD TVs stack up against plasma”
My earlier post was in error. It is *plasma* that requires the high-voltage power supply, and these can be troublesome. I believe they also use substantially more power.
What's the difference between plasma and LCD?
Both plasma and LCD flat-panel displays are capable of delivering high-definition TV within a thin case, but there are differences between the two:
* LCD TVs are available in many more screen sizes than plasma. Plasma TVs are available mainly in sizes of 40 inches and up (typically to 65 inches), but LCD TVs can be as small as 7 inches, and manufacturers have demonstrated LCD TVs with screen sizes of up to 108 inches. For home theaters, LCD TVs with screen sizes from 32 inches to 65 inches are most popular.
* LCD TVs work better in bright rooms. Plasma TVs are known for their ability to display dark colors and deep blacks better than LCD TVs, but they can look washed out in bright rooms. LCD TVs appear brighter, so the screen won't wash out in daylight. Many LCD screens have an adjustable backlight, so you can control the brightness of the screen. Some high-end LCD TVs use LED backlighting instead of cold-cathode fluorescent lamp backlights. These LCD TVs are better able to compete with plasma TVs.
* Plasma TVs are more prone to glare when viewed in a bright room. However, some plasma TVs have screens that do a better job of handling reflections, while some LCD TVs use a panel that's more reflective than others.
* Plasma screens have wider viewing angles than LCD flat screens. That means you can sit at more of an angle and still get the best picture, one reason why reviewers (such as CNET's David Katzmaier) say a plasma screen gives you "better home theater performance than LCD." With LCD televisions, sitting too far to one side will result in a loss of brightness. Reports say that some LCD TVs have fewer issues with limited viewing angles, but still fall short of plasma in this regard. Some of the best LCD TVs with LED backlights have limited viewing angles as their chief drawback.
* LCD TVs are much more efficient than plasma TVs. Plasma TV manufacturers are working on improving energy consumption, but right now, LCD TVs are at least 40 percent more efficient to operate.