Pioneer PDP-607CMX 60" Plasma TV (Widescreen, 1365x768, HDTV)

Plasma Display Technology

A plasma television, like this one, is built around an array of tiny glass cells filled with an inert gas. The panels are relatively thin and weigh more than similarly sized LCDs but much less than old-fashioned picture-tube sets. Plasma sets are capable of outstanding picture quality, with higher contrast than LCDs, and viewable from far off to the side without loss of brightness or color accuracy. Because plasma TVs can achieve a higher contrast than LCD TVs, they remain a good choice for a room that receives a lot of natural or ambient light. They tend to cost more than similar-size LCDs, however, and the technology is rarely found at screen sizes smaller than 42 inches. Although plasmas can be subject to burn-in--where a static image displayed for hours at a time becomes a permanent afterimage--this is now much less of a problem.