I was recently asked this question: I am replacing
the old standard TV in my RV. Is it best to go with a Plasma or LCD TV?
I remember reading somewhere that altitude changes and temperature
swings were not good for plasma TVs. Is it okay to use either a plasma
or LCD TV while the RV is being driven?
My answer was as follows: I would suggest very strongly that you go with an LCD TV over a Plasma TV. Here is why:
What
you have heard about Plasma TVs being affected by altitude is correct.
A plasma TV screen is comprised of tiny little chambers containing
compressed gasses such as Argon, Neon and Xenon. When you turn on your
TV these gasses create the colors that you see on the TV screen. When
you are above the 6000 foot level; the pressure changes in these
chambers cause the Plasma TV to work harder to excite (activate) these
gasses to create a picture. In fact, you can actually hear a buzzing
sound from the screen, just like the buzzing you can hear when you
stand close to a large neon sign.
Because the TV components are working harder to produce a picture, it also shortens the life-span of the Plasma TV.
The
Liquid Crystal Screens on an LCD TV are not affected by altitude. That
is why the airlines use LCD TVs for their in-flight entertainment. LCD
screens have been used for TVs, Lap Top Computers, Outdoor Electrical
Equipment, etc. for years because of their durability.
Plasma TVs are usually heavier than LCD TVs and their glass screens are far more fragile than the screens on LCD TVs.
It
used to be that people chose LCD TVs over Plasma TVs, because LCD TVs
had a longer lifespan than Plasma TVs . That advantage is no longer the
case, the new generation of Plasma TVs last just as long as LCD TVs.
The average lifespan of both TVs should average out to about 60,000
hours. That means if you watched TV for 8 hours every day, these TVs
could theoretically last 20 years.
One other disadvantage of a
Plasma TV is picture burn-in. If you leave a static image on the screen
for too long it could permanently leave that image on the screen. But
the newer generations of Plasmas have gotten better at preventing
picture burn-in. LCD TVs are much less prone to burn-in. So, if you
have children or grand children that love to play video games and pause
their games for hours on end, then you are better off with an LCD TV.
Let's
address picture quality. Videophiles swear that Plasma TVs have a
superior picture quality. To be honest, the only time I have noticed a
better picture quality on a Plasma versus an LCD TV is on TVs that have
screens 50 inches or larger. The same thing holds true for the
resolution of the TVs. Whether you get a 720p or 1080p LCD TV, you will
not notice a difference between the two resolutions until you get into
the 50" and larger screens.
Now, to your last question can you
use the TVs while going down the road? Yes, you can as long as you have
a generator running or are using an Inverter to provide 120 volt power
to the TV, you can watch DVDs, play video games or watch satellite TV
(if you have a self tracking satellite dish on the roof of your RV).