Plasma TV Review

Best reviews and research on plasma TVs

LCD TVs and plasma TVs are both thin and wall-mountable, but plasma TVs can generally achieve deeper black levels than equivalent LCD TVs, making for a more cinematic movie-watching experience, and they do a better job of handling fast motion. On the other hand, LCD televisions usually look brighter and often have fewer problems with glare (see our separate report on LCD TVs). In the past, most plasma TVs came in 42-inch or 50-inch sizes (measured diagonally), but now larger screens, up to 65 inches, and in-between screen sizes, such as 46 inches, are available. One maker (Samsung) is offering sets with slightly different screen sizes -- such as 51 inches rather than 50 inches, to more accurately represent the actual screen size. Still, LCD TVs come in a much wider range of screen sizes. Though the gap has closed, plasma remains at least a little cheaper than LCD among equivalent TVs.

While the very best plasma TVs continue to be strong performers, reviews indicate the technology has been ceding some of its long-held picture-quality advantage to LCD TVs. LCD TVs, and specifically those with full-matrix LED backlights and a technology called local dimming (see our LCD TV report for more information), have begun to approach plasma sets in their ability to deliver the deepest blacks. Despite all of that, however, many experts still favor plasma when the very best picture quality is a must. For example, Dick De Jong at HDTVSolutions.com writes: "The new 2011 models of LEDs are narrowing the gap, but for that sinfully luscious PQ, I still favor plasmas."

In the race to deliver the best black levels, most reviewers give the edge to Panasonic plasma TVs. However, the company's performance in that regard has not been without controversy. In 2009, owners driven to choose Panasonic plasma TVs for their great blacks were dismayed to discover that seemingly overnight, those blacks brightened noticeably. The black-level change was the result of Panasonic's efforts to maintain a strong contrast ratio as the TV's plasma panel naturally aged, but that explanation did little to soothe those who pointed out that no other plasma TVs -- including earlier models from Panasonic -- suffered from such an abrupt and jarring black-level shift. Panasonic made some changes to its black-level design for 2010, but long-term tests revealed that those sets also lost some black level over time, though not as abruptly. Still, as CNET reports, even at their lowest level, black levels were still darker than available from other sets, be they plasma TVs or LED TVs.

In any event, it is hoped that Panasonic's disappearing black-level issue has itself disappeared for the 2011 model year. CNET reports that thanks to a redesigned plasma panel, Panasonic plasma TV black levels should stay relatively constant over the life of the TV. CNET is also conducting long-term testing on Panasonic and other plasma TVs and reported in late August that while some variation in color or black level can be seen over time in sets, no major issues -- at least than can't be corrected for with modest tweaking -- have cropped up in the plasma TVs from Panasonic or Samsung that it is currently testing. That testing is ongoing, and more updates are promised.

In compiling this report, we found terrific coverage at a number of sites. For most people, the reporting at CNET hits the right note between in-depth information and informational overload for all but the most technically obsessed. ConsumerReports.org covers a lot of plasma TVs, but while sets are rated and ranked, discussion is too short to be overly helpful and 3D and non-3D sets are evaluated separately. At the other end of the spectrum, TelevisionInfo.com also covers lots of plasma TVs, and does not pull any punches with its evaluations; however, the pages-long discussion can leave non-videophiles scratching their heads at times. Denmark's FlatPanelsHD.com is also best suited for the technically versed, though the coverage is reigned in to make it more digestible, and best TVs are clearly identified. Lots of other sites do a good job of covering plasma TVs but don't report on nearly as many models. Those include PCMag.com, PlasmaTVBuyingGuide.com, HDTVSolutions.com, Home Theater magazine, Sound & Vision magazine and others. User reports can be found at BestBuy.com and Amazon.com.