The Differences Between Plasma TV and LED TV

By Zeeman Haus

In the last few years, the technology behind plasma TV has grown in leaps and bounds. Plasma televisions have always been at the forefront when it comes to producing rich and vibrant colors as well as conveying crisp and fast moving action.

Plasma TV technology was developed in the early 60's for computer monitor systems but was further developed by Fujitsu and Phillips into the household units people have come to know and love today. In the late'90's, the first plasma TV models retailed for over $10,000, but they have since come down significantly in price.

A plasma TV consists of thousands of individual cells that are filled with a combination of gases like helium, xenon, and neon. The gas containing cells are sandwiched between two screens and electrodes are then installed both in front and behind the cells to generate the electricity. As such, the electricity from the electrodes heats the gas into a plasma state.

To understand the inner workings of a plasma TV one does not require a degree in chemistry or engineering. Firstly, the noble gases most often used in the production of a plasma TV are helium, xenon, and neon. The gases are contained in thousands of tiny cells that are sandwiched between two screens. Long electrodes are also placed in front and behind the cells to generate the electricity required to heat the gas into a plasma state.

The picture on a regular television set is made up of thousands of individual pixels and it is no different for plasma TV's. Every pixel on a plasma unit is subdivided into three sub pixels with a coating of either a red, green or blue colored phosphor. The three colors are used in traditional cathode ray tube televisions which is why a plasma TV can closely replicate the colors of older models. Blending red, green and blue together also allows the plasma system to create just about any tone imaginable.

Each pixel in a plasma TV is then subdivided into three separate sub-pixels coated with a different color phosphor. Much like in traditional cathode ray tube televisions, the sub-pixels in a plasma unit are green, red, and blue and these colors blend together to create the overall color of the pixel. The internal process is repeated thousands of times over with each pixel and when combined they form the overall picture. Plasma displays use the same phosphors as older CRT televisions and are therefore extremely accurate in reproducing the pictures from older sets.

Plasma TV's also employ a method known as pulse-width modulation to control the brightness of the picture. Pulse-width modulation works by changing the amount of current that flows through the thousands of individual cells. By varying the pulses thousands of times per second, the control system can increase or decrease the intensity of each sub pixel. As such, the system can use almost an infinite combination of red, blue, and green pixels to form the visible colors know to humankind.

It is difficult to imagine the path that plasma television has traveled since its humble beginnings in a California laboratory over thirty-five years ago. Yet, thanks to the increasing popularity of HDTV, plasma devices are found in homes and businesses around the country. As the American population continues to shop for the latest plasma technology, leading companies will be there to provide it for them. - 30542

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter called "Rambling Insight"

Enter email address here