A few years ago, this debate was more clear-cut depending on your particular viewing circumstances, but both technologies have made significant improvements in their relative weaknesses.
Thanks to improvements in both flat-panel technologies over the past several years, the old caveats about plasma TVs being susceptible to image burn-in and LCD TVs having problems with fast moving action really no longer apply to today's HDTVs.
The old warning about image burn-in on plasma televisions are virtually a thing of the past. Modern plasma TVs employ technologies such as pixel shifting to reduce the possibility of any burn-in occurring. Although you may see some image retention on a plasma screen when it fades to black, this disappears after a few seconds. Indeed, modern plasma TVs are no more susceptible to burn-in than the old CRT TVs we watched for 50 years and I don't remember anybody worrying about it back then.
The days of seeing tails on hockey pucks and basketballs on LCD TVs is also a thing of the past thanks to improved response times and faster refresh rates. Sports lovers can enjoy the game just as much on an LCD TV as they can on a plasma TV.
Any salesperson who tries to tell you that plasma TVs are less reliable than LCD TVs doesn't know what they're talking about. Both technologies have proven to be equally reliable in consumer surveys.
The biggest remaining difference between the two competing technologies involves picture contrast and black levels when being viewed from an off-axis angle (to either side rather than directly head on). Even the best LCD TVs tend to have a greatly reduced black levels and contrast ratio when viewed off angle. While some are better than others, all LCD TV pictures tends to loose their 'pop' and dark areas appear more gray than black when viewed at an angle. Plasma TVs generally maintain their black level and contrast ratio no matter what angle they're viewed from.
The off-axis shortcoming is balanced by the fact that LCD TVs tend to be brighter and maintains their contrast ratio and black level better in a well lit room such as one with plenty of windows and bright sunshine. A plasma TVs picture will appear more washed out and dull under these viewing circumstances.
LCDs also tend to be more energy efficient compared to plasmas, but both consume less energy than the did a few years ago.
Next: What About LED TVs?
