HD LCD TV vs LED TV or Plasma?

LED is LCD. It is just a specialized form of LCD. Regular LCD TVs use a CCFL backlight. LED LCDs use an LED backlight. In terms of quality, that's the difference between them (they also differ in power consumption and thinness, but that doesn't impact image).

 

TV size matters. For features such as 1080p, 120Hz/240Hz, and Plasma vs LCD, the size of your set is important. If you're going 40" or larger, then Plasma, 1080p, and 120Hz/240Hz matter (and moreso if you're breaking 50"). If you are doing 37" or under, then you want to go LCD. And if you get 1080p/120Hz at that size, great, it doesn't hurt, but its just not worth paying extra for at that point.

Plasma will give you better color, contrast, and blacks. Plasma has a near instantaneous response time, which means it plays back all forms of fast motion flawlessly. Plasma is a better image experience through and through. LCD doesn't have a single option that can beat it on any level.

Plasmas suffer from a lot of myths and misconceptions though. They no longer suffer burn in, they do work in high altitudes, and they no longer have short life spans (they can easily last the same or longer than LCDs). Also, they are no longer necessarily power hogs. You can get energy star certified Plasmas now.

LCDs are the everyman HDTV. For a long time they were cheaper to own and cheaper to use (but its not the case on both fronts). They are more accessible in the small-mid range sizes that I guess more people own. They are more familiar because of LCD computer monitors.

LCDs are inherently flawed at fast motion playback though. They do not have good refresh rates/response times. They suffer from motion blur (ghost trails). This is why you see sets advertised with 120Hz and 240Hz. This is a compensation for that. While it does help a lot, it doesn't fix the inherent flaw. Also, you have to pay a steep price premium for this feature.

LCDs based on CCFL backlights will have weaker colors, blacks, and contrast compared to Plasmas. The industry response to this was the creation of the LED backlight for LCDs. This helps immensely. It doesn't beat plasma, but it gets LCDs 'into the game' so to speak. But again, you pay such a large price premium for this feature. You can get a Plasma for far less than an LED LCD.

If you go Plasma, you want to stick with Panasonic if you can. They are the best choice for quality to dollar ratio right now. Pioneer makes better image quality sets, but they cost a fortune. If Panasonic just doesn't float your boat, then look to Samsung or LG as your alternatives.
   

If you go with an LCD of 37" or smaller, I would again look to Panasonic actually. I think their image processors provide the best looking sets through and through. But this is partly personal taste. Again if Panasonic isn't your cup of tea, or if you want a larger LCD, go with the S's; Samsung, Sony, and Sharp Aquos are your friends in the LCD market place. LG and Toshiba also make some good sets, but do your homework.

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