2 main types of flat screen HDTVs populate the HD market currently: plasmas and LCD TVs. Even though these HDTVs are slim, attractive and capable of spectacular pictures, most people still cannot decide on which type of flat panel TV they should get. This article will try to guide you in making the correct decision by looking at how you’re going to use your HDTV.

Traditionally, plasma TVs were better than LCD TVs in terms of sheer picture quality. However, as LCD TVs get better as technology advances, the difference is now minimal at best. To decide on whether you should purchase a plasma TV or LCD TV, you should look at how you're going to use the flat panel TV.

If you intend to spend a lot of time playing console games on your new flat panel TV, you should choose an LCD over a plasma TV. Although not as big an issue as it was before, plasma TVs are still relatively susceptible to screen burn and image retention that could be easily brought upon by a long gaming session.

Also, LCD TVs tend to be brighter and feature a higher screen resolution than plasma TVs within a similar price bracket, which make the games look more detailed and vivid, resulting in a more absorbing gaming experience.

You should also opt for an LCD if you're planning to hook up a home theater computer (HTPC) with your flat panel TV. The higher screen resolution of LCD TVs will ensure that screen text are legible; and the increased brightness (compared to plasma TVs) is essential in mimicking a PC monitor. Also, if you sit too close to your flat panel TV you may notice pixel noise on plasma TVs because of the way the pictures are rendered through pulse width modulation.

On the other hand, if you enjoy fast paced sports, a plasma TV should be a strong contender in your consideration. While much improved compared to previous batches, LCD TVs continue to suffer from motion ghosting due to the sample-and-hold phenomenon that is inevitable in the LCD technology. Newer LCD TVs equipped with motion interpolation technology (100Hz and above) are better in this respect, but because the technology is still in its early days, it is usually limited to smaller panels (less than 40”), and side effects like shimmering and motion tearing are intermittently introduced.

I know I mentioned in a previous paragraph that there's minimal difference in the picture quality of plasmas and LCD TVs nowadays, but taken as a whole, the black level and shadow detail on plasma TVs are better than those on LCD TVs. So if you are an avid fan of movies with lots of dark scenes (such as Batman Begins and The Prestige), you should seriously consider a plasma TV over an LCD TV.

By evaluating the way you're planning to use the flat panel TV, you're more likely to arrive at the correct decision on whether to get a plasma TV or LCD TV. Happy hunting!