Which Is Best For Home Theater - Plasma Or LCD?

t's become one of the great home theater rivalries...Plasma television versus LCD. Which one do you buy as the showpiece for your best home theater system? Plasma or LCD?

Maybe it's a guy thing... I'm not sure but when I went shopping for my television, my better half, my gorgeous wife or "she who must be obeyed"... call her what you like, just didn't seem to care what type of television I purchased, Plasma or LCD, just as long as it produced a good quality picture.

Let's make some comparisons about the respective merits of either version. When setting up a home theater center the television is the centerpiece so you want to make sure you get this right. I will list what I consider the advantages of either type.

Plasma Advantages

1. Definately screen size. Plasma tv's are available in size from 32 inches, all the way up to over 100 inches. Certainly an advantage if you prefer the bigger screens.

2. Viewing angle is an interesting debate. Some say plasma while others say LCD. Maybe plasma "by a nose" but there is nothing in it. LCD's have improved markedly though and are rapidly gaining the upper hand in this area.

LCD Advantages

1. LCD tv's are definately tougher and more durable, not that you'll be tossing the thing around the back yard! They certainly hold the upper hand in the "durability stakes."

2. Installation is usually a breeze with LCD's where plasmas require a little more installation know how.

3.LCD's are lighter although this could have something to do with the fact they are smaller however, they are also thinner than plasmas. Whether this is an advantage I'm not sure and in the end, it may be up to "the eye of the beholder!"

As you can see, there is not a lot of difference in my opinion.

Life Span

There is always an argument for and against concerning plasma and LCD life span but to be honest, there is not much difference between either version. You could reasonably expect to get 15-20,000 hours use from either television before backlights need to be replaced however, replacing an LCD part will cost you more than a plasma at this stage of the evolution in technology.

Picture Issues

LCD's are perhaps more consistent in the area of picture brightness during normal conditions of light but under home theater situations, plasma will have the edge.

Pixel issues are again line ball with both plasma and LCD having their for against arguments. Burn-in issues were once a drawback with plasmas but technology in recent years has "levelled the playing field" in this area.

Which Is Best?

I'd rate plasmas as the choice television for a home theater set up. Let's face it, you'll more than likely use your home theater to catch up on plenty of movies. However, with technology advancing so rapidly, LCD's are gaining more and more of a foothold.

What did I buy? Plasma. Why? Because in the end, I got a great deal on a set which was on sale and hard to resist at the price. I'm betting this may ultimately sway your decision as well. And yes, my better half was more than pleased!

Ways To Save Money Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping bills can really add up! Most people tend to wait until they get to the store to see what they need on a shopping trip, but that can add up to a whole bunch of overspending at the grocery store. In this article, we'll offer up some tips on how to save money when taking your trip to the grocery store.

- Before you leave the house to hit the supermarket, it can be a good idea to check your pantry and do a quick inventory so that you can see exactly what you need. Plus, if you have some odd ingredient hanging out in the cupboard, you can buy something to go with it when you go to the grocery store.

- Check weekly supermarket ads to see exactly what's on sale. Combine that knowledge with what you've already got in your cupboard, and you should be able to come up with some recipes for the week that incorporate what you already have and what's on sale.

- When you see something for sale that you already have, but you often buy, buy it anyway. When you buy things that you would buy anyway on sale, you're saving yourself plenty of cash in the future.

- Do your best to avoid making small purchases at places such as convenience stores. These smaller stores usually charge a premium when it comes to their grocery goods, and you can save a few dollars a week by just making one big trip to the supermarket.

- When you make a grocery list, stick to it. Do your best to avoid impulse buys, since they are usually unnecessary and costly.

- Red meat can be very expensive. If you're looking for ways to get your protein intake without spending a whole lot of cash, it may be your best bet to avoid red meat, opting for poultry, tuna, peanut butter, and eggs instead.

- When buying poultry, opt for whole chickens as opposed to breast meat. They are a much more cost-effective way of getting chicken.

- When you see something advertised as a sale, be sure that it is actually a good deal. Compare the product to similar products in the area to determine whether or not you'll be saving cash by buying the deal item.

Following these tips can save you a lot of money when it comes to your supermarket trips. Since the cost of foods can really add up, you may find yourself with some spare pocket money if you are a prudent and informed shopper.