The Lifespan of Plasma, LCD, and Other Flat Panel TVs
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People who own flat panel TVs take care of them as if they were cherished pets. If you own a flat panel TV and don't fall into this group, then we'll take it that you're well-endowed with cash. Because how can one not fret over the condition of his/her plasma or LCD TV, when it sets you back thousands of bucks?
Aside from giving households topnotch home theater experience, flat panel TVs are often sources of their owners' pride. This means one thing -- we'd like it to stay that way. We'd like our expensive TVs to give us high-quality performance and amaze our friends and family for years and years to come. The question is, how many are these "years and years to come"? What are the life spans of the different types of flat panel television?
Lifespan: A Definition
So, what is a TV's "lifespan"? Basically, it's measured as a "half-life" -- the period of time it takes before the screen dims to half its original brightness. Flat panel TVs are not the only ones to lose brightness over time; every TV set does, including the traditional CRTs.
As a flat panel TV owner or prospective buyer, should you be concerned about the lifespan of your TVs? Many consumers fear that their sleek, expensive flat panel TVs will conk out long before the old reliable picture-tube sets.
Late last year, the independent nonprofit organization Consumer Reports published that during the first years of use, flat panel TVs are as reliable as CRT TVs. And with regard to long-term reliability, don't fear: You'll probably be looking for a new TV long before your flat panel wears out.
Let's look at the life spans of the different types of flat panel TVs for more info.
LCD Lifespan
LCD TVs are far and away the winners when compared to their rivals, the plasma TV. The LCD panel itself has a virtually infinite lifespan; thus, the actual lifespan of the LCD's light source determines the screen's longevity.
The pictures on LCD TVs are produced by powerful bulbs that, like any other bulb, will dim over time and with use. Because bulb life is virtually equivalent to LCD screen life, the lifespan of LCD televisions is 30,000 to 60,000 hours (with manufacturers even claiming 80,000). If the set you own can have its bulbs be replaced, then you can extend these hours. If you're watching six hours of TV per day (quite normal for a household), it'll be 28 years before the LCD TV's brightness begins to dim to half the original level.
Plasma TV Lifespan
Plasma TVs are inferior to their LCD counterparts with regard to lifespan. But some people also believe that plasma TVs, for all their razzle and dazzle, will last for less than 10 years. This is false!
If LCD panels have bulbs, plasma TVs use gases. Plasma gases decay over time. However, this wearing out is slow and gradual. Generally, the lifespan of plasma TVs is 20,000 to 30,000 hours (with manufacturers stating 60,000 hours under optimal, but highly unlikely, conditions). Right now, it's impossible to have the plasma gases replaced like LCD bulbs. If you're watching six hours of TV per day, it'll be 14 years before the plasma TV's brightness begins to fade to half the original level.
DLP TV Lifespan
Digital Light Processing or DLP TVs use projectors, which typically last between 1,000 to 3,000 hours (though some manufacturers claim 6,000-10,000). These might seem a bit short, but these lamps can easily be replaced for $200-$500. However, there have been complaints against DLP lamps that blew after only 300 hours (see related article).
The DLP screen itself is estimated to have a lifespan of 80,000 to 100,000 hours, which translates to around 30 years of 'regular' viewing.
Lifespan of Other Flat Panel TVs
These are the minor players in the flat panel TV market. Who knows if we get to see them in the mainstream in the near future, sharing space with LCD, plasma, and DLP sets?
- OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TVs use organic materials that have limited lifetimes – only 1,000 to 5,000 hours. However, the variant PHOLEDs (phosphorescent) can last up to 20,000 hours.
- Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS or LCoS) TVs use a technology similar to DLP projectors. LCOS TVs boast of a long lifespan, that is, around 80,000 hours.
For comparison, our trusty and reliable cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs have a lifespan longer than 80,000 hours.
Some Tips
How do you extend the longevity of your flat panel TVs (which you can consider as hefty investments)? Here are some tips:
- Adjust the Contrast and Brightness levels of your TV. Often, flat panel TVs come with higher than normal settings, which are fine for the showroom but excessive for your home. High contrast and brightness levels will prematurely age your screen. Keep the levels to normal.
- Buy a good brand of TV. It doesn't have to be expensive, but the type of brand that's been around the TV scene for a long while. Do some research on the Net and ask for your friends' experiences.
- Turn off your flat panel TV when not in use. If possible, don't just settle for standby mode -- unplug the set altogether! This will also help a lot in shaving dollars from your power bills (see our power saving tips for flat panel TVs article).
- For plasma TVs, never leave static images on the screen. Plasma sets are susceptible to burn in, so don't leave static images for more than seven minutes. (Yes, it's quite a bummer when you have a favorite channel -- its logo watermark might burn into your plasma screen.)
- As much as possible, keep your TV in well-ventilated areas (an air-conditioned room would be great). You'll be saving your TV's cooling system some heavy work.
- Related to the previous item, try not to mount your TV above the fireplace. If you really want to do so, first test the heat of the air above the fireplace (where you'll be mounting the TV) with your hand. If it feels much hotter than the rest of the room, don't mount the TV there.
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