There are a number of different large-screen television technologies existing side by side with one another, but for all intents and purposes, consumers only really need to concern themselves with two: plasma television sets and liquid crystal display (LCD) television sets. Each kind of set has its own unique list of benefits and trade-offs.

Of the two types of sets, LCD technology is the most familiar to the average consumer: it’s the exact same display technology that is used in most flatscreen desktop and laptop monitors. The benefits are a slim profile, ideal for wall mounting and significantly lighter and less bulky than the old CRT (cathode ray tube) televisions.

LCDs also use less power than plasma displays, minimize glare and are not susceptible to burn-in… the elephant in the room when plasma displays are discussed. Burn-in is what happens to an HDTV when an element of an image is displayed for a prolonged period of time in a single area of the display. Burn-in results in a ghostly afterimage of that element appearing on the display for a long time after the element itself is gone. Both LCDs and plasma screen televisions are susceptible to burn-in, but it is relatively rare on LCDs, while plasma displays are notorious for it. Finally, LCDs support a far larger spectrum of screen sizes than plasma displays.

But the benefits of LCD come at a cost, and that cost is color depth and black qualities. Compared to a plasma display, an LCD could have (relatively) muddied colors and grayish blacks. A plasma display is up to four times more accurate in reproducing color, and produces deep, true blacks with contrast ratios up to 1:1,000,000. Plasma displays also afford users a wider viewing angle of their television, maxing out at almost 180 degrees, and their higher refresh rates can virtually eliminate motion blur.

If it wasn’t for plasma displays propensity for burn-in, they’d be easy to recommend over an LCD display: the technology is simply better at reproducing color and giving off luridly deep blacks than LCDs. But while plasma displays have come a long way in reducing burn-in, it is still a danger. They are also marginally bulkier than LCD displays.

Here’s what it boils down to: Buy a plasma display if you want the best color, deepest blacks, widest viewing angle and highest refresh rates, in a set between 32-inches and 62-inches diagonally. Plasma displays are also perfect for watching sports or action movies, and they are marginally cheaper than equivalent LCD displays.

LCDs, on the other hand, are the best choice for people who need to protect their display against burn-in. Gamers, for example, should consider an LCD display to prevent the heads-up display (HUD) elements of their video games from becoming a constant ghostly presence on their screens. Consumers who are considering using their HDTV connected to a home theater PC should also consider LCD, for burn-in concerns. LCDs will also save you money on your electricity bills. Additionally, if you want the biggest or smallest HDTV display possible, you need to buy an LCD. And for those who want to minimize the footprint of their HDTV in their living room or home theater set-up, LCDs still have the slimmest footprint of all displays.