Let’s get one thing clear. In the last year LCDs have taken an unbeatable lead over plasma models. But plasmas aren’t going to fade away any time in the near future. In fact plasma sales have grown by 209 per cent in the last year and almost every company has its line of plasma models. Says Ruchika Mehta of Samsung Electronics, “The market size for plasma TVs is small now, even though it may have doubled over the market in 2005.”

But there are still buyers who settle for plasmas over LCDs for a combination of reasons. Some want a combination of cost effectiveness and size. So besides an existing lineup of four plasma models in 42”, 50”, and 63” screen sizes (with prices ranging from Rs 99,000 to Rs 7 lakh), Samsung has strengthened its plasma line-up by launching its Q7 Series in 42” and 50” size segments.

Interestingly, the plasma vs LCD debate is still raging. Sathyan Rajan, marketing manager, New Business, Panasonic India says that plasmas are ahead of LCDs when it comes to sharpness, brightness, colour and motion picture. Gerhard Paul Slamam, chief technical officer and partner B&, India promises that B& plasmas offer picture depth and are updated with 60,000 hours of lifetime (the same as an LCD). B&’s BeoVision4 plasma series cost a small fortune at Rs 11 lakh for the 50” and Rs 15 lakh for the 65”.

Philips’ line of plasmas go from Rs 1.39 lakh to Rs 2.79 lakh and soon the brand will unleash the new AmbilightTM televisions. When these are switched on, a glow will surround the TV and this colour will change with the content on the screen (for strain-free viewing). Viewers can also customise the colour and intensity of the light emitted.

Panasonic and Hitachi too are focusing on plasmas. Hitachi’s 42” (Rs 1.55 lakh) and 55” (Rs 3.4 lakh) are fast movers. The Panasonic plasma screens range from 42” standard definition (Rs 94,990) to 50” high definition (Rs 3,69,990). LG’s plasma prices stand at Rs 94,000 for 42” at the entry level and scale Rs 4.5 lakh for 71”.