The LG plasma tv display panel (PDP) can be thought of as a descendant of the neon lamp. The term plasma refers to a gas that consists of electrons, positively charged particles known as anions, and neutral particles. The PDP has sometimes been referred to as a gas-discharge display because it operates by passing electricity through neon gas, causing it to become "charged" temporarily: light is produced when the gas spontaneously discharges. LG Plasma TV display panels can also be viewed as a series of fluorescent lamps. The displays operate at high voltages, low currents, and low temperatures, resulting in long operating lifetime. Inside the plasma panel, a series of red, green, and blue cells are grouped in a precise matrix. These cells are activated individually, unlike standard CRTs or LCDs. This means that they emit light individually, creating a precise pixel on the viewing area.

The main advantage of the LG PLASMA TV PDP over nearly all other display devices is that it can be made into a display panel, with diagonal sizes of 20 to 80 inches that are no thicker than 4 inches. Moreover, these large display panels can provide high information content and full-color images. This makes the LG Plasma PDP the ideal technology for the fabled wall- mounted flat panel tv, which can be used in the home as well as in numerous commercial and industrial environments as a replacement for large, bulky CRT monitors and rear projectors.