How to Choose a Flat-Screen TV
The last decade has seen enormous changes to the TV market. Many people do not understand the new technology, and so they are asking more than ever, "Which TV is right for me?" Although they appear to be similar, LCD and plasma TVs are very different, and each are suited to different people.
In the past 10 years,
the television market has changed dramatically. In some ways, shopping for TVs has become easier. It only seems more difficult because we are unaccustomed to the technology and terminology. Just 10 years ago, if we wanted a new TV, we had to decide between several different types. These types included the old CRT, which itself was divided into a standard rounded tube or a flat-fronted tube. On the higher end, a choice existed between rear projection, LCD, and plasma. Then, we had to determine if we wanted a standard 4:3 ratio screen or a widescreen.
In the intervening years, most of those choices have faded out. CRTs are all but dead, and they were soon followed by rear projection. You will also be hard pressed to find any TV that does not have a widescreen aspect ratio. The number one question, now, boils down to the LCD vs. the plasma TV. As technology progresses, the LCD is proving to be more popular and versatile, but for some, it makes sense to go with the plasma.
The difference between the two similar-looking types of TVs is how they bring a picture to the screen. Plasma uses a special gas contained in tiny cells. This gas emits different colors depending on the voltage passed through it. Each cell makes a pixel and the pixels together bring out the image. LCD is short for liquid crystal display. LCD TVs work on the basis of a liquid trapped between two glass plates. The liquid changes color by the electrical signals passing through it. Each of these TVs has advantages over the other.
Plasma TVs
Plasma TVs are best suited to a home theater with dim lighting. They are perfect for watching movies. Plasma TVs, generally, have a higher contrast ratio than LCDs. The contrast ratio compares how bright the white gets to how dark the black gets when on the screen simultaneously. The higher the contrast, the more detail can be seen.
Plasma TVs also have a wider viewing angle than LCD TVs. LCDs must be viewed practically straight on, and while the viewing angle of the plasma doesn’t match that of the old CRT, it is noticeably wider than that of the LCD. At standard refresh rates, plasma has better motion tracking, and the movements don’t seem as choppy. Colors on the plasma TV are considered to be very warm and natural.
LCD TVs
LCD TVs usually have a higher resolution than that of plasma TVs. The resolution is the number of pixels on the screen. The more pixels, the more defined the images will be. LCD technology is also not susceptible to image burn-in like the plasma. LCD TVs work well in bright lighting. LCDs are recommended for any room where the lighting cannot be dimmed. Rooms with bright lamps or large, open windows are best suited to an LCD.
LCD TVs are less expensive than their plasma counterparts. They also weigh less and are easier to transport. LCDs tend to have a longer lifespan than plasma TVs and are considered to be more environmentally sound.
