Pick a Flat Screen TV

When shopping for your next television, a number of factors should contribute to your decision. While many people tend to buy the largest TV they can afford, many other characteristics are more important than size for high definition televisions. Before you pick a flat screen TV, you need to learn about different screen types, resolution, contrast ratio and the other features available from today’s flat screens.

Steps

Choose a TV type

  1. Understand the difference between types of TVs. The three most common types of flat screen TVs are Plasma, LED, and LCD. [1] These types are explained as follows:
    • Plasma TVs create a picture by sending an electrical charge that is applied to a small sheet of tiny plasma cells.
    • LCD TVs are composed of liquid crystal compressed between two glass plates and backed by a fluorescent lamp. When you apply an electrical charge to the crystal, an image is created.
    • LED TVs are LCD panels, but instead of using the fluorescent (CCFL) backlight lamp, they use an LED backlight.
  2. Compare contrast ratios. Contrast ratio describes your TV’s ability to display bright and dark images at the same time. The higher the contrast ratio, the better the picture quality will appear. If your TV has a poor contrast ratio, you'll lose detail in extremely bright and extremely dark scenes. While this isn't usually a huge deal, it can be a factor in making your decision. Generally, plasma televisions have the best contrast ratios. Backlit LED televisions come in close second. Edge-lit LED televisions and LCD televisions will have slightly lower contrast ratios.
    • Most LCD screens start at a contrast ratio of about 600:1, while plasma screens start at 1,000:1. Both types can reach up to 10,000:1. However, because there is no standard measure for contrast ratio exists at this time, manufacturers tend to exaggerate the actual output of their TV models. Consult product reviews for additional assessments.
    • In addition to higher contrast ratios, look for good image quality on black colors. While brightness can be adjusted, many LCD screens have difficulty creating deep blacks, which can result in a picture that appears faded.
  3. Consider how well each TV type handles fast motion. If you watch a lot of fast-paced sports, a plasma TV may be your best bet, since they show the smoothest motion. However, LCD and LED TVs have improved greatly in this field in the last five years, and are both relatively good at showing motion.
    • Note that plasma TVs run the risk of being permanently damaged by "static images," such as network logos or status controls on video games. These images present a high risk of burn-in that permanently alters the screen.
  4. Think about power. LCD televisions usually only require a single fluorescent backlight, whereas plasma TVs require every sub-pixel to be lit individually. Generally, it will cost about 50 percent more to run a plasma television for a year than an LCD television. LED screens use the least amount of power. They use about 40 percent less energy than an LCD TV.[2].
  5. Consider the television's lifespan. While none of these televisions have particularly short lifespans, the plasma screen has the shortest half-life—60,000 hours (in other words, it will take 33 years for the TV's brightness to be half a new TV's brightness if used for 5 hours a day)[3]. LED televisions generally have a half-life of over 100,000 hours. LCDs fall somewhere between the two.
  6. Consider price. Generally, LCD screens are the most affordable options (they may be your only option for smaller screen sizes). Plasma TVs are generally only available as larger screens and are slightly more expensive than their LCD counterparts. LED screens are the newest TV technology and are much more expensive. LED screens are also more difficult to find in stores.

Select a screen resolution

  1. Most flat screen TVs offer 720p or 1080p options, while the traditional resolution for tube televisions and for cable TV broadcast is 480i or 480p.
    • 720p is the resolution for screens that have rows of 1280 by 720 pixels on the screen, regardless of the TV size. High definition cable and satellite channels, as well as more advanced DVD players, use this resolution.
    • 1080p is the resolution for screens that have rows of 1920 by 1080 pixels on the screen, and is mainly used for Blu-ray, although Blu-ray players can also deliver content in 720p for TVs that do not have a 1080p input.

Compare additional features

  1. Think about where your TV will go. Screen size alone, while an important factor, should not be the main priority when you pick a flat screen TV. Use your room size to dictate the size of screen you choose—the ideal viewing distance from the screen should be about twice the screen size.
  2. Think about what you want to hook up to your TV. Video inputs determine what type of peripheral devices you can hook up to your TV.
    • Composite video is a standard minimum type of connection, which uses a yellow RCA jack for picture and a white and red RCA jack for stereo sound.
    • S-Video allows you to send component analog video through a Multi-pin socket. No audio is included in this connection
    • HDMI is the standard for high definition displays, and necessary for connecting Blu-ray players, HD satellite or TV and DVD players that can Up Convert DVDs to high definition screen specifications.
    • Some newer models also offer USB and other inputs for viewing images on your computer, digital camera or other digital devices.
    • The dongle for internet access on your actual television screen can take up a fair bit of room at the back of the TV, so if this is something you want, keep it it in mind.
  3. Consider refresh rate. Refresh rate describes how often the screen image is updated. Refresh rates are measured in hertz, with 60-Hz as the standard. While most viewers do not notice the difference, a high refresh rate is most appealing to individuals who use their flat screen TVs for advanced video gaming.

Tips

  • Built-in tuners can provide an added benefit for individuals placing a premium on convenience. Make sure your cable provider supports the built-in tuner before you buy.
  • Some TVs offer a range of built-in content, including wallpapers and fine art that you can display on your television, as well as storage space for uploading your own content to display.
  • A slightly less flat option for your next TV is DLP (digital light-processing) technology. DLP screens tend to be a little over twice as deep as LCD and plasma flat screens, but cost less and are still much flatter than traditional tube televisions.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/305199/lcd_vs_plasma_vs_led_tvs_buying_guide/?
  2. ↑ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/305199/lcd_vs_plasma_vs_led_tvs_buying_guide/?pp=2
  3. ↑ http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/305199/lcd_vs_plasma_vs_led_tvs_buying_guide/?pp=3
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Pick_a_Flat_Screen_TV&oldid=293070"