Introduction
There are now more options available in the world of televisions than ever before. Old-fashioned, wide CRT screens have been phased out in favor of sleek, flat screen TVs.
You’ll certainly notice the difference when you upgrade your old-style TV. But how do you ever go about choosing which TV you want to buy?!
While most flat screen TVs will be high definition, they use a number of different technologies including LCD, LED and 3D.
This guide will teach you the difference between these different types of TV, and also go through each and every spec you should look out for before making your choice of which TV to buy.
HDTV
The kind of TVs most of us have been used to all our lives are known as “standard definition”. Although standard definition TVs can be quite good quality, the images aren’t as sharp as they could be.
The difference HDTV makes is that the image is around double the resolution of standard definition; it’s sharper and far more detailed. Once you’re used to HDTV, standard definition will look poor in comparison. The bigger the HD screen, the more you’ll notice the difference.
HD-ready TVs will display images sent to them either via Blu-Ray HD DVDs or HD television broadcasts. However, many TV shows and movies are still in standard definition, and HD TVs can play this too (how well or not it displays, however, is something you should check for in reviews).
If you’re buying a flat screen TV today, chances are it has some form of high definition (see the specs section of the guide for more on that). HD is also combined with LED, LCD or Plasma and some can have 3D capabilities.
LCD
LCD TVs come in a huge range of sizes, ranging from relatively small up to 65 inches. They’re also available from a huge range of different manufacturers, giving you greater choice as to what to buy.
Pros Of LCD TVs:
- LCD TVs use less power to run than plasma screens,
- Good for viewing in brighter rooms if you opt for a matte screen,
- Lasts an average of 16 to 32 years of use at six hours per day.
Cons Of LCD TVs:
- LCD screens have a worse viewing angle than plasma screens,
- Poorer uniformity (i.e. the uniformity of picture quality across all areas of the screen),
- Not best viewed in very dark rooms when compared to plasma.
LED
LED TVs come in a wide range of different sizes and, just like LCD TVs, are available from all major manufacturers. LED TVs are just the same as LCD except for the backlight, which helps to improve picture quality.
Pros Of LED TVs:
- LED TVs use less power than plasma or LCD screens,
- Very thin design,
- Lasts an average of 16 to 32 years of use at six hours per day.
Cons Of LED TVs:
- Usually more expensive than other technologies,
- Not much extra picture benefit, compared to LCDs, considering the extra cost
Plasma
Plasma screens are made by LG, Samsung and Panasonic and generally come in sizes of 42 inches and above.
Pros Of Plasma TVs:
- They look very good in dark rooms,
- They have a better viewing angle than LCD TVs,
- Good image uniformity across the screen,
- Lasts an average of 16 to 32 years of use at six hours per day.
Cons Of Plasma TVs:
- Not always the best for bright rooms as they can reflect light,
- Can experience image burn when one still image is paused on the screen for long periods,
- They use a lot of power.
3D TV
What is 3D?
3D brings TV to life, making it appear as if images are literally jumping out at you from the screen. This has become more popular in movie theatres in recent years, and now all the major TV brands have released their own 3D TV offerings.
TVs need to incorporate special technology in order to display 3D images, making them more expensive than traditional flat panel TVs. It also means you’ll need to wear special 3D glasses to see the effects – these glasses must be worn by each viewer in order to experience images in 3D.
Pros Of 3D TVs:
- 3D TVs create a whole new viewing experience,
- Some 3D TVs can convert 2D to 3D giving you a broader range of 3D content.
Cons Of 3D TVs:
- 3D capability will make any TV more expensive,
- You need to buy glasses separately, and they aren’t cheap,
- There isn’t that much content yet available in 3D, and 2D to 3D conversion can yield poor results.
Tablet Computer Buyer’s Guide