Tumblr 101: Tips And Tricks To Get Started
Sebastian Thrun: Google's Driverless Car
Five Things to Consider Before Buying an HDTV
3. TV Types: LCD vs Plasma vs Projection vs CRT? (Say That 10 Times Fast)
Since most of us are looking to replace our bulky old television with one a sleek new flat-panel, the main choice will be between LCD or Plasma technology. Without getting too much into the nitty-gritty of how each of these display technologies work, we'll give you the quick-and-dirty run-down. If you're looking for anything under 42-inches, you'll have to go with an LCD TV, since plasmas are only available in sizes of 42-inches or bigger. Since there are more LCD-TVs out there, the technology offers a greater choice of sizes, features and, most importantly, price ranges. In other words, if you're looking for a decent $650 television, you'll have to go with LCD.
That said, LCDs tend to get considerably more expensive in the bigger sizes, which is where they start to compete with plasma displays. In the larger sizes, we prefer plasma screens since, in our experience, they just look better -- colors are more accurate, blacks are deeper, and they can handle fast-motion scenes (and sports) without any of that pixel distortion you sometimes see on lesser TVs. Also, LCDs can be more irritating on the eye, particularly in dark rooms, because they generally give off more light.
One more thing to consider: LCDs tend to use less energy than power-hungry plasmas, though the latter type is improving in this respect. As for Projection (DLP, LCD) and CRT (tube), the long and the short of it on these types of TVs is that they offer more bang-for-the-buck than LCD or Plasma -- DLP and LCD Projection give you bigger screen sizes for less, while CRT gives you top quality HDTV display for a fraction of the price of a comparable LCD or plasma.
Since most of us are looking to replace our bulky old television with one a sleek new flat-panel, the main choice will be between LCD or Plasma technology. Without getting too much into the nitty-gritty of how each of these display technologies work, we'll give you the quick-and-dirty run-down. If you're looking for anything under 42-inches, you'll have to go with an LCD TV, since plasmas are only available in sizes of 42-inches or bigger. Since there are more LCD-TVs out there, the technology offers a greater choice of sizes, features and, most importantly, price ranges. In other words, if you're looking for a decent $650 television, you'll have to go with LCD.
That said, LCDs tend to get considerably more expensive in the bigger sizes, which is where they start to compete with plasma displays. In the larger sizes, we prefer plasma screens since, in our experience, they just look better -- colors are more accurate, blacks are deeper, and they can handle fast-motion scenes (and sports) without any of that pixel distortion you sometimes see on lesser TVs. Also, LCDs can be more irritating on the eye, particularly in dark rooms, because they generally give off more light.
One more thing to consider: LCDs tend to use less energy than power-hungry plasmas, though the latter type is improving in this respect. As for Projection (DLP, LCD) and CRT (tube), the long and the short of it on these types of TVs is that they offer more bang-for-the-buck than LCD or Plasma -- DLP and LCD Projection give you bigger screen sizes for less, while CRT gives you top quality HDTV display for a fraction of the price of a comparable LCD or plasma.
16 Grammys Looks That Weren't Working
Whitney Houston Autopsy: Cause of Death Determined?
Worst Movie Mistakes: Date Night Edition (PHOTOS)
Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina: Late Singer's Daughter Hospitalized
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
PHOTOS: President Obama's Kissing Technique
Jennifer Hudson Whitney Tribute: Grammy President Reveals Why Singer Was Chosen for Musical Memorial
Grammy 2012 Winners' List: Adele Sweeps Music's Biggest Night
How Hattie Lost 300 Pounds: 'I Was Ready To Do Whatever It Took To Survive'
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
5-Hour Energy: A Success Equal Parts Caffeine, Chemistry and Meditation
Matt Bomer Comes Out As Gay
People With Easy-To-Pronounce Names More Likely To Succeed, Study Says
Katy Perry Grammy Performance 2012: Did the Diva Diss Her Ex-Hubby With Revealing New Song?
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
Whitney Houston Dead: Stars React to Legend's Sudden Death
Grammy Awards 2012: The Best & Worst Of The Red Carpet!
12 Grammys Stars Who Gave Good Style
The Top 10 Slacker Colleges
15 Funny Valentine's Day Cards
Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
WATCH: 25 Million Tons Of Japan Tsunami Debris Headed Directly Our Way
Remembering The People's Ballerina
Oprah Under Fire For Controversial Tweet
PHOTOS: Thank God For Grown-Up Glamour
JUNGLE SURVIVAL: Marines Drink Snake Blood, Eat Insects
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
New Clues, Details Emerge In Powell Case
PHOTOS: Kate Spends Valentine's Day Solo!
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
PHOTOS: Beautiful Scars
15 Funny Valentine's Day Quotes
Comments
4
Subscribe to commentsJoachimNov 25th 2008 3:13PM
The individual who has written this article has absolutely no knowledge of the major technological advances implemented in past two years in both Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Plasma display technologies.
First, there are many plasma televisions that are manufactured in sizes smaller than 42 inches, an example: INSIGNIA 32”-model number: NS-PDP32-09.
Also, with the implementation of 120Hz video processors, LCD televisions are capable of properly displaying fast motion scenes just as fast, if not better than most Plasma televisions.
As correlated to deep blacks and vivid whites, any LCD television that is equipped with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) back light will display blacks just as well as any Plasma television.
Finally, most contemporary Plasma television models consume very little current.
Thank you,
Vinny
AshramNov 25th 2008 4:11PM
Don't forget.
Hardly anyone makes CRT sets anymore capable of displaying at HDTV resolutions unless you are buying a used HDTV CRT set that lacks HDMI or uses an obsolete version of HDMI with possibly no practical option to update it. And, these CRT HDTVs only support up to 1080i: I've not seen a home CRT-based HDTV that has 1080p support.
Or if you are willing to shell out thousands for a professional Sony Trinitron monitor designed explicitly for video/film production (and the screen sizes aren't big and even then those are being phased out).
JadyNov 25th 2008 10:49PM
I have to agree with the comment that the person who wrote this article is woefully misinformed. Or perhaps this article was written five years ago?
To clear a few things up: LCD and Plasma TVs consume nearly the same amount of power when compared size for size.
Also, the LCD's tendency for 'motion blur' or pixellation that was mentioned in the article has been virtually eliminated by the invention of the 120hz refresh rate processor now. Some plasmas, though, still perform at 480hz, which is obviously faster.
Next... as mentioned below, there are a number of smaller plasma TVs available in smaller sizes, including the NSIGNIA 32”-model number: NS-PDP32-09 among others.
And: While the writer is correct that LCDs inherently play brighter than plasmas, this can be helped with a very commonly recommended service called a CALIBRATION. This is when ISF certified technicians connect a machine to your TV, tune the factory settings to a more realistic home usage level, and also helps with the energy consumption of both plasmas and LCDs. Remember, televisions are sent out to look good in a large, flourescent-lit showroom, not your living room!
Lastly, there are some very well-constructed LCD TVs that will produce deep, sharp blacks much like a plasma. For this, check out the Sony XBR8 series, or the SAMSUNG 800 and 900 series.
Just hoping that this horridly written article based on NO facts whatsoever doesn't get the chance to influence any unwitting consumers... Do your research elsewhere, please!
Happy Holidays!
Charles WilliamsNov 27th 2008 7:53AM
With the Government switching TV's to HD Thru the Cable is the Audio signal going to change also,because Audio as is sucks. TV's broadcast programs along with comercials, but when a comercial comes on myself and millions of others must turn the volume down. IT's TOO LOUD! I have contacted local broadcasters,FCC, cable companies, and my congressman. My answer has been not my job , contact someone else. or purchace another gizmo box to fix it. If they can get the video to go digital why not sound?