Popular LCD Hdtv Ratings.....

Sales of LCD HDTVs are on the rise and it is no surprise that consumers are constantly on the search for favorite LCD HDTV ratings so that they could decide the best of the best LCD TVs to buy. Among today's popular LCD HDTV ratings one will note that the Vizio, the Toshiba Regza and the Sony Bravia stand out from other HDTV offers. Let's examine why the Vizio, the Toshiba Regza and the Sony Bravia are receiving high LCD HDTV ratings a bit more in detail below.

The Vizio HDTV is getting great LCD HDTV ratings primarily because the set is attractive and functional. Consumers have come to appreciate the reasonable price tag assigned to the Vizio LCD HDTV set, particularly to the bigger screen models. Vizio sets come with 1080p thereby offering consumers fantastic imagery cast through superior resolution too. Finally, the Vizio sets that are getting the most popular LCD HDTV ratings are those which possess the 42 inch or wider screens.

Consumers are reporting a fondness for the Toshiba Regza, which has notably dropped in price since its official launch date by many hundred dollars. The near 68 percent savings that consumers are getting from getting an HDTV which is cheap in price and comfortably priced under other competitive models is enticing enough for consumers to give the Toshiba Regza high LCD HDTV ratings. Housed in a super sleek, thin casing, this set is superior for movie viewing as well as gaming.

Meanwhile, consumers are offering equally high at LCD HDTV ratings for the Sony Bravia line. This line of products, while a bit pricey, delivers all the attributes one desires from an HDTV. Fully loaded with a plethora of media features, the Sony Bravia proves to be a superior LCD HDTV housed within a super attractive casing. For exceptional color, and image clarity, it's hard to beat the offerings of a Sonya Bravia set. What's more, consumers are finding that they truly appreciate the sound quality offered by Sonya Bravia HDTVs, and the more than right pricing which makes the sets a worthwhile purchase.

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Tags: LCD, Plasma, Flat Panel, HDTVs

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Flat And LCD Televisions - Style Redefined......

Televisions are the basic necessity of life as well as the gadgets which are constantly in use must be loaded with all the required functions and usefulness.

It has all started with Tony Baird's invention of a television, way back in 1900 century. The revolution was born. With time it has been nourished and cared for to give way to various innovations.

This recent innovation of flat and LCD television's devoid of cathode ray tube. The then broad television in the stores are fast replaced by very thin flat panel LCD televisions and subsequently into the end users' homes. These are in two variants - wall mounted and table mounted.

In case of wall mounted TV the place should be secure enough, out of reach of small children, and out of range of direct sunlight. Heat, jerks and sunlight able to lead to irreversible damage to this sophisticated class of fragile product. It is advisable to install this TV on a plain wall without any windows and doors for maximum entertainment effects.

LCDs have a minimum screen size of 23" and the range increases according to rise in prices. Larger screen size creates a life size affect of any kind of program. For example a little of of the TV companies have installed largest TV screens at prominent places in metro cities to create a king size effects of one-day cricket match.

Pixel count is another specification to be considered before purchasing the LCD flat panel television. Lowest in the series is 1280x720(p) or 1366x768(p) pixel resolution.

What if the basic motion response time is high? Action picture'll appear slower and will have frustrating effects on the viewer. Time of 12ms or 8ms is optimum.

The degree of variation of the whitest and darkest parts of image defines the contrast ratio and has to be at-least 1500:1 to stay away muddy picture quality. The screen has to be bright enough on the first glance for a bright picture.

Tags: LCD, Plasma, Flat Panel, HDTVs

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Best HDTV on the Market (2008-2009).....

There are numerous things that a purchaseer should consider when they go shopping for a HDTV, but purchasing the best HDTV on the retail can be just a matter of preferences. Even so, many standards in quality are a must, as well as that's why people passionate about the subject are busy writing guides that can help you in your endeavor. This is the first article of a series dedicated to the subject of best HDTV. Now we will take an overview of the best brands of HDTV that are out there, in order to give you with a complete picture before producing a buy.

General expectations

Even when manufacturers claim that their last product is top of the line, you cannot just go as well as purchase the newest HDTV. It would mean that you have unlimited money to spend on early gadgets, which we believe to be far from the truth for most people. Buying the best HDTV on the market is related to your budget and your preferences, and achieving this goal means that you need to obtain a balance between the offerings from the stores and your own personal considerations.

Best manufacturers

When it comes to making a list containing completely the manufacturers with a name on the HDTV market, no one is surprised to see there well reputed companies that made their contribution to the electronics field long before the dawn of HDTV technology. Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, Sony, LG score high as makers and sellers of great models of plasma and LCD. Of course, a fierce competition takes place between them, and each'd liketo claim that one of their products is the best HDTV on the market.

Best plasma and LCD

We will show you here, in brief, a list containing the names for the best plasmas and LCD's on the market, as the subject will be treated in another articles of the series:

For 32" screen size, here are a little of of the best choices:

- Sony KDL-32XBR6 - 120Hz 1080p 32? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN32A650 - 120Hz 1080p 32? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN32A550 - 60Hz 1080p 32? LCD HDTV

- LG 32LG60 - 120Hz 1080p 32? LCD HDTV

- Panasonic TC-32LX85 - 60Hz 720p 32? LCD HDTV

The best 40" screen size models are:

- Sony KDL-40XBR6 - 120Hz 1080p 40? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN40A650 - 120Hz 1080p 40? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN40A750 - 120Hz 1080p 40? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN40A550 - 60Hz 1080p 40? LCD HDTV

- Sony KDL-40Z4100 - 120Hz 1080p 40? LCD HDTV

- Sony KDL-40W4100 - 120Hz 1080p 40? LCD HDTV

- LG 42LG60 - 120Hz 1080p 42? LCD HDTV

For 42" screen size, these are the names to look for:

- Panasonic TH-42PZ800U - 1080p 42? Plasma HDTV

- Panasonic TH-42PZ80U - 1080p 42? Plasma HDTV

- Panasonic TH-42PX80U - 720p 42? Plasma HDTV

For 46" screen size, the best rated are:

- Panasonic TH-46PZ850U - 1080p 46? Plasma HDTV

- Panasonic TH-46PZ800U - 1080p 46? Plasma HDTV

- Panasonic TH-46PZ80U - 1080p 46? Plasma HDTV

- Sony KDL-46XBR8 - 120Hz 1080p 46? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN46A950 - 120Hz 1080p 46? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN46A750 - 120Hz 1080p 46? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN46A650 - 120Hz 1080p 46? LCD HDTV

- Sony KDL-46XBR6 - 1080p 1080p 46? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN46A550 - 120Hz 1080p 46? LCD HDTV

- Sony KDL-46Z4100 - 120Hz 1080p 46? LCD HDTV

- LG 47LG60 - 120Hz 1080p 47? LCD HDTV

- Sony KDL-46W4100 - 120Hz 1080p 46? LCD HDTV

For 50" screen size, here are the winners:

- Pioneer PRO-111FD - 1080p 50? Plasma HDTV

- Pioneer PDP-5020FD - 1080p 50? Plasma HDTV

- Panasonic TH-50PZ850U - 1080p 50? Plasma HDTV

- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U - 1080p 50? Plasma HDTV

- Samsung PN50A650 - 1080p 50? Plasma HDTV

- Panasonic TH-50PX80U - 1080p 50? Plasma HDTV

For 58" screen size, search for these models:

- Panasonic TH-58PZ850U - 1080p 58? Plasma HDTV

- Panasonic TH-58PZ800U - 1080p 58? Plasma HDTV

- Samsung PN58A650 - 1080p 58? Plasma HDTV

For 52" models, we have these high rated products:

- Sony KDL-52XBR6 - 120Hz 1080p 52? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN52A750 - 120Hz 1080p 52? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN52A650 - 120Hz 1080p 52? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN52A550 - 60Hz 1080p 52? LCD HDTV

- LG 52LG60 - 120Hz 1080p 52? LCD HDTV

For 55" screens, we can list these names:

- Sony KDL-55XBR8 - 120Hz 1080p 55? LCD HDTV

- Samsung LN55A950 - 120Hz 1080p 55? LCD HDTV

And, for bigger screens, like 60" and up, see these products:

- Pioneer PRO-151FD - 1080p 60? Plasma HDTV

- Pioneer PDP-6020FD - 1080p 60? Plasma HDTV

- Panasonic TH-65PZ850U - 1080p 65? Plasma HDTV

- Samsung PN63A650 - 1080p 63? Plasma HDTV

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As you can see, the list is quite rich, and the choices are many. If you want to learn more on how to make your choice for the best HDTV on the market, then you will be interested in reading more. Come to your site and find out the pros and cons of every of the best HDTV models. You can go and read many reviews of best plasma HDTV models.

Tags: LCD, Plasma, Flat Panel, HDTVs

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Why Should I Buy a Flat Panel TV?.....

LCD TV'S Can Display An Expanded Range Of Colors Compared To The Average Monitor. Many Of Them Utilize USB Ports To Provide Easy Access To Plug-And-Play Devices Such As MP3 Players, Digital Cameras, And Camcorders Providing Push Button Easy Uploads And Downloads. Flat Panel Tvs Televisions Are Very Thin And Provide Very Sharp Resolutions. Plasma Tvs Produce Images By Illuminating Tiny Groups Of Colored Glass. Flat Panels Are Hot Products,

* Flat Panel Televisions Are Getting Larger And Going Down In Price, And Most Produce The Sharpest Images Compared To All Other Affordable House-Hold Budget Displays.
* With A Maximum Affordable Screen Size Of About 52 Inches, They Are Suitable For Group Viewing -- But Smaller Units Can Be A Great Way To Get A Big Picture Into Smaller Rooms Like A Den, Workshop, Or Loft.

With The Looming Transition To Digital Broadcasts The Move To A Flat Panel TV On Your Next Purchase Is A Smart Move Because Those Signals Are Made For This Type Of Receiver Which Handles The Higher Resolutions, Including High-Definition Television (HDTV).

* Boasting A Larger Number Of Scan Lines Of Picture Information. Digital TVs Have Higher Resolutions And The Costs Keep Coming Down.
* For All Practical Purposes The Analog Sets Are Going The Way Of The Dinosaurs.
* Some Of The More Expensive Digital Models Come With A Built-In Tuner For HDTV, But Some May Require You To Buy A Separate Tuner For Several Hundred Dollars More.

Flat-Panel LCD'S For The Most Part Have Achieved Price Parity With Plasma Sets In The 40 To 52 Inch Sizes, But Generally Over 52 Inches The Price Divergence Becomes An Issue. Flat-Panel LCD's Are Generally Considered Sharper And Brighter. Rear-Projection TV Offer The Largest Sizes For Less Money There Are Several Trade Offs. Rear-Projection TVs Are Best Used In A Separate Viewing Room That Can Be Darkened So That The Images Will Be Easily Viewed. Most Budgets Aren't Set Up To Afford This Luxury; So Again LCD's Make A Good Choice For Most Families.

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Tags: LCD, Plasma, Flat Panel, HDTVs

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LCD HDTV Sales Leaders in North America...

The sufficiently aggressive policy of Samsung Electronics in the sphere of price strategy for LCD television sets helped the Korean electronics giant to reach earlier than expected, the 14.2% of corresponding market share. Such numbers were disseminated by the research company, iSuppli Corp. The above indicated numbers characterize the position of Korean company for the period of the fourth quarter of 2007. It is necessary to note that in the previous period the index was 12.5%. The intensification of sales & LCD HDTV production allowed the Samsung Electronics to occupy the heading place on the market for North America.

Sharp & Sony Joint Production LCD displays

Important news for the consumer market of the LCD television sets: the two electronic giants, Sony & Sharp are discussing to open the joint production of LCD displays. Both companies, according to the preliminary data, refer to the following conditions: Sony obtains the possession rights of 34% of the Sharp plant, which will be likened to begin operation in 2010. One should supplement that the plans with respect to the building of plant show that it has chances to become the largest for the production of LCD television sets.

Sharp Interacts with Sony to Recapture LCD HDTV Market

The interest of the electronics giant, Sharp must be seen, first of all, in the possibility to return itself on the leading place of the LCD television market, which it yielded to its old competitors Philips & Samsung. Specifically, interaction with Sony will make it achievable to considerably enlarge the production of LCD television sets thus returning itself to the previous portion of market share. This collaboration able to be considered as very promising against the background of the forecasts from independent researchers about the assumed increase in the market demand for 150 million LCD television sets.

Increase in Market Demand for LCD HDTV

In 2008, according to the preliminary forecasts of the expert company of Display bank, there promises to be a notable increase in the demand for LCD HDTV. The projected increase mentioned is more than 20%. Success beckons upon those producers who will increase the production of the large-format models of LCD HDTV sets. The optimization of product output will become inevitable & compulsory condition for the producing companies. One should recall that in the second-half of 2007 constant difficulties with the deliveries of LCD television sets into the retail network were observed.

The experts at Display bank predict further scarcity, which will be accompanied by the unavoidable increase in the demand for the large-panel television sets. The sales grow is forecast for the second-half of 2008. A successful year undoubtedly is expected for the LCD HDTV producers. Marketing confidently increases the demand & together with the decrease of production expenditures, the production of large-format television sets will look increase in prices for the consumers & profitableness of the particular electronic engineering market segment.

Conclusion

The second place goes to Sony, the production for the company grew in the last period of 2007 to acquire a 12.5% of market share - earlier Sony was the market leader. The drop to number 2 for Sony came to being caused by the decreased sales volumes in the final quarter 2007 for LCD television sets under the new Vizio label which held the market for North America in the second & third quarters of 2007. Additionally, Sony could not keep the balance under the pressure of different giant Asian companies, first of all, which knew how to draw buyers by giving considerably active advertising campaigns of their HDTV models & placed relatively equal prices for their LCD television sets, cheaper than Sony's.

Tags: LCD, Plasma, Flat Panel, HDTVs

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Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV - The Most Picture Perfect HDTV on the Market....

Billed as the LCD HDTV brand with the best picture on the market, the Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV entered the market as the underdog. Stereotyped and shunned by most, the competitively priced brand, packed with must-have features that would make different 1080p LCD HDTV brands blush, soon captured the hearts and imagination of most households, to become the number one sought after brand in America, and now it's easy to see why...

To sum it in one sentence, the Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV, ranging from the 500 series to the current 800 series, is what the Nissan GTR is to the sports car industry...super easy on the pocket, super-sleek, faster than most, if not completely Sports cars on the market priced at twice, and even 4 times more than the GTR... and yes, oh yes, Candy for the eyes!

With it's standard swivel base, producing this Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV perfect to watch from any angle in the room, you'd be hard pressed not to love the picture clarity from any angle! If dust is your pet peeve, then put away your duster and forget those "baby come back" commercials, due to the Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV is dust resistant!

The mad Scientists from Korea put out a code red no-holds-barred design contest when designing the Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV. With the new 600 series, starting with the LN52A650, which Samsung introduced with their Red Touch of Color - a Technology that brands their models with a subtle hint of red....more accentuated as you watch your HDTV from a slight angle!

Think Merlot, soft to the eye and perfect for home decor. Now Bruno, your Interior design diva, has a whole new assignment on his hands when he redecorates your home, as the LCD HDTV will have to be factored into the design, color and layout of the decor!

No longer do you have to be stuck with the bland and generic black color on all TVs....keep watching this space as HDTVs start following in the footsteps of the Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV by churning out a kaleidoscope of colors with their HDTVs that would make your head spin!

If this is beginning to sound like the ramblings of an Samsung employee on the verge of receiving a bonus check for writing a sterling review on the product lest his house goes on fire! rest assured...it is not!

Samsung couldn't pay me nor afford me at the rate they pay their employees, let alone the manufacturers, whatever their ages or dedication! Consider this review, rather as from someone whose eyes became more than just Claritin D clear where Hi Definition television viewing is concerned!

Life is too short to spend it watching the neighbor's HDTV from the bushes that make up your house fence with those worn out and over-used binoculars you received as a send-off present to a African Birdwatching Safari when Zimbabwe still had wildlife and birds!

In my opinion, most people choose their HDTVs, first based on price, then, depending on the ego or affordability, the size! Whatever size of ego or price, the Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV brand is priced with the ordinary man on the street in mind, and it takes the human mind a couple of minutes to understand this concept as we're all conditioned to believe bigger - better - more pricey!

When the PC became a household commodity, sales sored and prices, well, prices remained relatively constant...now you do not have to bother about saving for a new PC, because Samsung has developed their 1080p LCD HDTV with Internet surfing abilities... the couch potato lifestyle is becoming popular again!

No longer do you have to lumber in a sleepy stupor to your home PC to check your stocks and read update news...you able to access both, and much more, including anything you can attach to the HDTV, using USB, from your Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV screen!

Whatever your viewing preference, you can rest assured that any Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV you choose is the perfect brand for you.

From the 32 inch all the way to the 67 inch, you will be hard stuck not to love the Samsung brand of 1080p LCD HDTVs. Why not make your next picture perfect viewing experience, in front of a S

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Digital Signage: Despite General Economic Slump Digital Signs To Grow In 2009 .....

Gloom and doom everywhere. Failures, bailouts, bankruptcies, foreclosures -the list goes on and on, numbing some, frightening others and leaving most looking for some ray of hope.

Believe it or not, that glimmer is coming from the digital signage market. Display industry analyst DisplaySearch Jan. 22 released some data that should give everyone associated with digital signage reason to shake off at least a bit of the funk that lingers from the endless recitation of shrinking economic prospects.

Unit volume for plasma and LCD panels used for public display actually grew 13 percent year over year, according to the analyst group's "Quarterly FPD (flat panel display) Public Display Shipment and Forecast Report." For 2009, DisplaySearch is forecasting a 44 percent increase in unit volume. That translates into 1.8 million displays for 2009. How's that for a swift kick in the shins to the purveyors of economic doom?

While DisplaySearch acknowledges its forecast for this display sector in '09 is a downward revision from its previous projections, the company is predicting unit growth in flat panel displays for public display will continue, hitting 2.4 million next year, 3 million in 2011, 4.2 million in 20012 and 5 million in 2013.

In the view of Chris Connery, VP of PC and large format commercial displays at DisplaySearch, two slices of the public display sector in particular are expected to continue on pace this year and next, regardless of the nation's economic woes. Deployment of digital signs in quick service restaurants and on mass transit vehicles will continue as planned across the globe.

Ironically, the downturn in the economy will help to propel growth in these two sectors. According to DisplaySearch, faced with overall economic decline many consumers will re-evaluate their leisure spending. Rather than taking expensive vacations, says DisplaySearch, consumers will stay closer to home, going to the movies instead of going on vacation. As a result, movie theaters will see a surge in audiences and many will revamp their concessions by installing menu boards based on digital signage to promote the sale of goodies and to offer dynamic advertising opportunities where none before existed.

Economic decline also will change the priorities of advertisers as consumer spending shrinks, the business sector continues spending on the goods and services it needs to survive, says DisplaySearch. As a consequence, advertisers will re-orient their messaging and spending to reach B2B buyers via dynamic displays at transportation terminals and on busses and trains. Everyday, millions of business professionals commute where they work, and advertisers will respond with their dollars to reach them via digital signs.

At first glance, this may look a little crazy. After all, how do you plug in an Ethernet cable to a digital signage player on a bus? How do you guarantee that a commuter train is always in range of a WiFi network hub or cell phone range? But consider the announcement at the 2009 International CES in Las Vegas last month that 63 television broadcasters in 22 markets nationwide have committed to using a newly standardized addition to their original DTV transmission infrastructure to broadcast to mobile, pedestrian and handheld devices.

Where TV broadcasters once could only transmit their HDTV channel and a couple of new standard definition digital TV channels with their digital transmitters, this new standard lets them add multiple new mobile DTV streams without using more than their allotted slice of spectrum. Some of those streams can be used to reach dynamic digital signage on the go in busses and trains and will help propel unit growth in LCD and plasma panels used for public display.

Without question, the economy in the United States and worldwide is suffering. However, as I've discussed in this space before, opportunities continue to emerge during a recession. For those who make their living in the digital signage sector, it would appear that there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future. It will simply be a matter of responding in the right way to cash in.....

Tags: LCD, Plasma, Flat Panel, HDTVs

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Your Flat Screen LCD TV Really Eco-friendly?...

Every day, more and more bad news hits the media about global warming, climate change and pollution. Every day new products are developed and every day more chemicals are added to the list of pollutants to our atmosphere and water.

One of the latest chemicals to draw the attention of the scientists is nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), a chemical is used in the production liquid crystal displays (LCD), also called flat-panel displays, along with thin-film solar cells and microcircuits. The most popular use of LCD displays is for televisions and computer monitors.

NASA is reporting that the level of this gas in our atmosphere is much greater than previously thought. As the manufacture and disposal of these LCD screens increase, so will the emissions of nitrogen trifluoride into our atmosphere.

According to reports, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), remains in the atmosphere for up to 740 years and is only second to Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) in its global warming potential. This chemical has a greater greenhouse impact than even that of the world's largest coal-fired plants. Its "globe-warming effect reportedly could be 17,000 times more potent than a similar mass of carbon dioxide". [NASA]

Nitrogen trifluoride is missing from the list of greenhouse gasses addressed in the Koyoto Protocol and little to nothing has been heard about this chemical. Why is this extremely toxic chemical called the "missing greenhouse gas" from the Koyoto Protocol and what is the Koyoto Protocol?

In 1992, a United Nations Conference on Climate Change formulated the Kyoto Protocol. This protocol set the standards for reduction of six greenhouse gasses (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride (hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons)that are known to interfere with the climate system.

In 1992, few liquid crystal display LCD's were being manufactured, so the gas was not considered a major problem at the time, but that is rapidly changing.

In 2008 alone, the production of this chemical would release the equivalent of the global-warming emissions from a country the size of Austria and production could double in 2009.

In February of 2009, the television industry in the United States is making a full transition to digital technology. With that will be an increase in the demand for LCD flat screen televisions.

Manufacturers are promoting LCD televisions as "eco-friendly" as a benefit to switching from analog television to digital television. In comparison, they do use less electricity than plasma TV's, older rear projection, and analog TV"s.

What isn't taken into consideration is that many Americans, keeping true to their "bigger is better" mentality, will purchase larger replacement televisions which will use even more electricity than their old televisions.

The discarding of millions of the old analog televisions will be another ecological nightmare. Televisions, along with all electronics, contain toxic chemicals. Improper recycling will only add to the ecological harm our garbage is causing to the planet.

To truly go green when you purchase a new television,

• Don't opt for the largest screen you can buy.
• Recycle your old television through a reputable recycler.
• Turn your television off when it is not being watched.
• Spend less time in front of the television.
• Spend more time outdoors where the air is probably cleaner....

Tags: LCD, Plasma, Flat Panel, HDTVs

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Comparing LCD and Plasma Flat Panel HDTVs...

What's so good about LCD as well as plasma flat panel HDTVs compared to different types?

Size. Flat panel televisions are thinner and lighter than direct view and rear projection TVs. They could hang on just about any surface with appropriate mounting equipment. They travel easy. They are easy to use for tailgating.

What's a weakness of LCD and plasma flat panel HDTVs compared to other types?

I used to think that technology of other TV types was superior to LCD and plasma just due to manufacturers could fit more technology inside the unit. That is not the case anymore because technology has gotten smaller and better.

I guess the weakness now is price. Many direct view and DLP televisions cost less than LCD and plasma competitors.

How does LCD differ from plasma?

Generally speaking, plasma has a better picture than LCD. They process motion better. They usually cost less, though high-end plasmas usually cost more than LCD.

LCD runs cooler than plasma and are more versatile. Plasma does not come smaller than 42" so if you want plasma then you have to go big. LCD doesn't have that issue. You can just about fit a small LCD in your pocket or hang a large one on your wall and see it across a large room.

Plasma has a reputation for getting burn-in, which is when a static image permanently remains visible on the screen. Not sure how true that is these days but the perception is still here and needs consideration.

LCD has ghosting, which is when a moving image has a tail following it on screen when it shouldn't. To counter this issue you can buy a 120hz LCD but those are higher in price than 60hz models.

What is your general opinion of LCD?

I think LCDs have the brightest future of any TV type. They are so much more versatile than any other type. You can use them virtually anywhere and buy them in just about every screen size.

I like the 120hz LCD HDTV but do get concerned about the quality of a little of 60hz models. The problem is that the lower end LCDs just do not process motion as good. The low end images, analog and standard digital, don't almost always appear smooth.

That's a problem with a lot of HDTVs so I have to take that with a grain of salt. Most completely look wonderful in HD. And, they should.

What is your general opinion of plasma?

The plasma industry doesn't have as many players involved in comparison to LCD. As a result I think it's less likely to find a real clunker in the bunch. That isn't intended for you to throw caution into the wind and buy a plasma without looking at it. It's just an observation.

I like plasma as a technology for watching movies and high definition. Plasma has such a beautiful picture when displaying images of nature in HD.

I don't buy into the burn-in issue. Most manufacturers take precautions against that now so it's near extinction.

They do run hot but it's not noticeable to me as an issue. A lot of businesses use plasma panels as billboards. That says something to me, either they're cheaper by the dozen or pretty reliable. Maybe a bit of both.

Final Thoughts

I kind of lump LCD and plasma in the same category just because they're flat panels. They look the same and cost about the same but they're different.

So, as a general rule I believe this:

If I'm going to play video games and want PC interactivity then I lean towards LCD. If I'm going to watch sports in HD then I lean towards plasma. If I'm going to watch movies and TV then both types are comparable with each other.

This might puzzle many people since I mentioned earlier that LCD has issues processing motion. So, I'll explain:

I like LCD for video game play because the video game source is controlled and of high quality. My concern with motion is with the images I can't control, like sports not in HD. The other think is that video games have static images. To be safe, I prefer LCD but I know people with plasmas that play video games on them and don't have burn-in.

As far as would I buy flat panel over direct view or rear projection? I probably would but if I wanted to go real big then front/overhead projection would have definite consideration.

Tags: LCD, Plasma, Flat Panel, HDTVs

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