 A few weeks ago, I sat down to watch Ugly Betty, my favorite television show, but our trusty old television set wasn’t cooperating. I was presented with a blank screen. We soon found that the old set wasn’t worth repairing, so the decision was easy. We would simply buy a new one. Of course, it would be one of the new high definition televisions. We thought we would just run out and buy one, but we quickly found that buying a TV today is nothing like it was a few years ago.
It used to be easy to buy a new TV. You simply chose a reliable manufacturer and purchased the size of television that your budget would allow. Now, to purchase a new TV you have to choose from a growing list of manufacturers, you have to decide between competing technologies like CRT, LCD, Plama, DLP, and LCoS. You have to understand refresh rates, burn-in, resolutions, and complex terminology like 720i and 1080p. Oh, and even though prices have plummeted lately, you still have to have a fairly large amount budgeted for the purchase.
Since I am a fanatic about high tech equipment, I lunged into research mode. Like other high tech areas, the world of the television is constantly changing, but here is what I found about the current state of the competing television technologies.
First, there is the old fashioned CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). Although this is dying breed, they are still manufacturing these and they are comparatively inexpensive. The biggest disadvantage of this type of television is the large size and weight of the TV. CRTs are also prone to geometric distortion, uneven light output, areas of mis-focus, and distortion by magnetic fields. In short, while they are fairly cheap, the picture quality can’t compare to the other new technologies. A newer technology, dubbed DLP (Digital Light Processing), is grabbing a good portion of the market. While more expensive than a CRT, these sets are somewhat cheaper than the flat panel LCD and plasma displays. While smaller and lighter than CRTs, the DLPs have a good sized hump in the back so they cannot be hung on a wall like the flat panel displays. DLPs are known for outstanding brightness, good contrast, and good black levels. They are also known for smooth motion and are well-suited to fast moving video like sports. Older DLP TVs had a slight rainbow effect where you could see colors separate on the screen, but the latest TVs of this type have pretty much eliminated this problem. The downside to DLP TVs is that you can currently expect to have to replace the bulb in three to four years. Manufacturers are working to extend the bulb life, and as new models are introduced, this may become less of a problem. The upside to this is that DLPs maintain their full level of brightness until the bulb dies, while most other new types of television like LCD and Plasma will get dimmer with age.
A few years ago, I would not have recommended a plasma TV, but they have made great strides in perfecting this technology. Plasmas have traditionally been the largest screens, but as larger and larger LCD are produced, the plasmas have almost lost their edge in the size category. Plasmas have the highest contrast levels and the truest blacks, so they often show a very realistic picture. However, plasmas are best viewed in a dark room and they do not do as well in a brightly lit room. While burn-in, where a static image would become etched into the screen, has been almost eliminated, if you constantly watch a channel with a logo or a static scroll bar on the bottom, it would still be best to stay away from plasma. Also plasma TVs are more fragile so you will want to consider professional delivery and setup, especially if you purchase a large unit and will be hanging it on a wall. Plasmas are perfectly suited to an in-home theatre atmosphere and are great for watching movies.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Displays) have been used for years as computer monitors and are now very popular as television screens. Like plasmas, they are flat panels that can be hung on the wall. LCDs produce brighter pictures making them more suitable for brightly lit rooms. They produce vibrant, lifelike colors, but blacks are not as saturated as with plasmas. When choosing an LCD, remember that the lower the response time, the better the picture. (Aim at a response time of 8MS or less.)Their biggest drawback in the past has been a reduction in the viewability as you moved to the side of the television. Many manufacturers have greatly improved the viewing angles of their televisions but some LCD screens are still not as clear or color-rich when viewed from the side.
One last technology is a new one called LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) which is like a hybrid that uses the liquid crystal technology from the LCD system and the reflective mirror technology that is used in DLP TVs. LCoS TVs show a high resolution and smooth picture. They are projection-type televisions like DLP, so they are bulkier than the flat panel TVs. While there are not many LCoS televisions available right now, they may become are technology to watch in the future.
There are enough choices in television technologies to boggle even the most astute mind. When you are ready for a new television, you will want to use the Internet for even more information. You may also find that your local appliance or electronic store has some knowledgeable people whose expertise you will find valuable. In my area of Pinehurst and Southern Pines, NC, Tim Taber at Sears are Louis Maymi at Best Buy both friendly and knowledgeable. Look around your local area to find your television experts.
For more information on televisions resolutiions and to learn which TV my husband and I purchased, read my articlel, Television Resolutions Explained.
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