LCDs explained

LCD is short for liquid crystal display. This refers to the type of technology used on the screen of the TV to produce images. Thanks to backlighting, LCD TVs are better than older CRT models using fluorescent lights to produce a wider variety of colors. This is also the technology that allows even distribution of light across the whole screen, so overall brightness is consistent.

Does size matter in TV?

Apparently, it does. The best LCD TVs today are those that offer a good range of sizes – from desktop computer-sized 15″ units to more home theater-friendly 70″. Bigger units even come with tuners and surround sound speakers to better enhance the home theater experience.

Picture quality

Admittedly, even the best LCD TVs have visual performance issues they have to contend with. Some of their main drawbacks are the low refresh rate (leading to relatively slower response time), low contrast ratio compared to plasma TVs and blurring during fast action sequences.

However, LCD TV manufacturers are promising better performance in the next generation LCD TVs. That means, we can expect significantly higher response rates and tweaks that will resolve blurs during high-speed car chases and fight scenes in future models.

How to choose the best LCD TV

Here are some factors to consider:

Size

Probably the major consideration you need to keep in mind is the LCD TV’s size. It has to fit the area where it will be placed and must be big enough to optimize your viewing experience and small enough not to overwhelm. Remember that the best LCD TVs are built for maximum viewing pleasure at a distance. So if you have a 40″ set, you should at have enough space in the room to allow you to sit at a distance of 5 feet or so. The larger the TV, the farther the area you should view it from.

Resolution

This is another gauge in which the best LCD TVs are measured. Resolution refers to the overall picture quality of the TV. The higher the number, the sharper and clearer the image. High definition formats generally range from about 720p to 1080p.

However, if budget is a major concern, there’s no need to pay extra for higher resolution. Even 720p LCDs can already produce excellent images and reliable picture quality. The difference between a 720 and a 1080 is almost negligible especially if you have access to shows with HD programming.

Brand

In some cases, brand loyalty matters when deciding which LCD TV is best. If you must consider the manufacturer, look for top names such as Samsung, Sony, LG, Philips or Vizio. These brands have some of the best models in the industry, with several premium offers available.

Price

If you stick by a particular brand and consider a larger-sized LCD TV, some of the best you’ll find can set you back at least $700 for a decent-sized 32″. Bigger sizes starting at 37″ can cost from about $1,500 to $3,000. However, you could still shave off a few hundred dollars by opting for lesser-known brands that are typically sold by distributors at stores like Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy. You’ll generally get the same picture quality at about 15% to 20% less.

Discount LCD TV is a consumer electronics website which stocks the latest plasma and LCD widescreen televisions from the major manufacturers. We have plenty of information and advice for buyers on what to look for when buying the Best LCD TV.

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The SAMSUNG LN46A650 40-Inch TV offers a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio with HDTV delivery capable of resolution up to 1080p for high definition programs. Other features are the the InfoLink RSS which allows the consumer to have access to news, weather, sports, and stock information at the touch of a button on the remote control that is a standard option for all of Samsung’s 650 model televisions. The SAMSUNG LN46A650 40-Inch television is also compatible with Samsung’s Home Digital Media Adapter that allows for playback and navigation of content from the Internet and stored on one’s computer. Just this feature alone allows one to be able to watch your favorite sitcoms from the major networks online when you want to watch them without having to remember to setup the DVR! This TV also comes with a side-mounted USB 2.0 port to connect a USB device to view pictures or MPEG movies without having to burn them to DVD to view through the DVD player. Additionally, this LCD TV comes with the Auto Motion Plus 120Hz and Ultra Clear Panel technology to help enhance the viewing experience of action-based movies. Finally, the TruSurround XT audio adds a number of audio enhancement technologies to the TV.

There are a number of locations to buy the SAMSUNG LN46A650 40-Inch television online this year. If you have time time to shop around for the best deal on the unit, try Amazon and Best Buy first, but don’t stop there. There are a few websites that will compile the best deals on the TV for the consumer on one web page such as GadgetReview.com which will save some time spent searching the Internet. To encourage the consumer to buy the SAMSUNG LN46A650 online, many of the Internet retailers are offering free shipping and discounts on the TV of up to 20% as compared to buying the TV in person at a retailer.

For in depth information on Samsung LN40A650 40-inch, reviews and best prices visit Samsung LN40A650

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TV Time Manager, works with PCs and Video Game Systems. Parents can set time limits and Bob enforces the rules. When a Child’s time is used up, BOB turns off the TV. It can manage time for up to 6 users. How BOB Works? – Very simple 3 minute set-up. Plug the TV into BOB (lock in the cord) and plug BOB into the wall! – Parents set time limits–TV shuts off when time is up! – “Time Blocks” prevent usage for specific times of the day (like after school). – Safe for all electronics, including TVs (Plasma/DLP/LCD), video game systems, and computers. * WHY BOB Works? – BOB removes the “TV struggles” – providing a happier and healthier household. – Kids will learn to budget their time. – BOB frees up more time for school work and can lead to higher grades. – When kids are outside playing, they see less junk food on TV and eat less junk food on the couch.. read more.

The cover flips up, but does not swivel. The controls are pretty standard, and are easy to use, with nice positive clicking buttons. One big plus is that the volume level gets quite loud, impressive considering the unit has just a couple of small speakers. As is fairly typical, the sound is mostly treble, with just a hint of bass. There is an SD card slot, so you can play MP3 files, or view image files. When viewing photos, the unit automatically goes into a slideshow mode. Image quality is similar to most DVD players, too saturated, inaccurate colors, and not very sharp. Landscape photos look less compressed than those in portrait mode. The larger the files, the slower the images scroll.

Many DVD players have issues with playing material recorded on DVDR’s. This player appears to have problems reading some Fuji and Dynex brand DVDR’s. These discs were finalized, and playable on other recorders, but the Envizen could not read them. Most DVDR’s by Sony, Memorex, Maxell, and Amazon Basics were found to be readable.

Overall the DVD player rates a solid B, but the results using the TV component were a major disappointment, although this is not necessarily the fault of the equipment. A short antenna with a magnetized base is plugged into the player, and if there is something metal around, you can attach the antenna to it, and hopefully improve your reception. Using the auto scan to search for channels, there are apparently about 16 channels in my area. Unfortunately less than half of them have a strong enough signal to be received reliably, and of those, maybe three or four, have programming that is of interest to me. In the car, attaching the antenna to the vehicle’s metal frame, improves the signal reception slightly, but there are still many stations that do not come very well. I was hoping that this unit would have better reception than an Axion AXN-8701, but the results were pretty similar, which probably means the strength of the signals in my areas is not that great. You might want to test out the reception in your area, before you buy this.

The player comes with an AC power adapter cord, car power adapter cord, remote controller and a cheapie nylon carrying case. The remote control is pretty convenient to use, and you don’t have to jam down hard on the buttons. The buttons are spaced far apart enough, so unless you have really big fingers, you don’t have to worry about pressing the wrong button. There are some functions included that I find very handy, including Volume + and -, Mute, and Subtitle. For some reason the Menu button does not seem to work, although pressing the Exit button usually accomplishes the same function. The carrying case has adjustable straps, and is designed to be hung on the seat headrest. This rig works, but it is a pretty shaky setup that I don’t intend on using. The car adapter cord is only about 3′ long. If the only 12V outlet you have is at the driver’s console, the cord may not be long enough to reach the DVD player when hanging on the headrest.

On the plus side, the Duo Box Pro is compact, lightweight, and has a decent picture, which makes it great to take on trips. Had I paid full price, I probably would have returned it, as the TV reception is poor in my area. It’s not a glowing recommendation, but without good TV reception, the total package is average at best, particularly at the regular price. If you remove the TV factor, there are many better DVD players available for the same money.

The Envizen Digital Duo Box Pro is the new and improved version of the successful Duo Box. It is still the only entertainment system that allows you to watch TV, play DVDs, enjoy slideshow digital photos, and listen to music all on one device. However, the Duo Box Pro has a unique built-in internal battery that makes the device even more compact and portable than before. You can take this lightweight device with you traveling, on the airplane, to your office, or anywhere you want some entertainment. With the built-in ATSC digital tuner, the Duo lets you watch all available digital channels. Its portability and versatility, along with the vivid 7-Inch screen, makes the Duo the only portable multimedia device you’ll need to own. The Duo is a portable digital TV that also supports all your favorite forms of entertainment. You can watch movies and your favorite sitcoms, hook up your favorite video game consoles, or even listen to music and share photos with friends, all on one device.. read more.

Step up to the power of Full HD on a 37-inch LCD screen, with Samsung¿s LN37B550. The amazing 1080p resolution, the highest available, with Wide Color Enhancer renders the most crisp vivid tones, in every frame for the most realistic picture quality. Black tones and shadows are strikingly superb, thanks to the 70,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The attractive Touch of Color design, a red accent at the bezel¿s edge, lights up any room. A fast 6ms response time offers smooth, clear action. Watch or listen to files from your favorite media player, using the USB 2.0 input. Connecting your DVD, cable or satellite HD box, or Blu-ray Disc player is a snap, with four HDMI inputs. And thanks to SRS TruSurround HD technology, all the HD excitement sounds as incredible as it looks.. read more.

But are the rumors false? Has plasma undergone a bit of reinvention? Was this lack of longevity a symptom of a fledgling technology that has now perhaps matured? Is a plasma television now more reliable, a screen to be around for the long haul?

In a word…yes.

With lower power usage and changes with the mix of gases in the panels, the longevity of plasma televisions has been significantly enhanced. The lifespan of a television display is measured in “half life”; the hours of use before the screen has dimmed to only 50% of its original brightness. In recent years, plasma television manufacturers have been touting a half-life which is equivalent to that of other screens such as the higher priced LCDs; around 60,000 hours. From this, consumers can see that the lifespan of a plasma screen is dependent upon how much it is viewed. For instance, if a plasma television is on for 6 hours a day, 365 days a year (2190 hours per year), it should last just over 27 years.

Knowing this, it becomes clear that the life of the screen on a plasma television can be significantly influenced by how it is used. Turning off the television when no one is viewing it could certainly extend its life. Adjusting the brightness is important as well; maximum levels are seldom required or recommended and can unnecessarily cause pre-mature aging of the phosphors.

Additional changes over the years for plasma televisions include technologies aimed at reducing the risk of “burn in”; another significant concern about the “character” of plasma displays that developed during its youth. Features such as pixel shifting, pixel orbiter, and motion adaptation all describe methods of moving the image on a plasma screen which is imperceptible to the human eye but effective in reducing the risk of burn-in. With these added features, many plasma manufacturers now claim their screens have no greater risk of burn in than the traditional CRT, “tube” televisions.

As with anything, consumers need to compare brands as they aren’t all created equally. Reviewing the facts from the manufacturer is important. In general, it is best to stick with the more reputable and well known brands as a bargain “off-brand” in the long term may not save money if the quality and dependability are lacking.

There are many excellent technologies to choose from when buying a new television. Which type of display is best is dependent upon each individuals wishes, but plasma televisions certainly deserve the full attention of buyers as they do not warrant the negative reputation developed during their formative years in regards to longevity.

Christine Peppler believes that consumers should not have to possess a technology degree to be able to choose home electronics and entertainment devices. Take advantage of the wealth of simple to understand, useful information and shopping available on her website at www.homemedias.info.

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I cannot compare it to anything else, therefore, so I picked a 3 star rating.

I like the picture, sound is okay. Menus are quite easy to use and intuitive.

Now the bad: I am amazed that the remote gives you like one second to put in maybe a two or more digit number. If you don’t do it exactly right, and fast, the wrong number will appear and the wrong station is what you will get. This is not adjustable and is annoying.

The remote, in general, is not friendly. Buttons are too small to read. For that matter, the channels on the TV are also VERY small to read, much smaller than on my 19 inch analog.

One small criticism… why does the TV always start on with “Philips” blazing across it? I think I know the brand name by now. And, no, it is not in “demo” mode, no options to get rid of this.

It goes go away in a few seconds so no problem. But since I was listing the negatives…

Again, do like the picture, the price, and sound mostly is good.

The Philips 32PFL3504D 32 inch 720p LCD HDTV is designed for ease of use. This flat TV features modern design, 3 HDMI connections with EasyLink, a powerful 720p, 60Hz display and brilliant Pixel Plus HD engine. Pixel Plus HD is a picture processing technology. The result is a superbly razor sharp pictures with incredible details and depth from any HD source. You can connect multiple HD sources such as an HD set up box, a Blu-ray player, and game console or digital camcorder. The new settings assistant personalization wizard guides you to personalized settings with unparalleled ease. Making the smart choice in total picture quality has never been easier.. read more.

The 1213 from Hauppauge is a HVR-2250 Media Center Kit Bundle. It is a PCIe TV Tuner board with dual (two) hybrid tuners. Both tuners have analog and digital reception that allows recording of two channels at the same time. Each tuner has hardware MPEG2 encoding for recording analog channels. Each tuner has ATSC clear QAM for receiving digital cable TV channels. Watch and record two channels of analog cable TV or ATSC high definition (HD) TV on your PC. Comes complete with a Microsoft certified Media Center remote control and receiver.Includes hardware MPEG2 encoders for recording cable TV with Media Center. Compatible with Vista Home Premium or Ultimate and XP Media Center Edition.. read more.

The Samsung is very easy to set up and use and has loads of features. The picture is clear and bright and has no problem with a window on the opposite wall; we can close the horizontal blinds to darken the room, but even when open, the tv is bright enough to no show an annoying reflection. This tv works great with an older home theater system but already has great built in sound. I would highly recommend this TV.

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The big advantages of both kinds of TV monitors is that they are very thin, only a few inches thick. Because of that you can choose to either place them on a stand, as you have with televisions you have owned in the past, or mount them to the wall instead. They both also produce stunningly beautiful visual displays, especially when coupled with high definition television programming. But there are some subtle differences that you will want to be aware of though.

Plasma TVs have been in use for many years and they use inert gases that are illuminated to display colors on individual pixels on the screen. Their best feature is the high contrast image that they reproduce. The colors are extremely vivid and sharp and this is mostly due to the fact that plasma TVs are able to exhibit true saturated blacks, whereas other monitors, LCDs included, usually have some compromise in how much true black they display.

Plasma screens are also easily viewed from almost any angle and so if you have a wide room with seating that extends out at an angle from the front of the television set, you may want to consider this advantage, although recently many LCD TVs have been steadily improving in their accepted viewing angle.

One area that plasma TVs have historically had a disadvantage is in the amount of electricity needed to power them and how hot they run. It can cost more to run a plasma TV if you use it very regularly, and it can generate quite a bit of heat inside, enough to warrant most manufacturers making use of a fan to cool them down as they run. This is not a noticeable problem unless the fan makes noise that can be distracting. So be sure to actually view a plasma TV before buying that particular model and see if the fan noise is a problem.

Another quirk of plasma TVs is that they can be susceptible to screen burn-in, which happens when one image is left on the screen for a very long time and it then becomes “burned into” the screen so that you can still faintly see it even when another image is displayed. This can happen on some TV channels that display an image that stays in a certain part of the screen for a long time, and if you play video games, there may also be a possibility that some games can cause this problem. So ask yourself before buying how you intend to use the TV, and if you happen to view programming that may have static screen images a lot of the time, it may be wise to choose an LCD screen as it does not suffer from this problem.

LCD TVs may not produce deep contrasty images like plasma monitors do, but the colors are still very pleasing and they can also be a better choice for brightly lit rooms since their display is not as susceptible to ambient light influences. However, they can tend to get more pricey than plasma TVs once you go above the 40 inch screen size.

All in all though, either type of TV screen technology will do a great job for you. The best recommendation is before you buy, visit a local electronics retailer and view representatives from plasma screens and LCDs. Bring along your own movie that you are familiar with and look for the differences. Then choose the one that makes the most sense to you. There is no need to buy from the store as you can often save lots of money by making your purchase online instead, but by doing your homework you can make a more informed buying decision.

Jim Johnson is a successful author and publisher on consumer related matters. You can find out more about the best plasma tv and getting a plasma wall mount by visiting our HDTV website.

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