LCD Televisions
Liquid Crystal Displays are true flat panel HDTV televisions that are lightweight and generally expensive. LCDs use a solution of crystals between films and glass to reflect light, which produces the image. These displays run best in their native resolution, usually 1280 x 720 or 1090 x 1080. LCDs are easily wall mountable, and use less power than Plasma displays.
Pros:
- Lightweight, can be mounted or stood almost anywhere
- Bright, vibrant images
- Lower temperature and power consumption – longer life
Cons:
- Possibility of “dead” pixels, which are areas on the screen where the pixel is stuck in a certain color or blacked out
- Sketchy contrast ratio, black images tend to look brighter than they should
- Motion blur is still a problem
Recommended Model under $2000
- Sony BRAVIA S-Series 40" LCD HDTV 720p (KDL-40S2010), selling in the $1,800 range
Plasma Displays
Boasting high contrast ratios and large, flat panel designs, Plasmas were until recently the most popular HDTV television format on the market. Plasma displays use technology that excites gases in its screen to display colored light. Heavier than LCDs and manufactured in big sizes, you can usually buy a large screen for a relatively cheap price.
Pros:
- High contrast ratio, great for dark scenes in movies
- Less motion blur than LCDs
- Wider viewing angle than LCDs and some DLPs
Cons:
- Image burns on the screen can be a problem
- Shorter lifespan than DLPs and LCD displays
- Generates more heat and uses more power than LCDs
Recommended Model under $2000
- Samsung 42" Plasma HDTV 720p (SAM-HPS4253) can be bought as low as $1,499
 | ||||||
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
||||
| ||||||
