Saturday, September 26, 2009

Facts About LCD TVs

By Tom Smith

Is your old TV bulky and tired? In the search for a new television, begin with LCD TVs. From compact, fifteen-inch models to big screens measuring 100 inches or more, these slim, flat-screen TVs come in many different sizes. There is an LCD TV out there that will fit any space or budget. Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp, and Sony are the major brand names but by no means are they the only ones that carry quality LCD TVs.

In recent years, LCD TVs have become very desirable. LCD is another name for liquid crystal display. There is, however, nothing watery about these televisions. The technology uses the rotation of twisted crystals to create images; and the fluid motion of the crystals is reflected in the name. It makes the name a bit confusing so most people just use the short version - LCD TV.

There are a few things you should consider when comparing LCD TVs. Contrast or Black Level is a measure of the blackest black compared to the whitest white. A good LCD TVs contrast level will be at least 3,000:1, but the contrast will range widely, so be sure to ask or check the box before you buy! The individual ratios of different TVs are a common point of comparison for shoppers looking to get the best picture for their money. The Philips 56" 1080p quotes a contrast ratio of 80,000:1, but anything 10,000:1 or higher can be considered excellent.

Another key component of an LCD picture is the response rate of the pixels. If you have seen blurring, ghosting, or streaking on an LCD TV, it may have been the result of a lower response rate. A response time is determined by calculating how rapidly a crystal can twist and change the reflected image. Because the industry does not regulate the measurement of response time, claims by different brands can be difficult to compare. Sharps Aquos line of LCD TVs, however are accurately measured at 6 milliseconds. This characteristic should definitely impact your search as blurring or streaking can take away from your beautiful picture!

Refresh rates can be tricky to find. They are often displayed as 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, or 6000Hz. 600Hz is only available on the newest models and is recommended mostly for sports or similar fast moving programming. 200 Hz is quite common on the name brands and is a marked improvement upon the 50Hz speed.

Also, LCD TVs are the best for alternative video input. They have great screen resolution at either 720p HD ready, or 1080p, which is full HD. Especially for computer displays, LCD Televisions have a large advantage over Plasma and display perfect images that might appear jagged on a Plasma screen.

Though Plasma TVs are a good alternative, LCD TVs offer a wider range of sizes and prices, which makes them very accessible. In addition to being a mere three inches thick, they have an average life span of 60,000 viewing hours, so they make a great long-term investment.

Whether you need an office television to stream in the news all day or a new TV set for the living room, the advantages of LCD TVs speak for themselves. Finding the right LCD Television will enhance your viewing experience and bring you and yours together for unlimited amounts of fun!

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