Monday, October 26, 2009

The Pros and Cons Of LCD TVs

By Jimmy Young

Many consumers are asking themselves if buying an LCD television is a good decision. They have questions about the clarity of the picture, screen sizes, cost, and how long it will last. They want to know if it will work with the equipment they already own. Lets look at some of the facts.

Most consumers are aware of LCD technology from watches, cell phones, and video camera screens, but may not know what it is. Simply the screen is two panels of transparent matter, which have been cemented together. A polymer material containing the liquid crystals is applied to one of these layers. When electricity is connected to these crystals, they will either allow the light through or become opaque. It is this action which forms the images we see.

Although LCD and plasma TVs look much alike, their technology is entirely different. Plasma televisions are comprised of individual cells. Each of these cells is filled with neon-xenon gas. When electricity is passed through the cells, it strikes blue, red and green phosphors to react. Each group of these phosphors is a pixel, or picture element; one tiny part of the whole image.

Until recently, LCD TVs have been more popular in the smaller sized televisions. This is partly because technology caused the prices of the larger screens to be much more expensive than the smaller sets. However, technology is constantly improving and now there is less of a price difference, making the large-screen sets more available to the average consumer.

Many consumers wonder if they can use their LCD TV as a computer monitor. Most of them can be, due to the fact that LCD TVs are an outgrowth of the LCD computer monitor. The majority of TVs have the VGA input connections necessary to be integrated into a PC. Gamers like to integrate their PC and game systems in order to have a large screen to play their games on.

You may have older auxiliary devices such as a VCR, and wonder if they are compatible with the LCD televisions. They will work together, since most LCD televisions have standard AV connections. However, a VHS tape, with its lower resolution and poorer colour quality, will not look as good on an LCD TV as it did on a smaller analogue television.

When buying an LCD television, decide where you are going to place it, and how you are going to use it. Some like to integrate it with their home theatre system for a truly surround-sound experience. If this is your plan, ensure that you have the correct cables, bracket or cabinet for displaying your new equipment, as well as providing surge protection for your LCD TV.

LCD TVs use less power, and emit less heat, than a conventional or plasma television. They last a long time, more than 60,000 hours of viewing time can be expected, and give you a vivid image. In addition, their slim design means they can be displayed just about anywhere. Purchasing an LCD TV is a shrewd decision.

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