Choosing The Best Flat Panel TV For Your Needs And Viewing Pleasure

Why buy a HDTV? It is because of the picture of course. The picture quality is like no other. What's important when plucking down the cash for one of these sets is how well the images show. The interesting discovery is that it's not the cost that concerns most peopl when choosing the best flat panel tv for them, it's the dilemma of whether to purchase a plasma or LCD tv. If you're not familiar with either one it can be a daunting experience. Because technology is so advanced, if you haven't done your homework you won't be able to determine the differences between the two or if one or the other will in fact be your dream tv set.

Why is choosing between a flat panel plasma or LCD television so difficult? It's not all about the picture quality with those that have done the research and are knowledgeable about both. Really, the issue boils down to the technology used to provide consumers with the best picture quality. In fact, you may be surprised to know that both have similar features. For example, both produce beautiful crystal clear colorful images that look so real you could reach out and touch part of the action, both sets come in similar packages, such as the flat screen case and LCDs televisions are now being manufactured as large as the plasma screen televisions and to increase competition for your business, the large LCDs are commanding the same price one would pay for large flat screen plasma tvs. In the past, the two most important reasons that would ordinarily influence your purchasing decision, price and size, are now becoming a moot point.

Despite the similarities between the plasma and LCD televisions, their technologies are different in how the tv sets process and display incoming video/computer signals. Once you learn and understand the differences between the two it will help you gain more confidence in making the right choice not only when it comes to the price you want to pay to own a flat screen tv, but also how the technology for both sets can affect your television viewing pleasure.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?

LCD TVs

LCD tv screens and picture is typically much brighter than plasma tvs. They do not become dim when more of the screen area lights up. This does occur with plasma tvs because of power supply limitations. Because of the type of screen materials used in LCDs, it makes the screen flatter in texture and decreases screen glare which makes LCD tvs show better contrast in a brightly lit room. The bright picture of course makes the LCD tv take on an obvious shine or glare when it sits next to a plasma tv. This brightness feature of the LCD makes it a better choice if you plan placing it in a room with a lot of light or if you watch a lot of tv.

What's interesting is that LCD tvs show better in an environment that is well lit which means watching tv with the lights on will get you a better picture. It has something to do with the contrast setting. It's as though it feeds off the lighting. The lighter the room the better the picture you receive.

LCD TV WEAKNESSES

Motion lag in LCDs is the slight trailing or blurring that is visible when fast motion scenes are displayed on an LCD. It appears that the picture is unable to catch up to the original source. The technology involved in LCD tvs generates its color and light throughput. The speed of this particular technology may not be fast enough to keep up with fast motion display or even side to side panning of fast motion display. In the past, this was a problem, but since manufacturers have paid more attention to improving the response rate times and now, motion blur is barely noticeable to the human eye.

While LCDs are getting better, it is still an issue being able to view them from the side. You almost have to view LCD tvs when sitting directly in front of them. If you walk to the side of the LCD tv you will observe that the contrast goes bland and the screen colors become dull.

Recently, LCDs instead of being confined to a smaller screen are now being manufactured up to 52 inches. The LCD tvs are usually more expensive than plasma tvs especially at the larger sizes. You should keep it in the back of your mind that purchasing a flat screen television larger than 50 inches gets expensive, and sometimes may not out perform the smaller models despite their larger size and features.

PLASMA TVs

Plasma flat screen technology consists of thousands of individual pixel cells. Imagine that each pixel cell is like a single microscopic florescent light bulbs that receive instruction from software located inside the television on a board.

The rule of thumb is that plasma tvs have deeper, beautiful vivid colors, wider viewing angles and a better contrast ratio than the LCD tv. It's because the plasma screens are made of a highly reflective glass. Plasma tvs perform best in rooms that do not have a lot of light. You have to be careful when performing your research that the retail store display area has about the same lighting as the location where you are going to place your plasma tv. If not, you may be disappointed once you get it home and see the difference in picture quality.

If you like watching tv without the lights out such as movie watching, then the plasma tv becomes the better choice. Don't get fooled into judging the quality of a picture by how well it shows in the store, because what you don't know is that it could change once you get get it home. It's really important you do your research so there won't be any surprises after you plop down your cash.

PLASMA TV WEAKNESSES

Most people question the life cycle of a plasma tv. The plasma tv has about 60,000 hours which equals out to be about seven years especially if you're someone that experiences the tv often watching you as you sleep. If so, your plasma's light output will drop to half of what it was when you purchased it. However, this should not be a deal killer. You just have to be careful to turn off the tv when not in use and reduce the contrast setting to about 80 % instead of leaving it at full strength. Keep in mind that you can still continue to watch your plasma tv, it just won't be as bright as it was when you purchased it.

Another issue with plasma tvs is that they are prone to "image retention," or screen burn if an image is left on-screen for too long. Many of the newer plasma tvs have the technology built-in to them to prevent it or reduce the chance of it happening. If you are not an avid tv watcher where your tv is getting constant use be it video games or just leaving it on for extended periods of time, if your turn it off when it's not in use, then you on't have to worry about burn-in.

HOW TO PREVENT BURN-IN ON YOUR PLASMA TV

Burn-in, sometimes referred to permanent image retention where an an effect of an after-image appearing on your plasma screen after a still picture is displayed for an extended period of time when the screen goes dark. If left unchecked, the after-image can become permanent. For the new plasma tvs, this may not be an issue. The best course of prevention is when you get your plasma tv home, reduce the contrast setting to about 80% (the human eye will not be able to detect the brightness level).

The second tip is to mix up what you're watching for the first 100 hours. For example, no non-stop video games or tv shows that utilize a constant image during their programs. If you do see the start of burn in, change the channel and watch a different show or invest in a test DVD that has a test pattern that is a full white screen. This will help to alleviate the burn-in effect.

Plasma and LCD tvs are now comparable in price and features. Both come in flat panel sets with a HD picture, and as shown here each set has its own distinct disadvantages. It's really a matter of personal preference, being honest about your viewing habits, and most importantly, the size of the room where your television will be located.

Here’s a short video describing the differences between the plasma and LCD tvs which could help you with your purchasing decision: