How to Compare LCD TV's to Get the Best Model For You and Your Budget

Before you launch out and by that new TV, you need to compare lcd tv's to get the best fit for your needs and your budget. Right now you can spend anywhere from a few hundred bucks to several thousand dollars for an lcd tv. Not only that, but there are a number of manufacturers and makes and models to choose from. Should you get LCD or Plasma? That is only one of the several questions you need to answer before you buy. Let's talk about what you should know to compare lcd tv's.

To better help you make an informed decision, let's compare LCD TV's by looking at the major manufacturers, talk about the difference between plasma and LCD, understand resolution (what's high-definition and what's not), and also consider what you're actually going to be using the TV for. Once you read through this article a couple of times, you should be prepared to make a well-informed decision about what type of TV to buy.

First the manufacturers!

Although there are a bunch of companies who make LCD and plasma TV's, the main four are Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, and Toshiba. They all make great products. I can't tell you to buy a certain one, or avoid a certain one. You won't go wrong with any of these four. Having said that, the differences between these four lie in the features that each individual model comes with. The LCD TV marketplace is incredibly competitive, which means cheaper TV's, and more models and features. That's good for you and me, but you do have to think about how to compare LCD TV's in order to make sense out of the marketplace.

So, if choosing a certain manufacturer is not going to help us find the right TV, what will. Well, let's continue by talking about plasma and LCD technology. Is one choice better than another one? Let's see.

Actually, right now, there's no clear winner between plasma and LCD. Both have their advantages. Both have their disadvantages.

Advantages of LCD TV's

Lighter weight than plasma TV's
Screen reflect very little light. (So, you can put them in well-lit rooms!)
Use less power
Images can look brighter

Disadvantages of LCD TV's

May have a problem with pixel charge
Because of that, can have a problem with ghosting
Can also have stuck pixels

Advantages of Plasma

Faster pixel response
Higher brightness and contrast levels
Looks more "cinematic"

Disadvantages of Plasma

Burn-in can be caused by a static image
Can also have a problem with ghosting over time
Heavier than an LCD TV, and needs extra support to mount on the wall

Now, let's talk about resolution. TV's currently come in three different resolutions, 480, 720, and 1080. These numbers refer to the number of times the TV scans across the screen. 480 is not considered high-definition resolution. Obviously the greater resolution the higher the price.

Finally, you've got to consider what you're going to use the TV for. Cable and DVD, probably. But nowadays TV's can be hooked up to a number of different devices. Popular uses for TV's are playing video games and also using with your computer. You'll probably do better if you get a TV that can be hooked up to more things, rather than fewer.