How to choose the best Flat screen TV

Choosing the right technology

Plasma and lcd tvs look the same, but they are not. Some features or options don't differ a lot, but these are the major differences:

Size

If you arfe looking for an extra large TV, go for a plasma. Plasma TVs are the current size champions, particularly when comparing TVs that consumers can easily purchase. LCDs are catching up in size with their developing technology, however, and may surpass Plasmas in the near future. This may be due to difficulties in producing glass large enough for larger plasmas.

Burn-ins

With the latest plasma technology, this is less of an issue than ever before. The Pixel Orbitor, for example, is a method of reducing burn-in used by plasma manufacturers. It requires no additional programing from the end user as some older burn-in prevention techniques did.
Note: If you plan to use a plasma for gaming, some games with permanent 'dashboards' may still cause some burn-in. If you will be using the television for display use only, go for an LCD. Plasmas are more likely to get burned-in pixels.

Miscellaneous

- lcd tvs are far less fragile than plasmas. This is also an advantage when the tv set has to be shipped or moved to a different location.

- LCD TVs are also much easier to install than plasma TVs.

- LCD TVs have a better performance at high altitudes.

- LCD TVs are often cheaper than plasma TVs. The difference in pricing is getting smaller, however.

Ofcourse, all this information is available all over the web. For a detailed comparison sheet, I recommend using Wikipedia's comparison sheet.

Flat Screen TV comparison, don't get it wrong

If you have made a choice between plasma and LCD (I'll name it Flat screen TV from now on), you can pick a TV of your choice. Flat screen TV comparison will able you to find out exactly what you want and what'll fit the budget.

Brands

The following brands are being considered as the best manufacturers of Flat screen TVs:

- Hitachi

- Panasonic

- Philips

- Pioneer

- Samsung

If you are looking for a product with outstanding quality, we recommend choosing one of these brands.

Features

Different Flat screen TVs have different features. Most of these features look the same, but there are a couple of unique features as well:

- Ambilight

- HD ready or not?

- Picture in Picture

There are lots of comparison website available, but you will have to know how to use them. Filter the models by brand, price and features and the choice will be a lot easier.

Top Flat Screen TV Reviews

Samsung LN52A650 52-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

Samsung adds a Touch of Color to a blazing-fast 4ms response time and rich connectivity features to redefine the role HDTVs play in the home with its forward-looking Series 6 (A650) and Series 7 (A750) LCD HDTVs. Utilizing the award-winning technologies found in all Samsung HDTVs, Series 6 and 7 HDTVs deliver unparalleled picture quality and enhanced connectivity and networking capabilities that create a true entertainment hub for any home. Series 7 takes networking and multimedia management to a whole new level. Consumers can easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through a side-mounted USB 2.0, turning their LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect their MP3 players for a dynamic audio experience.

Samsung LN40A550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Samsung's 550 Series is a perfect way to step up to Full HD 1080p resolution. A fast 5 ms response rate produces smooth-motion scenes for sports and action movies, and a dynamic contrast ratio of 30,000:1 makes for deep blacks and crisp lines (15,000:1 in 32-inch and 37-inch models). Superb connectivity and networking with a USB port and 3 HDMI 1.3 ports with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) means these HDTVs play well with all of your other electronics. Easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through the side-mounted USB 2.0, turn your LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect your MP3 player for a dynamic audio experience.

Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

With its 2008 Panasonic Viera Plasmas, Panasonic brings an astonishing 1,000,000:1 contrast ration to the table. advanced pixel resolution and image-processing technology with the plasma TV's natural ability to beautifully reproduce fast moving images, so every detail is rendered with amazing clarity, and all the action is delivered with a high degree of fluidity.

What's New This Year?

Super Contrast--native contrast ratios on the PZ85, PZ800 and PX 850 series are 30,000:1, double last year's 15,000:1. Dynamic contrast ratios are up to 1,000,000:1.
new anti-reflective filter; lead-free "Tough Under Force" panel is resistant to impacts and scratches

Built-in SD card slot with Photo Viewer/Gallery Player software
x.v. Color and Deep Color (HDMI 1.3 features)
24p native reproduction
Game Mode auto-adjusts image quality suitable to games and includes anti-image retention
Viera Link is now compatible with Onkyo and Yamaha home theater systems

At least 3 HDMI inputs on all models (4 on PZ800 and PZ850 series)
THX Certification on PZ800 and PZ850 series

Sony Bravia L-Series KDL-32L4000 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

How about a Sony BRAVIA HDTV that has legendary Sony quality at a price just about anyone can afford? That's what the KDL-32L4000 HDTV represents. Two HDMI" connections mean this HDTV can connect to the latest HDMI"-enabled sources. Add to that two more component inputs, and a PC input, and you have five ways to get HD quality entertainment to your TV. With wide viewing angles and a fast panel response time, and a beautiful gloss black color with chrome accents, now everyone can enjoy video entertainment no matter where they're sitting and what they're watching.

32" widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * semigloss black finish with chrome accents * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * 1366 x 768 pixels * 2 component video (accepts signals up to 1080i) *

Sylvania LC195SL8 19-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

19" lcd tv with PC input. Great for dorms and video games.
The Sylvania LC195SL8 is a 19" 720p Resolution LCD HDTV. This flat-panel LCD television has a 19" screen, measured diagonally from corner to corner. This screen size is perfect for viewing from 3' to 5' away. A 1440 x 900 resolution means that this television has 900 rows of pixels vertically. The more pixels a TV has, the clearer the images it can produce.

HDTV Display with PC input
Digital Tuner
1440 x 900 resolution
V-Chip w Downloadable Rating

Samsung LN32A450 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

Enjoy the clarity of HD in a stunningly modern design with a unique bezel and frame to suit your decor. True 720p resolution offers amazing LCD image detail, complemented by a 10,000:1 dynamic-contrast ratio for vivid colors and bold blacks. Three HDMI inputs let you connect quickly and easily to your peripherals. Call up a variety of menu options and preferences via a smart user interface. Speaking of smart, the intelligently hidden speakers ensure a sleek, clean look that fits in almost any surroundings. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two speakers playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels Stereo broadcast reception, (MTS & SAP) with 181-channel capacity. Hidden bottom speakers with 10 Watts x 2 audio power SRS TruSurround XT - TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers V-Chip system allows blocking of rated TV and movie programs determined by the parent to contain objectionable content Trilingual on-screen displays in English, Spanish or French HDMI-CEC allows peripheral devices such as a DVD player to be controlled by TV remote control Auto wall mount compatible Channel coverage - VHF 2-13, UHF 14-69, and CATV 1-125 (up to 181 pre-selected channels) Antenna - CATV/VHF/UFH 75-ohm, F-type Connections - 3 HDMI High Definition Multimedia Interface (2 rear, 1 side), 2 Rear Component (Y/Pb/Pr), Rear RF Input, Side S-video input, Composite AV (Rear, Side), Side Headphone, Rear PC D-sub, Rear optical sound out, Rear RS232, and Side HDMI-CEC Dimensions - Width 31.5 x Height 20.7 x Depth 3.7 / 31.5 x 22.7 x 9.9 with stand Weight - 24.0 pounds / 28.9 pounds with stand.

Pioneer KURO PDP-5020FD 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Enter the next generation of Pioneer KURO, where a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Awake your senses and discover there is more to this television than meets the eye. Deeper black levels that pave the way to breathtaking detail, added dimension and more vibrant color are just the beginning. Optimum Mode automatically analyzes and adjusts audio and video settings according to specific room light conditions and type of light and color. Program content is also monitored and finely adjusted so movies, sports and news are all faithfully reproduced. Smooth Film mode eliminates motion jitter in 3:2 Pulldown (60Hz), providing natural even playback of film content. Detachable bottom speaker with fully integrated digital amplifier for pristine clarity and accuracy of sound 4 Independent HDMI 1.3 inputs with HDMI-CEC control and the ability to accept 1080p 24/60Hz signal Room Light Sensor for automatic picture adjustment Standard 3 - 2 (60Hz) and Advanced PureCinema with 3 - 3 Pulldown (72Hz) for accurate playback of film content Fully Integrated ATSC and NTSC Tuner with Clear QAM Supported Formats - Video - WMV9, MPEG1, MPEG2-PS, MPEG2-TS, MPEG4 (SP/ASP), and MPEG4 (H.264/AVC) Audio - WMA9, MP3, Linear PCM (WAV), HE-AAC, and MPEG-4 AAC Photos - JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and BMP 4 Independent HDMI 1.3 (1 side, 3 rear) with PC support, 2 with analog audio, 1 Component, 3x Composite, 1 S-Video Antenna, USB (Mass Storage Class), LAN (10/100 Base-T --Ethernet), and PC input Optical Digital Audio (Dolby Digital/PCM), Audio LR, Subwoofer, SR, and Headphone output Dimensions - Width 48-17/32 x Height 28-15/32 x Depth 3-21/32 / 48-17/32 x 31-5/8 x 3-21/32 with speaker Weight - 74 pounds 1 ounces / 86 pounds with speaker and stand.

The Advantage of Having a Flat Screen TV

Aside from the low profile and an increase in space, a flat screen TV gives you the highest resolution among any other kind of television. This one of a kind television has a very low glare unlike a normal TV screen which catches light from any direction. The flat lcd tv does not deliver glare to its viewers. This television is like a mirror and is only sensitive to particular light interferences from a certain direction. The flat lcd tv will not reflect light back unless there a very dominant light from a specific location.

A normal TV contains what we call a cathode ray tube which is like a gun that fires out electrons at a fast speed to the surface of a CRT. The electrons that strike the surface then glow and produce a pixel on the monitor. This is the reason why screen of a CRT television needs to be curved because there must be enough depth for shooting of the image. A flat lcd tv has no cathode ray tube like those in the normal televisions. It uses a light source with filters that are polarized and in between them is a thin layer of liquid crystals. This makes the flat screen TV thin.

An LCD television is usually much more expensive but its power consumption is lesser as compared to a normal TV. So in the long run you actually save more money because your electricity bill is cut down. Another major advantage of the flat LCD is the precision of the image that it gives. There is no other clearer image on other kinds of television since it has no curved screen unlike the normal televisions. A flat TV also has a better resolution than most normal television sets. You will appreciate the difference when you watch the usual TV program, more when you watch DVD movies since they are of higher resolution than the everyday TV programs. Movie lovers will surely love the LCD TVs.

Flat Screen Television Plasma Versus LCD TV Screen Review

If you're looking to buy a flat-screen television, you probably have already asked yourself which is better, Plasma or LCD. We shall attempt to shed some light on this subject for you.

Nuts and Bolts - The technology of LCD and Plasma Systems

While both Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Plasma panels look similar there is a fundamental difference in the way they work. Both use precise electrical charges to control a matrix of cells to produce a picture. However, in the case of plasma screens the cell contains plasma gas while the LCD cell is a fine layer of liquid crystal held between two layers of glass. This fundamental difference produces differing results which have advantages and disadvantages depending on their application. So let's try and find out which system is best for your needs.

Picture This - Comparing Image Quality

If this article was about Flat Screens verses Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TV sets there would be no contest. Both Plasma and LCD screens produce far superior and accurate images than the older CRT technology can hope to - with a greatly reduced footprint. But here we are interested in the the relative merits of flat screens. There used to be an easy quality distinction to make between LCD and plasma screens based on the amount of light each system produces from its cells. Plasma used to have the advantage of producing a brighter image due to the inherent property of its cells to produce their own light. In order to produce a visible image LCD cells have to be lit from behind - traditionally by fluorescent tubes. This has the disadvantage that even black cells have a little light bleeding through them which reduces contrast. However, backlight technology for LCD has improved significantly in recent years with the introduction of LED banks replacing the older fluorescent tube system. The result is that there is negligible difference in the quality of blacks between the two systems - although purists will still tell you that Plasma rules this roost.

Cooking with Gas - The advantages of Plasma

We have covered the advantage of better contrast control with Plasma's ability to produce blacks that are deeper and more true. Another advantage of gas over crystal is that it reacts to electrical stimuli faster. In ordinary terms this means that it can turn on and off faster. This speed advantage reduces the blurring effect that some flat screens produce when displaying fast moving images. As with the backlight technology issue, advances in LCD technology has reduced the millisecond response gap between Plasma and LCD cells to such a minimal level so as to be almost indistinguishable. Of course our purist friends will continue to argue the toss and will be more than happy to produce millisecond response charts to prove their point. For us mere mortals the difference would be hard to find with the naked eye.

Plasma enthusiasts are quick to point out that their preferred system has a better image fidelity at wider viewing angles. We've all seen the effect on flat screen pictures as we move farther to the side of the panel. The brightness and contrast begin to significantly deteriorate and eventually we experience what some describe as a 'solarising effect' where the darker end of the image spectrum inverts and all sorts of weird effects are produced. Historically this was always more problematic in LCD systems with plasma being able to produce a far more true image at far greater angles. But, we are going to have to say it again; advances in LCD technology...well, you know the rest.

Crystal Clear - The Advantages of LCD

The major advantage of LCD over plasma is that the system is far more compact and individual cells can be faithfully reproduced at smaller sizes. Another advantage is that LCD screens can make use of plastic where Plasma uses glass. What does this mean? It means that you can get more pixels into a smaller screen size, which means better resolution the amount of space you have. It also means that the units are less bulky, lighter and produce smaller footprints. Need to save space? Need a TV for your caravan? Buy LCD.

Fans of LCD will be more than happy to point out that Plasma screens experience something called 'screen burn-in', something unassociated with LCD screens. This phenomenon is caused when a single image is left on screen for a long period which burns a 'ghost' of that image into the plasma cells. In the past this became such an issue on computer monitors that it gave rise the 'screensaver', which is now more a novelty than a system for actually saving your screen from burn-in. Plasma had made huge advances in reducing this effect, it is now hardly an issue worth worrying about.

Are you an eco-warrior? Do you check that every appliance is turned off at night? Then LCD may be for you. LCD screens consume far less power than their Plasma cousins and produce less heat. LCD screens also have a longer life span lasting up to three times the number of hours it takes to loose half their brightness than Plasma screens. This not only gives Liquid Crystal the moral high ground in the green debate but also makes LCD screens more economical to run with less power demands and longer periods between renewals.

Pocket the difference - What about cost?

Plasma has an increasing cost advantage as the screen size gets bigger, so much so that the price of LCDs beyond the 50 inch mark become almost ludicrous. This is why plasma has become synonymous with large screen entertainment. At the small screen end of the market it becomes a much harder fight with LCD units producing good economic results especially when taking into account their longer lifespan and reduce energy consumption.

Skip to the end - Which is best for me?

If you are turning your front room into your own sports bar and fill you wall with premiership footy or perhaps you're trying to recreate the golden age of cinema; then plasma is probably for you. Unless you are seriously loaded LCD is simply far to costly for screens over 50 inches to be viable for most pockets.

If you are after something sleek, elegant and compact to compliment your minimalist living arrangements or just need to conserve space on your narrow boat then LCD is more likely to suit your needs. And, you can say you're saving the planet at the same time.

Another consideration is light. Do you live in a dark dungeon with only candles to light your way or do you live in a glass solarium surrounded by blinding sunlight? The argument over which platform performs best in strong light goes back and forth with each new generation of screen and each new technological advance. Plasma used to have an edge in the light until LCD produced LED backlighting. There was also the issue of Plasma screens being glass as opposed to LCD plastics so you'd have to worry about the position of possible ref elections but then Pioneer brought out their non-reflective Kuro plasma range and we are back where we started. The answer is that it is much of a muchness, but if you have the opportunity to test and compare the two systems in a similar environment to your chosen location then take advantage of this and decide for yourself which best suits your environment.

Finally there is the HD issue. At the moment there is little HD content available to take advantage of LCDs dominance in the resolution stakes but 1080p will eventually become the standard signal resolution. If it were the case now then we would recommend LCD for its native ability to apply pixel for pixel resolutions at lower cost. However plasma manufacturers are producing ever higher resolution screens at ever smaller sizes and will be able to produce screens that don't require 'scalers' to watch HD. By the time HD becomes the norm, we predict there will be little to choose between the two platforms in this regard.

If you're a dedicated techie and simply have to know that you are seeing every pixel, get the LCD. If you don't mind a bit of scaling but just want your picture really big stick with the plasma.

How to Clean Your LCD TV screen

* Easily Scratched!

First we have to understand a little bit of background about LCD screens to know why we should be careful when cleaning. LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display; which has crystal molecules sandwiched under layers of polarized panels. These panels are usually made of "plastic-like" polymer materials, and like any plastics they can be easily scratched or gouged, even by just your fingernails! That's why cleaning LCDs requires special care while cleaning compared to the old glass CRT monitors!

* What You'll Need

- rubbing alcohol (aka isopropyl alcohol)

- distilled water (not tap water!)

- A soft cloth (lint-free)

* Steps

1. Dilute the rubbing alcohol into a mix with about 50% alcohol and the rest distilled water.

2. Pour this solution into a spray bottle. Old Windex bottles are good as they spray in a mist pattern with just the right amount to get good coverage on your screen. The spray bottles that squirt a single stream tend to drip solution all over the place.

3. Spray the mix onto a soft lint-free cloth. Old t-shirts and microfiber car wash cloths are both good choices. Large cloths are better since it helps to reduce the risk of leaving streaks on the screen from too much pressure.

4. Gently wipe the cloth on the screen in a circular consistent motion. Apply even pressure to the cloth and be careful not to push too hard, or scrape the screen with your fingernails!

* Suggestions

- Costly products that you buy at the "computer screen cleaning" aisle of your local computer store contain the same basic ingredients of alcohol and water! Some even contain other harmful chemicals such as ethylene glycol, which may be ok on older glass CRT monitors, but should NOT be used on LCD screens! Some of the extra chemicals can also be harmful to the environment and to your health.

- Be sure to use Mineral water! Not tap water; you don't want hard mineral spots on your screen.

- Don't use tissue paper; they will leave lint and spots of paper stuck to your monitor. Also they're too thin, risking damage from your fingernails poking through.

- Don't apply too much solution. If you do, just wipe it off with the cloth and use less.

- You can also use lint-free lens wipes from photography stores, but they're thinner so be careful about your fingernails poking through.

- For a cheap ready-made solution from the store, you can also use CD/DVD cleaner, It's already designed to be plastic-safe, and is a simple solution of about 50% isopropyl alcohol.

* Some Precautions

- Don't use Windex or other glass cleaners! These contain ammonia, which is ok for glass, but WILL hurt your LCD screen!

- Try not to use the really cheap paper towels, like the tough brown ones in public washrooms. They can scratch your screen.

- Be sure to shut down your computer and your monitor, then unplug from the wall. This reduces the risk of electric damage in case you spill some of the solution on components.

- Don't drink isopropyl alcohol! It's toxic!

- If you aren't sure, you can test a small corner of the screen first.

Follow the steps and suggestions above, and your trusty LCD monitor should give you years of clean, clear, trouble-free service.