LCD TV Contrast Ratio - Should it Bother You?

While purchasing a LCD display device, the salesperson might inform you about contrast ratio offered by the display. But, do you really understand what this term essentially refers to? The interesting fact is that most of the merchants and salesman selling these products are ignorant about a number of facts related to contrast ratio of lcd tv and other displays. You may learn about this term here, so that you may employ your knowledge next time you make a purchase for LCD display device.

What is LCD contrast ratio?

It is the ratio of light intensities of brightest and darkest colors of the display endowed with LCD capability. It might appear straightforward from the definition, but contrast ratio is difficult to measure. The reason behind this is that there are differences in the measurements of CR from different methods.

Types of Contrast Ratios

In general, there are two types of contrast ratios associated with LCD device displays. First is the static CR, which is the measure of ratio between brightest and darkest colors appearing on the screen concurrently. On the other hand, the second type of contrast ratio, known as dynamic CR, is measured as ratio between brightest and darkest colors appearing on the display at different times. The presence of these two contrast ratio values bring in the difference between different values we get from different methods.

Methods of measuring contrast ratios

There are various methods to measure the contrast ratio displayed by various lcd tvs and other devices. Here are few most popular of these methods:

The most popular method is to measure it in a room, offering no obstacle to reflect the light emitted by TV. This means that whole of these light rays are completely absorbed. However, it is not a good method to measure CR, as the room conditions of the LCD TV customers might vary.
Another method is that of Ansi contrast, which unlike the first method, consider varying room conditions into account. Thus, it is more apposite method to measure contrast ratio of a LCD TV.

Now, the most important question for which, you are reading this page! Should the contrast ratio influence your decision for buying a LCD TV? If you go by the specified value of dynamic CR, the chances are that the value in reality may differ from what is told to you. Thus, it is not advised to consider a particular LCD TV on the basis of dynamic contrast ratio only.

In a layman language, you may consider the contrast ratio of 1000:1 as an appropriate value for appreciating a LCD device. You may also take suggestions from experts in the field to choose a contrast ratio according to prevailing conditions of your room.

Why You Should Buy a 32 Inch LCD TV?

LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs are totally phasing out the CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes) television sets and for a good reason that is. A lcd tv, for starters offers much better, clearer picture quality and great picture resolution as well. It brings life to all the colors giving us a chance to enjoy the television experience to the hilt. Also, a liquid crystal display TV occupies hardly any space, what with its ultra slim body and sleek and stylish design, making it a treat to look at. You simply hang it on any wall or place it in the smallest of the spaces available. Most of the leading electronic brands today, like Sony, Toshiba, LG, BenQ to name a few manufacture LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology television sets.

When purchasing a TV of this type, you have to consider various factors such as its resolution, contrast ratio and of course its screen size. Yes, bigger the screen size, better is the experience, this is true. But, you cannot simply afford to buy a 42 inch or 65 inch lcd tv when you don't have a large enough room for you to sit and view from a comfortable distance. It is very important to gauge the right amount of distance that you should keep from the TV when watching it. Sitting too close, will not only strain and stress your eyes, but also makes the images look pixilated and not very pleasant. For a 32 inch lcd tv, you must keep a minimum distance of 6-8 feet from the screen and for a 65 inch lcd tv, maintain at least 16-18 feet of distance from the TV screen.

In most cases, a 32 inch TV is a perfect option for any kind of space, big or small. It isn't too small to make images lack in the details, nor is it too big for a medium sized or a small room. Most people opt for a 32 inch TV, because that fits into every ones' criteria and preferences. A bigger screen sized TV of say 65 inch would not only occupy larger space, but would obviously cost more too. So, why spend double the amount of money as well as space when you can easily make do with a 32 inch LCD TV in your living room. And bigger the screen, the more away you would have to sit from it, and that can prove to be cumbersome in limited spatial options.

When purchasing a 32 inch liquid crystal display TV, make sure it has a resolution of about 1920 x 1080 at least, so that the picture clarity and the colors are just right for that perfect date with your 32 inch LCD TV. So, if you are planning to purchase a liquid crystal display TV, and are wondering what the right screen should be, go for a safe bet with a 32 inch LCD TV. With that, you simply can't go wrong and spoil the whole television experience; that is not what you want right?

Samsung LN46A650 40-Inch LCD TV - Why You Should Buy This TV!

The SAMSUNG LN46A650 40-Inch lcd tv is the smaller option of the SAMSUNG 650 series of large screen LCD televisions the consumer will find online this season. Sharing the design beauty of its larger cousins, the 40-Inch model may be the perfect choice if you're shopping for a large screen lcd tv this year, but don't have a large wall or viewing area to fit the 46 or 52 inch options! The color scheme of the 40-Inch model is also the same as the larger versions, black with a 'Touch of Red' that just looks like it would match any entertainment center or room design!

The SAMSUNG LN46A650 40-Inch TV offers a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio with HDTV delivery capable of resolution up to 1080p for high definition programs. Other features are the the InfoLink RSS which allows the consumer to have access to news, weather, sports, and stock information at the touch of a button on the remote control that is a standard option for all of Samsung's 650 model televisions. The SAMSUNG LN46A650 40-Inch television is also compatible with Samsung's Home Digital Media Adapter that allows for playback and navigation of content from the Internet and stored on one's computer. Just this feature alone allows one to be able to watch your favorite sitcoms from the major networks online when you want to watch them without having to remember to setup the DVR! This TV also comes with a side-mounted USB 2.0 port to connect a USB device to view pictures or MPEG movies without having to burn them to DVD to view through the DVD player. Additionally, this lcd tv comes with the Auto Motion Plus 120Hz and Ultra Clear Panel technology to help enhance the viewing experience of action-based movies. Finally, the TruSurround XT audio adds a number of audio enhancement technologies to the TV.

There are a number of locations to buy the SAMSUNG LN46A650 40-Inch television online this year. If you have time time to shop around for the best deal on the unit, try Amazon and Best Buy first, but don't stop there. There are a few websites that will compile the best deals on the TV for the consumer on one web page such as GadgetReview.com which will save some time spent searching the Internet. To encourage the consumer to buy the SAMSUNG LN46A650 online, many of the Internet retailers are offering free shipping and discounts on the TV of up to 20% as compared to buying the TV in person at a retailer.

Best LCD TV - What Factors Should I Consider?

When it comes to size, resolution and picture quality, more and more people are opting for an lcd tv. These are currently the bestselling flat and high-definition televisions today, preferred by more consumers because they come in a wide variety of sizes, fits just about anywhere and are light enough to be mounted on the wall just like an ordinary picture frame. But with so many choices today, how do you find the best lcd tv? Here are some factors to consider, along with a few recommendations.

LCDs explained

LCD is short for liquid crystal display. This refers to the type of technology used on the screen of the TV to produce images. Thanks to backlighting, LCD TVs are better than older CRT models using fluorescent lights to produce a wider variety of colors. This is also the technology that allows even distribution of light across the whole screen, so overall brightness is consistent.

Does size matter in TV?

Apparently, it does. The best LCD TVs today are those that offer a good range of sizes - from desktop computer-sized 15" units to more home theater-friendly 70". Bigger units even come with tuners and surround sound speakers to better enhance the home theater experience.

Picture quality

Admittedly, even the best LCD TVs have visual performance issues they have to contend with. Some of their main drawbacks are the low refresh rate (leading to relatively slower response time), low contrast ratio compared to plasma TVs and blurring during fast action sequences.

However, LCD TV manufacturers are promising better performance in the next generation LCD TVs. That means, we can expect significantly higher response rates and tweaks that will resolve blurs during high-speed car chases and fight scenes in future models.

How to choose the best LCD TV

Here are some factors to consider:

Size

Probably the major consideration you need to keep in mind is the LCD TV's size. It has to fit the area where it will be placed and must be big enough to optimize your viewing experience and small enough not to overwhelm. Remember that the best LCD TVs are built for maximum viewing pleasure at a distance. So if you have a 40" set, you should at have enough space in the room to allow you to sit at a distance of 5 feet or so. The larger the TV, the farther the area you should view it from.

Resolution

This is another gauge in which the best LCD TVs are measured. Resolution refers to the overall picture quality of the TV. The higher the number, the sharper and clearer the image. High definition formats generally range from about 720p to 1080p.

However, if budget is a major concern, there's no need to pay extra for higher resolution. Even 720p LCDs can already produce excellent images and reliable picture quality. The difference between a 720 and a 1080 is almost negligible especially if you have access to shows with HD programming.

Brand

In some cases, brand loyalty matters when deciding which LCD TV is best. If you must consider the manufacturer, look for top names such as Samsung, Sony, LG, Philips or Vizio. These brands have some of the best models in the industry, with several premium offers available.

Price

If you stick by a particular brand and consider a larger-sized LCD TV, some of the best you'll find can set you back at least $700 for a decent-sized 32". Bigger sizes starting at 37" can cost from about $1,500 to $3,000. However, you could still shave off a few hundred dollars by opting for lesser-known brands that are typically sold by distributors at stores like Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy. You'll generally get the same picture quality at about 15% to 20% less.