Plasma and LCD TV Reviews

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Wize Buying Guide for Plasma and LCD TVs

LCD TV Brands and Types

Looking to purchase a flat screen television? Here’s the low down: Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) televisions are dominating sales in the flat screen market today. Their increasing popularity is due to their brilliant colors and lighter weight when compared to other types of flat screen TVs on the market. As you become familiar with all the brands, the major question becomes: Which LCD television is best for me?  Great question! As there are a ton brands to choose from. A few of the top ones are: Sharp, Samsung, Sony, Phillips, and Panasonic.

The Major Flat Panel TV Types are:

•    Standard Definition LCD TV (SDTV):  480i resolution
•    Enhanced  Definition LCD TV (EDTV):  480p resolution, 20 inches and smaller
•    High Definition LCD TV (HDTV): 480p, 720p, 1080p, and 1080i resolutions; 26 inches and larger (i – interlaced video and p – progressive scan)

Considerations and Features

Ask yourself this question:  How are you planning to use your LCD TV? This first step will go a long way in determining exactly which features you’ll need. Features to consider include:

•    Stretch and Zoom:  The ability to expand and compress videos to eliminate the black areas on the top, bottom, and sides of screen. You’ll often run into when watching certain types of DVDs.

•    Film Mode:  This feature compensates for viewing older films that were shot at 24 frames per second, and DVD videos that are presented in 30 frames per second.

•    Memory Card Slot:  A slot often on the side, or on the back of the TV, in which to plug a digital camera, camcorder, or memory card.

•    Cable TV Cards:  Be careful, these are not as good as cable box. Don’t get confused, cable TV cards do not allow access to Pay Per View, nor do they allow access to the Channel Guide.

•    Sound Settings:  This is the ability to preset sound settings for watching TV, DVD movies, and HDMI inputs.

•    Illuminated Remote: This is a great feature! It’s especially handy for watching TV in the dark.

•    LCD TV:  Just over all better quality. The colors are far brighter, and the picture far sharper.

•    Computer Display:  This is a neat feature if you spend a lot of time on the computer.  It’s basically a feature that allows you to hook up your computer to your TV. It’s great for the hardcore gamer, or the average person who watches a lot of online videos.

Contrast, Aspect Ratio, and Inputs

Contrast ratio is the comparison between dark and light areas on a screen. The setting is adjustable, and based entirely upon the viewer’s perception of what they find pleasing.

Aspect ratio is the ratio between the width and height of a LCD TV screen. A traditional TV – the kind your grandmother still uses- has an aspect ratio of 4:3, while flat screen TVs are 16:9.

This makes flat screens ideal for wide screen videos. Movies like the director’s cut of Star Wars, for example, were shot in a 16:9 ratio.

Typical LCD TV inputs include:

•    DVI – Digital Visual Interlace:  This is video only, and needs a separate cable for audio. It’s designed to maximize the digital display by converting analog signals into digital video.

•    HDMI – High Definition Multimedia Interface: HDMI means that both video and audio are on same cable. It provides up to eight channels of audio at same time. This is great for surround sound, DVD players, and gaming consoles.

•    Component Video:  The standard run of the mill video and sound; think basic cable or a TV antenna.

•    Composite Video:  The old-school red, green, and blue colored cables, which also a need separate cable for audio

Buying a LCD TV

Once you have narrowed your LCD TV choice(s) be sure to remember:

•    Controls: Are they easy to use?
•    Connections:  Are you going to want to connect your PC or MAC, DVD Player,  or Cable box? Does the LCD TV support the connections you need?
•    Mounting Bracket:  Are you going to want to mount it to the wall? Be sure to grab a mounting bracket if one is not included.
•    Viewing Angle: Check quality of picture from several angles. Cheaper units may seem inciting, but when viewed from the side, the picture is often sub-par.
•    Operation:  Have the salesperson demonstrate how to use the TV. Make sure that they answer all of your questions!
•    Sound:  Is the sound quality good? Does it support surround sound?
•    Installation:  Make sure that there aren’t any hidden installation costs.