Buying
a TV isn’t something you do every year. This is a medium- to long-term
investment. All the factors involved — size, image quality, panel type,
internet connectivity, USB and HDMI ports, viewing angle, and screen
refresh time — affect not only your viewing experience, but also how
future-proof your next TV set is.:What type of screen should I get?
Big or small, if you’re in the market for a new flat panel TV, you’ll be looking at two main technologies: LCD and plasma. Rear-projection TVs of old are also available, but you won’t run into many on showroom floors. Technology has gone beyond these.
Plasmas use an emissive display technology (i.e. self-lighting pixels) and colour phosphors, which means there’s no motion lag or lighting inconsistencies, unlike their LCD counterparts. The results are smoother, more accurate motion; deeper, more consistent black levels; and better picture detail.
LCD TVs use transmissive technology (a separate light source to shine through the pixels — hence the “backlighting” for LCD TVs) instead of phosphors. LCDs have no potential for image retention or screen burn-in.
So far, we’ve talked about LCD and plasma TVs, but there’s also a third category to consider: the LED TV. Despite some reports to the contrary, an LED TV is an LCD TV. The difference lies in the backlighting method. Typical LCD screens use a fluorescent backlight placed behind the pixels to light the image; red, blue and green colour filters are then used to create the colours you see on the screen. LED TVs, on the other hand, use LEDs as the light source. LED TVs can be configured in two ways: full-array backlit or edge-lit.
What lighting conditions exist in the room?
Today, LCD remains the most popular and versatile screen technology. Not only will these sets have the widest range of screen sizes, they’ll also reflect less light and have brighter pictures. This makes them ideal for bright rooms with a lot of windows.
Plasmas are not the best for bright rooms because their glass screens reflect light a lot. However, picture consistency tends to be higher with
Plasmas. That means there’s less saturation and contrast loss when viewing at wider angles.
When compared to plasmas, LED backlit sets also tend to have better energy efficiency, increased contrast and a richer colour gamut.
General look and feel
LED TVs use backlighting instead of traditional fluorescent lighting by LCD TVs. This has allowed for even slimmer designs (great for mounting on walls) and brighter pictures. LED TVs have a sleek overall look. Plasma TVs are heavy: often 120 pounds for a 60-inch TV.
To 3-D, or Not to 3-D?
If your budget is on the high end and you have space for a large TV, 3-D is another option you can factor in. 3-D TVs generally run 42-inches plus, and display both regular old 2-D content, and 3-D content. You’ll want to go plasma, not LCD, to avoid less-than-HD display quality. Plasma also offers near 180-degree viewing angles, which is necessary if you plan on watching flicks with the whole family. 3-D still suffers from its share of problems, though. Most times, you’ll need a pair of glasses for each viewer as glasses-free 3-D TV options are few. Content choices, while originally limited to a handful of Blu-rays and ESPN 3-D, are slowly improving, but by no means plentiful. Simply put, there isn’t that much content yet.
What about smart TVs?
A smart TV is one that can be connected to the Internet to access content like streaming video, music, and entertainment apps, like Netflix. More and more of today’s flat panels include built-in Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity to make this a reality. These TVs are perfect if you plan on watching a lot of streaming content without tethering yourself to your computer. Many of them also include peripheral inputs (like a USB or DVI input) and memory card slots so you can use your TV as your computer monitor, or view images straight from your camera or phone. With streaming content availability and home Internet access on the rise, you can be sure that there will be plenty more smart TV features in the years to come.
Finally
Before you get out there and shop, here’s a quick breakdown of some of the most important points:
•Plasmas tend to look best for darkened, theatre-like rooms; LCD displays perform better in bright rooms.
•Many enthusiasts still prefer plasmas for overall picture quality and the most film-like experience.
•When it comes to energy efficiency, LCD TVs (and particularly LED-lit LCD TVs) typically outperform plasmas.
•LCD screens don’t experience “burn in,” making them preferable for gaming, showing static images or connecting to a PC.
•Full-array backlit LED TVs use local dimming to achieve better contrast levels, but usually come in at the top of the price range.
•Edge-lit LED TVs have thinnest form factor possible, but don’t look quite as good as full-array models.
•Plasma displays don’t get any smaller than 42 inches, LCD TVs are available in almost any size.
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