| If you have decided to buy a LCD TV but could not | | | | with 8ms being optimum, i.e. lesser the value the better. |
| decide on brand, model or confused that if your | | | | You need to consider this especially if you watch lots |
| selected brand or model is good enough. | | | | of sports or action films or like to play games on TV. |
| Don’t worry, all you have to do is educate yourself | | | | Be wary of LCD TVs that do not list their motion |
| by comparing LCD TVs of different brands and | | | | response time. |
| models and compare their specification. If you are not | | | | Contrast Ratio: Contrast ratio, or the degree of |
| clear about the technical terms mentioned. I have listed | | | | variation of the whitest and darkest parts of the |
| some of them here. | | | | image, is a very important factor to consider. If the |
| Screen Size: Screen size is measured diagonally. | | | | LCD TV has a low contrast ratio, dark images will look |
| There are many screen size available in the market, | | | | muddy and gray, while light images will look washed |
| you need to decide on your room size and your | | | | out. A good contrast ratio to have in an LCD TV is |
| budget. | | | | 1,500:1 or higher. Anything less than 1,500:1, may not |
| Native Pixel Resolution: LCD flat panel sets have a | | | | provide an optimum viewing experience. |
| number of pixels on the screen surface that is called | | | | Brightness: Without sufficient brightness your image will |
| as Native Pixel. You need to look for as high a native | | | | look muddy and soft, even in a dark room. Viewing |
| pixel count as possible. Most LCD TVs offer at least a | | | | distance, screen size, and ambient room light will affect |
| 1280x720 native pixel resolution. This is the minimum | | | | the need for more brightness capability. A brightness |
| pixel count you should settle on. Some larger screen | | | | rating listed as 550 cd/m2 or higher is good enough, |
| LCD TVs now offer 1920x1080 native pixel resolution, | | | | but don't depend upon the technical number listed, just |
| which certainly is even more desirable, but costly. | | | | make sure the screen is bright enough for your needs |
| Scaling: | | | | upon your own visual inspection. |
| Scaling is a process where a television's video | | | | Viewing Angle: Make sure you can view the image on |
| processor will match the resolution of the incoming | | | | the LCD TV from the sides as well as the from the |
| signal to its native pixel resolution. This means that | | | | prime viewing area. LCD TVs typically have a good |
| lower resolution signals will be up-scaled, but the | | | | side-to-side viewing angle, with many going as wide as |
| processor will downscale higher resolution signals so | | | | 160 Degrees, or about 80 degrees from the center |
| that they can be displayed at the TVs native | | | | viewing spot. If you find that the image begins to fade |
| resolution. That is the reason you need to buy HD | | | | or becomes un-viewable within 45 degrees from either |
| Ready TV. Poor scaling can result in poor display | | | | side of the center viewing spot, then it may not be a |
| results, such as jagged edges and inconsistent detail. It | | | | good choice where you have a large group of |
| must also be noted that results also depend on the | | | | viewers sitting in different parts of the room. |
| quality of the incoming signal. | | | | Tuner and Connection Considerations: Almost all |
| Motion Response Time: It is nothing but the ability of | | | | LCD-TVs have built-in tuners, if it is not there you have |
| the LCD TV to display fast moving objects without | | | | to buy external tuner or set top box. There are LCD |
| any blurring effect. In the past this has been a | | | | TV’s with dual-tuners for PIP functions i.e Picture in |
| weakness of LCD technology. However, this has | | | | Picture function which allows to watch 2 chanels at a |
| improved now. Check the specifications for Motion | | | | time. If they are HD Ready nothings like it. However, it |
| Response Time (ms = milliseconds). A good LCD TV | | | | will be useful only if you receive HDTV |
| should have a Response Time of either 12ms or 8ms, | | | | programming........................... |