| Over the past decade home entertainment technology | | | | While LCD TVs are available in a wide range of sizes, |
| has really taken some huge leaps forward. Today, the | | | | they do offer the worst performance of all the flat |
| task of buying a new TV is not just a matter of | | | | screens though, not only do they have the lowest |
| picking your favourite brand or buying the largest size | | | | contrast level but they also have a slow refresh rate |
| you can afford. There seem to be more options than | | | | meaning that motion blur often occurs. The viewing |
| ever, and this has certainly led to a lot of confusion | | | | angle is also much narrower than that of plasma TVs, |
| among consumers. With that in mind, what exactly are | | | | which means that it can be difficult to find a location |
| the main differences between the different types of | | | | that offers a good view for everyone, especially in |
| TV, and which is the best? | | | | smaller rooms. |
| Plasma TVs are one of the older types of flat screen. | | | | LED TVs are actually the next generation of LCD |
| They are relatively cheap to produce meaning that | | | | screens, as they are based on a similar technology but |
| prices are generally low for the screen size, which led | | | | use LED backlighting instead of the florescent |
| to plasma becoming a popular choice with consumers | | | | backlighting found in traditional LCD screens. The new |
| who wanted to get the largest screen for their money. | | | | backlighting technology means that they are able to |
| These TVs use a gas, which then turns into plasma | | | | deliver a much more dynamic picture quality, they also |
| when an electronic current is passed through it; the | | | | use significantly less power than even the most |
| plasma then emits the light to create the pictures. This | | | | efficient LCD TVs. LED screens can be made to be |
| results in a high quality, realistic picture that doesn't | | | | extremely thin, so they offer consumers the ability to |
| suffer from motion blur. It also offers a particularly wide | | | | place the TV practically anywhere - indeed it is now |
| viewing angle. | | | | commonplace to see TVs fastened to the wall in |
| However, plasma screens do tend to only have a | | | | order to save floor space. |
| lifespan of about 10-15 years and do use a relatively | | | | As this is still a relatively new development, LED |
| high amount of energy, which is now frowned upon as | | | | screens do tend to be more expensive than their LCD |
| many consumers are trying to become more | | | | counterparts. However as LED TVs become more |
| environmentally friendly. Plasma screens are also quite | | | | widespread the cost of production is expected to drop |
| thick, and are very heavy for their size, so they can be | | | | significantly, which will be reflected through dramatically |
| awkward to move. The screen is also fairly | | | | lower prices in-store. Having said that, LED technology |
| susceptible to glare, especially in bright rooms. | | | | is considered to be the most reliable of all the flat |
| LCD TVs can trace their roots back to computer | | | | screen formats so many people don't mind paying a |
| monitors and were first introduced at around the same | | | | little bit more. |
| time as plasma TVs. These TVs use the same basic | | | | The world of home entertainment can certainly be a |
| technology as your pocket calculator screen and are | | | | confusing place, especially as new advances in |
| backlit with florescent light. They have a much longer | | | | technology seem to come along on an almost monthly |
| lifespan than plasma screens, something in the region | | | | basis. Hopefully this article has shed some light on the |
| of 30+ years, and also use much less power. | | | | current generation of flat screen TVs, so at least you |
| Traditionally LCD prices were higher than plasma, but | | | | can stand a fighting chance the next time you venture |
| as new manufacturing techniques have evolved the | | | | into the home entertainment section of the electronics |
| prices are now rapidly falling. | | | | store. |