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How to Select the Perfect Television
Like other electronics devices, televisions have gone the way of high tech in the past several years. The introduction of plasma televisions and LCD televisions has improved the quality of viewing to a level once thought impossible to achieve. Traditional picture tube TV's are still around, but they are losing popularity and sales to the more sophisticated flat screen plasma televisions, LCD, and even projection television technology.
With so many different options, many consumers could use a little guidance when it comes time to shop for the perfect television set. What is important to consider when you compare one television to another?
Types of Televisions:
The first and most important decision to make is the type of technology desired. In a nutshell, there are five television options: LCD Televisions, Plasma Televisions, Projection Televisions, Tube Televisions, and Combo Televisions. Depending on individual preferences like the screen size, the surrounding lighting, gaming, budgetary constraints, and other factors, the decision can be quickly narrowed.
LCD TV's -
LCD televisions are considered the latest and greatest and they are preferred by those who consider themselves on the cutting edge of technology. LCD TV's feature a flat panel and they create a sharp picture by concentrating electronic impulses into liquid crystal cells situated between two panels of glass.
Plasma TV's -
Plasma televisions are noted for their excellent picture quality and slightly more affordable price compared to LCD televisions. Plasma TV's are similar to LCD and have the same, sought after flat panel, but the technology is slightly different. With a plasma television, the screen is comprised of hundreds of thousands of tiny pixel cells. When electronic impulses are received from the power source, they activate gases inside the pixel cells, causing them to light up and glow, resulting in a high quality television picture. Plasma televisions are slightly less expensive than LCD. One plasma television that purchasers should strongly consider the Samsung 50 inch Class Plasma Full HD with Touch of Color Bezel Design. This plasma TV features an aspect ratio of 1920 by 1080, Ultra FilterBright glare reduction, and an astounding 1,000,000 to 1 dynamic contrast ratio, resulting in the sharpest images and boldest colors possible.
Projection TV's -
Projection televisions have been around for a number of years, but the technology has drastically improved. Projection TV's are offered in two varieties: Front and rear projection. Front projection televisions are like a movie projector. They project the image forward, usually onto a wall or white sheet. Rear projection televisions, in contrast, create an image on the inside of the television, toward the rear of the set. Then, through an arrangement of lenses, the image is magnified and projected forward onto the screen. Projection televisions are generally less expensive than LCD or plasma TV's, and this factor alone could make them the perfect television for some consumers. One great projection television that would thrill the mega-image seeker is the Sony 720p HD Home Entertainment Projector. This projection television provides an aspect ratio of 1280 by 720 and a contrast ratio of 12,000 to 1. It can project an image as large as 200 inches, making it an excellent choice for those who want larger-than-life images.
Tube TV's -
Considered a form of outdated technology by many buyers, traditional picture tube television sets are still around and show no signs of being phased out, at least not yet. The main reason is their lower price, and this factor alone could make a standard picture tube television a smart buying choice for many consumers. One high quality, medium-sized tube television is the Sansui 27 inch Class CRT SDTV with ATSC/QAM Digital Tuner. This picture tube television offers stereo sound, analog audio output, and v-chip program lockout to block unwanted channels from view. It is also capable of receiving both current and over the air digital broadcasts.
Combo TV's -
These television sets combine one of the above televisions with a DVD player. This combination set is a great idea if you don't want to spend the time looking for a separate DVD player. The disadvantage, of course, is that there are very few combination TV/DVD players on the market. Among the few, buyers should first consider the Proscan 37 inch Diagonal LCD Integrated HDTV/DVD Combo. This television has a DVD player built into the side of its flat panel screen and its technology produces an aspect ratio of 1366 by 768 and a contrast ratio of 1200 to 1. It makes a great choice for those who want quality television viewing and DVD capabilities in a single, all-in-one unit.
