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