TV Information

In the field of television, it is becoming difficult to find anything other than flat panel LCD or plasma TVs in the stores. In effect, the old cathode ray tube TVs have virtually disappeared from the scene.

One big advantage is that flat screens reduce the amount of space needed in relation to old fashioned TVs, which are up to ten times as deep as modern flat panel TVs.

The definition of the image is drastically increased. Thus, every little detail of the image can be seen.

The size of the screen

The screen size may be the main argument for choosing the new technology. LCDs rarely exceed 40 inches, or 102 cm, because of manufacturing constraints. While the range of plasmas commonly extends to 50 inches (127 cm) and even beyond. However, in recent months, some large LCD screens (up to 120 cm) have emerged, but prices remain high.

The brightness

Plasmas have the advantage of a uniform brightness across the screen With LCD, the quality varies depending on the quality of the lamps selected by manufacturers for the backlight screens. The brightness can then be either too weak or too strong.

The marking of plasma screens

Just like old fashioned televisions, the screen of a plasma TV may be irreparably marked by bright static images if they are displayed for too long, such as by freezing a DVD frame.

Plasmas are more expensive than LCD, but it is mainly due to the fact that the screens of the plasmas are larger than those of the LCD. However, it should be noted that the plasmas are generally cheaper than LCDs for screens of more than 40 diagonal inches.

The cost of a LCD flat panel or Plasma TV's continue their fairly rapid down-slide, as manufacturing costs drop, and popularity increases. CRT prices also continue to fall, in this case because of their slow decline into eventual obsolescence.

Here is a basic guide to what you can expect for your money. Up to $300, 25 to 27 inch conventional TVs, and occasionally a sale item, smaller LCD flat screen up to 21inch with very few features and probably not a well known brand.

In the $300 to $500 range you will be able to locate a quality conventional TV or an LCD model up to approximately 32inch. Moving up a notch to $500 to $750 you will easily be able to purchase a conventional CRT TV up to 36inch with a full array of features. You are also in the range of similar sized LCD flat panel TV's, which offer far better value for money.

Moving along to the $750 to $1,000 sets, here you can purchase a flat panel LCD TV up to 42inch. Alternatively, you could opt for a lower end Plasma TV of the same size. You could also opt for LCD, DLP LCoS rear projectors giving up to 62inch.

The next bracket is the $1,000 up to $1,500 that will give you similar options as the last price rage. The difference being more high end brands with far more features, and other possibilities such as much longer manufacturers warranties.

For $1,500 up to $3,000 look out for 52inch LCD flat panel TV's or a Plasma with a screen size around 60inch. A good quality, high end features, rear projector up to 73inch.
A top budget of over $3,000 will get you a 70inch flat panel LCD TV, or a Plasma up to a massive 103 inch. These units will come equipped with every feature imaginable. You will also be dealing with the highest quality units.

You may have wondered if there is a perfect size for a TV, and how would you know, what size is best? There is an optimal size for TV screens, but it depends on several outside factors.

Possibly most important factor is the size of the room, but that is out of the weighed against how far away you're actually sitting from the screen. And also if the screen ratio is wide screen format or the regular TV 4:3.

Most people seem to favor the largest screen but they can afford. Not realizing that if you are not sat to close to the TV, then the picture will appear to be grainy and of a general poor quality. Conversely, if the screen is too small for the room, this will cause eye discomfort, and difficulty reading onscreen, text.

Scientific research carried out by manufacturers suggests that when watching a regular 4:3 ratio TV. You should be sat not less than three times and not more than six times the width of your TV screen, away from the TV.

Basically, if you have a 20 inch TV you should sit between 2.6 and 5.2 feet from the TV. For a 32 inch, from 6.4 to 12.8 feet, 40 inch screen, 8 to 16 feet.

The recommendations for wide screen HDTV and DVD high resolution TVs are different. As the superior quality picture requires that, you sit closer than you would with a regular TV, for maximum enjoyment

With widescreen HDTV, you should aim for 1.5 times the diagonal size of the screen. This translates as, 30inch screen you should be 3.3 to 6.6 feet away, 50 inch screen 6.3 to 12.6 feet, and 65 inch screen, 8 to 16 feet away from the screen.