Should You Buy An LCD TV?

By Oliver Stansfield

If you've thought about purchasing an LCD television, you probably have quite a few questions. Factors to consider include available screen sizes, longevity of the product, clarity of the image, and whether the television will be compatible with existing add-ons such as a VCR. Let's take a look at the LCD television.

Most consumers are aware of LCD technology from watches, cell phones, and video camera screens, but may not know what it is. Simply the screen is two panels of transparent matter, which have been "cemented" together. A polymer material containing the liquid crystals is applied to one of these layers. When electricity is connected to these crystals, they will either allow the light through or become opaque. It is this action which forms the images we see.

With their thin panels and similar shapes, many consumers assume that plasma TV's are the same as LCD. In reality, their technology is quite different. Unlike the LLCD's, plasma screens are made up of individual cells which have been filled with a gas. Electrical current running through the cells causes a reaction. Green, blue and red phosphors react, forming pixels, which we see as the complete picture.

For some time after the introduction of LCD television, the plasma TV's still cornered the market in large-screen televisions. Although the smaller screen televisions were popular, the LCD technology made the large screens more expensive. The technology has been refined to the point where the large-screen LCD TV's are now comparably priced, and practical for the everyday shopper.

Many consumers wonder if they can use their LCD TV as a computer monitor. Most of them can be, due to the fact that LCD TV's are an outgrowth of the LCD computer monitor. The majority of TVs have the VGA input connections necessary to be integrated into a PC. Gamers like to integrate their PC and game systems in order to have a large screen to play their games on.

Many consumers desire to keep their old VCRs even when purchasing a new TV. These VCRs will integrate with the new TV, thanks to the standard connections, however there is one issue to keep in mind. The resolution on a VHS tape is much lower than that on the TV, which will result in poorer colour quality, as well as a grainier picture than the consumer has seen on their old, analogue television.

When buying an LCD television, decide where you are going to place it, and how you are going to use it. Some like to integrate it with their home theatre system for a truly surround-sound experience. If this is your plan, ensure that you have the correct cables, bracket or cabinet for displaying your new equipment, as well as providing surge protection for your LCD TV.

An LCD television is a wise choice. The LCD panels are quite thin, and take up little space. They use less power than a conventional or a plasma TV. In addition they have a bright, clear image, and a long-life expectancy of 60,000 hours or more. - 30544

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