Help, I Need a New HDTV! (Part 2 of 5)

Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the choices these days, you may feel like, "Where do I start?!"

In part 2 of our 5 part article, we the discuss the options in TV technologies

---

Plasma. Plasma technology contains millions of "pixels" that contain a rare natural gas. This gas when excited by a small electrical charge produces colors and light to display the picture on the screen. Plasma is great for home theaters because it reproduces high motion video exceptionally well. On the other hand, if you have members of your family who like video games, I would rule Plasma TV's out-mainly due to something called "burn-in".

Downfalls. The biggest downfall of Plasma TV's is their half-life. As the TV ages it will naturally loose some brilliance and color depth. The good news-even with an average use of 4 hrs a day your plasma would still yield a half life of ten years. Not too shabby.

Burn-in is another downfall. Burn in is result of an image being displayed too often or for too long. Common ones are network logos, computer icons, video games, etc. The pixels involved get damaged and develop a "memory". This information actually becomes "burned in" to the screen. The good news-with care, you can drastically reduce the chances of burn in.

Benefits. Plasmas are among the thinnest TVs on the market up to 4" in depth. They are very suitable for Wall mounting or spaces for depth of the TV is a critical factor. Plasmas are produced in sizes ranging from 37" to over 70". Prices range from $1,400 to $17,000.

LCD. This technology is emerging from the computer world. Most small flat screen computer monitors are LCD. LCD does well in smaller sizes (50" or less), and produces still images and deep blacks rather nicely. In my opinion, they produce some of the best still images of any TV in the market. LCD TV's uses transistors to supply voltage to liquid-crystal-filled cells sandwiched between two sheets of glass. These voltages make the crystals untwist in varying degrees to filter light into varying shades of color.

Benefits. LCD are also very thin TVs with the thickest depth at approximately six inches. Pricing ranges from $600 to $5000. In addition, for the energy conscious individual, LCD's consume the least amount of electricity to operate.

DLP. DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology utilizes a small "Digital Micromirrors Device" (DMD) to tilt more than 1.3 million micromirrors. The mirrors tilt to reflect light to create the picture. A color wheel produces the varying shades of colors that reflect on the micromirrors.

Downfalls. If you are looking for a thin TV, or to mount on the wall? this is not the option for you. DLP TVs have depths as deep as 18".

Benefits. DLP TV's show the intention of having the longest life. The only part that will fail or affect image quality is the bulb life. Rated at 80,000 hours and being replaceable, average viewing of 4 hrs a day, make this a great TV for the next 50 years!

* Next in Part 3 of this article: What is HDTV?

©2005 Architechtronics, Inc. All rights reserved.

To stay on the cutting-edge of home automation, theater, and technology join "The EDGE" today-it's free! http://www.architechtronics.com/edge.html

Brett Griffin lives and works in Philadelphia, PA. Brett has 12 years of experience in the technology industry and strives to seamlessly blend high performance technologies into one easy to use system. As co-founder of Architechtronics, Brett uses his creativity and experience to help builders, dealers, and homeowners meet their technology desires in their home.

---

PC Owners - The Largest Criminal Gang Ever?

The year is 1981. IBM has just released the Personal... Read More

Microsoft Great Plains Dexterity Customizations

Microsoft Business Solutions is on the way to popularize it's... Read More

Digital Cameras Ratings Abolish Camera Comparison Guesswork

Digital cameras ratings are great tools for deciding which camera... Read More

New Computer? Steps to Protect Your Computer Before Connecting to the Internet

Getting a new computer should be an exciting and gratifying... Read More

How To Become A True CCNA

I've worked my way from the CCNA to the CCIE,... Read More

An All Too Familar Pain

Lost & Found for the 21st CenturyIn today's hectic world... Read More

How To Safeguard Your Computer?

The following practice, if done regularly, may help you to... Read More

Customize Your Portable Player with an MP3 Player Accessory

Everywhere you look today people are listening to personal audio... Read More

Computer Consulting 101 PC Troubleshooting Advice

While most small businesses really do need to find a... Read More

System File Checker - A Maintenance Utility

System File Checker is a great utility that is typically... Read More

Tips For Finding Great Deals On Computer Accessories & Supplies

Tip #1. Do a Google search. Don't be to general... Read More

What?s the Difference Between Plasma TVs and LCD TVs?

Plasma and LCD TVs are the latest trend in home... Read More

Linux Power Tools - Great Tools to Make System Administration Easy

World War II - Germany decided to attack Poland. Poland... Read More

What Has A Portable MP3 Player Have To Do With Your Business

Plenty! When we made the decision to be our own... Read More

Font Organizers Review, Part I

Do you know how many fonts are currently installed on... Read More

Are You Well Protected?

Winter?the official start of the cold and flu season. Though,... Read More

How to Save an Image in a SQL Server Database?

Most of the web applications have a lot of images... Read More

Basic Computer Maintenance

One of the most common questions computer users ask is,... Read More

Passwords and the Human Factor

Passwords have a strange dual nature. The stronger and safer... Read More

Your Home is in Your Hands

I would like to tell you about a magic home.... Read More

Setting File Permissions On A Unix Server

File permissions are one of the strengths that the Unix... Read More

COOKIES - What Are They!!

Cookies, not the kind that Mom makes, but the computer... Read More

Reliable File and Folder Sharing in Windows Xp

This tip is on sharing files and folders on a... Read More

Cisco Certification: Taking Your First Certification Exam

Youâ??ve studied hard; youâ??ve practiced your configurations; youâ??ve used your... Read More

5 Steps to Remove Spyware for Free

Have you ever tried to remove Spyware off your PC... Read More

How To Recognize The Telltale Signs Of Spyware

Spyware is the software that collects information about your online... Read More

iPod - Learn How It Can Solve Everyday Problems

All over the world, people carry with them walkmans and... Read More

Deleting and Destroying Data Forever

Peoples' private information needs to stay private, even after it... Read More

Cisco Certification: The Most Important Cisco Study Youll Ever Do

All of us are familiar with the pyramids of Egypt.... Read More

Digital Cameras: Hot Gear with the Coolest Features!

Cameras: still known for taking pictures but assumed as digital... Read More

7 Reasons NOT to Take Your Laptop on Holiday!

Heading off on vacation soon?Then perhaps you're tempted to take... Read More

Basic Diagnosis Guidelines for Your PC

Simone is exasperated. She has to work on her university... Read More

How to Place Home Theater Speakers

You have your television and home theater receiver; you just... Read More