LCD TV - Affordable LCD TVs
The television revolution is truly upon us. Large flat screen TVs - reserved for the super-rich less than a decade ago - are now selling at prices most of us can afford. LCD televisions dominate this flat-and-widescreen TV market.
But buying a TV is a big step. We want something that'll last us a decade, and - given the amount of time we'll spend looking at it - we want something that looks good too.
And if you're into gaming or you want to network your TV or even connect it to the Internet, you'll need to know exactly what you're doing before you whip out the credit card and wait for the big box to arrive.
Which TV should I buy?
The first choice, of course, is what type of TV to get. But how do you choose a TV ? In the old days, this wasn't an issue. Cathode ray tubes (CRT) were the one and only option for TVs. Your choice was really just about size and style.
Now, you need a degree in audio-visual technology and a diploma in LAN architecture to work out all the options and assess all the specifications. Luckily, though, you can still make an informed decision with just a little bit of homework.
The most popular televisions on the market are LCD televisions (or Liquid Crystal Display televisions), although Plasma - and now LED - are still popular options.
LCD TVs and Plasma TVs
Much has been said and written about the differences between Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) televisions and Plasma televisions . While it's impossible to state which is best overall, a few features might assist in making a decision about which type is right for you. Keep in mind that the severity of these differences vary widely from model to model:
- LCD televisions are generally cheaper than their plasma cousins.
- LCD TVs tend to be lighter, which makes them easier to move and to mount on a wall.
- Plasmas tend to lead the way with the largest screens.
- Some LCD TV screens can't be viewed at tight angles and diminish in quality the further to the side the viewer is located.
- Plasmas can become hot, and there might be low-level noise from the fan.
- LCD TV screens can usually double as computer monitors.
- Watching sports might be frustrating as some motion blur can occur.
Top selling LCD TVs in Australia
As at November 2009, the best-selling LCD TVs in Australia were usually Samsungs or Sony LCD TVs. The most popular LCD TVs, according to the LCD TV Buying Guide website, were:
- Samsung LN32B460 LCD TV
- Sony KDL-40S5100 LCD TV
- Samsung LN40B750 LCD TV
- Samsung UN46B6000 LCD TV
- Sharp LC-40E67U LCD TV
- Sony KDL-32S5100 LCD TV
- Sony KDL-46Z5100 LCD TV
- Samsung UN46B7000 LCD TV
- Samsung UN55B6000 LCD TV
- LG 42LH55 LCD TV
As this list suggests, models having between 32 inch (around 81cm) and 46 inch (just over 117cm) screens were most popular. Integrated HD receivers are now standard.
LCD TV - more than just television
Of course, most people want a new TV "well" watch TV on. But for an increasing number of switched-on people, using a television to watch broadcast TV shows is secondary. For these people, an LCD television is just a powerful monitor that can be used for a variety of multimedia purposes.
TV games have been with us for a long time. But with the new breed of gaming consoles (such as the Xbox 360 , the Sony Playstation and the groundbreaking Nintendo Wii ), TV screens have to be able to represent new levels of graphical clarity and action speed. LCD TVs are perfectly placed to display video games at their very best.
With some TV models now able to connect to home networks and even the internet, the TV is morphing into a hub for family interactivity. View the family schedule, stream video and music files from your desktop or laptop computer, watch online video such as YouTube, connect to friends on Skype and more!
With a flat-screen LCD TV, you can enjoy high-quality HD television, the exceptional picture quality of Blu-ray and standard DVD, and a wealth of online and network features. Get into it!