There are a variety of different TVs on the market today. With continuing advancements in technology, staying current can be a bit overwhelming. There are a couple of things you need to consider before you hit up the local best buy. First, how do you watch TV? Are you a couch potato constantly glued to your set, DVR set to record 18 different shows, and live for high def TV? Or are the occasional viewer when nothing much is going on? Next is figuring out your price range and the size you want. Let's take a look at the 4 most popular types of flat screen TVs and help you find the one that is right for you.
First up, the plasma screen which is the oldest flatscreen technology. It really sparked the want for thinner TVs. It being the oldest technology means that there are a few disadvantages. For example, if a single image is displayed for too long (let's say the pause screen on a video game), that image can be burned into the screen and leave a permanent "shadow" or outline. So you could invite the guys over to watch the big game and lose focus in certain areas because an outline of game over is in the middle of the screen. On a positive note, they are cheap in price because no one really buys them anymore and stores are just trying to get rid of stock.
LCD TVs are the successor to plasma. LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. When LCDs first came out plasmas provided superior picture quality but over the years there have been major jumps in LCD screen refresh rates. The refresh rate is the rate at which your TV can process and project images which reduces blurring of movements in action scenes. The higher the refresh rate, the clearer the picture. As of right now there are three different refresh rates, 60 hz, 120 hz, and 240 hz. LCDs are a little bit pricier but you can pick a decent sized one (32"-46") for between $400-1200.
The latest and greatest technologies are LED and 3D LEDs. LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. These TVs LCD screens but back-lit by LEDs. The result is a crisp clear picture with a broader more vibrant color range than a normal LCD. The 3D versions take two angles of the same image and overlap them to a certain degree just like a person's eyes. New electronic 3D glasses work like the brain by combining the two images and giving the viewer a sense of depth perception. The 3D LEDs are surprisingly thin with most measuring less than 1" thick. New stuff means higher prices while companies explore the market. A 55" Samsung C7000 series 3D LED TV will set you back between $1,850-$2400 depending where you look. Also, 3D TVs are limited by size and you can't find one smaller than 42".
Hopefully this helps you find what you are looking for.
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