I've been planning to buy an LCD TV for the past 6 months and after long hours of reading, this is what I learned so far. I believe this would help buyers choose the right television set for their needs. This is not a comprehensive guide BTW for what I included here are just the most common questions a not-so-techie-soon-to-be HDTV owner must know.
If you’re having problems deciding on which HDTV to buy, listen-up because Headstart will help you comprehend all that “High Definition” gibberish and misconceptions.
Is getting a television with a higher contrast ratio better than the one with a lower one? In theory, it is better to get a higher contrast ratio. But a problem with current models is that we will never know the real score when it comes to contrast ratios since different manufacturers employ different techniques to test it. Independent tests prove that current TVs have no more than a 1500:1 contrast ratio so it is best not believe the outrageous numbers posted.
Is it worth having a 1080p capable TV? The answer is a big NO. Use the money you’ll save to buy a kick-ass BlueRay player or a sound system to get the most out of your movie experience. Tests show that common individuals can’t distinguish between 780p/1080i (‘p’ means progressive, ‘i’ means interlaced) and 1080p on a 60-inch screen! Since most of today’s HDTVs play 780p and 1080i natively, you can just choose the best that fits your budget.
Another thing is the choice between Plasma and LCD. There is no clear winner between the two because each technology has its own advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to contrast, plasma wins hands down because each pixel produces its own light and just turns itself off to produce black. On the other hand, LCD has a backlight to produce images, so if you want black, each pixel needs to block-off the light from behind. Added to that, plasmas have wider viewing angles unlike LCDs which would look bad when viewed off-axis. But despite these disadvantages, LCD panels consume less power, run cooler, and will probably last longer than most plasma panels in the market today.
Lastly, make sure you test each brand and model and get the one that pleases you (and your eyes). Never rush to buy an HDTV just because you were overwhelmed by its posted specifications. Also, it is important to set a budget for a particular screen size. LCD TVs are your best bet on 32-inchers and below; but if you want 47” and above, plasmas are cheaper to buy than LCD.
That's it, I hope I clarified some things. Don't forget to listen in every Friday at 9PM to Headstart on NU107 -- the newest tech and lifestyle show on radio! (This article will be broadcast there.)
