For the price this is a strong performer, and probably one of the best 32 inch widescreens on the market. Excellent clear pictures with good contrast ratio of vibrant colors.

Features the VIERA Link which allows interconnected operation of various AV devices using only the VIERA remote control, by simply connecting the devices to each other by an HDMI cable. VIERA Link performance has been further enhanced with LUMIX digital camera connection. By connecting a new LUMIX camera that has an HDMI output terminal to VIERA, you can use the VIERA remote to control the playback of images stored on the camera.

The most exciting feature of the Toshiba Regza is the “Meta Brain” technology that is unique to these models. MetaBrain is Toshibas uniquely developed processing chip that acts as the brain of TV. MetaBrain drives certain features on the TV such as Resolution+ AutoView as standard features as well as variations of Active Vision Picture Processing and on selected models Dolby Volume.

A Green Eco TV

Eco Panel – Toshiba REGZA LCD TVs which feature EcoPanel are specially designed to consume significantly less power than a conventional LCD TV without comprising on picture quality.

Top 5 HD LCD Screens for Spring 2009

1.		Samsung LE32A436T – 32” Widescreen HD Ready LCD TV – With Freeview by Samsung £329.99
2.		Toshiba 37XV555DB – 37″ Widescreen 1080P Full HD LCD TV – With Freeview by Toshiba £459.99
3.		Toshiba 19DV555DB – 19″ Widescreen HD Ready LCD TV/DVD Combi with Freeview – Glossy Black by Toshiba £289.99 £199.99
4.		Samsung LE19R86 – 19” Widescreen HD Ready LCD TV – With Freeview – Black by Samsung £189.95
5.		Sony KDL-26V4000 – 26″ Widescreen HD Ready Bravia LCD TV – With Freeview by Sony £379.99

KDL52V5500U 52-inch Widescreen Full HD LCD TV

Product Features

• 52″ Full 1080p HD LCD Screen
• 1920 x 1080 Resolution
• Eco Settings with Light Sensor
• USB Media Player
• 4 x HDMI Scokets
• Dynamic Contrast of 60,000:1 to deliver high levels of detail in darker scenes
• DLNA technology to share your multimedia content with DLNA certified devices in your home network
• USB Media Player allows easy access to photos, music and video through your TV
• AppliCast™ allows you to view internet information while watching television

Manufacturer’s Description

A BRAVIA LCD TV is no ordinary television. Design is sleeker, pictures are brighter, details clearer. All BRAVIA televisions are HD Ready as a minimum, with up to 4 HDMI connections, and come with an integrated digital tuner so there is no need for a set-top box to view Freeview TV and radio channels. Most of the BRAVIA LCD TVs feature BRAVIA Sync technology, it takes just one button to turn on your entire Sony home entertainment system, while XrossMediaBar helps you navigate your TV easily with its best-in-class menu screen. After all advanced technology should simply mean technology that does more for you.

Packed with the latest Sony technology, the BRAVIA V5500 lets you experience HD entertainment in all its glory. BRAVIA ENGINE 3 digital processing delivers excellent image quality, with vivid colours and sharper edges. It’s DLNA-enabled, allowing it to become the hub of a home network of other compatible devices, so you can enjoy all your music, video and pictures on a whole new level. Meanwhile, a built-in USB Media Player enables you to connect other devices to your TV screen. Plus you can use the AppliCast™ feature to check on-screen RSS feeds of news and other information while you’re watching your favourite programmes.

The Sony Bravia range really is fantastic. High definition screens are now available at very affordable prices. With high contrast ratios, options to access media files via USB and new AppliCast technology that combines the internet with your television, these are the future of home entertainment.

Product Details:

Packed with Toshiba’s own Active Vision LCD processing power, this 37 inch LCD TV instantly gives you Freeview with an eight-day TV guide. This gloss black screen is also HD Ready, so you can attach the latest hi-def equipment. Main Features:2 x HDMI: High-Definition Multimedia Interface is an all-digital audio/video interface capable of transmitting uncompressed streams. HDMI provides an interface between any compatible digital audio/video source and video monitor

Visit our Amazon store to purchase today.

So, what is new in small screens? Philip’s’ High-definition LCD WXGA+ display 1440 x 900p

This WXGA+ display with state-of-the-art LCD screen technology gives you widescreen HD resolution of 1440 x 900p pixels. It produces brilliant flicker-free progressive scan pictures with optimum brightness and superb colours. This vibrant and sharp image will provide you with an enhanced viewing experience.

HD ready for the highest quality display of HDTV signals

Enjoy the exceptional picture quality of a true High Definition TV signal and be fully prepared for HD sources like HDTV broadcast, Blu-ray DVD or HDVD. HD ready is a protected label that offers picture quality beyond that of progressive scan. It conforms to strict standards laid out by EICTA to offer a HD screen that displays the benefits of resolution and picture quality of a High Definition TV signal. It has a universal connection for both analogue YPbPr and uncompressed Digital connection of DVI or HDMI, supporting HDCP. It can display 720p, and 1080i signals at 50 and 60Hz.

Crystal Clear III for natural images with enhanced quality

Crystal Clear III combines a whole range of enhancements to provide a better picture. They include a 2D Comb filter, Dynamic contrast, blue stretch and green enhancement so that you always get the most natural looking colours.

Progressive Scan component video for optimised image quality

Progressive Scan doubles the vertical resolution of the image resulting in a noticeably sharper picture. Instead of sending a field comprising the odd lines to the screen first, followed by the field with the even lines, both fields are written at one time. A full image is created instantaneously, using the maximum resolution. At such a speed, your eye perceives a sharper picture with no line structure.

Incredible Surround for enhanced audio enjoyment

Incredible Surround is an audio technology from Philips that dramatically magnifies the sound field to immerse you in the audio. Using state-of-the-art electronic phase shifting, Incredible Surround mixes sounds from left and right in such a way that it expands the virtual distance between the two speakers. This wider spread greatly enhances the stereo effect and creates a more natural sound dimension. Incredible Surround allows you to experience total surround with greater depth and width of sound, without the use of additional speakers.

Compact and slim design that fits in every room

This design style emphasises a slim, compact look that saves space and fits in anywhere.
1000 page Hypertext for instant fast access to teletext

The teletext is a common system transmitted by most broadcasters. The 1000 page smart text feature gives you extremely fast access to information when changing pages.

HDMI for full digital High Definition connection

HDMI makes an uncompressed digital RGB connection from the source to the screen. By eliminating conversion to an analogue signal, it delivers an unblemished image. The non-degraded signal reduces flicker and leads to a clearer picture. HDMI intelligently communicates the highest output resolution with the source device. The HDMI input is fully backward compatible with DVI sources but includes digital audio. HDMI uses HDCP copy protection.

PC input lets you also use your TV as a PC monitor. With PC input you can connect your TV to a computer and use the TV as a PC monitor.

Panasonic TH-42PX700 – 42″ Widescreen Viera HD Ready Plasma TV – With Freeview, From Panasonic.

Once you decide that you’re ready for a large-screen TV, you quickly discover that you only really have two main options – a plasma TV or an LCD TV. Plasma TVs were first on the scene, but the recent mass production of LCD TVs by major manufactures has put LCD TVs pretty much on equal footing with plasmas. That said, you will still have to make a choice.

If you’re like most people, you not only have no idea how the two differ, you don’t even know the areas you should be considering in order to determine how they differ. But they do indeed differ, and knowing the difference is extremely important if you’re going to get the TV that’s right for you.

You can essentially boil the differences between plasmas and LCDs into twelve basic points. In some areas, plasmas will win out. In other areas, LCDs will win out. In yet other areas, it will depend on your own personal taste in order to decide who wins out.

The twelve ways plasma TVs and LCD TVs differ are the following:

The first is a technical issue, and may seem a little boring, but it really does affect other areas. Plasmas TVs are made of chemical compounds called phosphors. LCD TVs use millions of liquid crystals.

The next section is related to how big the TVs are and the availability of larger sizes. You have a wider selection of larger-size TVs with plasmas (though LCDs are catching up).

The next section is “small size,” which is also important. Plasmas don’t come in smaller sizes, which you will need for places like the kitchen.

Next is viewing angle. Plasmas tend to have a wider viewing angle (though, again, LCDs are catching up).

Although the manufacturers may not like to admit it, each “can” suffer from certain problems. Plasmas can suffer from burn-in effect; LCDs don’t.

Another problem area, but for LCDs, is “delay.” LCDs can produce a jagged figure when in motion. Plasmas tend to do better. HDTV improves this dramatically for both.

The next area is life span. You can replace the light source with an LCD, thereby bringing your original picture back. With plasmas you can’t.

In the next few sections, the theme of “picture quality” is considered. First, color: LCDs produce sharp, lively colors. Plasmas produce warmer and more accurate colors.

Next is brightness levels and the TVs ability to handle different lighting. LCDs tend to do better in bright-light conditions

Also related to picture quality is “black levels.” Plasmas tend to produce blacker blacks.

Another area to consider is contrast range. Plasmas, “technically,” produce a higher contrast range.

Last, and certainly not least, is price. At the moment, plasmas tend to run a little cheaper, but this is changing rapidly as LCDs flood into the market. By the time you read this, in fact, there may be no difference at all.

Essentially, which one is right for you will all comes down to taste: What potential negatives will you not really notice? What positives do you want more of? What do you really want the TV for – movies, sports, news, regular TV shows? Both plasmas and LCDs have strong advocates in their corners. Both have deliriously happy customers. But those happy customers are only happy because they knew what they wanted before they made their purchase. If you want to make the right choice, you’ll have to decide what it is you want and which of the two TVs can best give you that.

About the Author:
Plasma vs. LCD TVs: To learn more about these two technologies and how your own personal tastes and viewing habits will affect your choice, read the full report at http://www.plasma-vs-lcd.com . You might also be surprised to learn that plasma TVs are like peanut butter and LCD TVs are like jelly. Yes, really. Read the report.
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

SED TV combines both yesterday and today’s technologies to give the video viewer the very best of both worlds. For example SED TV uses one electron gun per pixel as opposed to just one electron gun. Since the electrons don’t have to travel as far, less power is needed. Moreover, since the electrons are so close to the display surface, the SED TV is much slimmer than the CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube).

SED Inc. hopes to launch the SED TV set in stores sometime this year but won’t reach maximum production goals until 2010. Still, 2007 may bring SED TV out of the emerging spotlight and into most stores.

One of the hopeful competitors to SED TV, and also using less power than the traditional LCD is OLED (Organic Light- Emitting Diode). OLED technology is a thin film light-emitting diode (LED) intended primarily as picture elements in practical display devices.

Eastman-Kodak developed small molecule OLED. Since OLEDS can be printed onto any suitable substrate using inkjet technology, they can have a lower cost than LCDs or plasma displays.

Still, we are likely to see SED TV sets before we would an OLED display. The biggest technical problem left to overcome for the OLED technology has been the limited lifetime of the organic materials. Particularly, current materials used as blue OLEDs typically have lifetimes of around 1,000 hours when used for flat panel displays, which is lower than typical lifetimes of LCD or plasma technology.

But that’s not the only reason we’ll be shopping for SED TVs first. Another concern for OLED technology, the intrusion of water into displays can damage or destroy the organic materials. Therefore, improved sealing methods are important for practical manufacturing and may limit the endurance of more flexible displays.

Another would be competitor to the SED TV technology is FED (Field Emission Display), which also has not as yet reached commercialization. FED is a flat-panel display technology that uses a grid of tiny cathodes for image generation. Sony is researching FED because some believe it is the flat-panel technology that comes closest to matching the picture of CRT.

FEDs were invented more than 20 years ago. The problem with FEDs is efficiency. To get enough electrons to produce adequate light, you cause internal destruction of the emission layer. Reflected electrons poison the layer. The destruction begins with burn-in effects and eventually progresses to complete breakdown of the structure. These obstacles have caused the downfall of most FED efforts but variants of the technology still appear from time to time because many companies are still striving for new ways to compete with LCDs.

If Canon and Toshiba, i.e. SED Inc., has their way, OLED and FED technology laborers will soon be referring to SED TV as their competition in the flat-panel display industry as SED TV sets are sure to be in some stores before Christmas 2007.

In setting up the environment for your plasma TV, a primary consideration is to determine the screen size to match the floor plan or available space where the plasma will be displayed.

Plasma monitors are measured diagonally across the screen, just like any other television set. You can typically choose from the following sizes: 32″, 40″, 42″, 46″, 50″, 61″, or 63″. Bigger is not always better, and a certain distance must be maintained between the plasma TV and the viewing area for optimal viewing experience. Sitting too far away diminishes the overall impact. Sitting too close, however, could also present its own problems – as when you start seeing the screen’s “structure”; i.e., the dots or pixels that make up the plasma display.

In determining the appropriate TV size for you, you should also consider the space required to install the unit itself. When recessing a plasma display unit, allow at least 3 inches of open space at the top of the unit and adequate ventilation space of at least 2 inches behind it as well. Remember, too, that most plasma displays do not have built-in speakers, so you’ll need to allow space enough to attach speakers.

What You Can Watch on Your Plasma TV

You can choose between HDTV (High Definition TV) and EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV) for your choice of plasma display. Which type you prefer depends on the kind of material you intend to watch on the plasma.

EDTV is the perfect entry point into digital television, with a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio and an image resolution that is 200% better than today’s analog televisions. On the other hand, HDTV has up to four times the resolution and colors compared to EDTV, offering the ultimate visual and sound experience.

At present, only a limited number of programs are broadcast in true high-definition format (all major networks broadcast HD counterparts to their regular analog-signal broadcasts). In fact, if you plan to use a plasma HDTV for regular TV programming, you may be surprised to find that regular TV programming may even appear slightly worse, as the big screen exaggerates the flaws in standard TV programs. DVD images from most of the currently available DVD titles on the market today also do not fare as well on true HD plasmas. In fact, these DVD images appear better on EDTV plasma units, because the image resolution of a widescreen DVD (nominally 740 x 480) more closely matches the actual resolution (852 x 480) of the EDTV plasma display.

Why bother with a High Definition TV at all, you may ask? Because HDTV, paired with a true High-Definition or high-quality source, can produce truly stunning images. With a progressive-scan DVD player paired with, say, any of the recently released HD-DVD or forthcoming Blu-ray DVD titles (encoded in true HD format), your plasma HDTV can come to spectacular life and bring out unrivaled image quality. And as more TV programming becomes available in High-Definition format with the looming of the FCC deadline for switching to all-digital broadcasting, plasma HDTV sets will have more TV content to show. One thing’s for sure: Your HDTV won’t be obsolete anytime in the next few years.

Plasma TV

Specifications When comparing plasma TV sets, it’s important to know what to look for to make sense of the specifications you’re presented with. Below is a quick rundown on the necessary specs that you need to weigh before making that all-important purchase decision.

Resolution: Resolution is a determining factor in selecting a plasma TV. Do you want HDTV or EDTV? HDTV, with a resolution of at least 1024 x 720, is the ultimate visual and sound experience, but what is available for viewing on HD is currently restricted to a few HD channels on cable, as well as the newly emerging – and necessarily few – DVD titles from the HD-DVD and Blu-ray DVD formats. On the other hand, most of the currently available DVDs actually play better when viewed on EDTV, because the image resolution of a widescreen DVD (nominally 740 x 480) more closely matches the actual resolution (852 x 480) of the EDTV plasma display. Choosing the type of plasma TV that you want, therefore, is a question that should be considered along with the type of content you frequently watch or will be watching on your plasma.

Inputs: A plasma television should work with any existing video component with standard A/V, S-Video, or Component Video outputs. In addition, most plasma TVs have DVI or HDMI connections for use with high-definition sources. Some plasma TVs also have VGA input connections that allow them to be used as monitors for a PC. At the minimum, look for the following specifications on a plasma connection: DVI-I or DVI-D, Component, RCA or Composite, and S-Video. Take into consideration your current component set-up – such as your satellite system, cable box, DVD player, and external stereo components – and see what kind of inputs or connectors they use.

Tuner: Check your plasma to see if it is HD-ready or HD-integrated. An HD-ready plasma TV is essentially a monitor that needs an external tuner source before it can function as a TV. An HD-integrated panel has a tuner built into the set and is ready for use. If you receive your HDTV programming via cable or satellite instead of over-the-air, you may not need a tuner at all, as you will be using the set-top boxes provided by your cable/satellite service to receive HDTV programming. Check with your cable or satellite providers for more details. Some cable/satellite companies do away with set-top boxes and provide their subscribers with cable cards instead. Check with your cable/satellite provider if they provide cable cards and the cable-card type that they offer, and then check the specification on the plasma for cable card slots.

Contrast Ratio: Contrast ratio is the measurement that determines the variation between the whitest and darkest parts of the image. This is an important specification, since plasma TVs with a low contrast ratio will make dark images look muddy and gray while making light images look washed out. A good measure of contrast ratio is 1,000:1 or higher. Anything less than 1,000:1 – especially on a set that is 42″ or larger – may not provide optimal viewing experience.

Brightness: Without sufficient brightness, your image will look muddy and soft – even in a dark room. Viewing distance, screen size, and ambient room light will also affect the need for more brightness capability. A brightness rating listed at 550 cd/m2 or higher is good, but don’t get bogged down with the technical number listed. Instead, make sure that the screen is bright enough for your needs as you conduct your own visual inspection.

Panel Life: Look for a minimum of 60,000 hours of panel life in your plasma specifications. This is the rating on how long it would take before your panel has half the brightness compared to when it was new. A 60,000-hour spec translates to approximately 20 years of viewing at 8 hours per day. (This approximation may vary, depending on the source and type of content, settings, environment, and use of your plasma TV.)

Anti-burn-in/Pixel Shift: Burn-in refers to the remnants burned on to the screen after a static image has been left on the plasma for a long period of time. To minimize or prevent burn-in, determine if the plasma panel utilizes burn-in protection, such as power management settings, full-time picture or pixel shift (both vertical and horizontal) technologies, or automatic screensaver functions.

Speakers: If you plan to use an external surround sound system, you won’t need audio speakers, but most plasma TV sets include speakers that rated anywhere from 7-12 Watts Pre-amp – which is much better than that of conventional TVs and sufficient for most viewing. Check your plasma’s specifications to see if it comes with speakers and if the speakers are removable.

Universal Remote: A universal remote can
take the place of having one remote, so that it controls all the various components of your TV system, such as the DVD player, audio, cable/satellite etc. If you plan on buying a universal remote, check to see if it’s supported by the plasma set of your choice to make sure the plasma accepts universal remote devices.

Power Consumption: Power consumption for plasmas range from 240 watts to over 500 watts, If you’re concerned with how much energy a plasma set may use, check its specifications to determine power consumption. Units tend to have higher wattage requirements as the screen increases. A good rule of thumb is to compare similar-sized units together; units with higher wattages tend to use inferior components as a rule.

Microtek Lab Inc. is a consumer electronics company focused on scanners, plasma and lcd televisions, digital projectors, lcd monitors, digital cameras, home theatre equipment, and accessories. You can view their online store at http://store.microtek.com Use of this article is permitted provided that the article is used in its entirety.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

Major brands include Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Philips, RCA, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba.

The smallest sets, measuring about 42 inches diagonally, offer only a few more inches of screen than a conventional 36-inch set. Rear-projection sets with 50- to 60-inch screens are the best sellers. The largest of these TVs have screens measuring 70 inches or more. Keep in mind that a set with a 57-inch screen could be overwhelming in a modest-sized room. CRT-based sets are floor-standing units about 24 to 30 inches deep that take up about 8 square feet of floor space. They weigh about 200 pounds and are mounted on wheels. Microdisplay models may require a stand. Most are about 15 to 20 inches deep and weigh about 100 pounds.

Most rear-projection sets now on the market are digital (HD-capable) sets, but there may still be a few analog models. Both types can accept regular TV signals, but HD-capable sets can best display the superior images you get from DVD players and from HD sources (antenna, satellite, digital cable, or digital-video players/recorders). HD-capable sets generally cost a few hundred dollars more than comparably sized analog models. Most have a wide-screen 16:9 aspect ratio that resembles a movie-theater screen.

Within the HD category, there are three types of TV sets.

HD-ready sets. Also called HDTV monitors, these sets can display standard-definition analog programs (which still account for most non-prime-time TV broadcasts) on their own. To display digital programs, they require a digital tuner to decode those broadcasts. If you’re getting your HD programming from cable or satellite, your digital cable box or satellite receiver has the appropriate digital decoder built in. All you have to do is connect your HD-ready TV to the box and you’re all set. Cable companies charge a small rental fee for digital or HD-capable boxes. To receive HD via satellite, you need an HD receiver and special dish antenna(e). Together, these cost about $300, but you may be able to get them from the satellite company at little or no charge as part of a promotion.

You can also get digital broadcasts, including HD, over the air, via an antenna. To do so, you’ll have to buy a digital tuner called an ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) tuner–the external box costs a few hundred dollars. However, there’s no charge for service as there is with cable or satellite. Some satellite receivers also offer a built-in ATSC digital tuner. To receive digital programming via antenna, you must be fairly close to a transmitter, with an unobstructed view. With digital signals, you’ll either have a clear, strong signal or none at all.

Integrated HDTV sets. Also called HDTVs, these have the ATSC digital tuner built in, which enables them to decode any digital signals, including HD, with no additional equipment when used with a roof antenna. You may be able to receive the major networks’ HD offerings transmitted over the air in your area, but not the premium channels available on satellite and cable. To get HD via cable or satellite, integrated sets require an HD-capable cable box, CableCard, or satellite receiver–the built-in digital tuner only works for off-air digital broadcasts.

Starting in July of 2005, all new TVs with 36-inch or larger screens –a category covering virtually all projection TVs–were required to have a built-in digital tuner to comply with a government ruling.

Digital-Cable-Ready (DCR) sets. Some new integrated models, called digital-cable-ready (DCR) or plug-and-play sets, can receive digital-cable programming without using a set-top box. For HD and premium cable programming–and possibly for any digital programming–you must insert a CableCard into a slot on the set. You usually have to pay a few dollars a month to rent the card from the cable company. Current DCR TVs are not interactive, so even with a CableCard in the slot they can’t provide features such as an interactive program guide, video on demand, or pay-per-view ordering via remote.
Second-generation DCR TVs and CableCards should be here soon, and they’re expected to have two-way capability, allowing for interactive features. Integrated sets typically cost more than HD-ready sets, with digital-cable-ready models costing the most.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Virtually all projection TVs have the features that are now standard on regular 27-inch and larger TVs, plus some features that aren’t so common–such as dual-tuner picture-in-picture (PIP) or a variant side-by-side picture mode.

Most TVs have several types of inputs that handle varying levels of quality. An antenna/cable, VHF/UHF or radio frequency (RF), input is the most basic connection, and it can be used with almost any video source. A composite-video input will give you slightly better picture quality and is often used with a VCR or regular cable box. An S-video input lets you take advantage of the still-better picture quality from a digital-cable box, a satellite-dish system, a DVD player, or a digital camcorder. A component-video input offers superior quality, making this a good choice for progressive-scan DVD players, high-definition satellite receivers, and HD digital-cable boxes that have the corresponding output. Most HDTVs have DVI or HDMI inputs, which provide a high-quality digital connection to devices such as DVD players, digital-cable boxes, and satellite receivers. DVI signals carry only video; HDMI signals carry audio and video on one cable. The digital-to-digital connection may ensure optimal picture quality. These connections allow the content providers to control your ability to record certain programming. Many sets have more than one of a given type of input. Having two or three S-video or component-video inputs is a plus. For a camcorder or video game, front-panel A/V inputs are helpful.

Audio outputs let you direct a TV’s audio signal to a receiver or to self-powered speakers. Integrated digital TVs also include a Dolby Digital audio output for surround sound (available from some digital broadcasts). An automatic volume leveler compensates for the jarring volume jumps that often accompany commercials or changes in channel.

Auto convergence provides a one-touch adjustment to automatically align the three CRTs’ images to form an accurate picture. It’s much more convenient than manual convergence, which can require time-consuming adjustments. Manual convergence does allow finer control, though. The best bet is a set that has both manual and automatic convergence. (Convergence is not necessary on LCD, DLP, or LCoS models.)

Stretch and zoom modes on wide-screen sets will expand or compress an image to better fill the screen shape. This helps to reduce the dark bands that can appear above, below, or on the sides of the image if you watch content that’s not formatted for 16:9 screens. (The picture may be distorted or cut off a bit in the proces
s of stretching and zooming.) Those bars make the picture slightly smaller. On CRT sets (but not LCD, LCoS, or DLP models), the bars can leave “burn in” ghosted images on the screen over time, as can any images left on the screen for long periods–say from a stock ticker.

If you watch many movies, look for a film mode feature on HD sets. This feature is also called 3:2 pulldown compensation or brand-specific names such as CineMotion. This can make moving images that were converted from film to video look less jerky, with less jaggedness around the edges.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Here are some points to consider in choosing a rear-projection TV:

Consider space before settling on screen size. Most rear-projection TVs have screens measuring 42 to 65 inches. You might be tempted by the biggest screens, which can span as much as 70 inches or more, but take a breath–and some measurements–first. Figure out how much floor space you can spare, and plan to view the TV from about 7 to 9 feet away for optimal picture quality.

Weigh depth and price in choosing a display type. Once you know how much room you have, decide whether size or price is more important. CRT-based sets are floor-standing models with deep cabinets mounted on casters. Some take up as much space as an armchair or loveseat. Most microdisplays are tabletop units. You buy a stand separately for a few hundred dollars or more. Would you prefer to save money with a bulkier CRT set or spend more for a slimmer microdisplay?

Consider reliability. CRT technology has been used in rear-projection TVs for years and has generally been quite reliable. Note, though, that any pattern left on a CRT screen for long periods–such as a stock ticker or video game–can burn into the tubes of a CRT-based model, producing a permanent ghosted image on the screen. Most warranties don’t cover burn-in. This problem doesn’t affect other types of rear-projection TVs. Microdisplay technologies are newer and haven’t established a track record for long-term reliability, but they’re not vulnerable to screen burn-in. They may require lamp replacement, however, which can cost a few hundred dollars. Factor these considerations into your decision.

Focus on picture quality. It’s a little harder to find top picture quality in rear-projection TVs than in plasma TVs, so you’ll have to be choosy. The best sets can deliver very good picture quality with HD content and good picture quality for DVDs and regular TV programming. Microdisplays are likely to provide better picture quality than CRT-based models. Within the microdisplay category, we haven’t found that any one projection technology was consistently better than another.

Check the viewing angle. Some new models display a better image from off-center than older sets did–a must if a TV will be watched by several people at once. Some sets have wider viewing angles than others. Before buying one, see how the picture looks if you step off to the side or move up and down. With some, you’ll see a dimmer, somewhat washed-out image as your viewing position angles away, particularly in a vertical direction.

Expect fine sound quality. Many people connect big-screen TVs to an audio system to provide surround sound, so the quality of the TV’s speakers may not be an issue. It may reassure you to know that virtually all the sets we’ve tested recently produced excellent sound. That’s largely because projection sets have bigger speakers than direct-view TVs and bigger cabinets with superior acoustical properties.

Consider installation. Because rear-projection sets are floor-standing units, installation is easier than with front-projection systems or wall-mounted plasma TVs. Still, rear-projection sets are larger and may be somewhat harder to set up than regular TVs, so consider having a professional install your TV.

Weigh the merits of an extended warranty. While extended warranties aren’t worthwhile for most products, they may be for high-priced devices using new technologies. Because microdisplay TVs are costly items that haven’t yet established a track record for reliability, check into the cost of a service plan. Find out whether in-home service is covered and whether a replacement is provided if a set can’t be repaired.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www.ConsumerReports.org.

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