TV types: Weigh pros, cons, and prices
High-definition (HD) TVs come in all shapes and sizes. You'll find everything from flat-panel LCD displays and plasma TVs
that can be mounted on a wall to jumbo rear-projection sets and the familiar picture-tube TVs. Each type has its pros and
cons, and there are vast differences in price. Here's what you need to know:
|
LCD TVs
Like flat-panel computer displays, these thin sets have a backlight and thousands of red, green, and blue pixels that open
or close to let light through, creating colorful images.
Quick take: Trendy flat screens with decent picture quality, but larger screen sizes are more expensive than other types of TVs.
Common screen sizes: 23 to 45 inches. Manufacturers have showcased sets as large as 82 inches.
Typical selling prices: About $1,000 to $1,500 for a 26-inch wide-screen set; $1,200 to $2,000 for a similar 32-inch model; $2,000 to $2,500 for
a 37-inch set; $3,000 and up for 40-inch-plus screens.
Pros: Thin and light. Can be wall-mounted. The best are capable of displaying bright, detailed images. Some new 1080p models have
excellent overall picture quality. Antireflective screen minimizes glare from bright light. No risk of burn-in of static images.
Cons: Price goes up sharply as screens get bigger. Most sets can't display deepest black or distinguish subtle shades of gray and
black. Fast-moving images may blur. Image may dim as you angle away from center of screen, especially up and down. Long-term
reliability not yet known, but our initial data indicate low rate of repairs during the first year of use for several major
brands.
|
|
Plasma HDTVs
Flat-panel, big-screen TVs with thousands of red, green, and blue pixels that are energized by "plasma"; these work somewhat
like fluorescent lights, creating very bright images.
Quick take: Big, bright screens with a real wow factor.
Common screen sizes: 42 to 60 inches. Manufacturers have shown sets as large as 103 inches.
Typical selling prices: About $2,500 to $3,000 for a 42-inch set, $3,500 to $4,500 for a 50-incher. Enhanced-definition (ED) sets that can display
a lower-quality version of HD broadcasts cost hundreds less.
Pros: Thin and light enough to be wall-mounted. The best are capable of displaying excellent images with high brightness and contrast
and crisp detail. No limit on viewing angle. Bigger sizes are cheaper than LCD TVs of comparable size.
Cons: Shiny surface can produce distracting reflections in bright lighting. Brightness may dim over time. Fixed items displayed
for long periods can leave ghosted image. Some sets don't include speakers or a tuner. Long-term reliability not yet known,
but our initial data indicate low rate of repairs during the first year of use for several major brands.
|
|
Rear-projection microdisplays
Newer, pricier big-screen sets, most of which use LCD, DLP, or LCoS technology. Cabinets are about 15 to 19 inches deep, slimmer
than older CRT-based sets (see below).
Quick take: Comparative slimness makes them an attractive big-screen alternative.
Common screen sizes: 47 to 70 inches.
Typical selling prices: $2,200 to $3,000 for a 50-inch LCD- or DLP-based set; $5,000 to $6,000 for a 65-inch DLP set.
Pros: Thinner and lighter than CRT-based projection sets. No risk of burn-in of static images.
Cons: Image on some sets may dim as you angle away from center of screen. May need to replace the lamp ($200 or more) during the
life of the set. Not as good as plasma sets at displaying deep blacks. With DLP models, some viewers may be bothered by the
rainbow effect--perceived flashes of color when you move your eyes along the edges of bright objects displayed on a dark background.
Reliability not yet known, but initial data show that they have been much more repair-prone than other types of TVs during
the first year of use.
|
|
Rear-projection (CRT-based) HDTVs
Jumbo sets that beam images onto a screen from three small CRTs inside.
Quick take: The lowest-cost big screens, but they're space hogs.
Common screen sizes: 47 to 60 inches.
Typical selling prices: About $1,000 for a 51-inch set.
Pros: Low price, wide selection, plentiful features.
Cons: Picture quality ranks lowest overall among all TV types. Big, bulky, and heavy--more than two feet deep and 200 pounds for
largest. Image may dim as you angle away from center of screen. Shiny surface can produce annoying reflections. Fixed items
displayed for long periods can leave ghosted image. Have been much more repair-prone than picture-tube TVs.
|
|
Front projectors
Quick take: A theaterlike experience on a giant screen but be prepared for a potentially complex setup.
Common screen sizes Screen, bought separately, typically 70 to 200 inches. Can use a wall. Projector has 9x12-inch or smaller footprint.
Typical price $1,100 and up for HD projector. Several hundred dollars for screen.
Pros Picture size and characteristics are most like a theater screen's.
Cons Best viewed in dark room. TV tuner and speakers generally not included. Screen affects picture quality and brightness With
DLP sets, some viewers may be bothered by the rainbow effect--perceived flashes of color when you move your eyes along the
edges of bright objects displayed on a dark background. LCD and LCoS models often cannot render deep black. DLP, LCD, and
LCoS sets all require periodic lamp replacement. We have no data on reliability. Professional installation can be costly.
|
|
Picture-tube HDTVs
The familiar sets with CRTs (cathode-ray tubes).
Quick take: Still among the best for picture quality, these offer the lowest-cost way to view HDTV, but maximum screen size is limited
and sets are bulky.
Common screen sizes: 26 to 36 inches.
Typical selling prices: About $800 for a 32-inch set with a squarish, 4:3 screen; $1,200 for a 34-inch wide-screen, 16:9 model.
Pros: Least expensive type of HDTV. The best have outstanding detail, color, and contrast, and unlimited viewing angle. Mature
technology with proven reliability and long life.
Cons: Maximum screen size limited to 36 inches. Bulky, at about 2 feet deep or more. Heavy, with largest sets weighing about 200
pounds.
|
|
