LCD Televisions

If you look around your house, you’ll probably find lots of LCD technology. In my house, there’s a calculator with an LCD display right here on my desk. In my bedroom, an alarm clock. In the kitchen, my coffee maker and microwave both have LCD displays (constantly flashing 12:00, by the way). Even the computer screen that I’m currently viewing is an LCD. Obviously, LCD technology works. But will it work as a television that you, your family, and friends can enjoy watching? Let’s see. 

First, a little tech stuff.   
LCD is an acronym for Liquid Crystal Display. LCDs have been around for quite a while and the basic operation is actually pretty simple. The liquid crystals (thousands of them arranged between two polarizing panels) either block light or allow light to pass through., much like a window blind. But instead of the sun shining through, a light source (fluorescent or LED lighting) provides the illumination. By blocking or passing the light, the liquid crystals create the television image you see. Of course, the details are a bit more complicated, but that’s the basic idea. Your Sound Advice salesperson can give you a Personal Demonstration that will clarify any questions you might have.

Even turned off, LCD televisions look great. 
LCD televisions are thin and sexy. There, I said it. If that’s all you need, contact your Sound Advice salesperson right now and we’ll arrange delivery and installation. Not so fast? Want a bit more info? Okay, let’s discuss thinness. LCD televisions are certainly thin, with some less than 1-inch deep. That’s bordering on the anorexic. A TV that thin will look great hanging on a wall.

LCD TVs also come in a wide range of screen sizes, ranging from small 19-inch sets for the kitchen or bathroom, to gigantic 65-inch screens for the home theater. Just say the word and Sound Advice can help you determine the perfect size for your room or application.

So how do they look when they’re turned on?
In a word: fabulous. But it wasn’t always that way. In fact, Sound Advice shied away from LCD televisions for many years because they just weren’t that good. The viewing angle (how far from the side you could watch) was mediocre. The sets weren’t very bright, so the room lighting had to very dim. And any fast on-screen action had a blurry, unnatural quality.

But not anymore. The viewing angle has improved immeasurably, while the picture brightness now exceeds its flat-screen rival, the plasma TV. But the biggest improvement is in how well LCD televisions handle fast motion. Instead of the normal display rate of 60 video frames per second, new sets use advanced digital processing to provide a 120 HZ refresh rate that increases the display rate to 120 frames per second, and now you can even get a 240Hz refresh rate that doubles that. The end result is an image that’s remarkably lifelike and blur-free, even when watching demolition derby on late-late-late night TV.

What’s the difference between LCD and Plasma?
First off, they’re both great sets that are ultra thin and capable of stunning high definition images. But there are differences. As we noted earlier, LCDs come in a wide variety of screen sizes, roughly 19 to 65-inches. Plasmas start at 42-inches and go up from there. So if you’re looking for a small set for the kitchen, you might as well eliminate plasmas from consideration.

There are also image differences. LCDs are generally brighter, so if your room is well lit or if you view during the day with open blinds, LCD is going to be a good choice. LCDs are also more efficient with electricity. So far, it sounds like LCDs win, hands down.

Not quite. Plasmas have a decided edge in contrast, the ability to reproduce deep blacks and brilliant natural whites. This is one of the most important specs, if not THE most important. Also the motion problems we mentioned earlier are entirely a non-issue with plasmas. If you’re really into sports, plasma may be a better choice.

Want more help?
Of course there are other factors to address when choosing a TV, and that’s were Sound Advice comes in. Arrange a Free In-Home Consultation right now and have one of our experts help guide you towards the perfect set for your room, taste, and budget. And remember that Sound Advice will deliver and professionally install your dream TV, a serve we have been proudly offering for over 30 years.

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