How to Pick a Flat Screen TV

Guide Note: After decades of stagnation, TV technology is advancing at a dizzying rate. The latest flat screen, flat panel models offer sharper resolution than can be readily discerned by the naked eye, but they're not all the same. This page offers a clear explanation of how to pick a flat screen TV.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

  • Since the introduction of the sleek and sexy flat screen TV, the traditional cathode ray tube TV has been headed the way of the Betamax VCR. With the latest ultra-thin flat panel TVs becoming more affordable by the month, you may consider tossing that clunker and stepping bravely into the flat screen era. It can be a little disorienting, though. This page will guide you through the basic features of the newer models, so that you'll be fluent in terms like plasma and 1080i when the salesman pulls them out.

Why Upgrade?

Some flat panels are little thicker than picture frames. (Creative Commons photo by Rasmus Sten)
Some flat panels are little thicker than picture frames. (Creative Commons photo by Rasmus Sten)
  • OK, so maybe you're not even convinced you should be upgrading that old TV of yours. Consider the following.
  1. Two words: high definition. Seriously, if you have never experienced high definition, you have no idea what you're missing out on. Seeing is believing; it's like putting on a pair of glasses for the first time and discovering you've been near-sighted all along.
  2. Wide viewing angle. You can see the screen from a much wider range of angles when you upgrade, so if you're late to movie night, the picture will still look good from the far side of the couch.
  3. No image distortion: when the screen's flat instead of convex, everything looks more natural.
  4. Bright picture. Most flat screens will give you a bright and sharp picture that can be seen clearly without having to dim the lights. It'll be much easier on the eyes.
  5. Widescreen viewing. By now you're well-acquainted with those black bars (called "letterbox") that go across the top and bottom of your screen during movies. They're also popping up while watching TV as more and more shows are shooting in widescreen. All flat screens are formatted for the 16:9 viewing ratio, so you can wave bye-bye to black bars.
  6. Thin and manageable. Yes, even large flat panel TVs are heavy, but you can't hang your old TV on the wall. Most flat panels are only a few inches thick and can free up precious space in your living room.
  7. You're going to have to switch anyway. All TV is going digital soon, so you might as well upgrade now!
Going Flat Screen?

Budget

Dead weight: Bulky CRT sets like these are quickly going extinct. (Creative Commons photo by Les Chatfield)
Dead weight: Bulky CRT sets like these are quickly going extinct. (Creative Commons photo by Les Chatfield)
  • First things first. When it comes to buying an up-to-date flat screen, you could be talking about a serious investment. These days, TVs can range in price anywhere from a few hundred dollars to four or five thousand bucks. How much are you willing to spend? More importantly, how much are you able to spend?
  1. Don't forget that the TV won't be your final cost. You're probably not going to be fiddling with the old rabbit ears once you've upgraded your set. You're going to want to get cable or satellite service to fully take advantage of the technology, so factor in the cost. Contact your local provider to find out the cost of installation, HD service, DVR, etc.
  2. Be realistic. Don't fool yourself into buying something you can't afford. If buying a $4,000 plasma screen means you won't be eating dinner for a month, you can't afford it.

Size

  • Buying the biggest TV possible can maximize your viewing experience. Here are a couple guidelines to consider.
  1. Measure the space on your wall where you are planning to mount the TV. You don't want your living room to look like something out of George Orwell's 1984.
  2. Consider how far away you'll be sitting from the screen. A good general rule is to sit at a distance equivalent to 1.5 - 2.5 times the width of the TV screen. So if you buy a 40" TV, sit about 5 to 8 feet away.

Type

Compared to your old hulk, any flat panel is probably an improvement, but you should still be discerning when choosing one. The two main types of flat panels — plasma screens and LCDs — are not identical twins.

Plasma

  • Plasma is generally more expensive. The technology it uses—activating tiny chambers of gas—is similar to that of a novelty plasma globe, but extremely precise. Advantages include the following.
    • Picture quality: plasma can produce brighter colors and darker blacks than LCD, making the picture more detailed and realistic.
    • Viewing angle: While the colors on many LCDs become slightly distorted the farther your viewing angle is from dead-center, plasma screens can be viewed from sharp angles with little or no difference in quality.
    • Size: If you want a larger set (50" plus) it's best to go with a plasma, as larger LCDs can be remarkably expensive.

LCD

  • LCD stands for liquid crystal display. The technology used in LCD TV is the great-grandson of your old LCD digital watch. Generally less expensive than plasma, it has other advantages too.
    • Brightness: LCDs are brighter than plasma screens, reducing screen glare.
    • Efficiency: LCDs use less electricity.
    • Weight: LCDs are lighter, making them easier to mount on the wall.
    • Cost: Generally cheaper than plasma (except largest models).
    • Size: If you're looking for a smaller set (13" to 42"), LCD is your only option, as plasmas don't come smaller than 32".

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Resolution

720p vs. 1080p

  • 720p and 1080p are both high definition screen resolutions. A 1080p TV has more pixels and therefore can display a sharper, more detailed picture than 720p.
    • 1080p is also referred to as ultra, true, or full-HD.
    • Since most high definition broadcasts are higher than 720p, a 720p TV will not take full advantage of the broadcast resolution. If you're used to an old CRT TV, however, it might be difficult to tell the difference.

1080i vs. 1080p

  • You may have also heard of 1080i. The "i" stands for "interlaced scan," while the "p" stands for "progressive scan." These terms refer to the way the picture is displayed on the screen and are not particularly important, although if you would like to learn more you can visit this site.
    • Interlaced scan can occasionally cause the appearance of "artifacts" (dots, streaks or other visual flaws) while in still or slow motion mode.
    • Most hi-def TV shows are broadcast in 1080i, but DVD and Blu-Ray players utilize 1080p.
    • A 1080p set can display 1080i with no loss of quality.

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Conclusion

  • Arguably, the ideal TV would be would be a 70" 1080p plasma screen. But if you don't have the funds—and the king-size theater room to accommodate it—don't be discouraged. Unless your evening isn't complete without an electron shower, any flat panel TV will be an improvement over your old CRT set.

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