Various Types of Flat Screen TV

Also known as: Big screen TV, CRT, Direct View

Description: Cathode ray tube TV uses traditional Tube technology and the 4:3 ratio 'square' screen image. Direct View CRT televisions use essentially the same technology that has been used for standard analog television since the 1950's. A cathode is located near the back of the TV tube. An electron beam sends out streams of electrons to the front of the television tube. The front of the television tube glows when struck by the electrons. This type of tube cannot be truly flat.

Features: Available Sizes: Sizes 9" - 40"

Advantages:

• The image quality is in many ways superior to other newer technologies
• Many tube sets cost less than flat panel competitors
• The CRT TV technology is simple and familiar to most people
• The image is excellent from nearly any angle

• Their size is limited to 40"
• A CRT TV can weigh as much as 250 pounds
• Most tube televisions range from 18-24 inches deep

Description: Plasma televisions are flat screen monitors that use neon and xenon gas inside a glass panel to produce sharper, more stable images than traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions. This ionized gas (plasma) emits high-frequency UV rays, causing them to glow the desired color. They usually have built in digital channel tuners.

Features: Available sizes: 32" - 84"

Advantages:

• Very natural colors
• Noticeably sharper images and vivid colors
• Little clearance is needed where they are mounted
• A wide screen 16:9 ratio for watching movies
• Built in stereo amplifiers for best sound
• Can be used as computer monitors

• Uses far more energy than other types
• Generates a lot of heat
• Static images have the potential to burn into the display
• Most expensive of all flat screen TV types
• Screen can be easily damaged

Also known as: LCD TV

Description: Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology uses a liquid crystal solution between two screens. The LCD screen is made up of tiny parts known as pixels. Turning the pixels off blocks the light from coming through, and turning them on allows it to pass through. Generally equipped with digital channel tuners.

Features: Available sizes: 10" - 55"

Advantages:

• LCD's smaller sizes produce clearer pictures
• Excellent for use in portable and hand held TVs
• Generate less radiation than traditional televisions
• Uses far less energy
• Have a very long lifespan of 60,000 hours

• Colors on large screen LCDs are not as bright as on smaller screens
• Many flat-panel LCDs are difficult to see at wide angles
• Ghost images can burn in to screen for the first 100 hours of usage
• 'Dead pixels' cannot be repaired, contributing to a decline in clarity
• The price for larger LCD TVs is extremely high
• Size of screen is significantly smaller than plasma and projection TVs
• Relatively expensive for comparatively small sized flat screen TV sets

Also known as: DLP

Description: DLP flat screen TVs use a technology called Digital Light Processing. DLP utilizes an optical semiconductor. The chip contains more than 1 million microscopic mirrors that move back and forth to generate an image.

Features: Available in sizes from 14 to 46 inches.

Advantages:

• Sharp and extremely bright display
• Light weight
• Less expensive than LCD or plasma TV sets

• Not thin enough to hang on wall
• Relatively pricey for big screen models

Description: Portable televisions are small flat screen TVs that are gaining a new audience with the advent of LCD technology. LCD looks best in small formats, making the quality of the picture excellent. Some have CD and DVD players for versatility. They can be battery powered or charged at home or with a car 12 v plug. Most are very affordable but can go as high as $1000 for features such as underwater remote control.

Features: 1.8" - 5": (Also known as: Handheld).

A handheld TV is equipped with an LCD flat screen, a small speaker and antenna built in. They are useful for watching television when travelling. Cell phones now have TV capabilities. Reception can be interrupted in remote areas.

5" - 9": (Also known as: Portable, or Multi-media players).

Portable multi-media players have a LCD flat screen TV and an array of players: CD/DVD/mp3/video games. They are small enough to carry in a backpack or purse.

10" - 19": (Also known as: Portable, or CombiTVs).

CombiTVs are sized to sit on a table or countertop. They can be moved easily from room to room, but offer a larger flat screen picture. The Combi has DVD/ CD players for versatility and often alarm clocks or AM/FM tuners.