Buying a flat-screen television
11/11/2009
Q. My husband wants to buy an LED television. I’m not sure what that is, and neither is he. I just know we need a flat-screen TV. How do we go about this?
—Jane in Los Angeles, listening on podcast via Kim’s Club
A. Of course you don’t understand it, Jane. Not only is everything new; it also changes relentlessly. You have to do this full-time just to stay up.
You have a few choices in TV technology. Others are supposedly coming, but have been slow to appear in numbers.
To answer your question, LED is a type of backlighting for LCDs. Got that? Your confusion may stem from advertising, which refers to LED TVs. Others are called LCDs. In reality, they’re both LCDs.
So, let me start over. Liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions need backlighting. When liquid crystals are charged and aligned, the lights illuminate pixels. The amount of light determines the color emitted by the pixels.
Traditionally, LCD televisions have used fluorescent backlights. Light-emitting diode (LED) backlighting is brighter. It also gives LCDs deeper blacks. That has long been a problem with LCDs. And LED backlighting offers a wider color spectrum.
Of course, it’s not quite that simple. It depends on how LED backlighting is implemented. If the LEDs are behind the pixels, they can be turned off. That gives you much better black levels. However, some TVs have LEDS on the edges of the screen. From there, they shine behind the LCD layer. That isn’t as effective.
Ask the store clerk how LED backlighting is implemented. You may get a blank look. At the least, you’ll be treated with more respect.
There’s one other detail, of course. LED backlighting costs more. Is it worthwhile? Look at the televisions side by side, and decide for yourself.
Now, we also need to consider plasmas. They go toe to toe with LCDs. And when you consider both, you almost always get a great deal.
LCDs vs. plasmas—Given the number of sets for sale, LCD is probably most popular. Below 37 inches, you’ll find only LCDs. Plasmas are not economic to manufacture in small sizes.
There are also larger LCDs. They compete directly with plasmas. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Both technologies are excellent.
LCDs have brighter screens. And they aren’t very reflective. That’s important if you’re watching in a brightly lit room. Plasma screens are much more reflective; that’s a problem in bright light. However, if you can draw the blinds or curtains, the problem is solved.
As I mentioned previously, LCDs often have problems displaying blacks. This results in less clear dark scenes. The culprit is leakage from the backlighting through the liquid crystal panel. That’s why turning off the LED backlights gives you better blacks.
By comparison, plasmas have millions of tiny fluorescent lights. Each pixel has three fluorescent lights—red, green and blue. Fluorescent lights are made up of gases, or plasma.
Each pixel also has three phosphor coatings—again, red, green and blue. Running a current through the gases throws off photons, which excite the phosphors. They emit color. Varying the current changes the colors. The mix of phosphor colors produces what you see on the screen.
Plasmas provide better blacks because there is no light leakage. They also are better to view from the side, for the same reason.
LCDs have poorer viewing angles. Viewed from the side or top, the picture often washes out. Once again, the problem is light leakage. So, if viewers will be scattered around, a plasma might be better. If not, don’t worry about it. Anyway, LCD manufacturers are overcoming this problem, too.
Lastly, we have the problem of movement. Traditionally, LCDs didn’t handle it well. Watching sports could make you queasy. The screen sometimes blurred.
Manufacturers have made great strides in overcoming blur. Today, they routinely measure pixel response time in single-digit milliseconds. That’s a big help. They also refresh the screen’s electrical charge up to 240 times per second.
The result is that LCDs are close to plasmas in showing movement. However, you could still see occasional blurring.
Meanwhile, LCD aficionados point out that plasmas have had burn-in problems. Stationary things could burn into the pixels' phosphor. For instance, station logos might become a permanent part of the viewing experience.
Manufacturers have pretty much solved that problem. But if you constantly watch a station with a news ticker, you might see it.
Also, early plasmas had relatively short lives. Before long, their once-bright screens darkened. Today’s plasmas apparently have overcome that. Manufacturers forecast a life of 60,000 hours, the same as LCDs. At five hours per day, that’s nearly 33 years. You’ll be on to something else long before then.
Critics also point out that plasmas use more electricity. Consumer Reports, in its latest tests, found that to be generally true. But the difference between plasmas and LCDs was not great. Both types ran less than $100 per year in electricity usage. Big sets used more power than smaller ones.
The bottom line—You may have noticed a trend in these descriptions. First, I describe a problem. Then, I pooh-pooh it. Why? The problems today are all minor. So, I’d buy on price or design. Either LCD or plasma will be fine.
Reliability—A flat-screen TV won’t be much fun if it’s in the shop. (Alternatively, you could use a non-working plasma as a mirror!) Fortunately, Consumer Reports surveys its subscribers for reliability data.
Generally, LCDs and plasmas are among the most reliable things on Earth. But there are exceptions. Among LCDs, Magnavox, Hitachi, Westinghouse and Mitsubishi have been troublesome. LG plasmas also have a poorer record.
Otherwise, odds are, your set will be reliable.
Resolution—Store clerks will assail you with numbers. Among those will be resolutions. This is much easier than it sounds. Resolution is simply the number of pixels on the screen. More pixels equal better picture. The additional pixels are the basis of high-definition TV.
Most HDTVs use 1,920 columns of pixels, and 1,080 rows. They are commonly referred to as 1080 resolution televisions. There are two types of 1080 resolution--1080i (for interlaced) and 1080p (for progressive). Both are excellent, but progressive is better. Furthermore, 1080p is common today. You probably won’t need to worry about it.
Smaller sets may have 720p resolution. This is still high-definition. You’ll be happy with it.
So, again, if you can get it, you want 1080p. If not, 1080i and 720p are fine.
Projection TVs, and other types—By today’s television standards, projection is ancient technology. It shows; there aren’t many projection TVs around.
Projection sets give you a larger screen. Online, I found them ranging from 52 to 82 inches. Nearly all were Mitsubishis.
In return for a larger screen, you get a bulkier set. Projection TVs are about 10 inches deep. Plasmas and LCDs, by comparison, run three to six inches deep. Projection TVs are more difficult to mount on walls.
One 65-inch Mitsubishi set—the LaserVue—uses laser projection. Advocates say the picture is stunning.
It should be. The price is about $7,000 on Amazon. A 65-inch plasma will cost thousands less online.
There are other advanced flat-screen technologies supposedly coming. OLED (organic light-emitting diode) is being pushed by Sony. It has an 11-inch screen and costs $2,500. OK, the picture is brilliant. But, really, 11 inches? $2,500? Call me when it grows up!
Then there are SED and FED. These stand for surface-conduction electron-emitter display and field emission display, respectively.
The 2006 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas featured a SED prototype. The technology received many huzzahs. SED then became embroiled in a licensing dispute. Its future appears iffy.
FED technology is similar to SED. Several companies have tried to develop it since the early 1990s. Technical and financial problems have stymied it. I doubt we’ll see FED televisions anytime soon.
Some recommended TVs—Consumer Reports regularly tests plasma and LCD televisions. Below are some Best Buys from its most recent tests.
LCDs
Toshiba Regza 55ZV650U 55-inch
JVC LT-46J300 46-inch
JVC LT-42P300 42-inch
Plasmas
Panasonic Viera TC-P54S1 54-inch
Samsung PN50B650 50-inch
Panasonic Viera TC-P42S1 42-inch
