No matter which features you need in a television set (consider size, price, display quality, weight, and hdtv capability), the traditional CRT, ultra-thin stylish flat-panel LCD and Plasma, and economical Rear-Projection TVs offer a greater variety of choices than ever before.
HDTVs (high definition TVs) use either a built-in or external terrestrial digital receiver and have about twice the resolution with better detail and higher quality audio than analog TVs.
Flat-panel TVs (Plasma and LCD) come in larger sizes than CRTS, but are much thinner and have less weight, which allows them to be wall-mounted.
LCD flat panel televisions are an excellent choice for space-saving applications since they have a very thin depth and are wall-mountable. Units that have RGB ports can also double as a computer monitor, and those with built-in terrestrial receivers are optimal for watching HDTV broadcasts.
LCD TVs use a thin liquid crystal gel that is placed between two polarized panels and divided into pixels. The intensity and color of each pixel depends on the amount of electrical current and type of color filter applied to it.
Although smaller in size than Plasmas, LCD TVs have higher resolution per size and are becoming larger and more affordable. They feature a bright display with high contrast and a 160° viewing angle, with built in speakers.
Plasma flat-panel televisions are readily available in larger sizes and are more affordable than LCD screens. Although not quite as thin and heavier by size, they are brighter, with better contrast.
Plasma TVs use gas placed in "cells" between glass panels which is turned into plasma with electricity. The plasma excites different colored phosphors in the cells, which glow and emit light. This technology does not cause distortion when speakers are placed close to the screen.
Excellent for displaying HDTV signals because of their high resolution, and also available in widescreen versions (great for watching movies), plasma TVs can also be used as computer monitors.
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