All The Plasma/LCD TV Features Explained

Firstly here is a fairly comprehensive list of all the technical specifications that you might come across and what they mean

High-definition television (HDTV)
HDTV is a new system that transmits a TV signal with roughly twice the standard picture resolution as normal standard definition telly. Both Sky (satellite) and Telewest (cable) operate HDTV channels. To watch you need a subscription to either one of these services and an 'HD ready' TV. However, not everything on the dedicated HD channels is actually recorded in HD. More programmes are being recorded in HD all the time but content can be a bit thin on the ground.

Contrast Ratio
The higher the number the greater the difference between the brightest and darkest pixels. The greater the difference the greater the potential for higher image quality.

Pixel Resolution
The number of pixels left to right and top to bottom. Generally speaking a higher number offers the potential for a higher quality picture.

Brightness cd/m2
Like contrast the greater the potential brightness the greater the potential for a higher quality image.

Audio power output (RMS)
The higher the figure the louder the output (usually) before distortion occurs.

HD ready
'HD ready' is a labelling scheme introduced by the TV manufacturers' organisation, the European Industry Association for Information Systems (EICTA). The label means the TV has the minimum screen resolution (at least 1280x720) and digital sockets (HDMI or DVI) to receive and display an HD picture.

plasma
A plasma display is an array of tiny gas cells sandwiched between two sheets of glass. Each cell acts like a mini fluorescent tube, emitting ultraviolet light which then strikes red, green and blue spots on the screen. These spots glow to build a picture.

Native/screen resolution
This is the number of pixels or lines displayed on the screen. Expressed as width x height.

Aspect ratio
The shape of the screen (width x height). The vast majority of TVs are now wide-screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9. Older TVs and some portables have an aspect ratio of 4:3. Digital TV is broadcast in a widescreen format.

Auto-format switching
It's a good idea to choose a widescreen TV that automatically alters how different broadcasts are displayed – for example, showing standard (4:3) broadcasts with black bands on either side so the images aren't stretched out of proportion. Most widescreen TVs will do this.

Picture enhancement features
Be wary of these digital effects, designed to make pictures sharper and movement smoother. Our tests show they sometimes degrade picture quality.

Text and digital text
With a set-top box or integrated digital TV, you can access the digital text services available on some digital channels. These look like internet pages, and some let you watch an inset of the TV picture at the same time.

Picture in picture (PIP)
Picture-in-picture displays a small image in the corner of the screen while you watch the main image. Some TVs let you watch another broadcast channel in this way – so you can check the progress of a match, say.

RF input
This is the socket for your aerial and allows the broadcast signal to be received by your tuner.

Scart with RGB
Scarts are the best way to connect equipment like DVD players and VCRs to your TV. Most TVs now come with at least two Scart sockets. If you need more, you can buy a Scart switching box for £10 or so to expand your TV's capacity.
For the best picture, look for Scarts that support the high-standard RGB signal. This splits the video signal into its red, blue and green components to give an improved picture.

Video and S-Video
If you're short of Scart inputs composite video and s-video can provide an alternative. S-Video signals are split into colour and brightness but are slightly inferior to Scart RGB.

Composite video
Both let you plug other AV equipment, such as camcorders and games consoles, directly into your TV.

HDMI input
If you're interested in HD this is the high-capacity input for high-definition video and audio signals. Two HDMI sockets mean you could plug in both an HD set-top box and an HD DVD player.

DVI input
This is the standard digital input used for high definition video. Unlike HDMI it cannot carry audio signals.

VGA input
VGA input to connect your PC
A VGA input lets you connect your PC - effectively turning your TV into a PC monitor. Digital DVI sockets provide an alternative but in our tests VGA looked better on the screen. DVI can over enhance the picture, making it too sharp.

Component video input
This is a high quality video input made up of three sockets coloured red, green and blue. Also known as YPbPr, it splits the video signal into three separate parts for an improved picture.
However, component connections are still not widely used on AV equipment and unlike Scart sockets they do not carry the widescreen switching signal.

Phono sockets
These red and white sockets allow you to connect your TV to a stereo amplifier - useful if the built-in speakers aren't quite up to the job.

Surround sound
Some TVs come with an extra set of speakers you place away from the set to create surround sound. Many other TVs have 'virtual' surround sound: they mimic the effect using the two main speakers, but this is usually disappointing.

Optical output
If you want to connect your TV directly to a surround sound system there are two types of digital connections - coaxial (wire) and optical (fibre optic). Make sure your surround sound system input matches the input on your TV.

Read More

What I Think Is Really Important When You Buy A Plasma TV

Right then... Have you memorised all that technical stuff? OK then, now forget it. All of it! All the technical specifications in my opinion is not as important as the manufacturers and retailers would have you believe. The technical stuff is important to make sure it has the features you want. Like has it got PIP or enough scart sockets, HDMI input or whatever but below is what you really need to be looking for and the good news is you are already an expert!

How To Get A TV With The Best Picture

How To Choose A TV With Great Sound

Is The TV going to do the things YOU want

What will it look like in your home

Read More

What the sound is really like

Sound is a huge topic. There are no end of technologies and options. However it does not have to be difficult. For watching TV almost any regular plasma or LCD has sufficient built in, in terms of both volume and quality. How can you be sure? Ask the salesperson for the remote control and try it out.

Of course many of you will be after the 'ultimate cinema experience' and I can safely say that there are no TVs in any store at all that are good enough. This in a way simplifies the problem.
A quick summary:- Just want 'good sound' test it out in the shop you might be surprised how the sound from even a basic plasma/LCD is great and on some employ clever surround techniques that seem to envelop you even though the speakers are only in front of you.

So if you are after the ultimate experience then you need to start a separate line of investigation which I do not have the scope to go into here but I might another day. Just remember. Read up on the technical specifications but don't worship them. Many speakers have an inner unspecified quality and likewise many 'high spec' kits are utter pants. When you shop for a sound system trust your senses and go somewhere they let you try it out and can talk to you about it. Very likely this will be a different store to the one where you buy the TV.

Read More

What the picture is really like

Simple as that! It does not mean that you have a quick look then buy one, but if you take your time and use my tips you should choose successfully.

Check out your satisfaction with multiple image types. What I mean is see what the plasma looks like with a regular DVD playing. Then ask to see it connected to a regular TV picture. If you are going to use it for games then ask them to hook the appropriate console up to it. If it is too much trouble then politely explain that it is a make or break requirement and that if they can't you will have to research elsewhere.

Be aware that cartoons look good on the crappiest of LCD TVs and therefore should not be used as part of the assessment. Be aware that this purchase is almost certainly one that you want to last for a long time and even if you are not going to be getting SKY HD or an HD DVD right away maybe you will before you get a new TV?

Check every conceivable option so that when you finally part with your money you are satisfied that the picture is both stunning and suitable.

Picture Enhancement Technology Warning
Samsung DNIE, JVC - GENESSA, Philips - Natural Motion and PixelPlus, Sony – BRAVIA or WEGA and any others you care to mention.

They are ALL WITHOUT EXCEPTION RUBBISH! So why do they exist? Simply put most plasma/LCD screens (That is the actual screen not the whole TV) come from the same few factories. Even the other components come from a reasonably limited range of manufacturers. These components are then assembled and badged by the various brands that we recognise in the stores. It is true that the combinations of components used does affect the finished overall quality but I don't know anyone on earth qualified to make an assessment of the TV based on this knowledge.

Any way what I was going to say was the various picture enhancement technologies are a way of the brands distinguishing themselves from others. Basically they all work in much the same way. The processor uses a mathematical algorithm or two, and changes the colour and sometimes even the position of given pixels. In rare circumstances this can cause a minor enhancement but in most cases, at best, the picture is a bit different but you would have to be determined (and biased) to argue that they are actually better.

So don't worry about studying all the different phrases of the week and make sure that when you study the picture quality, do so with any enhancements switched off.

With regard to which brand is best there is no answer. I often hear salespeople jumping up and down about Sony but then they have to because they are often dearer. When a company chooses which components go into which model the decisions are almost always made on compatibility, features and availability. And if a company has spent millions on telling you how good there picture quality is (like Sony) they are not going to cut their margins unless they absolutely have to. Go by what YOU can actually see, not rhetoric. If the salesperson really new the quality of individual components he wouldn't be talking to you in a TV store.

A final word about brands. I am reasonably reliably informed that it is true that the 'own brands' do have cheaper components (some of the components) but it does not mean you should exclude own brands from your search. Often they might be cheaper for reasons like fewer inputs or some other issue which might not matter to you.

So in a word with regards to a TVs quality, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Read More

What it actually will look like in your home

When I made my first ever Plasma purchase the whole family was a bit taken aback by its 'presence' in the room. As the weeks went by however we stopped 'noticing' it every time we walked in the room. And now we actually feel that the smart black rectangle on a curved glass stand compliments our somewhat minimalist decoration.

All I am saying is to make sure you are happy with the style and colour etc. It is going to make a much bigger impact than you might think and is likely to be a bit imposing at first especially when compared to how it looked in the TV store.

Choose your stand and plasma together. And make sure you visualise it in position or it might be like having a wheel less car dumped in your front garden. Get it right and it will be a beautiful enhancement to the decor and ambiance of your home.

You might also be interested in:-

I Want To Display My LCD or Plasma Above A Fireplace - Can I?

Read More

Is it going to do the things YOU want

Having said all the things I have you obviously cant ignore the specifications completely. If you want a built in TV tuner on your LCD or PIP for your plasma, HDMI for your HD DVD player then clearly you need to make sure it has got it. Enough said.

Read More

How much?

Obvious really. If you have a few TVs that could be good then eliminate by price. On the other hand is it really worth the extra £100 for a particular Plasma when one albeit with a minor difference can be purchased more cheaply.

Read More