Guide to Televisions

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Kinds of Televisions include the following:

Cathode Ray Tube

• The cathode ray tube (CRT) is the traditional type of television, and is also the bulkiest type.
• It consists of large, curved glass tubes with a deep and wide frame.
• It is relatively cheap, costing around $300 to $500 for a 20- to 32-inch TV.
• It does not support high-definition TV and rarely has digital video inputs.
• It provides a good picture, however, with the deepest black, smoothest motion, and greatest color.

Plasma

• The Plasma TV is a flat-screen TV that typically measures around four inches thick.
• It is mostly associated with hang-on-the-wall TVs and is available from 32 to 60 inches wide.
• Most models support high-definition video and have both digital and analogue connectivity.
  
  The downside of the Plasma is that, although it is considerably thin, its front glass panel can be very heavy, and thus can only be hung on strong walls.
  
  It also consumes greater amount of power and may require cooling fans or an air-conditioned room.
  
• It is also susceptible to burn-ins and has a shorter life span.
• Plasma TV starts at around $900 to $4,000 or more.

Liquid Crystal Display

• Liquid Crystal Display or LCD is the same technology used for PC monitors and notebook computers.
• It is thin, light, and available in a wide range of sizes from 15 to 50 inches, and more.
• It supports most types of connectivity an unlike Plasma, is not susceptible to burn-ins.
• Its downside is that it has poor contrast and tonal range compared to the other types.
• Some models also suffer from motion blur during fast-moving action.
• It also usually has a narrower viewing angle than the CRT or plasma screen.
• The LCD can cost anywhere from $500 to more than $3,000 dollars, depending on the size, quality, and technology.

Rear projection

• The rear-projection set generates picture through tiny mirrors that are projected to a larger screen using a bright light, making use of LCD or DLP technology.
• It is typically available in 40 to 60 inches or more.
• It provides a very good quality picture that is unbeatable for its price.
• Its only downside is that it is relatively deeper than the LCD or Plasma so it cannot be hung on walls.
• Rear projection TV starts at $700 to $3,000 or more.

Lifespan:  If you are not the type to go with whatever is in fashion, look for a television that can last you for decades, with little maintenance. In this case, go and buy the best picture quality that suits your taste (a lot of people can't tell the difference between high-definition and regular DVD quality, anyway).  Try not to scrimp, considering this is a long-time 'investment.'   

Connectivity:  Look for a television that is flexible in terms of connectivity.  It should have a Scart socket for both audio and video, that supports Composite, S-video,  RGB video, and component video.  Higher models have DVI and HDMI connections

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