LCD, DLP, and PLASMA TV! A presentation by Sydney Berg

Liquid Crystal Display LCD TV Liquid Crystal Display

LCD - Pros Good for still images – like computer monitors (not used for Videos or Gaming) Takes up very little space – can be mounted on the wall Bright color Long life (30,000-50,000 hours)

LCD - Cons Artifacting Limited view This happens when the screen cannot keep up with a fast moving object (like a football) causing the image to be “blocky” or delayed. This is extremely noticeable in screens over 35” Limited view The picture quality decreases as your angle of watching increases The color black – unable to go fully black Over 35” gets very expensive Accused of having a “digital” look and do not produce colors “naturally” Pictures can fade over time

DLP TV Digital Lighting Processing Uses an optical semiconductor to manipulate light digitally In DLP rear projection TVs white light mercury lamps are used as the TV’s light source

DLP - Pro Initially costs less than Plasma and LCD TV.

DLP - Cons High operation costs – needs a lot of maintenance and bulb replacement Cannot be hung on a wall As bulbs become dull, the picture quality fades

Plasma TV produces pictures by electrically charging tiny plasma gas bubbles coated in phosphor

Plasma Pros BRIGHT! Up to 4-5 times brighter than an average TV and even after 50,000 hours it will still be 2-3 times brighter than an average TV Most cost efficient and need little or no maintenance No delay Picture quality remains constant 180 degrees Also takes up little space and can be mounted on a wall Natural looking picture

PLASMA TV - Cons Affected by altitude High altitudes cause the gases to work harder and cause the screen to wear out more quickly. Older models have poor color contrast Generate Heat Due to the amount of heat produced, manufacturers install a fan, however the noise of the fan can become a pain. BURN INS! From video games and TV logos. If played/watched/left on for long periods of time a “ghost” image may appear This can be avoided by not leaving the TV on a channel when you are not watching it or pausing something on the screen Newer Plasma TVs address this problem by moving the image to surrounding pixels. (unnoticeable to the human eye) Not available below 37”

Color and Picture Quality In Comparison… Initial Cost Maintenance Picture Life Color and Picture Quality Size LCD Expensive over 35” Little/no “Blocky” and slow, better for computer monitors Lasts 30,000 – 50, 000 Hours Delay and Blocky, but BRIGHT! Can be mounted on wall DLP Lowest Needs bulb replacements, high maintenance costs Picture can fade Shortest Dulls with Bulb Takes up most space PLASMA Most bang for your buck Burn-ins Half as bright after 30,000 – 50,000 hours BRIGHT! But can fade For more comparisons go to: http://www.plasma.com/classroom/LCD_tv_versus_plasma_tv.htm

General Concerns and Issues Price is obviously a concern for most buyers. The problem with buying any type of flat panel TV is that prices tend to fall right after you guy them. TVs do not last as long as you would like (pictures fade, burn ins etc) Since it is a rapidly evolving area, your TV you bought today might be looking like an antique in 3 years.

EXCITING NEWS!! Laser TV? A recent article in the New York Times boasts that Mitsubishi is planning to release a new type of TV late next year Thinner Will be ½ the weight of Plasma TVs that are about the same size. Contributing factors are smaller frames, and a screen of plastic-not glass. Use less power The life of TV will be significantly longer

Other New TV Technology Toshiba and Canon have jointly developed “S.E.D.” or Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display combines the technology of “old” TVs with digital flat panel technology. This will also be introduced some time next year.

References Johnson, Jim. “The Top 3 Problems With Plasma TVs.” 22 March 2006. http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jim_Johnson. Marriott, Michel. “Mitsubishi Harness Colored Lasers to Produce New-Generation Lightweight HDTV.” New York Times on the Web 3 April 2006. 3 April 2006 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/03/business/03hdtv.html. “Plasma TV vs LCD TV vs DLP TV Which big screen tv is better???” 2002. 6 April 2006. http://www.plasma.com/classroom/LCD_tv_versus_plasma_tv.htm. “The Wonderful World of Flat Panel TV.” 22 March 2006. <http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=37>. “TV Logos Bamed for Plasma Screen Burn-In.” 23 Jan. 2006. 6 April 2006. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/01/tv_logos.html.