2. Understanding flat panel TVs
Traditionally, you'd only have found these slim, sexy screens decorating the walls of the richest and most famous. Now that prices have tumbled, just about anybody can own one. There are two types to choose from – LCD and plasma.
Flat panel is a term used to describe any TV with an extremely thin profile. Two flat panel technologies are LCD (right) and plasma. They can look remarkably similar.
Flat panel Pros & Cons
- Weight: Light enough and slim enough to hang on the wall. Just be cautioned though, that heavy duty supports will be required for sizes 42" and above. They might be light compared to other TVs, but in larger sizes they can still be quite heavy (45kgs plus).
- Attractive: Just a few inches slim, flat panel TVs add fashionable flair to any room.
- Screen sizes: LCD screens are available from 15" up to around the 42" mark. Plasmas are currently available from 42" to 60". There's a flat panel option no matter what screen-size you have in mind.
- Placement: The freedom to hang on the wall or on a slim, stylish stand. Some brands such as Hitachi's LCD and plasma ranges have stands included – some even motorised! If you have to pay extra for a stand, they can be quite expensive.
- Lifespan: Hitachi's new generation of plasma screens offer up to 60,000 hours of life. Hitachi LCDs aren't far off that. At a realistic 5-hours viewing per day, either technology could last you over 30 years!
- Price: Slim, space saving goodness adds a little to the price tag.
- Plasma burn in: Burn in occurs when a static image stays on the screen for a long period and causes pixels to prematurely age and fade, leaving a 'ghost' of the image behind. Network logos (e.g. TV2 or TV3 logo), letter boxed movies, or computer games with static images (e.g. rev counters) are some of the major causes. It's not so much of an issue with new generation plasmas though. Some estimates suggest it would take over 200 continuous hours for the CNN ticker to burn into a modern plasma. Hitachi plasmas have special features to reduce the effects of burn-in, should it occur. LCD doesn't suffer from burn-in.
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