A Guide to Flat
Screen Televisions
Flat screen televisions - as opposed to traditional CRT ("Cathode Ray
Tube") televisions - are made possible by two competing technologies,
LCD ("Liquid Crystal Display") and Plasma. LCD is a transmissive
technology; in other words, illumination is not created by the molecules
of liquid crystal, themselves, but is supplied by a backlight, behind
the panel. The liquid crystal molecules do, however, untwist and twist
in a highly predictable fashion under the influence of an electrical
current. This behaviour can be used to control each picture element, or
"pixel", in the display very precisely. Plasma technology, on the other
hand, relies on the collision of "photons" of ultraviolet light -
generated by the excitation of atoms of xenon, or neon, gas - with
coloured phosphor on the inside of the screen to create an image. This
process is akin to that occurring in a CRT television screen, but - in
common with LCD technology - requires no bulky CRT, and therefore allows
television screens to be very thin, and light.
Flat Screen Television Features, Benefits &
Considerations
Contrast ratio - that is, the difference between the brightness of the
lightest and darkest colours that can be displayed, simultaneously,
expressed as a ratio - is an important feature of any flat screen
television. LCD television screens typically start at around 500:1,
while Plasma television screens start a little higher, at 1,000:1, or
so. The higher the contrast ratio, the better, all other factors being
equal. Do bear in mind, however, that while contrast ratios of 10,000:1,
or greater, may be quoted in specifications, these may well be based on
ideal, laboratory conditions which cannot be reproduced in the real
world. Contrast ratios at this level are indistinguishable to the human
eye, in any case, so it is often better to base your judgement on what
you actually see, rather than the figure quoted in the specification.
The number of pixels of which a flat screen television screen is
composed - otherwise known as its "resolution" - is also important in
determining the overall quality of the image that you see. Both LCD and
Plasma television screen have a fixed number of rows and columns of
pixels, so you may come across figures such as 1,280 x 720, or 1,366 x
768, for example. Once again, the higher the total number of pixels, the
better, and for viewing HDTV broadcasting, or DVD content, you should be
looking for a resolution of, at least, 1,280 x 720 pixels.
Other Information
Large LCD, or Plasma, television screens can be a boon at trade shows or
conventions, or during corporate presentations, immediately capturing,
and holding, the attention of an audience. Powerful graphics, and sound,
can highlight the benefits of a product, or service, in the most
effective way, and flat screen televisions - even those of truly
cinematic proportions - are becoming more and more affordable. What televisions of
this type do require, of course, is protection from the outside world -
if they are to be moved about regularly - and regular cleaning, to keep
the screen free from dust, dirt and fingerprints. Protective cases,
which prevent anything from touching the delicate screen surface in
transit, are available for presentation screens, and specialist,
alcohol-free, cleaning solution is similarly available.
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