There is a myriad of different TVs on the market; the Sony Bravia, the Panasonic Viera and the Sharp Aquos are just a few. Due to this wide choice the consumer is left with an unenviable decision, to decide amongst the plethora of technical specifications, not least to decide between the different technologies, such as LCD, plasma or the newcomer LED.
Plasma, LCD and LED TV models all look similar, typically they are flat screen, although the LED is by far the slimmest of the three. In terms of a replacement to the cathode ray televisions of old they are miles ahead, particularly in terms of picture quality. In the majority of cases these TV models are all widescreen, especially those in larger screen sizes. That said some smaller televisions are available in standard square screens. Apart from the aesthetic similarities the technologies differ markedly in form and function.
LCD TV technology relies upon liquid crystals to produce an image. Put simply an electronic current is passed through the crystals, changing their colour. These pixels number in the hundreds of thousands, and in general terms the higher the number of pixels in relation to the screen size, the better the image. The pixels are backlit in order to produce a bright image. Today the majority of the Sony Bravia range is made up of LCD TV models, seemingly plasma has been abandoned by this technology powerhouse.
Plasma TV operates differently from LCD, in place of liquid crystals. These bubbles are typically filled with plasma gas that is made to change shade when current is passed through them. Colour on a plasma TV is replicated by passing the black and white image through different coloured phosphors. These filters produce excellently sharp images which normally have better black levels than LCDs.
The newcomer to the world of televisions is LED or light emitting diode. Samsung are currently the only manufacturer producing this form of television in decent numbers although the technology is touted as the next big thing for the industry. They are extremely expensive to produce but have the benefits of sparkling picture quality and energy efficiency. As previously stated however they will remain the most pricy option for at least the foreseeable future.
Hopefully this article has presented the three main forms of TV technology. It has not intended to be a consumer guide but instead an information resource. For those choosing a new television the best advice is to take time researching the options in order to make an informed and considered decision.
Technology expert Thomas Pretty studies three different television types and surmises why the bravia lcd tv range can be considered one of the most advanced.
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