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A closer Look at HDTV
Shopping for a television these days can be confusing. Between the features and innovations, terms and technologies, can make your head spin. Sharper, clearer images than regular television, high-definition television is the digital television of choice.
Resolution, or picture detail, is the main reason why HDTV programs look so good. HD signals transmit either 1,080 or 720 visible lines of details, versus a maximum 480 for the standard-definition analog TV signals we've watched for decades.
Plasma Images:
Created by thousands of red, green, and blue pixels containing gas converted into plasma by electrical charge.
Bright, colorful picture, even in light-filled rooms
Wider viewing angle than other high definition formats
Lightweight and generally less than 4" thick
Can be mounted on the wall like a picture frame or displayed on a stand
LCD Liquid Crystal Display:
Uses the same technology as flat-panel computer monitors. The combination of a white backlight and thousands of liquid crystals that open and close like shutters generate pixels that create a bright, smooth image.
Usually more expensive than plasma on an inch-for-inch basis
Renowned for slimness and lightweight
Can be wall-mounted, hung below a cabinet or set on a stand
Some experts contend that LCD sets offer color accuracy and sharpness superior to plasma
DLP Digital Light Processing:
Uses microchips with thousands of tiny mirrors to create an image on a screen.
Comes closer to reproducing the source material than most technologies
Front or rear-projection models available
Sometimes bulkier than plasma or LCD models but may be more affordable
Technology developed by Texas Instruments
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