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Technology
LCD Liquid crystal display (LCD) screens come to life when light from behind the screen is shone through the screen's matrix of tiny coloured liquid crystal cells. Signals control each cell, letting varying amounts of colour through, and a picture is built up.

Plasma A plasma display is an array of tiny gas cells sandwiched between 2 sheets of glass. Each cell acts like a mini fluorescent tube, emitting ultraviolet light which then strikes red, green and blue spots on the screen. These spots glow to build a picture. Collectively the two technologies are often called flat-panel TVs.

Screen size
LCD now offers the widest array of screen-sizes but for many years huge 37, 42 and even 50-inch plasma TVs we're the only choice for fans of big-screen TV. Technology restricted LCD TVs to small portable sets and the 32-inch market.

Today, it's a very different story. Massive manufacturer investment in research and production has led to LCD screens becoming bigger and bigger. Many manufacturers have abandoned plasma altogether (Sony, Sharp, Toshiba) and LCD screens are now common in the 40-inch plus category. VERDICT: LCD

Picture quality
The million dollar question, which flat-panel technology actually looks better on the screen? There are a couple of general observations to be made; many LCD sets don't do blacks well, so darker pictures can look washed out and plasma sets typically have wider viewing angles.

But in reality the issue is less to do with the hardware and far more to do with the digital processing software inside the TV. Both types of flat-panel technology have to upscale and de-interlace TV pictures, and instead of scanning them directly onto the screen like a CRT they store pictures and place them onto the screen a frame at a time.

The quality of the digital processing software used to hide the side effects of all this, not the technology per se, will more often than not dictate the quality of the picture.

Having said that LCD TVs have the definite edge over plasma in our rigorous testing regime and find most favour with our exacting viewing panel. See detailed brand overviews for the lowdown on all the leading TV manufacturers. VERDICT: LCD shades it

Power consumption

Plasma TVs use more power then LCD

Based on our test results a 42-inch plasma TV typically uses 277 watts when switched on, compared to an 180 watt average for the 40-46-inch LCD category. That's 50 per cent less energy than plasma.

However, some manufacturers point out that the power use of a plasma TV is directly dependent on picture brightness, whereas an LCD picture requires a constant source of illumination. The theory goes that a plasma should use less power over time.

But in reality plasma TVs require significantly more power to achieve the same brightness level as an LCD, putting something of a 42-inch wide-screen hole in the theory. See 'Use less electricity' for some energy saving tips. VERDICT: LCD wins hands down

Versatility
Both types of flat-panel TV can be wall-mounted. However, wall mounting kits usually cost extra and cost more the bigger the TV. Plasma sets weigh a lot more than LCD TVs (even those of comparable screen-size), so setting them up or moving around could prove problematical. VERDICT: LCD

Cost
Prices have plummeted for flat-panel TVs in general and cost is now much less of an issue than it was. LCD TVs tend to be cheaper purely because of a smaller average screen size. However, 42-inch plasma TVs for under £1,000 are now easy to come by. Prices for comparable screen sizes are now pretty similar. VERDICT: draw

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Why buy a plasma TV?
To get more screen for your money. Inch for inch, plasma offers more bang for the buck than an LCD TV, so the same budget can buy you a bigger screen. Most of the 50-inch plasma sets we recommend cost $1,500 to $2,000. The 47-inch LCD Quick Picks cost $2,300 to $2,600, and the 52-inch sets cost $3,800 to $4,000. (Prices were current at press time but might drop this fall.)

To enjoy a movie-theater experience. A good plasma TV's deep black levels and high contrast can do justice to almost anything you watch, including movies and TV programs with dark scenes. The strong contrast and realistic, accurate colors can result in rich, natural-looking images, especially in dim lighting. Most LCD sets have trouble displaying the same strong, dark blacks as plasma sets. On certain LCD sets, uneven brightness from the backlight can create cloudy areas that can be distracting in dark scenes.

For a wide viewing angle. With a plasma TV, as with the familiar picture-tube set, the images onscreen look the same from almost any angle. That's a big plus if a TV will be watched by a number of people sitting around a room.

It's a different story with LCD TVs. (See Why buy an LCD TV?) Though some newer models have gotten better, most LCDs still look their best only from a limited sweet spot in front of the screen. As you move off to the side, the picture quality deteriorates, appearing increasingly washed out or dim. Vertical position also matters--say, if you're sitting on the floor or watching an LCD set that's mounted above a mantelpiece.

On some TV sets, those problems can be obvious, especially with indoor scenes and flesh tones. The degradation is less noticeable with bright images and vivid colors such as those you'd see in a football game. Because TVs in retail showrooms often display sporting events, you might not notice a problem with viewing angle when looking at a TV in a store. Picture settings also minimize the effect of viewing angle on picture quality. TVs are usually set to vivid or dynamic mode, which pumps up brightness and color to a level that looks great under fluorescent lights but unnatural in a typical home. Ask a salesperson to reset a TV to normal or standard mode and tune in nonsports programming to get a better idea of how a TV might look at home, especially from an angle.

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Why buy an LCD TV?
You have a very bright room. LCDs are generally brighter than plasma TVs, and their screens are less reflective. That makes them better for daytime viewing in rooms with lots of windows or for night-time use in rooms with bright lighting. Some plasma TVs can look a bit dim in bright lighting when set to the normal or standard mode, which we generally recommend for home use. You can switch to the vivid mode or raise the brightness control to compensate, but the picture quality might suffer. Another issue with most plasmas is that the glass screens are subject to reflections and glare. If you have the lights on while watching dark scenes, you might see mirrorlike reflections on a plasma set.

For heavy use with video games or as a PC monitor. Both types of flat panels can do the job, but with an LCD, there's no chance static images will burn in. With a plasma TV, burn-in is a concern with video games, computer programs, and TV programming that has fixed images onscreen for a long time. That includes station logos, news tickers, even the bars alongside standard-def pictures. Many plasma sets have screen-saver features to minimize risk, but burn-in is still possible.

With either an LCD or plasma TV, consider a screen with 1080p resolution for use with a computer. The higher resolution will let you see more content onscreen with greater clarity and finer detail than on a 720p set. (You might have to connect your computer to the TV via an HDMI input to get 1080p resolution and to avoid having outer edges of the image cut off, otherwise known as overscan.)

For somewhat lower electric bills. LCDs tend to use less power than comparably sized plasma TVs. It doesn't appear that the differences would affect your electric bills by more than a few dollars a month in many cases, so that might not be a major factor in your decision. But there is obviously an environmental advantage to using a less power-hungry TV.

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When you are selecting a high definition TV (HDTV) there are a number of factors you have to consider. Some things you might consider are : do you like the look of the TV, will it fit into your room and then a lot of technical stuff that might make you eyes glaze over or might really interest you. This article will explain some of the technical details, specifically the picture resolution and the way the picture is produced on the screen. Picture resolution and scanning are neatly summed up by numbers like 1080i and 1080p. We will discuss what these numbers mean, some other types of picture types available and the difference between 1080i and 1080p.

The 1080 bit refers to the picture resolution. Both 1080i and 1080p have the same picture resolution. This means there are 1920 pixels of the image down the screen and 1080 pixels across the screen. This equates to 1920 x 1080 pixels on the screen in total. For some reason the industry only uses the number of pixels across the screen as a indication of the picture resolution. 1080 picture resolution is the best you can get at the moment. Other types of resolution are 720p (1280 x 720), 480p (720 x 480) and 480i (640 x 480).

The i and p bit indicate the way the image is put on the screen or the scan type. The i stands for interlaced. Interlaced scanning is an older method of putting the picture onto the screen. It is more common in older style CRT TVs. The p stands for progressive and is the modern way to put the picture on the screen.

The picture comes on the screen very quickly but the progressive technique is smoother and less flickery than the interlaced method. Thus it is claimed that the picture will be better using the progressive method although it is hardly noticeable to the eye. It may also be better for fast paced action movies or rapid changes to the image but, again, it is debatable whether the eye will pick up on this.

1080p is the best you can get at the moment in terms of latest technology. It will allow you to get the most out of the next generation DVDs, blu ray and HD DVD.

1080i is the current best standard for HD broadcast television.

Thus 1080i and 1080p simply mean how clear the picture will be on the screen and how quickly the picture is put on the screen

ocmax

Oct 24 2007, 10:58 AM

Just a guide for the right distant to watch TV

* For 20 to 27-inch displays, you should be able to watch comfortably from 2.5 to 5 feet away.
* For 32 to 37-inch TVs, you should sit back 6 to 8 feet from the screen itself.
* For 42 to 46-inch TVs, you'll need 10 to 14 feet between you and the screen.
* 50-inch LCD displays look best when viewed from 12 to 16 feet away.

If you use this LCD to watch Astro then I think you need to invest a Video Up conversion to get a good PQ.

:D

vash_h

Oct 26 2007, 10:20 AM

basically.. financially it is easier to choose plasma or LCD.

for screens smaller than 32", go for LCD. its cheaper and clearer.

for screens larger than 32", go for plasma. at this size & resolution, LCD cost a bomb. plasma is cheaper and plasma screens has better resolution at this size..

blu-ray is still in experiments.. there might b in the market.. but they are not stable yet. just like dvd when it was first implemented.. it is not stable.. similar to CDs.

lets wait for a few more years.. for the industry to stabilize.

for a funny reason, LD (Laser Disc) still cost a bomb today. it cost a bomb in the past, and still cost a bomb today..

Der

Oct 26 2007, 09:54 AM

ocmax

Oct 24 2007, 10:58 AM

Just a guide for the right distant to watch TV

* For 20 to 27-inch displays, you should be able to watch comfortably from 2.5 to 5 feet away.
* For 32 to 37-inch TVs, you should sit back 6 to 8 feet from the screen itself.
* For 42 to 46-inch TVs, you'll need 10 to 14 feet between you and the screen.
* 50-inch LCD displays look best when viewed from 12 to 16 feet away.

If you use this LCD to watch Astro then I think you need to invest a Video Up conversion to get a good PQ.

:D

No wonder that day I went Raya, i felt something wrong with my eyes when i look at the TV... distance not suitable...

TQ..



PS:

Ykkiong, where to get Blu-Ray disc?

shenmui

Oct 26 2007, 09:10 PM

Amazom.com ljual BD lagi murah maa

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The Star - Business (27.10.2007)

PETALING JAYA: US-based Voom HD Networks is said to be exploring the possibility of using C-band capacity on Measat Global Bhd’s Measat-3 (M3) satellite to beam its high-definition television (HDTV) content to the Asia-Pacific.

Voom is said to be the global leader in HDTV and largest distributor of such programming in the United States. It operates 15 HDTV channels in such genre as lifestyle and extreme sports.

Voom’s high-definition channels and programming are also available in several European countries. Its expansion into the Asia-Pacific was in progress, sources said, which explained its need for satellite space to distribute content in the region.


It is unclear how much space the US company needs but a deal is expected to be structured via a third party based in Singapore and it could be announced as early as next week.

Voom is expected to be among the first of a number of HDTV content providers to use M3 for programme distribution in the Asia-Pacific.

The M3 satellite footprint covers Africa and Eastern Europe in the West, through to Japan and Australia in the East, reaching out to more than 70% of the world’s population in over 100 countries.

According to the US company's website, “all of Voom is aired commercial free in breathtaking 1080i (the best broadcast quality high-definition available and five times the resolution of standard resolution TV) and 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, providing an unparallel experience.”

Measat is working with several partners and is looking to lead Asia in the provision of HDTV platform solution with the advent of MPEG-4 compression and DVD S2 technology, as HDTV is the next big thing in the broadcasting industry.

Measat currently has three birds in the sky, with M3 being the largest of the three, with 48 transponders. Of these, half are C-band and the others Ku-band.

Measat’s fourth satellite, to be called M1R, is being built in the United States by Orbital Sciences. It is expected to be launched from Baikonour, Kazakhstan by the fourth quarter 2008.

The M1R would have 12 each of Ku and C-band transponders and is likely to cost half the US$230mil spent on M3. The M1R would be co-located at 91.5E along with M3 providing additional capacity for broadcasters to distribute their HD and SD content and it would also be a back up for M3.

The new venture with Voom would give Measat additional revenue in the longer term but it is too early to say how much it will contribute financially.

Certainly, inking of the deal will pave the way for more HDTV content to be aired over a wider area, made possible via M3.

ocmax

Oct 24 2007, 10:58 AM

If you use this LCD to watch Astro then I think you need to invest a Video Up conversion to get a good PQ.

:D

cybersim

Oct 30 2007, 08:17 AM

ocmax

Oct 24 2007, 10:58 AM

If you use this LCD to watch Astro then I think you need to invest a Video Up conversion to get a good PQ.

:D

I think Sony come out wif ASTRO ready LCD. Duno it wil solve this problem o not.
Anyone tested it b4 ?

ykkiong

Oct 30 2007, 12:31 AM

Astro currently using Ku band. Changing to C band require changing the disc. For HDTV will need new receiver as well. :D

ocmax

Oct 30 2007, 08:27 AM

ykkiong

Oct 30 2007, 12:31 AM

Astro currently using Ku band. Changing to C band require changing the disc. For HDTV will need new receiver as well.  :D

I think if they really going to start the HD broad casting.......most of the Astro viewer doesn't mind to change the decoder or disc leh............. :P

ocmax

Oct 31 2007, 06:25 PM

I have Transformers on D9 format...........is deem clear already, If blue-ray it will like in front of you...................... :lol3:


One thing you will notice while watching a better PQ movie is those actors & actresses are very stressful while acting because you can see their meteorite impacts craters on the faces................ :lol3:

vash_h

Oct 31 2007, 08:46 PM

ocmax

Oct 31 2007, 06:25 PM

I have Transformers on D9 format...........is deem clear already, If blue-ray it will like in front of you...................... :lol3:


One thing you will notice while watching a better PQ movie is those actors & actresses are very stressful while acting because you can see their meteorite impacts craters on the faces................ :lol3:

psst.. sifu.. can plz bring ur transformers cd/dvd next TT? i will bring my notebook over..

ocmax

Oct 31 2007, 06:25 PM

I have Transformers on D9 format...........is deem clear already, If blue-ray it will like in front of you...................... :lol3:


One thing you will notice while watching a better PQ movie is those actors & actresses are very stressful while acting because you can see their meteorite impacts craters on the faces................ :lol3:

Der

Nov 1 2007, 09:53 AM

aiyoo different kind of poison spreading..  :poison

Rosie how to stop this ?  :rolleyes  :rolleyes

vash_h

Nov 1 2007, 10:00 AM

Der

Nov 1 2007, 09:53 AM

aiyoo different kind of poison spreading..   :poison

Rosie how to stop this ?   :rolleyes  :rolleyes

ur asking the official AOCM poison spreader POISON ROSIE or POISON NURSE rosie on how to stop the poison from spreading? :o

:lol3: :lol3: :lol3: