Big Screen Televisions

In the 30's there were black and white televisions. In the 70's there were colored screened televisions. Today, the search for theater quality entertainment is over. Big screen televisions have dominated the markets and in almost all high-end households. Several of these big screen televisions have resolutions of up to 1024 x 760, similar to that of computer screens. Manufacturers are also rallying to add distinct features in each model just to lead the race of the best big screen televisions.

However, given the varied kinds of big screen televisions, it helps any consumer to classify them. Television screens that are at least 27" fall under the big screen category. The rest of the big screen sizes are 42", 50", and 63". Counting on the screen sizes for a decision is not adequate, though, because there are four types of big screen televisions, which may confuse you even more.

Know the big screen televisions types
If you go around the market, you'll be amazed to discover that each big screen types are different from each other except that the wide screens enhance viewing and reproduce more detail. These terms might sound familiar: plasma, LCD, CRT, and rear projection. These are the types of big screen commonly found in the market with prices ranging between $500 to $3,000. If the price of a big screen television bothers you, start by getting familiar with each type and the ones that fit your budget for a home entertainment unit.

Plasma
Plasma TVs have high definition screens but needs an external TV tuner to be able to produce broadcasted images. These TVs are digital with higher resolutions compared with CRTs. The slim profile of a plasma TV makes it space-efficient and mountable in walls, on ceilings, or on a stand. The drawbacks of plasma are the prices that could soar up to $3,000, vulnerable to burn in damage (darkening of the screen that results from extended display of static images), relatively short life span, and unable to reproduce true black color affecting image details. The following are plasma TV models: Pioneer PDP42, FujitsuP50XHA40, Samsung PS50Q7HD, LG 42PC1D, Panasonic 42PWD7, Hitachi 42PD8700, NEC PlasmaSync 42XM4, and Sony KEMR50S2.

LCD
LCD TV's are similar to that of a laptop's screen. Like the plasma, it requires an external TV tuner to pick up broadcast signals. LCDs are thinner than plasma's by about an inch and screen sizes are limited to 40" only and the color black is not truly projected. Although it equally has true high-definition, retail prices are of LCD TVs are dropping. LCD brands are Sony KLV-S40A10, Sharp LC22GA3X, Panasonic TX-32LX1F, Acer AT3705-MGW, Samsung LE32R51, and LG 37LC2D.

Rear Projection CRT's
These televisions have screen sizes of 40" or more. Rear Projection CRT televisions are like a combination of a projector and screen into a TV set. They cost lesser than the other types of big screen televisions. The drawbacks are they are almost impossible to move around due to weight and deepness and it's also hard to maintain them. Additionally, it's hard to view them in bright lights and the viewing angle is narrow. Rear Projection CRT models are Samsung SP-43Q5HL, Sony 60" LCD REAR PROJECTION TV KFWS60S1, LG 52SZBR, Samsung SP56L5HR, and NEC PF51T32.

Rear Projection LCD
Probably the fast-rising type in the big screen televisions, rear projection LCD produces broadcast signals similar to slide shows by directing a silicone chip on a light source to magnify images. This creates excellent picture quality but again is not able to display true black. Similar brands manufacture a range of models.