Best TV Review

LCD technology is constantly competing with plasma technology to achieve the best picture quality.  When you open up an ad and skim the TV section, you will see the term “LED” followed by “LCD,” because the technology is created solely for LCD TVs.  Now, before we at Best TV Review can discuss what LED exactly is, we must discover what LCDs generally use to create a picture.  They all depend on a backlight, in one way, shape, or form to light the LCD panel itself.  Most of them rely on a fluorescent backlight, also known as CCFL.  However, many manufacturers are beginning to employ the LED technology instead.  What LED brings to the table is not only the fact that it uses less energy, but the fact that it delivers deep, rich black levels that rival (or even surpass) those of top plasma TVs.  The price reflects the level of performance, which is higher than regular LCD TVs.

To clear up some questions we get here at Best TV, when talking about LED backlights, today’s televisions use one of two major versions.  The first is referred to as “local dimming.”  What this basically does is allows the backlight to dim or turn off in different areas of the screen.  Let’s not forget that black levels are the most important factor in HDTV picture quality.  The second version is called “edge lit.”  The name comes from the arrangement of LEDs along the edge of the screen, which allows for extremely thin designs.  In recent tests, the local dimming technology out performed the edge lit in terms of performance and picture quality.

If you are interested in purchasing a TV with new LED Technology, Best TV Review recommends the following Energy Star Qualified choices:

Under $1,500: 32″ Samsung UN32B6000V

1080p resolution – 120 Hz refresh rate – 4 HDMI inputs

$1,499.98 at Best Buy (follow the link under my “Affiliates” tab)

Under $2,000: 47″ LG 47LH90

1080p resolution – 240 Hz refresh rate – 4 HDMI inputs

$1,799.99 at Best Buy (follow the link under my “Affiliates” tab)

Under $2,500: 47″ LG 55LH90

1080p resolution – 240 Hz refresh rate – 4 HDMI inputs – 2 HD inputs

$2,499.99 at Best Buy (follow the link under my “Affiliates” tab)

Under $3,000:  55″ Samsung UN55B6000

1080p resolution – 120 Hz (Auto Motion Plus) – 4 HDMI inputs – Swivel Stand

$2,899.99 at Best Buy (follow the link under my “Affiliates” tab)

Over $3,000: 55″ Samsung UN55B8000

1080p resolution – 240 Hz refresh rate – 4 HDMI inputs, 2 USB ports

$3,599.98 at Best Buy (follow the link under my “Affiliates” tab)

We at Best TV know there is plenty of speculation regarding to the technology of plasma TVs, some true and some false.  Here are a few of the most common mistakes about plasmas:

1) Plasma TVs Do Not Last Long

This is an extremely common plasma TV myth.  When comparing plasma to LCD technology, they are pretty much dead even.  Plasmas currently have an average lifespan of around 60,000 hours (give or take a few thousand).  If you were to watch 4 hours of TV a day, the display should theoretically last over 40 years, on a medium contrast setting.  TIP: when your TV is shipped to the store or to you, it is usually set at a very high contrast level (for the showroom).  So when you open your baby up and take it out, be sure to navigate to the menu and turn down the contrast ratio.

2) Plasmas Are Expensive

In some cases, such as the largest, highest resolution top-end models.  Fortunately, technology has allowed the price of plasmas to dramatically lower in the past 10 years.  Plasma TVs have comparable costs to LCDs, and as the screen size increases the price is actually sometimes lower than an LCD with the same screen size.

3) Plasma TVs Give Off Harmful Radiation

Best TV laughs at this claim, this is about as far off as you can get.  The only trace of detectable radiation can be found up to an inch away from the screen.  CRTs (the most common household TV) give off a significantly higher amount of radiation.  The pixels are individually illuminated, so the radiation is kept within the specific pixel.  Plasma and CRTs should pose no threat to your health – they comply with the FDA guidelines for radiation emission.

4) The Higher Resolution, the Better the Picture

Save your money.  The only reason you would want to spend extra money on a TV with 1080p resolution (top-end) would be to watch Blu Ray movies or play Blu Ray games.  Watching regular TV on a 1080p TV looks no different than a 720p or even a 420p (TV is generally broadcast in 420).  Also, most movies are made for 720p resolution or lower.

5) Plasma TVs Leak Gas

Modern Plasma TVs in no way, shape, or form leak gas, or need to be refilled.  I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that in my life.  The TV’s pixels are permanently enclosed in sealed glass cells, and are filled with a harmless gas mixture.  There is no way for the gas to escape, meaning it cannot leak out and does not need to be refilled by any means.

There are many different opinions and views on LCD TVs, some are true and some are simply false.  Here are some common misconceptions, brought to you by Best TV Review:

1) LCDs Have a Viewing Angle of 160 Degrees

This is the case sometimes with high end models, but most manufacturers will boast (incorrectly) that their TV can be seen from 80 degrees each way (160 degree viewing angle), which is almost completely from the side.  Yes, you will be able to see a picture from those angles, but the actual picture will be distorted, color washed, dimmer, and have a lower contrast.  If viewing angles are vital to the set up of the room, it would be smart to consider buying a TV from one of the more expensive brands.  Sony, for example, has a reputation for having great viewing angles, up till about 70 degrees each way (140 degrees all around).

2) LCD TVs Last Forever

Extremely untrue.  Nothing lasts forever, not  expensive TVs, not expensive refrigerators, or our attention span at Best TV.  Most LCD manufacturers report their TVs last around 30,000 to 60,000 hours.  If we use our ol’ math skills, we can figure that watching 3 hours of TV each day (let’s use the 30,000 hours), your TV should last around 28 years.  If we watch an average of 8 hours of TV a day, our TV would last around 10 1/2 years.  And lastly, if we were to not move and watch 24 hours of TV a day, the TV would still last around 3 1/2 years.  While not immortal, LCD TVs will definently give you your money’s worth when it comes to longevity.

3) LCDs Are Bad to Watch Action Movies or Play Video Games on

While this may have been the case for older models, modern technology has allowed almost all current LCD TVs to have a higher response time, allowing for smoother picture quality.  A pixel’s response time is basically how long it takes for the certain pixel to refresh itself.  This is measured in milliseconds (ms), and many high end LCDs have a refresh rate under 20 ms.  Slower response times create an image that can appear to off, an effect commonly known as “trailing.”  TV technology is steadily reducing the response time for many new televisions on the market.

4) LCD Displays are Filled with Actual Liquid

It can be easy to get confused with a name like “Liquid Crystal Display,” but there is no actual liquid used to create an image.  The screens are constructed with two pieces of glass, filled with millions of tiny crystals (twisted nematic liquid crystals).  These crystals react to electric currents, and essentially untwisting at different degrees depending on the level of current received.

5) LCD TVs Suffer From Burn-In

This claim is scientifically impossible.  LCDs work by blocking light, so there is no way for a burn-in to occur.  These TVs are commonly referred to as “transmissive” displays, because the crystals themselves do not create light.  The light is actually emitted from a bulb behind the screen, and the crystals manipulate the light to different intensities.  So since the light is generated from an outside source, the images cannot be retained by the screen at all.  The bulbs can eventually burn out, and be replaced for around $200, but not the display.