flat screen tv - LCD vs Plasma. Looking to buy a new TV? Confused by technical jargon?

flat screen tv (Liquid Crystal Display) have come along way in the last few years. The technology has been used widely for several years in TFT monitors.

flat screen tv have become very popular with smaller sized screens. Recently however, advances in technology have meant that the size of flat screen tv have increased bringing them into competition with Plasma technology. Sales of flat screen tv are now beginning to overtake those of Plasma televisions.

flat screen tv contain a liquid crystal gel housed between two very thin polarised panels. The gel is divided up into pixels, each of these pixels can be manipulated with electricity. This manipulation controls the colours each pixel displays. The higher the voltage, the darker the pixel.

Advantages of flat screen tv

More power efficient than Plasma

Very little glare

More lightweight than Plasma

Higher resolutions than Plasma for smaller size models

Disadvantages of flat screen tv

Black colours can not be displayed as truly black

Earlier models can suffer from ghosting effect

Things to consider when buying flat screen tv

Screen size vs room space vs sitting distance from screen.

Audio options - great picture doesn't mean great sound.

Is it HD? Not all are. Also are HD transmissions available in your area?

Wall mount or stand? - Is a stand included? Will you need help to wall mount?