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The Best HDTVs for 2008
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The Only LCD HDTV Guide You'll Need - for 2008!
Everything you need to know about LCD HDTVs, with a list of the current top 5 best LCD HDTVs! This page gives you the "need to know" information about LCD and HDTV technology. Learn about DTV (Digital Television) converters, too.
LCD HDTVs: About This Page
(Updated for August 2008!) Super crisp, yet energy efficient: LCD televisions provide an amazing picture with a wonderfully thin screen, perfect for anyone looking to conserve room space! Here, we'll review the current top sellers in terms of customer satisfaction and product excellence. Add a LCD HDTV to your home today! This page is created so that you can follow these logical steps:
- 1) Learn about today's HDTV technology [in lay-person's terms]
- 2) Read about the differences between formats & their misconceptions
- 3) Compare today's best LCD High Definition Televisions!
LCD HDTV Explained
How exactly does it work?
Much like other LCD devices you're more used to, such as alarm clocks and computer monitors - LCD televisions also utilize a technology based on polarized light, where two polarized panels are located in front of and in back of a thin layer of liquid crystal gel, that is divided up into individual pixels. Each pixel is activated individually thanks to two axis of wires, which polarizes them accordingly."Ghosting" used to be a noticeable problem with older model LCDs. It's a term that describes how certain bright parts of a movie would "hang around" for a few seconds, or even display a trail as it moved across the screen. This is due to brighter pixels that would 'maintain' light for a time period of 20 milliseconds, while undergoing the transition to another color or light intensity for another 15-20 milliseconds of time. Since the inception of LCD televisions, that time was shortened to only 8 milliseconds.
In order to improve the quality of LCD televisions going forward, a viable strategy is to increase the refresh rate (the 'invisible' line that scrolls and refreshes the screen constantly), and to reduce the backlight response of the LCD screen itself.
What is DTV ? What's the difference between DTV and HDTV?
Learn some more about this format!
Since you're visiting this page, you are most likely interested in HDTV - a broadcasting format that runs at a higher resolution than the traditional analog (i.e., buy a TV, plug it in and watch it) broadcasting signal. HDTV is recognized by three video modes: 1080i, 1080p and 720p. The HDTV format sends a signal that encodes color formats for each pixel, making it an ideal technology for the previously aforementioned video modes, especially in LCD format. Similarly, HDTV broadcasting conforms to a 16:9 aspect ratio without having to distort or stretch the image, giving a truly vivid, crisp image.HDTV is also capable of vastly improved sound quality, as it is Dolby Digital compliant and supports 5.1 surround sound. HDTVs are capable of receiving DTV or Digital Television signals.
What's this about the year 2009?
In the United States, the government is mandating a transition from the "standard" broadcasting signal to an "HDTV" signal, which is currently slated to be effective on February 17, 2009. This means that all current non-HDTV sets will no longer be functional without the usage of a converter (an expensive device - rumored to be available through a government program for a more affordable price so that people can successfully make the transition). Therefore, having your new television be in HDTV format is pertinent. The good news is that it is practically a standard format with new television sets - especially flatscreens and LCDs.
Learn More about Digital TV Converters & the DTV Switch
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Digital TV Converter
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Come next February 2009, anyone using standard analog TV reception will need a digital TV converter to pick up the new DTV transmission. Learn more about DTV converters and the new digital TV signal here!
Interlaced vs. Progressive LCD HDTVs
Another factor in LCD HDTVs are the scan rate: which include an interlaced and a progressive picture. Have you ever seen video tape footage of a PC screen? If so, you may have noticed how the screen seems to "sweep" up and down constantly, almost like a slide show. That is an interlaced picture. Similarly, interlaced HDTVs (and monitors) refresh every other line of the picture, every other time. The process is unseen by the naked eye. However, interlaced screens are known to cause "eye distress," which your mother warned you about when you sat too close to the TV set.Progressive sets, on the other hand, refresh every line every single time, much like one long "sweep" down the screen after another. Progressive pictures are easier on the eyes, display a smooth viewing image with less "jaggies," and consequentially, cost a little more.
LCD HDTV Aspect Ratio
You may have already seen terms here, such as "16:9 aspect ratio," and had no clue what it meant. Aspect ratio simply means "units high x units wide." So, a 16:9 HDTV is 16 units wide x 9 units high ("units" meaning the measurement of an original video production, a broadcasting term).Wide sets allow you to see widescreen movies in their "natural mode," without the letterbox crop bars. They also allow you to watch the older, non-narrow shows as well, albeit with the black crop bars on the left and right. Overall, the newer, wider 16:9 is the winner over the older 4:3 "standard" television screens for their breadth of view, and ability to watch older formats, as well!
What Does "1080" HDTV Mean?
HDTVs are always defined by the number of vertical pixels they have. For instance, a 720 HDTV has 720 pixels per line going up and down (rather, vertically) the screen itself, and across 1,280 lines going horizontally to the other end of the screen.In contrast, a 1080 HDTV has 1080 pixels per line going vertically, with 1,920 lines going across, horizontally. In these cases, the 1080 HDTV set is the better of the two - since more pixels means more detail.
LCD HDTV Video Mode Comparisons: 1080p vs. 1080i
What does it mean...and what's the difference?
Naturally, you'll want to go with the best option for the most technologically long-lasting, satisfying, high quality LCD television set; especially in a consumer market where things keep changing so rapidly.The question of 1080p and 1080i comes up in this case. What does it mean? In short, these are two popular HDTV video modes found in the newer model TV sets. 1080"p" represents "Progressive Scan." This means that the pictures on a 1080p television screen are drawn with a moving line, similarly to the way computer monitors work.
Here, we'll review the pros and cons of the 1080p, as compared to the older 1980i format:
1080p Pros (vs. 1080i)
- Simpy put, it's newer than 1080i. It will, in fact, eventually become the "standard."
- Has twice the resolution of a 1080i signal, technically capable of displaying every single pixel of an HD broadcast.
- Progressive TV sets (flat LCDs, Plasmas) are already progressive in nature, can use progressive scan as a default (no need to convert from another type).
- Conveys all "lines" in a single sweep, resulting in a smoother, crisper image
1080p Cons (vs. 1080i)
- Has half the frame rate of 1080i
- More expensive than 1080i sets
- The difference in resolution between 1080p and 1080i may not be seen by the naked eye, except on larger TV sets
Conclusively...
The Current Top 5 Best 1080p LCD HDTVs
View a list of the current top 5 best LCD High-Definition TVs! This data is a combination of top selling TVs, as well as overall consumer satisfaction. It was gathered by a comprehensive comparison of several top industry reviews and lists updated this month, including CNET, and top seller's lists from Amazon Electronics.Sony's Bravia line continues to be the most wanted HDTVs of all time: as both their 46" and 52" LCD models dominate the market!
Sony Bravia XBR KDL-46XBR4
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byLearn More about the Sony Bravia XBR KDL-46XBR4
Continually voted the best HDTV
Get some more in-depth information about the best selling, best performing LCD HDTV on the market: the Sony Bravia XBR KDL-46XBR4. Available in 3 sizes, its 46" continues to be the top choice:-
Best Television Ever
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If you're looking for the best television ever, look no further than the hottest one on the market today: the Sony Bravia XBR!
Sony Bravia KDL-XBR2
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySamsung LNT-4665F
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byToshiba 52LX177 REGZA
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySamsung LNT3253H
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byNeed a Remote?
Finish off your television purchase with a top tier remote! Look here for a remote control listing with comparisons:-
The Most Tech-Tastic Remotes
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Remotes have made milestones over the past few years, integrating features such as detailed color LCD screens, intricate multi-platform capabilities, programmable functions and battery-free recharging stations. Here, we'll take a look at what's hot i...
Reader Feedback
Thanks for visiting the LCD TV Lens, hopefully you've learned something new! Please leave your comments below. Web visitors: you'll need a Squidoo account to post your comment or link here:
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heemsph
Great lens with tons of info. If you want a simplified version along with some recommendations based on internet research, be sure to also visit my lens at squidoo.com/hdtelevisionssimplified . Posted July 31, 2008 |
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sassydiva
This is a great Lens...very informative...very insightful Posted July 26, 2008 |
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Pastiche
Woah, now I understand this HDTV tech stuff. I have 2 non-digital Sony TV sets; I plan to go with Sony for my new HD unit - thx for the selection tips! 5*s Posted July 25, 2008 |
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fraugp
Wooow. Didn't relaise there were so many versions of HD TV. Interesting, Nice one! Posted July 21, 2008 |
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Steve-SEO-UK
Admittedly I haven't read all the info, but will do later. Nicely written and understandable for someone like me with little knowledge on the subject. Thanks for a great Lens. Posted July 17, 2008 |
What's here
- LCD HDTVs: About This Page
- LCD HDTV Explained
- What is DTV ? What's the difference between DTV and HDTV?
- Learn More about Digital TV Converters & the DTV Switch
- Interlaced vs. Progressive LCD HDTVs
- More...
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