If you have been looking at buying an LCD flat screen tv, no doubt you have read about the 120Hz models. You are probably wondering if the 120Hz models are worth the extra cost. The value of the 120hz feature has been widely debated in recent months. There are a number of things to consider before making your decision.

In the early days of the LCD vs Plasma tv wars, one of the biggest drawbacks to purchasing an LCD tv was that they were prone to motion blur and a somewhat choppy picture, especially in times when there was a lot of fast action such as sports or in movie scenes such as car chases. Although there has been a great deal of improvement over the years in the tvs ability to handle fast motion, LCD is still battling the stigma of not having as smooth of a picture as plasmas.

Enter the 120Hz tv. As a direct response, LCD manufacturers have incorporated 120Hz tvs into their newest tv models. These tvs have refresh rates that are twice as fast as the “standard” 60Hz models.

Those who are supporters of the 120Hz technology claim that the picture is noticeably smoother with crystal clear clarity, especially during fast action scenes or sports. Another benefit is the ability to produce an almost 3D-like picture.

On the other hand, others say that they can’t notice a difference when comparing side to side with the “standard” 60Hz models. They feel that the 120Hz models are simply marketing gimmicks to sell higher priced tv.

So who is right? As usual there is a middle ground. Put simply, a 120Hz tv will take a standard 60Hz signal and simply replicate it twice which by itself does little to enhance the picture quality. The real difference is made when applying a video processing feature for motion enhancement. Each company has there own name for this process. For example, Samsung’s feature is called AMP for Auto Motion Plus. This feature takes the screen and interpolates the image to provide a smoother picture to reduce judder.

Does the motion enhancement provide a more satisfactory picture? Again this is open to debate. Motion enhancement at its best provides a noticeably smoother, stable picture, free of jutter, motion blur and ghosting. Some describe gaming in 120Hz as making a 30 frames per second game look like a 60 frames per second game, while others are mesmerized by the ability to make sports and movies look live and 3D-like.

At its worst motion enhancement, especially during fast motion can introduce split second glitches in the picture called artifacts which can obviously be distracting. Others feel that while documentary type shows like Planet Earth can provide stunning stable live action shots, that motion enhancement takes away from the cinematic feel of movies by providing an almost too realistic, live tv or soap opera feel instead of a cinematic experience.

It is important to point out that motion enhancement can be turned on or off, so if you prefer to watch a movie without the motion enhancement you can simply turn it off.

For the time being the choice to go with a 120Hz LCD flat screen tv is purely one of personal choice and budget. Keep in mind that this is a very new technology and as with all new technologies there are still some things that need to be perfected. There is little debate that 120Hz is the wave of the future and that technology will only improve over time. If price is not of primary concern or if you can spare the extra dollars in an attempt to future proof your tv purchase then it would seem to make perfect sense to go with the additional features and benefits that a 120Hz LCD flat screen tv can offer. If price is a primary factor and you are working on a limited budget then one of the standard models would be a fine choice until the 120Hz models are perfected.

By: Jared Dawson

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Solarization.

It’s a much more common problem than many think. So, what does it look like?

There are many symptoms of this strange ailment but the most common are:

Faces on screen are blotchy as if sunburned, or a brown yellowish glow on the shiny areas. Bright areas on the screen are tinged with a light yellow or brown.
Solarization: A phenomenon in photography in which the image recorded on a negative or on a photographic print is wholly or partially reversed in tone. (From Wikipedia)

Look at a color junk mail or color newspaper ad. Look for an ad that shows a “sunburned” or sunburned effect on the persons face. This is what you are looking for, the solarizing effect is very noticeable on faces.

The problem can be resolved if you get a Firmware Update for your LCD HDTV or Plasma HDTV

A firmware update is a microcode update for the chips inside your set.

You will need to contact your supplier or manufacturer for this update.

And you may need to contact their service agent for this, sometimes it is complex, and this depends on the brand.

As an example however, if you have a Samsung LCD HDTV or Plasma, certain models can be updated yourself!

What happens is that Samsung will send you a USB key with the firmware on it, and following the instructions:

You will be able to flash it or update it yourself! Unfortunately, this does not always fix the solarization problem, but it is definitely worth a try. Sometimes it is the fault of the station or network transmitting sub standard programming… Quality control?

Once it is updated, you can be sure that your set is working as well as it can…

Something you may be able to do if you have not yet bought a LCD HDTV or that Bargain Cheap LCD TV , is simply don’t buy a set that exhibits this problem.

How?
One quick way to check the quality of an LCD display panel:

Walk up to a set that is on display, stand up very close to it and look directly down or up at the screen A good quality display panel will not change much, you won’t see any change in the quality of the image. Cheap LCD TV sets with a lcd display panel that is prone to solarization, will look negative where the bright sections of the picture go darker, and the dark sections go brighter. Or it will just lose color and picture quality.
… If you really want to buy a cheap lcd tv, leave it there and keep looking, good ones are out there ….

Unfortunately with Plasma HDTV, it is more complex.

You will have to try a firmware update to resolve the problem.

And it may involve a call to your local Plasma and LCD service center.

Remember to quote your Brand and Model Number, these details are on the back of the set on a sticker.

And your date of purchase if the TV is under warranty.

And it will help also if you Google it.

You will be surprised how many hits you get on a particular brand and model.

By: James V Palmer

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LCD TVs are getting more and more popular. More and more people are wanting to own a brand new LCD TV. There are a myriad of LCD televisions to choose from. The following are five LCD TVs that cater to all types of needs of different types of consumers.

1. Sharp Aquos LC-45GD4U
2. Sharp Aquos LC-32G4U
3. Syntax Olevia LT30HV
4. Sharp Aquos LC-37GD4U
5. Sony MFM-HT75W

The 45-inch LCD HDTV, Sharp Aquos LC-45GD4U, has a resolution of 1920 x 1080. It has the ability to display even the smallest details of HDTV. For someone expert on this field, this will mean delight. If you are a normal viewer, you might notice only very little difference. The Sharp Aquos LC-45GD4U is probably the most affordable HDTV in the market. It is priced at about $4700. Many people said that Sharp produces the best LCD TVs.

Compared to the other Sharp models, LC-32G4U, also another Sharp Aquos has a lower price. It is a great bargain. The experts only complain about the contrast of this model. They say that the black levels and the image quality of this model are inferior than the other models before it. This has however, a built-in analog tuner. Its resolution is 1366 x 768. The price in the market is $1800. Many consumers say that this model is user friendly.

The Syntax Olevia LT30HV is a budget pick. It has a clear screen and has a resolution of 1280 x 720. If you compare it to other Sharp Aquos models, it has an average black level. If you also compare it with the other LCD TVs of the same price, this model is actually better. This can be bought at about $1000 in stores.

Sharp Aquos LC-37GD4U is another model which is similar to the previously mentioned model. However, the resolution is lower than the Sharp Aquos LC-45GD4U. The Sharp Aquos LC-37GD4U has speakers which are removable. Brightness can also be adjusted because of the presence of light sensors which adjust to the different lighting conditions. This model, including the one previously mentioned, are among the best products in the market today. Sharp Aquos LC-37GD4U costs around $3000.

Sony MFM-HT75W has a 17 inch wide screen. The wide screen LCD comes with a TV tuner and has a resolution of 1280 x 768. It is one of the best choices when we talk in terms of image quality and color. If you are particular about graphics and you have a hobby for photography, this model is for you. The images are simply beautiful and crystal clear. However, this may not be advisable for a bright place as it may throw back ambient light. You can also watch TV since it has an analog tuner. It is priced at about $570.

By: Albert Canningway

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Okay, so you’re looking to upgrade your TV to something far more impressive. You’ve heard about LCD and Plasma, but you’re not quite sure which is the best choice for you.

Okay, so let’s take a look at some vital aspects of TV’s…

Contrast

LCD TV’s are much better than they used to be, but Plasma TV’s still have the edge on the contrast issue. This is due to the fact that LCD cells are lit from behind even when showing black, whereas Plasma cells are completely switched off when showing black.

Color

Plasma tends to be better for color, but it does depend on the light, the manufacturer, and the particular model of TV. Plasma color is better in rooms with normal or lower lighting, whereas LCD color is better in rooms that are brightly lit, due to their brightness and built-in anti-glare technology.

Viewing Angles

LCD TV’s have better viewing angles than they used to have, and you can expect the best LCD HDTV models to have about 120 to 130 degree viewing angles. However, Plasma TV’s still win on this at the moment.

Computer Use

LCD screens are the best for computer use, as they are great for displaying static images without having flicker, and most importantly, no screen burn-in as can happen with Plasma screens. They are also great at displaying lots of data with wonderful precision and clarity, for example large spreadsheets.

Fast Action Sequences

Plasma wins when it comes to fast action, due to their ability to handle fast-moving images, and also their high contrast levels. LCD screens are better than they used to be for fast action, but still not quite up to the standard that Plasma has set.

Power Consumption

LCD’s use approximately half of the power than their Plasma counterparts. This is due to the fact that LCD’s are illuminated by florescent backlighting, whereas Plasmas use a lot of electricity to illuminate each individual pixel on it’s own.

Screen Resolution

LCD’s win here, as they have higher screen resolutions per screen size. For example, a 40-inch LCD screen would have a resolution of no less than 1366 x 768, whereas a 42-inch Plasma screen would have a resolution of only 1024 x 768.

In Conclusion

So, which type of HDTV should you choose? Well, think about what you are going to most likely be using it for. For example, if you are a fan of watching fast action movies in the dark, or you are a sports fan, then Plasma is the choice for you. However, if you are more into slower-paced shows, or would like to be able to use your screen for computer use, then LCD is the one you need to get.

By: F. G. Bournston

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The plasma HDTV is the one you will hear praised the most as it has more pixels, which are suppose to provide better image quality. However, there are many faults with plasmas that you should be aware of before you purchase.

Viewing angle
With a Plasma HDTV, the only viewing angle is right in front of the screen. If you are off to one side, the image will be distorted or darkened enough you cannot tell what is happening on the screen. LCD HDTV’s are more like a computer screen and the views from all angles are the same.

Lighting in the Room
Plasma HDTV’s must be viewed in a dark room if you truly want to see a great image. The light in the room will have quite a bit to do with the quality of the image. Once again, the LCD is not changed whether you are in a bright room or a dark room.

Protection
Plasma TV’s need a bit more care when moving as if you tip the screen, you will out the money you paid for the set as it will ruin the television. Plasma TV’s cannot be tipped during transportation home from the store or as you are carrying into the home. It must stay in an upright position. LCD TV’s can be moved around in any angle for moving purposes, so you can easily lie it on its side to put it in the back of a pickup and not worry about damage.

Cost
Plasma’s can be found in all ranges of price and are usually less expensive than LCD’s.

By: Anita Payton

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