Purchasing a Television? Make An Informed Decision!
Apr 02 '03
The Bottom Line Save the 'Big Bucks' for a year or two until the Plasma Screens & LCDs improve & get less expensive!
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
My sons and I recently opened a Sports Pub in our community. Prior to doing so, we did a great deal of comparison shopping and research on the various types of televisions currently available. Ultimately, we purchased two 'big screen' televisions; A Toshiba 50" Rear Projection set in 16:9 format and a 60" Mitsubishi in 4:3 format, also rear projection. We also bought several 'direct view' sets that ranged in size from 20 to 36 inches.
Since we bought the big screens early on, we were able to enjoy each of them in our homes for about 45 days while awaiting completion of the Pub. I started out with the Toshiba at my place, then switched to the Mitsi for awhile.
Prior to this experience, I had planned on purchasing a rear projection set for my home. After viewing these 2 examples in my home for several weeks, I found myself thinking somewhat differently.
Before sharing those thoughts with you, let me first relate some of basic information I discovered about the various types of televisions currently available and some of the changes looming on the horizon.
A CHANGING INDUSTRY
We are in the midst of some revolutionary changes with regards to the way we receive and view television broadcasts. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that ANALOG broadcast signals (those we have watched for some 50 plus years) must be replaced with a DIGITAL broadcast. The date for completion of this changeover was originally set for 2006; however, it now appears likely this deadline will be extended.
When digital broadcast does become the norm, only televisions capable of receiving high definition broadcasts (HDTV) will provide a true digital or high definition picture. Analog sets will require a converter to receive the digital signal, but will not be capable of reproducing a high definition picture.
INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW
First, let's look at so-called "Digital Cable" currently being offered by the local cable company. Most cable companies in the US currently offer an upgraded service they call digital cable. Unfortunately, this is not a true digital or high definition signal, but rather a digitized use of the analog line which allows more channels to be sent over the same line.
Only about half (some 700 ) U.S. television stations are currently broadcasting a digital signal. Even in those markets where digital broadcasts occur, very few of the local cable companies have upgraded their systems to bring you a true digital feed. High Definition is available to some degree with satellite systems and via antenna, but widespread availability of high definition signals is probably 3 to 5 years away for many of us.
Next, let's differentiate between the 4:3 format & the 16:9 format. This is simply the size ratio between the width and height of the respective pictures. A 16:9 picture will be almost twice as wide as it is tall, while a 4:3 is closer to a square image. Most broadcasts are currently being done in the 4:3 format while DVDs are usually 16:9. Future broadcasts of high definition signals will likely be in the 16:9 format.
A MULTITUDE of OPTIONS
Buying a television today is a much more complicated task than it was a few short years ago. Walk into an electronics store today and you are faced with literally hundreds of options; Analog, HDTV, Direct View, Flat Screen, Plasma, LCD, Rear Projection, Front Projection... Each in a myriad of sizes & shapes and from a multitude of makers.
Speak to 5 different sales people and you'll get five differing opinions as to which is the best television value for you dollar. Also, be aware that the wonderful picture you see displayed in the electronics store isn't representative of the picture quality the same TV will display when hooked up to your cable.
Therefore, it is of paramount importance that you arrive informed. Only then can you be assured of making the best choice for your particular needs.
With that in mind, let's look closer at several of the various types of television sets currently available.
DIRECT VIEW
These are the cathode ray picture tube (CRT) sets we all grew up watching. Picture quality and available features varies tremendously between sets.
The Good: Relatively inexpensive; Good picture quality; Dependable/low maintenance; Do the best job with 4:3 broadcasts.
The Bad: Very heavy compared to other sets; Limited, for the most part, to the 4:3 format; Decreased viewing area of 16:9 signals; Limited in screen size to around 40".
Direct View sets are available with both the traditional rounded-front picture tube and the more advanced flat screen tube. Flat screens reduce glare significantly, but also increase weight.
When it comes to Flat Screen Direct View Televisions, Sony WEGA sets are head & shoulders above the rest. In the older rounded tube sets, JVC, Toshiba & Panasonic all do a good job.
REAR PROJECTION SETS
These sets are available in several different price ranges depended upon their method of projection. The most common & least expensive use a CRT projector.
The Good: Larger screen size and available in both the Wide 16:9 & traditional 4:3 screen formats. Good picture quality for the most part. Allow for the better viewing of 16:9 material than a direct view set.
The Bad: Picture can deteriorate when viewed at an angle (from the side). Images can "burn" themselves onto the screen if left on for an extended period. These sets can require periodic maintenance/adjustment; Larger screen size amplifies the imperfections of analog broadcasts. Sets in the 16:9 format usually have the capability to "stretch" a 4:3 picture in order to fill the entire screen. Some brands do this better than others, but almost all will have some distortion along the sides.
Top rated Rear Projection sets come from Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba and Mitsubishi.
PLASMA & LCD SETS
These sets represent the latest technologies; each having some advantages & disadvantages. The one thing each have in common is their high initial cost.
The Good: Very Thin-Can be hung on a wall or even a ceiling; Vivid color and good detail with high definition signal.
The Bad: Very high initial cost; Limited life- Plasmas typically can last around 2 years with constant use, while LCDs make it about 2 1/2 times that. LCDs are currently limited in size to less than 30 inches. Plasma sets are subject to screen burn in and aren't capable of producing black as well as LCDs; Larger Plasmas can amplify the imperfections of analog broadcasts.
FRONT PROJECTION SETS
Typically high cost with lower quality image production than other sets, although they are getting better. Not a realistic option for most applications, so we'll skip them in this discussion.
SOME ADDITIONAL FEATURES TO CONSIDER
3:2 Pull-down or Reverse 3:2 Pull-down Technology: Helps to eliminate artifacts created when film is transferred to video.
Progressive Scan or Hi-Scan Technology: Only usable with HDTV compatible sets, this technology provides a sharper, cleared image.
Steady Sound or Auto Volume: Tones down those annoying commercials which always sound so much louder than the regular programming.
CONCLUSIONS
Earlier, I mentioned that actually having a big screen in the home changed my thinking. Here are my conclusions...
...True digital television (HDTV) is still a ways off.
...Most HDTV sets on the market will still require the purchase of a separate converter box to display true high definition broadcasts when they become available.
...The bulk of programs are still being produced in the 4:3 format. Unless you spend the majority of your viewing time watching DVDs, you'll use the 4:3 format more than the 16:9.
...Plasma and LCD Televisions, which offer the greatest promise for the immediate future, still need some development to be a good value. Also, if things hold true to form, prices on these sets will go down significantly over the next few years.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In my opinion, it makes little sense to spend thousands of dollars on a television right now when technology is still improving and prices are expected to drop. Unless DVD's constitute the bulk of your viewing, I suggest you look at a high quality direct view set such as one of the Sony WEGAs. An HDTV compatible 32 inch WEGA can be had for as little as $1250 and will give you as good a picture as you'll find anywhere with either an analog or high definition signal.
If you do elect to go with a 16:9 format (such as one of the rear projection sets), stick with the less expensive CRT units for now. More advanced projection sets which use newer technology can cost up to 4 times as much and provide little, if any additional benefit at the present time.
In another 2 to 3 years, the Plasma Screens and LCDs will be a much better value. Newer and better rear projection sets are also likely to be available for substantially less. True high definition will also be more readily available.
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