How to buy LCD TV?

How to buy LCD TV

It's not a secret that TV is a leader in consumer electronics. As of today, you will probably not find a single house in which there would be no TV. This is not an accident. Modern man can not be isolated from the media, he lives in the field of information. And the TV - this is the main source of information. In addition, constantly worrying about the content, the broadcaster prepares us interesting news stories. Many are happy to spend their leisure time watching television, which is widely presented various TV shows, movies, entertainment programs, shows, concerts and dramas. The possibilities of modern technology is so large that the range is unusually wide programs: terrestrial, cable, satellite, video.
So how to choose our best LCD TV? Lets see what we can get.

The advantages of LCD TVs

Low power consume (power 22 "LCD-TV 80 W, which is approximately equal to the power consumption of 17" monitor).

Beautiful modern screen and design. Fundamental to the design of the hull and stand has a style Hi-Tech, and the most common color - metallic silver.

Small dimensions (thickness, weight).

A clear indication of the size of the screen. If you specify 20 ", then you see them, and in some TVs apparent size is usually less than 1-2."

The ideal geometry of the image.

The source of light in the LCD-TV is similar to the usual sunlight. These TVs emit virtually no electromagnetic waves, as supplied by low voltage.

There is no problem burning the screen, and knockouts. This is due to the fact that the liquid crystal in an LCD is actually used in the solid state.

Worked well when working with a computer. LCD display statistical image from your computer effectively without the flicker and burn-in screen. You can use this TV as a display.

Resolution in these LCD TVs higher than that of plasma.

Unlike plasma TVs are made small (15-17 ")
LCD TVs. Therefore, equal to him in this size do not.

The screen does not collect dust.

Disadvantages of LCD TVs

High accuracy is achieved only in the physical resolution (number of elements in the LCD-matrix of horizontal and vertical). In all other resolutions clarity is worse than conventional picture tubes. LCD-matrix typically have a resolution of 1024x768 or 1280x1024 (closer to the computer), and the resolution of the LCD TV should be about 925h625. This causes a mismatch, as it is, in turn, can cause a loss of some or the appearance of extra points.

Viewing angle of LCD-TVs increased to 170 degrees, but it should be noted that in reality, good image quality is achieved at a smaller viewing angle than a conventional CRT. The fact that the brightness and color changes and deteriorates with increasing viewing angle.

Screen size is limited to 40 ".

For a long time to establish a new color point. Therefore, dynamic plots can blur. This leads to eye fatigue during fast moving images.

Not a very good light transmission. It will be good only in very expensive models.

Screen Size

Selecting the TV should begin even at home. Determine where you want to install the TV. Pay attention to the proximity of the antenna plug and cable. First of all, it is necessary to determine the size of the TV (the screen). It depends on the distance from which you want to watch TV. TV screen size is usually determined by the value of the diagonal tube. The diagonal picture tube is measured in inches (") in domestic models - in centimeters. Theory 1" = 2, 54 cm Optimal Diagonal screen size can be determined by the formula: D = L / K, where D - screen size; L - the distance between the viewer and the screen; K - coefficient has a value of 3 to 6.

For convenience, we give a table a safe distance depending on the size of your TV viewing diagonal.

Diagonal Size you liked the TV will always be listed in the name of the model.

Screen Format

Format of the TV - screen size, suitable for a particular image size. Sometimes two 4:3 and 16:9. 4:3 is the most common, there is broadcast television. Some models of TV sets with such format can reproduce images in 16:9 format. In this case the image is reproduced as a whole, but with a black top and bottom margins.

If your TV does not support 16:9 aspect ratio, the image is stretched to full screen, but is cut off from the sides. Broadcasting in the 16:9 format is currently underway. So while this format is relevant only to receive satellite TV programs and view the entries with VCD. TV with 16:9 aspect ratio, and allow you to play regular programs - 4:3 - but a small part of the image at the top and bottom cut off.

How to buy LCD TV

Response time
Many screens is particularly noticeable lag images when a fast-moving objects on the screen reaches a characteristic "tail." The lower the response time at the TV pictures, the less noticeable this shortcoming. Therefore, the faster the response time, the better the image will be color. For a modern LCD response time should be no more than 8 ms.

Angle of View
Hue and brightness of the image is strongly dependent on the point from which you look at the screen. If you look at the screen side of the center, it is possible to observe a sharp decrease in contrast and color changes. With increasing distance from the center of the LCD TV distortion will only increase. The minimum value of angles in the vertical and horizontal plane is 160 degrees.Modern LCD TV viewing angles should be about 170-178 degrees.

Resolution
If you want to view only the television, remember that the transmitted signal in PAL or SECAM, are widely used in our country, corresponds to the resolution of 720x576 (720 lines in width and 576 height).

If you are going to look at the LCD TV, DVD movies, then the resolution should be as much as possible, for example, 1366x768. 1920x1080 resolution may be needed if the transmitted television signal is not analog and digital.

The frequency.
The frequency of turnover of television frames for many years was 50 - 60 Hz (50 - 60 frames per second). But manufacturers began to offer TVs with refresh rate of 100 - 120 Hz. Their differences are obvious to even the most unsophisticated viewer. Just look at the 50-hertz screen at an acute angle - and will be clearly visible flicker.

The picture is a 100-hertz TV is more stable image, and recalls the view from the window. Buying almost any model with a frequency of 100 Hz, you can count on a good picture and sound quality. The disadvantage of the 100-hertz TVs is a trail that leaves the fast-moving object.

Color Balance
Color balance is associated with a balance of white color. Pay attention to the fact that white, gray and black parts must be exactly as what is not, and more. To check the color balance, we offer a look at the screen when no signal and reduced contrast. On the screen there should be no colored spots or overall color tone.

It is best to evaluate the color balance of the air than on the feature films that are broadcast more than once, not to mention the old movies. Pay attention to the naturalness of the image. The color should be natural persons. Moreover, it is better compare multiple TVs. The boundaries of color should be clear, clean, color should not be mixed. It is better to look at these figures clearly defined and bright colored objects. There should be a coarse grid, superimposed on the image.

Each manufacturer due to history prefers different shades. For example, the Asian manufacturers (Toshiba, Sony, Samsung) love bright, vivid, even more toxic colors. A European (Philips, etc.) - a natural, warm brown tones, is important for the naturalness of these images.

Contrast and brightness
Contrast LCD TV - one of the most important parameters. If the contrast of the TV is small, the screen you see the rich color palette of images and rich range of color tones and semitones. If, for example, the LCD (LCD) television sets indicates the contrast ratio of 600:1, it means that the darkest areas of an image different from the brightest 600 times. Naturally, the larger the ratio, the better the color image. In today's LCD TVs this value must be at least 800:1.

Another important parameter of the LCD (LCD) television is the brightness of the image. If the brightness of the acquired TV model will be low, then you have to strain your eyes very much, that would be good to consider the image transmitted by the image, and in the daytime watching television can become torture.Therefore, the brightness of modern LCD TVs to be not less than 450 cd/m2, this value is considered normal for watching television.

Some models of LCD TVs have built-in detector determine the level of lighting in the operating room. Depending on the measured value, the brightness of the TV automatically changes to achieve maximum comfort while watching television and videos.

Yield of
Service life of the TV about predicting how long a screen will lose the original brightness. Many of today's LCD models can work seamlessly up to 65 000 hours.

Audio Format
Watch TV with no sound for us is not real. Therefore, when choosing a TV should also pay attention to sound quality. Need to pay attention to the fact that demand a certain quality of sound you can only TVs over 25 ". Have small TVs create high-quality sound can not be due to small size of the body. For stereo manifests itself only when the left and right speakers are located at a distance from each other, it is not possible at small sizes TVs. It is important that at an elevated body did not create the sound of impact. When you buy your TV, check the maximum volume at which the body creates a resonance or distortion occurs.

LCD TV should have at least 2-cavity speaker system consisting of 4 speakers and tweeters. The size of the speakers for a comfortable listening experience must be at least 6 cm, and the size of tweeters is not less than 2 cm

Large televisions typically buy along with a DVD and a set of speakers for home theater. In this case, the sound is connected through the external speakers. This helps to significantly improve the sound quality. If you buy a TV with a sweep of 100 Hz, you can count on a good sound.

View and control your TV
TV menu should provide its convenient operation. Therefore, it assumes maximum simplicity and understandability. In addition, it should reflect all the basic settings: brightness, contrast, saturation and sharpness. These units should be indicated by conventional symbols. The menu can be textual or symbolic (character).

Iconic menus usually have TVs 14 ". They have a small screen, and it will be difficult to read text on it. The sign to the menu quickly and easily become accustomed.

Text Menu increases the cost of the TV, because considered as an additional service possible .. It may be in Russian or another language. Better, of course, in Russian. In Asian manufacturers all models with a diagonal of more than 20 "have a text menu. Equip Europeans prefer plain text only expensive models. Almost all Asian models have a menu in Russian.

All televisions have remote controls. The symbols on the keys must be identical to the TV menu. Most of the functions carried out by remote control. Therefore, it should be simple, understandable. In addition, the board should be comfortable for your hand and be quite comfortable and large buttons. The control must be such that they could easily use in the dark.

Teletext - is a function of receiving text information through television. With Teletext can see the time, television programs, news and other information. Using Teletext is only possible if this function is supported broadcasting TV station.

Additional Features TV
Today, manufacturers are trying to satisfy the most demanding customer and pleasant to his surprise, the TV is filled with many additional features. Before buying the model should determine whether all of them you need, because the extra amenities cost extra money.

Geometric correction of the screen.

Adjust the brightness, saturation, color, contrast, sound.

Function Natural Motion - eliminates jitter on any material, traces of the image during the sharp turns the camera removed. The picture becomes stable as the slide.

Function Auto Format - automatically detects the format of the recording material and adjusts its size tube, automatically eliminating the black bars top, bottom, sides just 2 programs.

Function PIP (Picture in Picture) allows you to view multiple channels for additional windows. Any of these programs can be selected as the main push of a button on the remote control.

Increase (ZOOM) - allows to increase the selected portion of the image.

The system channel scan allows you to view multiple still frames from different channels.

Child Safety Lock.

Automatic shut-off when no signal.

Enable the timer.

Memory channels.

Automatic shutdown after 15 minutes at the end of TV broadcasting.

Small-signal amplifier.

Function Mute - mute, which allows you to instantly subtract the volume to a minimum with the possibility of a return to the previously established level. A very handy feature when the phone rings, and the urgent need to answer the call.

Connectors
Modern TVs have different connectors: inputs and outputs for audio and video signals. They can be located on the front and rear panels. These devices are necessary if you plan to connect the TV to a VCR, DVD, stereo system. Some TVs have a slot VGA, which allows you to connect your TV to your PC as a monitor. This possibility attracts fans of computer and video games.

A special place among the connectors for analog signals occupy the headphone jacks.

Most LCD TVs have a standard set of analog outputs / inputs, such as S-Video, composite, component and SCART. However, for the joint use of modern devices such as DVD-players or digital cameras with LCD TV, it is necessary that the latter had digital outputs / inputs. This is necessary so that the exchange of data between these devices was not the loss of information, the broadcast would occur with the greatest speed and maximum speed. It is therefore desirable to have an LCD connector DVI (Digital Visual Interface) and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). Unlike DVI, HDMI, allow you to get into digital form, not only video but also audio. Thus, a modern LCD TV must have a digital output / input format DVI and HDMI.

Most older VCRs and video cameras transmit the video signal in analog form.Therefore, to connect them with an LCD to use the analog inputs of the TV. For this purpose, two types of cables: a composite cable (Somposite, VHS) and the component S-Video (S-VHS) cable. To connect the composite cable, use the connector RCA (Cinch) cable and S-VHS - Connector S-Video. It is better to use the connection cable S-Video, as in this case, you get the best quality of the transmitted analog video signal, and as a consequence, very good quality video on the screen LCD.

AV-cable used to connect your camcorder, DVD-player or camera with the LCD and is used to view images through your TV screen. Another way to connect video cameras and video recorders with LCD is the European standard SCART.

However, all of the above methods of connecting digital devices, LCD TVs have one drawback - transmit the video signal in analog form. In order to get maximum quality video transmission, that is to provide views with maximum resolution, which is calculated on the TV, better to use the digital ports such as USB or HDMI. And if you are actively using a digital camcorder or digital camera, then connect them to frequent LCD is desirable that the digital USB and HDMI ports are on the front panel.

To achieve maximum functional performance LCD must be equipped with two slots for connecting different types of memory cards and USB-port. The presence of these ports is a must if you have, for example, a digital camera or MP3-player, which means you can on the LCD to view photos and listen to music. Modern LCD should at least support the reading of the most common types of memory cards: SD (Secure Digital), MMC (Multimedia Card), MS (Memory stick), MS pro (Memory stick pro), SM (Smart Media), XD (Extreme Digital) , CF (Compact Flash).

Installation and operation of television

If your TV set into a niche, it should be borne in mind that between the walls and niches housing the TV should be the distance that will ensure the free circulation of air.

To install the TV experts are not required, it's not complicated. The only thing you should pay attention - this is the serviceability of the antenna.

It should be placed at a distance of 0.7 - 1.2 mm from the floor.

You should not put the TV near a radiator or other heating devices. It is also harmful to the TV to direct sunlight, since they reduce the image quality. Make sure that the light from windows and light bulbs did not fall directly on the screen.

When installing the TV, pay attention to the presence of magnetic fields that can be created by adjacent loudspeakers, powerful transformers, tape recorders.

Do not decorate the TV, cover it, because it can lead to overheating or even its faults (especially hazardous spills).