The contrast ratio is a measure of the TV’s capability to display distinctive shades between the darkest blacks and whitest whites. “Native” and “Dynamic” are the two most common methods of measuring contrast ratio. Back in 2005, most decent HDTVs were running somewhere below a 1,000:1 native contrast ratio. It wasn’t until Samsung began advertising up to 3,000:1 contrast ratios that the word “dynamic” became a common contrast ratio measurement. Soon after, all the big LCD manufacturers started to use the dynamic measurement in self-defense. By 2008, a new measurement of dynamic contrast ratio came to the HDTV market; the arrival of the 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio became the new hype. However, cheap LCD TV makers inflate their contrast ratios scores all the time. They do this by changing the absolute brightness of the entire screen or darkening the entire screen on scenes that are already very bright or very dark. This new trick could inflate a native contrast ratio of 3,000:1 to a false ratio of 10,000:1. Realistically, you cannot get that inflated dynamic contrast ratio without altering the actual contrast ratio. When it comes to contrast ratio a higher number is usually better, but since companies differ in their measuring, there is no exact number for a “good” contrast ratio, so don’t pay extra just to get the model with the highest number. These days, instead of contrast ratio being the big hype, refresh rate seems to be getting the most attention. The standard refresh rate is 60Hz, while the new LCDs are offering a 120Hz or even 240Hz. Even with a good LCD TV sale you will definitely see an extra cost for a 120Hz over a 60Hz, sometimes up to a few hundred dollars, but is it really worth it? Standard movies are shot at 24 frames per second. Since 60 is not divisible by 24 you end up losing a few frames out of a hundred, whereas 120 and 240 are divisible, so no frames are lost. Before you go buying a 120Hz TV make sure you see it in action first. You might find that for the extra cost, it doesn’t offer much of an extra benefit. I personally own a large 120Hz LCD TV and I can honestly say I never use the 120Hz or “smooth motion” feature. TV shows can end up looking like cheap soap operas and gaming hardly offers any visible difference. The response time of an HDTV is generally more important if you’re a gamer. This is a measurement, in milliseconds, of how quickly pixels change from black to white and back again, with the lower number being better. Most new LCDs offer a 5 to 6 millisecond response time; but some companies can be deceptive by measuring with a “gray to gray” response time. Avoid these false stats by choosing a big name company.

I know you’ve heard a lot of talk about whether or not an HDTV is 1080p or “full HD.” However, depending on the size of the TV, you usually have to be sitting pretty close to a 1080p set to notice the full advantage over a 720p set. The average distance of between a person and a TV in America is 9 feet. To be able to notice the actual detail (with the human eye) in a 32 inch 1080p set, you would have to be sitting 4 ft 2 in (or closer) from the set. If you’re on a budget, a good rule of thumb is that if the TV is smaller than 42 inches, you might want to consider a 720p instead. Also keep in mind that channels broadcasting in HD don’t even use 1080p. So take into consideration what you will be using the TV for. Bluray and some video games use 1080p, not regular HD broadcasting. When you’re finding LCD TV deals, it might be tempting to save some money by buying the cheaper no name brands; on the other hand this could end up costing you even more in repairs or replacements once the factory warranty expires. Many of the no-namers don’t even offer a post warranty service or parts available. Not all HDTVs were made perfect; having that warranty could save you the cost of a replacement TV.

Make sure you do your research to find a great Cheap LCD TV when discounts are offered. You can find a coupons and special sales for the best LCD TV prices all the time when you buy online.

The old analog TV sets of yesteryear did not have to have a very advanced monitor because the TV signal was only so good anyway, So CRT monitors lasted as the screen choice for decades. But now with HDTV moving the entire viewing experience forward in dramatic fashion, better ways of producing the on-screen image is in full production.

Two of those competing screen technologies are plasma TVs and DLPs (digital light processing TVs). Both types of screen technologies have been around for a while, although DLPs have only become commonplace in recent years. They use completely different means of displaying a TV picture and so each has it’s own peculiarities, both for good and bad. So you as the consumer need to weigh the differences and determine which will best fit your own needs.

Plasma TVs are well-known for their high contrast images and vivid colors, and they are generally cheaper than DLP TVs in the larger screen sizes. They have a wide viewing angle, and would make an excellent choice for many people. The drawbacks include less longevity and faster wear rate at higher altitudes above 6,000 to 7,000 feet, and the fact that they tend to run hot and need internal fans to cool them down that can sometimes be noisy depending on the model that you choose. They also can suffer from screen burn-in when an image is left on the screen for a very long time, producing a faint ghost image even when viewing something else.

DLP TVs are are capable of painting the screen with high contrast, color dense images too, although the nod still has to go to plasma TVs in general in this area. They are also easily used as a monitor for almost any digital video source that you have, including your computer. They use a reflective technology to display the screen image and so their picture is very bright and easy to see even in brightly lit rooms. However, they must be viewed at eye level, since the brightness falls off rapidly as you view them from either above or below eye level. The DLP will last almost indefinitely, but the light source must be replaced every 10,000 hours and that will cost over $200 when you do.

Actually either will make a fine choice to use with today’s emerging television technologies. Just be aware that each has it’s own drawbacks, so choose the monitor that will fit your own particular needs and uses best.

For home entertainment purposes, most people are especially interested in LCD televisions. When LCD technology was first introduced, the prices of these TVs were typically very high. But in the past few years, LCD TV prices have dropped as the technology became widespread and affordable. Try this simple experiment: go to a large electronics store and ask the sales staff to show you an LCD TV and then a traditional cathode ray tube TV (if they even have one!). You’ll notice the picture superiority of the LCD immediately. Plus, LCD TVs are thinner, lighter, and use less power than cathode ray TVs. LCD TVs come in high definition (HD) compatible models that create an even sharper image, in thin, flat panel models, and widescreen models. Each type of these LCD TVs have specific advantages. For example, if you want an LCD TV in your bedroom but don’t have a lot of wall space, a flat panel model will serve you well. But in your living room, you’ll most likely want a TV that has high definition and a wide screen to set up your home theater components.

When you decide to buy an LCD TV you have many models, sizes, and pricing options to choose from. Consumer guides and customer reviews rate the “best of 2008” LCD TVs as:

- The Samsung 52-inch 1080p HD TV- The Sony Bravia 52-inch 1080p  HD TV- The Panasonic 50-inch 1080p HD TV- The Sharp Aquos 42-inch 1080p HD TV- The Samsung 32-inch 720p  HD TV

You can find the LCD TV that meets all your space requirements, including 19, 37, 46, 61 and 65-inch TVs. You can also find great prices on LCD TVs locally or on-line. One thing is certain: cathode ray tube televisions are rapidly becoming obsolete in comparison to LCD HD TVs. Projection TVs are no longer manufactured. Also, LCD technology tends to be cheaper than plasma technology for televisions and computer monitors. The best buying strategy is to specify what kind of equipment you need, the size of the TV you need, and what type of TV system you can afford.

If you haven’t heard much yet about DLP TVs, you will soon. But here are some of the advantages to their design:

1. They are great in brightly lit rooms. Because they use a reflective technology to produce the screen image, a DLP screen is less affected by ambient light than many other monitors. It can also produce a picture that has more contrast because it can produce deeper blacks than for instance, LCD TVs.

2. DLP TVs boast a very high refresh rate. The refresh rate is how often the screen is redrawn each second. The faster the refresh rate, the easier you eye can put the images displayed into a seamless picture in your mind. What this means for you is that if you like to watch sports or play fast action video games, the screen will appear smoother and more realistic with a DLP TV because of it’s fast refresh rate.

3. DLP monitors are usually compatible with almost any video source that you want to connect them to. They can even be used as a computer monitor too. Just be sure that a DLP monitor has all of the necessary connections present to be mated with the video sources that you intend to use.

There are however a few disadvantages to DLP TVs that you should be aware of too:

1. DLP screens can be viewed from a fairly wide angle from the center of the television with no problem, but they absolutely must be viewed at eye level for the best picture as the brightness of the picture falls off rapidly when viewed either above or below eye level. This can restrict where you place them for best viewing position in your room and should be a point taken into consideration before purchase.

2. Although the DLP monitor itself can last almost forever, the light source that produces the image only has an average lifespan of about 10,000 hours. That is of course, still a lot of TV viewing time, but if you have your TV on for several hours a day be aware that the clock is ticking on the light bulb and when you do replace it, you may be spending over $200 for a replacement.

All in all, DLP monitors represent a great advancement in the field of television viewing though, and the technology is being rapidly accepted and improved on. But as with any TV purchase it is best to actually demo a particular model in person before ordering it online if you choose to do so.