Flat Screen TV Buyers Guide

...helping consumers find the 
right flat panel television 
for the best price.

In terms anyone can understand, we explain the differences in today's flat screen technologies - LCD, Plasma and LED - and review the advantages and disadvantages of each. In the last few years, LCD flat panel technology has emerged as the clear winner over Plasma, considering its dominant market acceptance. Many manufacturers including Sony, Philips, Toshiba and Vizio have abandoned plasma tv production altogether. Nonetheless, Plasma TVs in many respects are still superior in some of their viewing attributes and remain a viable option in the marketplace. Several notable manufacturers like Panasonic, Samsung, LG Electronics, Proscan, Sanyo and others continue to introduce competitive plasma screen products. LED-lit TVs are basically LCD TVs with a different kind of backlighting, Light Emitting Diodes (LED) as opposed to Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFL) that are found in most LCD TVs. The special backlighting (LED) does allow for thinner panels, less power consumption and better heat dissipation, and a brighter display with better contrast levels. However, they're typically more expensive. The exhibit provided below quickly summarizes the various Pros and Cons of each technology in an easy-to-read format. For a more in-depth explanation of each technology and the various benefits one offers over another, see each respective type of HDTV.