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Showing posts with label Plasma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Plasma. Show all posts

Monday, April 26, 2010

How to Buy the Right Computer Monitors

Choosing a suitable computer monitor involves careful consideration of many important factors. It all depends on the work to be carried out in the system. If it is intended only for basic purposes like browsing the internet or sending emails, a standard product will be sufficient. Those who are acquainted with the computer will be able to know the significance of many a feature associated with the monitor. But all those who are shopping for monitors are not fully conversant with the working of the system. It is therefore necessary for them to rely upon skilled computer users or dealers who are reliable in this respect.

At the outset the consumer should decide about the size of the monitor. For basic uses it can be about 19 inches or even smaller. The size of the monitor depends on two factors. One is the space available and the second is the budget allotted. If it is intended for gaming or graphic designing larger ones are required. Professionals who are engaged in web designing etc may also require larger monitors which can offer excellent color accuracy.

Conventional cathode ray tube (CRT) and modern liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors are available in the markets. Even though LCD is now very popular and preferred by many consumers, professionals choose only CRT monitors for certain specific tasks like graphic designing. Again, CRT monitors are considerably cheaper and low end users and even students choose them because of the cost benefit. Notwithstanding the cost advantage CRT cannot equate itself with LCD when quality of output is taken into account. Another characteristic that defers from CRT is that LCD monitors have a native resolution. As a result of this the LCD monitors are capable of offering displays at lower or higher resolutions than it is set for.

Large LCD monitors with higher resolutions can produce crisp or sharp images but they require expensive video cards. Widescreen LCD monitors are considered as the best options for those who want to watch movies in the original format. In this context it is better to understand the difference between the computer monitor and the television screen. When LCD screens are incorporated in television, inbuilt tuner and speakers are to be provided. Computer monitor is only a screen sans the above accessories. In the early stages of its introduction, LCD monitors were used only portable units like laptops as they are expensive. But now that the prices have declined the sleek and thin LCD and Plasma screens are much sought after products.

An important factor to be considered while shopping for computer monitors is its compatibility with the system. This aspect is more relevant when the consumer wants to replace the existing monitor with a new LCD. LCD digital monitor requires video card with digital video interface to make it compatible with the existing system. Some other technical specifications like dot pitch and stripe pitch are also relevant for excellent output. It is better for shoppers to consult computer professionals while buying LCD monitor which is an expensive product.

Internet is a good source to learn about the basics as well as some of the complicated technicalities regarding the monitors. It is better to go for reputed branded products which will carry warranty and after sale service. Innovative products are being introduced in the markets by leading manufacturing companies. Even though such branded products tend to be more expensive, they will be reliable and result oriented.

Read unbiased reviews on latest PC monitors and find special offers, discounts on Acer, Samsung, Viewsonic and LG monitors at Computer Monitor review website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fredrick_Joy

Monday, March 29, 2010

The Best Widescreen TVs - The Different Options

Widescreen TVs are rapidly becoming the norm these days and it is virtually impossible to buy a new TV in the older formats. The aspect ratio is what determines whether a display is widescreen. For many years the common aspect ratio for displays was 4:3. Aspect ratios are given as x:y, where x is the width and y is the height of the image. Modern TV displays have taken on the 16:9 format which was proposed in the 1980s as a compromise between the 4:3 ratio of the TV and the 1.85:1 and 2.4:1 of cinema displays. There is a good reason we have moved towards such ratios as it is normal for the human eye to perceive a wider view - after all, it is how we look around every day of our lives. We live in a widescreen world.

So what else is there to consider when looking at the range of TVs on offer? If we discount the CRT (cathode ray tube) as obsolescent technology, there are currently several competing technologies.

Plasma displays: These were really the first of the new technologies to become a widescreen standard. Think of the display as being made from millions of tiny fluorescent tubes. These are the pixels or PICture ELements. Each pixel contains three coloured phosphors, red, blue and green, which are illuminated by passing electrical currents through the pixel. If you take a close look at a plasma screen you will see the three primary colours. Typically these have the highest power consumption of all the technologies.
LCD displays: In simple terms these utilise tiny crystals which can be twisted with electrical currents. A back-light is directed through them and the amount of light that passes through is determined by the amount of twist or polarisation. LCDs work by colour subtraction and for this reason, LCD displays do not generally give as much contrast as plasmas because there is always a small amount of light that is transmitted by the crystal. Plasmas generally have deeper blacks.
There is a little widespread confusion about the difference between LED TVs and OLED TVs.

LED TVs: Contrary to what many people think, these are still LCD displays but the back-lighting is performed by LEDs rather than the cold cathode fluorescent lamps of ordinary LCD TVs. The main advantage is thinner TVs and a lower power consumption but as they are the newer technology they are currently more expensive.
OLED stands for 'organic light emitting diode'. These emit their own light and so do not need back-lighting - hence they give deeper blacks than an LCD or LED TV, but currently their projected lifetime is very short. This newest technology also comes at a very high cost, but when it is perfected, expect to see TV displays that you can roll up in a tube!
Plasma TVs have the deepest blacks but modern LCD technology is now not that far behind. Remember that plasmas have the highest power consumption. The newer LED models are looking good - very thin, better blacks than a standard LCD and the cost is coming down every day. Response time always used to be a big problem with the crystal displays - another area where the plasma won hands down - but again, the LCDs and LEDs are closing the gap. The crystal displays have a longer lifetime than most plasmas and of course, plasmas are more prone to 'burn-in' where the image becomes permanently etched on the display. With care however this is not something that most plasma users would experience.

There is no substitute for sitting in front of a TV and checking it for yourself. Only if the viewing meets your expectations will you be assured that you have the best widescreen for your own needs.

Robert J. Conley is a freelance writer with degrees in both Science and Engineering. He writes about a range of subjects involving aspects of science and design. Visit Best Widescreen to find out more about the best widescreen TVs.