January 16, 2010
The Truth About HD TV’s – Myths Explained
Luke Graham asked:
Flat TVs have trouble retaining resolution when displaying fast moving images.
This is not strictly true, although it can affect some Televisions. Plasma TVs can present moving objects without loss of crispness or detail. As the pixels can be lit, and de-lit almost instantly there is no loss of image quality depending on the scene speed.
Some LCD TVs however do suffer from problems. Even the fastest LCD screens can suffer with some degree of movement blurring as the pixel must be lit, and de-lit from an electronic charge. LCD technology is getting better however, although you should "try before you buy" to see if the set you are interested in suffers from this.
Screen burn.
Although some of the very early TV's suffered from screen burn, it is no longer a problem so you should not worry about this. You can now play computer games or watch channels with static logo's on a TVs without worrying about various static image elements being on the screen for a long period of time. Some TV's do suffer a small amount of image retention - that is, you may see a remnant of the image still there as soon as you turn it back on, however after a short while of watching another channel this completely disappears.
Plasma TV's are not a car - They do not need refilling
Many people think that plasma screens need to have the gas refilled in order for it to work. This is completely untrue and you do not need to worry about this.
Lifespan - it's not dead and buried yet, dear.
When a plasma TV lifespan is quoted, it is usually in (thousands of) hours. However, many take this as when the TV will break. This is not the case. The actual lifespan quoted is for the TV to to run until "half brightness". That is - the TV will still work, but the picture may not be as awesome as when you first got it. Time to relegate it to the bedroom/study/games room and buy a new model.
Flat TVs have poor viewing angles.
This myth again depends on the set, and the technology. Plasma TVs can actually be watched from very wide viewing angles without any significant loss in color or contrast, thanks to the fact that they emit light directly from each of their screen cells or pixels.
Some LCDs do have problems displaying pictures from wide angles and again, try before you buy.
Higher Resolution is not always better
It is a common myth that a higher screen resolution will give a better picture. This is however not always the case.
More importantly is the screens internal processing (i.e how it displays the picture) and at the time of writing, the pioneer plasma screens, although the only have 1024x768 resolution will display a better image than sets of 1920x1080 (1080p). Before rushing out and buying the latest-and-greatest set (don't all manufacturers claim their set is better than all the others?) you should ask a local electronic store to hook up 2 or 3 screens you have considered buying and compare the image. Not every has the same opinion on how they like their images to look.
hdtv
Flat TVs have trouble retaining resolution when displaying fast moving images.
This is not strictly true, although it can affect some Televisions. Plasma TVs can present moving objects without loss of crispness or detail. As the pixels can be lit, and de-lit almost instantly there is no loss of image quality depending on the scene speed.
Some LCD TVs however do suffer from problems. Even the fastest LCD screens can suffer with some degree of movement blurring as the pixel must be lit, and de-lit from an electronic charge. LCD technology is getting better however, although you should "try before you buy" to see if the set you are interested in suffers from this.
Screen burn.
Although some of the very early TV's suffered from screen burn, it is no longer a problem so you should not worry about this. You can now play computer games or watch channels with static logo's on a TVs without worrying about various static image elements being on the screen for a long period of time. Some TV's do suffer a small amount of image retention - that is, you may see a remnant of the image still there as soon as you turn it back on, however after a short while of watching another channel this completely disappears.
Plasma TV's are not a car - They do not need refilling
Many people think that plasma screens need to have the gas refilled in order for it to work. This is completely untrue and you do not need to worry about this.
Lifespan - it's not dead and buried yet, dear.
When a plasma TV lifespan is quoted, it is usually in (thousands of) hours. However, many take this as when the TV will break. This is not the case. The actual lifespan quoted is for the TV to to run until "half brightness". That is - the TV will still work, but the picture may not be as awesome as when you first got it. Time to relegate it to the bedroom/study/games room and buy a new model.
Flat TVs have poor viewing angles.
This myth again depends on the set, and the technology. Plasma TVs can actually be watched from very wide viewing angles without any significant loss in color or contrast, thanks to the fact that they emit light directly from each of their screen cells or pixels.
Some LCDs do have problems displaying pictures from wide angles and again, try before you buy.
Higher Resolution is not always better
It is a common myth that a higher screen resolution will give a better picture. This is however not always the case.
More importantly is the screens internal processing (i.e how it displays the picture) and at the time of writing, the pioneer plasma screens, although the only have 1024x768 resolution will display a better image than sets of 1920x1080 (1080p). Before rushing out and buying the latest-and-greatest set (don't all manufacturers claim their set is better than all the others?) you should ask a local electronic store to hook up 2 or 3 screens you have considered buying and compare the image. Not every has the same opinion on how they like their images to look.
hdtv
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