Remember when everybody wanted a “big-screen TV?” You know, one of those giant boxes that took over your entire living room? We had a friend in college whose TV was so enormous; it left very little room for seating in his apartment. He didn’t have people over very often because there was no place to put them. He didn’t care.

Now, the new big thing is a flat-panel TV. I admit I much prefer the flat-panels to the big-screens of the past. They leave more room for seating. But when you purchase a new TV, the number of options can be overwhelming. You can choose LCD, plasma, a projector/screen combo, LED, or rear DLP. I’ll give you a very basic run-through of each option.

LCD stands for liquid crystal display. The explanation of exactly what that means is very complicated, but it allows for a cooler running temperature and a very bright picture. LCD technology is very popular: most flat-panel computer monitors are LCD, and the LCD television is one of the highest-selling types. You will find that they are a little pricier than a plasma TV—the other most popular type—but they are a good value for the price.

A plasma TV generally costs less than an LCD, but it uses more energy. Plasma TVs also have a glossier screen, allowing for more glare than an LCD. However, recent strides in technology have improved some problems formerly common to the plasma, such as burn-in and fading. Plasma TVs are a great option for the budget-conscious.

If you want a giant screen — and I mean GIANT — you’ll need to use a projector. Projectors are great for home theater rooms. They are less practical, however, for your living room. For one thing, good luck convincing your wife to put a 100-inch screen in there. You also have to give more consideration to the amount of natural light in a room, and those bulbs are not cheap. But if you are trying to create a true theater experience, a projector is a great option.

If you are always looking for the newest, latest, and greatest in technology, the LED television is a great choice. Made by Samsung, these TVs use — you guessed it — LEDs to light the screen. They are super thin, use less energy than LCDs and plasmas, and in some ways, the picture quality is better. Price might be a concern, since they are the “next big thing,” but you’ll be the cool kid on the block with an LED television.

Finally, the rear DLP TV is less popular these days, but they offer really big screens, and really good prices. They aren’t as thin as LCDs, plasmas, and LEDs — you couldn’t hang one on your wall — but they are still much thinner than old-school TVs and they provide a great picture. Also, most new rear DLPs are 3D-ready, and who doesn’t want to be 3D ready?

So there you have it — a basic run-down of your basic TV options. Obviously, you’ll want more information before you make a decision. The technology experts at Beasley Technology would be glad to assist you in your search. Give them a call today!

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