The Beginner’s Guide to Understanding LCD TVs

In 2007, the sales of LCD televisions finally eclipsed the classic cathode-ray tube television sets, establishing the emergence of a new generation of technology in the television market.  For the casual observer, however, it simply appears that televisions are becoming flatter and clearer.  What's really going on behind the scenes?

To figure out the answer, we'll have to learn more about liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions.  To the wannabe-electronics buff, consider that a lot of your entertainment will go through your television.  It can't hurt to start learning there.  Here's the beginner's guide to understanding LCD television sets.

No more Thick Tube:  how picture is achieved with crystals

The most obvious change you notice between a traditional television set and an LCD TV is the actual shape.  LCDs are flatter and easier to move around, not to mention a cinch to fit in your living room.  But that change is simply the result of how LCD TVs get their picture:  through liquid crystal display.

The technology works through the use of tiny pixels that can change color when exposed to electricity, which of course happens in the television itself.  With each tiny pixel displaying a color, viewing the television from far away means seeing one whole, complete image, rather than thousands of individual dots.  Because this process doesn't take up a whole lot of space, the television set can become flatter and easier to move around.

It should be noted that thanks to this style of image formation, most LCD televisions you buy these days will be High-Definition (HD) ready; all you need is an HD signal to hook into your LCD set.

Popular LCD Brands and Models

Many of the television brands you've come to recognize have already made LCD televisions wildly popular:  think Sony, Panasonic, and Phillips.  LCD TV's typically arrive in screens from 22" on the small end to a whopping 55" on the large end.  As is the case for the boob-tube style televisions, the smaller LCD TVs will cost significantly less than their bigger brothers.

Today, the flatness of LCD TVs has made the wider-spread use of televisions possible.  For example, cars and buses can frequently feature television sets that don't take up a lot of space.

If you'd like more information on LCD televisions and what makes them unique, be sure to check out the Beginner's Guide at Catologue Connection.