“COOL: SAN FRANCISCO & SHAKESPEARE”

In recent years, LCD monitors or flat-panel displays have become increasingly popular as alternatives to traditional CRT monitors, which are still most commonly used for desktop computers today. With the market growing more competitive however and prices dropping, the LCD is fast becoming a preference. The slim, stylish design is a major factor in its appeal, as is its picture quality and power efficiency.

LCD monitors use the same Liquid Crystal Display technology that is found in other devices, such as wristwatches and cell phones. Made up of millions of pixels, a display is the sum of all of its parts working together. Each pixel is associated with its own cell, which in turn has a layer of liquid crystals. The rods of these crystals “bend” when an electric current is pulsed through them. This turns the crystal on or off, permitting light to pass through. The result is the picture, image, data, and overall display on a monitor.

Regarding pixels, the native resolution of LCD monitors is typically 1024×768 or higher (for monitors 15” or larger). Such a resolution means that 1024 pixels are lined across the display, while 768 are found up and down. The greater the resolution, the clearer the picture.

Consumers should keep in mind though that for an LCD, each screen is optimized for one resolution. While CRT models can be adjusted for multiple resolutions, an LCD will look the best for one and then scale images/text to fit other resolutions. When choosing a monitor, be sure to ask what the optimum resolution is. Generally, the native resolution for monitors 15” or less is 1024×768; for monitors 17” or 19”, 1280×1024; and for a 20” monitor, 1600×1200.

As for clarity, two other factors for LCD monitors are brightness and viewing angle. The contrast ratio measures the difference between the darkest and brightest part of a screen. Consumers should look for a higher contrast ratio, as it will mean a sharper picture with deeper blacks and brighter whites. In regards to viewing angle, LCDs tend to be clearest when looked at straight on. When moving to one side or another, the picture can become washed out, depending on the viewing angle’s size. The higher the viewing angle approaching 180°, the better.

Size-wise, an LCD can display higher resolutions than a comparable CRT model. When looking into LCD monitors, note that the size is measured diagonally. Thus, a 15” monitor means that from the upper right-hand corner to the lower left, it’s 15”. This is similar to a television’s measurement. However, size is also reflective of price and for monitors 15” or greater, consumers are looking at an investment of $600 and likely more.

The price of an LCD is indeed considerable. However, the advantages of such a display, which include less power needed, less electromagnetic radiation emitted, and space-saving versatility, can in the end prove to justify such a price tag. One other plus: LCD screens tend to last longer than CRTs.

###

Since entering the United States market in 1999, plasma televisions have been the industry standard in picture quality, style, and innovation. From their high-resolution capabilities to their slim-line design, plasma TVs aim to offer the best in technology and aesthetics. Compared to conventional CRT models, the plasma display is a standout: modern, elegant, and versatile.

Advantages of plasma televisions are numerous. It begins however with resolution. A plasma TV can display – without scan lines – full HDTV and DTV signals, as well as computer signals XGA, SVGA, and VGA. Picture quality goes hand-in-hand with resolution; as plasma-screen images are built from millions of pixels, not scan lines. Pictures are thus presented with an even clarity.

Typically, the native resolution (or number of plasma cells that can be illuminated at once) of an EDTV is 852×480. This means that 852 pixels across and 480 pixels up and down can be displayed on the screen’s surface. In order for HDTV content to be displayed however, look for a plasma screen with a resolution of at least 1024×768 or higher.

In addition to presentation, plasma televisions are efficient space-savers. They provide the largest images possible while making the most of available space. Standard depth is a mere 3.5” for 42” screens (and below) and 4” for 50” screens (and above). This space-saving ingenuity makes plasma screens perfect for the home theater, as well as the busy business environment. Plasma displays, which can be suspended from the ceiling, framed flat to a wall, or set on a table stand, can work literally anywhere.

Set within a bezel, a plasma screen looks very much like a photo frame and is just as decorative. The fact that the screen is perfectly flat means there is no edge distortion and the shape of the screen is one of its finest features as well. The 16:9 aspect ratio is standard on plasma televisions, making them ready-made for widescreen movies and HDTV content – whether it be sports or a favorite show. A plasma screen however can also accommodate the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio, working in reverse to meet the demands of all broadcast programming.

The wide-viewing angle, which is typically 170° or greater, also helps in controlling brightness. No matter where a person sits or stands in a room, the picture should be as bright and as clear. Also, when shopping for a plasma display, be sure to consider the contrast ratio, which is the degree of variation between the whitest and darkest parts of a screen. You’ll want to look for sets with a ratio of at least 5000:1.

As for signals, plasma televisions can indeed accept an array. From basic composite video and s-video inputs to HDMI and DVI inputs (for HDTV signals), the versatility behind plasma TVs can meet most every request. What’s more, some plasma screens can double as PC monitors, making it a fine choice for gaming or commercial use. To convert your TV into a PC monitor, the inputs needed are VGA or DVI.

###