Manufacturers roll out new extras to lure buyers

With the digital transition now a fading memory, LCD TV makers are struggling to find compelling reasons for consumers to buy a new TV or to upgrade their existing plasma or LCD TV, many of which have been purchased in the last few years. To that end, many manufacturers have been cramming more and more technological wizardry into their sets, including Internet connectivity to access additional content and the ability to watch certain programming in 3D.

Lots of LCD TVs now incorporate LED backlights instead of the traditional cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) for deeper blacks and lower power consumption. LED TVs often draw raves for their picture quality -- especially those sets that can selectively turn precise points of their backlight on and off (a technology called local dimming) to produce black levels that heretofore were only obtainable using other technologies, such as plasma.

Two types of LED backlights are available -- full matrix and edge lit -- and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Full matrix backlights are more expensive than edge lit, are slightly thicker, and are more prone to an artifact called blooming, in which light appears to leak from bright objects surrounded by a dark background. Edge-lit LED backlights can't quite produce the same level of black as a full-matrix one -- though both can outshine conventional CCFL backlights in that regard. In addition, edge-lit LED TVs tend to struggle more with screen uniformity. Consumer complaints of edges or corners that are brighter than other parts of the screen, especially in very dark scenes, are commonplace.

Internet-ready TV has great promise, and many reviewers appreciate the ability to stream movies and other entertainment from sites like Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, Pandora and more. More and more TVs are also incorporating full web browsers and even adding QWERTY keyboards to their remote controls, though often with mixed results. Last year's still available Sony NSX-GT1 series of Google-enabled TVs do the best job of letting you browse the entire Internet, but those sets still fall short in several ways, including being blocked from the web sites of TV content providers. Reports also tell us that connecting wirelessly can sometimes be a challenge. Still, all but the most basic TVs are now including at least some type of connectivity in their feature set.

It's no secret that content and cost have been big hurdles to the widespread adoption of 3D TV. However, that hasn't stopped manufacturers from including that feature in lots more TVs for 2011. On the cost front, prices have begun to drop for both the sets and the required glasses. In addition, Vizio, LG and Toshiba have introduced TVs that use a different technology to display 3D images. Those manufacturers are replacing the active-shutter technology used in previous 3D TVs with a passive technology that's similar to what's used in movie theaters. That technology allows for less expensive sets and cheap, lightweight glasses. Its big drawback is a reduction in resolution to half of HD's 1080 lines when viewing 3D content.

However, while that leaves purists aghast, many reviewers say that typical viewers might find the trade-off acceptable given passive technology's advantages. Content remains an issue, but more and more 3D Blu-ray Discs are being released, and many cable/fiber/satellite providers are offering either full-time 3D channels or 3D content on demand.

What about glasses-less (auto-stereoscopic) 3D TV? Given products like the Nintendo 3DS hand-held gaming system, it's clear that auto-stereoscopic 3D can work on a small screen. But the challenges of adapting that technology to bigger screens (such as those of an HDTV) have not been completely overcome. Several makers showed off prototypes at last January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and Toshiba hinted that it might have a consumer auto-stereoscopic 3D TV ready for release this year. However, most pundits say that the earliest you should expect such TVs in the U.S. is 2012. In the meantime, prices for and drawbacks of these glasses-free 3D TVs remain the primarily topics of conversation.

What's the difference between plasma and LCD?

Both plasma and LCD flat-panel TVs are capable of delivering a high-definition picture in a thin case, but there are differences between the two:

  • LCD TVs are available in many more screen sizes than plasma. Plasma TVs are available mainly in sizes of 40 inches and up (typically to 65 inches), but consumer LCD TVs can be as small as 7 inches to as big as 80 inches. For home theaters, LCD TVs with screen sizes from 40 inches to 55 inches are most popular. Smaller screen sizes are appropriate for smaller living rooms or larger bedrooms. The smallest screen sizes --under 32 inches -- are good choices for bedrooms or kitchens.
  • LCD TVs work better in bright rooms. Plasma TVs are known for their ability to display dark colors and deep blacks better than LCD TVs, but they can look washed out in bright rooms. LCD TVs appear brighter, so the screen won't wash out in daylight. Many LCD screens have an adjustable backlight, so you can control the brightness of the screen. Many LCD TVs use LED backlighting instead of cold-cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlights, which earns them the moniker LED TVs. These LCD TVs are better able to compete with plasma TVs when it comes to producing deep, satisfying black levels.
  • Plasma TVs are more prone to glare when viewed in a bright room. However, some plasma TVs have screens that do a better job of handling reflections, while some LCD TVs use a panel that's more reflective than others.
  • Plasma screens have wider viewing angles than LCD flat screens. That means you can sit at more of an angle and still get the best picture. That's one reason reviewers (such as CNET's David Katzmaier) say a plasma screen gives you "better home theater performance than LCD." With LCD televisions, sitting too far to one side will result in a loss of brightness. Reports say that some LCD TVs have fewer issues with limited viewing angles, but they still fall short of plasma in this regard. Some of the best LED TVs (LCD TVs with LED backlights) have limited viewing angles as their chief drawback.
  • Uniformity can be an issue with LED TVs. Uneven uniformity can show up as areas of the screen that are brighter than others, often along the screen edges or in the corners, or as areas or bands that appear darker than others. Edge-lit LED TVs seem to struggle more with this issue than other types of sets do. While imperfect uniformity can be obvious in certain scenes or in test patterns, it is often masked by typical TV content to the point where it might not be noticed by any but the pickiest of viewers.
  • LCD TVs are much more efficient than plasma TVs. Plasma TV manufacturers are working on improving energy consumption, but right now, LCD TVs are at least 40 percent more efficient to operate. Edge-lit LED TVs are the most energy efficient of all.

120 and 240 Hz processing: Useful feature or marketing ploy?

Image blur can be an issue in some LCD TVs. Pictures can look soft or appear to smear with fast action. All but budget LCD HDTVs are now using faster 120 Hz and 240 Hz refresh rates -- the rate at which individual images are placed on the screen -- instead of the traditional 60 Hz in an attempt to overcome image blur. However, the signal processing involved is fairly complex because the source material has its own frame rate (the number of individual images per second), typically 24 or 60 frames per second (fps), depending on whether it is film or video, and reports say some LCD TVs do better than others at overcoming blur.

While faster refresh rates seem like a great idea in theory, experts say motion blur in most modern LCD HDTV televisions is minimal to begin with. While faster refresh rates improve things when looking at test patterns, when it comes to typical program material, most people can discern little if any improvement. However, most set makers combine faster refresh rates with signal processing circuitry to reduce judder, a small shaking artifact that pops up because of the mismatched frame and refresh rates when watching movies or anything else originally shot on film on a TV. That generally is effective in smoothing out motion when watching movies, though some say it also robs them of their film-like qualities, making everything look like it was originally shot on video. Some TVs let you use one feature or the other, but some make you use both or nothing at all.

In addition to the points made elsewhere in this report, there are lots of things to consider before purchasing an LCD TV. Here are some that experts say often get overlooked:

  • Look for lots of HDMI inputs. This connection keeps the signal all-digital, avoiding degradation that can occur as the signal passes through other components (such as a cable box). HDMI carries high-definition audio as well as video. Some satellite receivers and DVD players connect through this port, and it is a must for viewing the output of a high-definition Blu-ray player. HDMI also supports HDCP, a copy-protection standard that prevents people from making copies of high-definition movies. Blu-ray players can't pass on their signals in 1080p resolution except through HDMI, and most standard-definition DVD players will only pass upconverted movies via this connection. All modern HDTVs have at least one HDMI connection.
  • Match TV size to the size of your room. Because HD LCD screens have higher resolutions than older TVs, you can sit closer to them, meaning you can get away with a bigger screen. Even so, 55-inch screens that look great in a showroom could overwhelm a smaller room.
  • Shop around for the best price. In our research, we found big price differences from retailer to retailer, so it pays to look around. Because of manufacturer Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) policies, you might need to jump through some hoops (like placing a TV in your cart or even proceeding to the final checkout stage at an online retailer) to find out the lowest possible price.
  • Verify that the TV comes with a stand or mounting hardware. Most LCD TVs come with a basic table stand. Some stands swivel, but others do not. Wall-mounting hardware is rarely included and could cost an additional $100 to $200, though less expensive mounts are also available.
  • Check the manufacturer's policy before buying online. Some manufacturers have strict policies regarding authorized dealers. For example, if you buy a Sharp LCD TV from an unauthorized dealer, you'll probably void the manufacturer's warranty. However, the retailer might offer a substitute warranty. While prices from unauthorized dealers could be lower, be sure to figure in your threshold for risk on such a large purchase, and ask the dealer about warranty coverage.

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