Widescreen TV

Since the presentation of the first television show on a grainy black and white Cathode Ray Tube TV people have become accustom to these types of TVs which have been around for just over 75 years.  Since TV was first introduced to an eager audience the majority of televisions that were manufactured where built using the CRT technology which produced a bright vibrant picture and had an approximate screen life of over 20,000 hours.  CRT televisions currently account for just over 60% of the market share and this has been slowly decreasing as technology and prices of newer high definition plasma and LCD TVs become more sophisticated and cheaper.

There are many reasons why CRT TVs are experiencing a decline however there are some advantages to owning a CRT television.  When it comes to important considerations such as price, screen size and picture quality a CRT TV may have a few advantages over a slimline plasma or LCD.  The price of a brand new slimline widescreen TV is significantly more than purchasing a CRT television which makes this option of a CRT TV a viable alternative for people who are shopping on a budget.  The CRT television also offers an excellent picture which can rival some of the cheaper plasma or LCD televisions.  The technology of the cathode ray tube is able to produce a crisp and vibrant picture which has excellent black depth and contrast.  The CRT technology is also easy to set up and unlike some of the models of plasma and LCD televisions is suited to a variety of light sources with minimal negative effect on the picture quality.

Apart from the advantages of purchasing a CRT TV there are some areas where this technology is lagging behind the new plasma and LCD televisions.  The first of these is the screen size which is limited as the tubes in the CRT TVs become more expensive the larger the tubes needed.  Many CRT TVs have small to medium size screens as a result of this where as the plasma and LCD technologies don’t have this restriction.  The other disadvantage of the CRT TVs is the amount of space they occupy due to the need for the TV to be quite wide.  Many people prefer the modern look of a slim widescreen television which, at approximately 10 com thickness can be mounted on the wall or located in a room with limited space.

Purchasing a new HDTV can seem a difficult and confronting task as there appears to be so much information around related to this topic.  To help work through this information there are a few quick and easy steps that you can take which will help prepare yourself for the eventual purchase of a new HDTV for your home or office.

Firstly it is a good idea to scan your junk mail and check the internet for information on what is available in the market and what brands to look for.  When reviewing magazines, junk mail and internet sites remember that manufacturers can sometimes exaggerate the features and the capabilities of the television so use these publications as a guide only.  These publications can however give you accurate information on the screen size and the finish of the television such as the colour of the body of the TV which is important in situations where you are looking to match the TV with other electrical items or furniture.

It is also a good idea to do some research on what and how HDTV works and its limitations.  Basic knowledge on this topic will later help you decide between models or be able to ask the right questions when talking to a salesman.

Once you have done a little research at home it is time to visit the store to have a look at some of the HDTVs in the flesh.  When evaluating HDTVs in a retail store there are a few things that you should be aware of that can affect your purchase.  The lighting used in retail outlets is usually of the fluorescent type which is the worst type of light for evaluating the picture of a HDTV.  The best environment is of course a darkened environment however it is not always possible to see the picture in an environment other than a brightly coloured show room.  The other thing to consider when comparing HDTVs in a retail show room is that the screens are placed at different heights which can affect the viewing angles of the TVs that are placed higher up.  Bad viewing angles can affect the appearance of picture on the screen especially with LCD TVs.

When you are comparing several different HDTVs it is also a great idea to take your own DVD with you to the store.  Ask the salesman if it is possible to view your DVD on some of the HDTVs as this will give you a reference point to work from when comparing picture quality.