What kind of TV should I get?
Choosing a television can be a mind numbing experience. Although most of our customers ultimately leave it up to us, along the way many ask about the various buzzwords — Plasma, CRT, Flat-Panel, DLP, Thin-Screen, LCD, Digital, DILA — and want to know which one is best. The answer is not complicated, but it depends upon the application. The good old-fashioned TV we knew and loved for 50 years, referred to as “direct-view” or “CRT”, is gone. In its place is a thin “flat panel” TV that uses one of several new technologies. Each technology has its pros and cons. Some can be mounted on a wall. Some are better in high ambient light than others. Some are better for playing video games. When we make our recommendations, we base them on all these factors and our knowledge of the applications. We are regularly asked the following questions:
What size should I get?
Size is a function of location and purpose. Will the set be used for casual viewing, or will it be the heart of a media room or home theater. The optimum size can also depends on viewing distance, and how it will look with the décor.
Can flat-panel televisions be mounted on a wall?
Yes, but planning is required so the wires will be hidden. Who wants a cool TV on the wall, with wires hanging down? Some types — Plasma and LCD — can be mounted on the wall , but the overall structure must be assessed to insure that the weight can be supported.
Can it go above the fireplace?
If you have a gas fireplace, the answer is yes, but it might not be desirable. By the time the TV clears the mantelpiece, it is usually much too high to watch without getting a sore neck. If it’s a stone chimney, millwork might be required to conceal wires.
Which technology is best?
It depends on the application, location, ambient light, and purpose. The majority of televisions we specify for our customers are Plasma and LCD. Generally, we recommend LCD for smaller sizes, and plasma for larger TVs.
Can I hide it somehow?
There are several clever ways to hide flat-panel televisions: manual and motorized sliding panels, artwork that rolls up into a picture frame, framed mirrors with two-way glass, and motorized lifts that raise the TV out of a chest or table.
Which brand is best?
In general, you get what you pay for. There are a few brands which lead the pack in quality, performance and reliability – Fujitsu, Pioneer Elite and Runco – and there are low-end brands to avoid even for tertiary applications such as cabanas or infrequently used guest bedrooms.
Can plasma TVs blow up?
There are a lot of misconceptions about the new technologies, such as the need to regularly replace light bulbs or recharge the gas plasma. Farfetched ones, such as exploding plasmas, are sort of like old wives’ tales. It is true that each technology has its weakness, such as image “burn-in,” and each manufacturer has its own way of minimizing these risks though processing technology.