LCD Multi-system TV

The newest and perhaps the most popular trend in modern day multi-system TVs are the multi-system LCD or Liquid Crystal Display televisions. These multi-system LCD TVs have become the users' choice for a home theater for the entire household. Since they are smaller in size and lighter in weight compared to most traditional television sets, they can be placed anywhere according to the convenience of the viewer. The best part of it is that using one display system the viewer can view broadcasts of video in any standard including NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. The most attractive part of a LCD Multi-System TV is its screen that is flicker-free and is an economical proposition in terms of monetary and energy expenses. Therefore, either for a home viewing or for an office,, a multi-system LCD monitor is an asset of a sort.

The greatest advantage with a multi-system LCD TV is its clear display. Even a small LCD TV can bring up much better and higher resolution compared to its bulky CRT counterpart. The consumption of electricity is so low that the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has rated the LCD TV as the Energy Star compliant. Because there are no flickers, the strain to the eyes of the viewer is much less too. The shape and size is thin and flat and the design saves space. But the more important advantage is that the emission from a LCD TV is low and radiation is quite less harmful.

A multi-system LCD TV can play the broadcasts using the Phase Alternating Line (PAL), Sequential Couleur Avec Memoire (SECAM) and NTSC (National Television System Committee) standards with ease on its display system. Most of the LCD multi-system TVs have dual voltage design so that they could be plugged into either a 110 volt or a 220 volt socket power source. The system is highly compatible with multi-system region free DVD players and multi-system VCRs.

When the multi-system flat screen LCD TVs arrived in the market they were beyond the reach of the common customer as they were quite highly priced. But with the technological developments, the prices have come down remarkably and it is now an affordable proposition for the common customers. The LCD technology is not new, what is new, is the compatibility it has now developed with the flat panel monitor screens. The screen is thin and flat. The display is based on pixels that also regulate the resolution partially. There could be millions of pixels and more the number of pixels, the better are the display and picture resolution.

There are multifarious types of LCD televisions having divergent shapes and sizes. However, the display ratio is ordinarily 16:9. This feature allows viewer to view wide screen displays like DVD quite easily on the screen. This does not mean that the traditional shows do not look good on the screen.

A LCD television provides a brighter display compared to the traditional CRT televisions since it uses pixels as against the tubes used by CRT televisions for display. The pictures do not flicker while displayed in LCD TV which was a big disadvantage with the traditional CRT TV. LCD TV is also 65% more energy efficient compared to the traditional CRT TV. This is, therefore, environment friendly and cost economic. Since the LCD TV is thinner, it can be just 49mm or 19 inches and can be placed anywhere and even hung on the wall. The weight is much lighter too.

Often a layman, who might also be a prospective buyer, finds the terminologies related to a LCD TV a bit confusing. The aspect ratio is one that is related to the viewing in widescreen format. Ordinary CRT TVs use the ratio of 4:3 that indicates 4" width and 3" height or multiples of such specifications. In contrast the LCD TV has the aspect ratio of 16:9 or multiples of it. This provides a larger widescreen display. Thus you will be able to watch DVD or VHS movie as well as your own traditional television programs from different TV channels. The term candela refers to the standard unit measuring the brightness. The name is so because it refers to the intensity of light based on the number of candles lit. Ratings of 500cd/m2 will refer to the brightness equivalent to 500 candles lit in an area of one square meter. The contrast ratio in LCD TVs refers to the difference in intensity between the darkest black light and brightest white light that are displayed. A high contrast ratio ensures clean and sharp picture resolution.

High definition Television or HDTV in short, is gaining popularity and quickly taking the driver's seat in the field of television systems. There are LCD TVs that are HDTV ready which means such LCD TVs are compatible to high definition television signals.

A Television set with a variety of inputs will enable the viewer to use a number of devices. That particularly is the essence of a multi-system LCD TV that allows you to connect a DVD player, game console, VCR, or even a computer to use the TV as its monitor. This gives the viewer multiplicity of choice and worth for his money.

With an aspect ratio of 16:9, the display is much clear and sharper in the LCD TV compared to traditional CRT. The viewing angle is like the Plasma TV 160 degrees and can be viewed from side to side, horizontally or vertically. The displays produce over sixteen million unique colours. The colour depth is unique in terms of accuracy and quality.

The traditional TVs or CRTs (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs shoot an electronic beam at a phosphor coated glass screen to display pictures. LCD TVs passes light through a layer of liquid crystal that is placed within two thin polarized glasses and displays images on their flat panel. In contrast to these two types of TVs, the Plasma TV has coloured phosphors that are illuminated by electrically charged gasses. Plasma has the unique characteristic feature of upgrading lower resolution signals while downgrading higher resolution signals to fit in the native resolution of the TV. A perfect display will appear on a plasma screen when the contrast ration is 1000:1 and not otherwise. Similarly, a brightness of 550cd/m2 or higher will be good for the display.

The LCD TV you buy should have a tuner for playing the TV signal. There are quite a good number of LCD TVs that does not have a built in tuner. Hence there will be requirements for additional devices like cable box or satellite TV box or such other equipment. So before buying the TV these aspects are required to be understood and all accessories should be put in place. You should choose the best quality components for DVD player, VCR, Laser Disk player or computer to be connected to your LCD TV. And when you buy a multi-system LCD TV make sure that it is really multi-system which means it should have the capability to display any standards including PAL, SECAM, or NTSC or any of their combination signals with the single display system.

While the technology in respect of LCD TVs is improving day by day, the price is coming down in tandem. However, this does not make selecting the right LCD TV, multi-system or otherwise, any easier. The prices will naturally depend upon the size and quality of display. However, the smallest sizes of multi-system LCD TVs are now available to a buyer at a cost as low as $200. Upper end has no limit whatsoever and you can find such TVs costing even $10,000 or more. The most convenient size for a common buyer would be in the range of 23 inches to 40 inches and the cost range would be therefore somewhere in the range of $1,000 to $3,000. Most leading TV manufacturers companies are in the fray like the Samsung, Sony, Phillips, Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba. In addition the computer manufacturer Dell is producing a series of such LCD TVs. The average life expectance is around 35,000 hours. A display of 5 hours a day will mean that it can last for 17-18 years, a time period adequate enough for the common buyer.

About the Author:

John Dulaney is an international traveler and an expert in overseas audio video equipment and cell phone communications when traveling abroad. His website Planetomni, carries thousands of multisystem TVs, VCRs, region free DVD players at deeply discounted prices. Planetomni also offers a large selection of prepaid cell phones, cell phone rental and satellite phones for rent or purchase.

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