PAL LCD TVs

Searching for a new TV

In these days of changing tastes and technology, we are always in search of something new. While technologies are advancing by leaps and bounds, our taste is also experiencing a similar transformation. So with TV sets, we have apparently the same psychology. Sometimes it is the new models that attract us and at other times it may be sharp pictures and the qualitative aspects that attract us towards the newer television sets in the market.

New is gold

If you are on the lookout for a new TV and if your budget permits, you have several choices today. One aspect may be saying goodbye to your now outdated and bulky CRT television. Another aspect may be that you desire to enjoy the sharpness, colour combination, flat posture of the television that are prominent in new TVs. It may also be a case that you are a technical person and want to enjoy the new visual wonders of cutting edge TV of modern age. Even you may be a sports lover wanting to enjoy the real fun of the World Cup Finals or US Open Tennis Championship at Flushing Meadows. As the technologies advance from time to time, your visions get better and better.

The aspects to be considered while going for a new TV

A number of things which might be required to be taken care of before you really bid farewell to your old for a new one. Some of the aspects are: -

1. Is it really worth going for the new television set at the expense of the old one?

2. Does your budget permit having the latest and the best of the TV sets?

3. If you really go for the new one which TV you should opt for?

The choice

When the question of buying a new television set with all modern technologies is concerned, perhaps the best option would be to have a LCD television, having PAL broadcasting standard compatibility. It will be obviously better than a NSTC or a SECAM broadcasting compatible television set in the sense that PAL happens to be the most widely accepted broadcasting standard, not only in Asia and Europe but now in many parts of America too.

About PAL

As already stated, PAL or Phase-Alternating Line, is the broadcasting standard that is widely accepted in most part of the world. While Asia and Europe is fully covered with TV sets having PAL broadcasting standard compatibility, France faithfully follows the earliest SECAM standard. A part of America earlier preferring the NTSC standard is now preferring PAL.

The System

PAL is an analogue broadcast standard. It uses in all 625 alternating lines. PAL operates in most of the countries where it is used on the 50 Hz frequency. The system encodes colours and produces better and sharper picture qualities with magnifying colour luminance.

Why PAL

Nearly all the countries in Asia and Europe with the exception of France, are using the PAL broadcasting standard today. United States and Japan however, still have a majority of NTSC standards. PAL appeared on the commercial arena way back in the year 1967 and has as many as eight different types in use. These are types B, G, H, D, I, K, N and M. The countries that use PAL mostly are China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, United Kingdom, some European countries, some countries in South America and also in Africa.

What if the LCD PAL compatible TV does not work with other standards

Technological development and new inventions have been able to sort out major part of these problems since there are numerous beautifully modeled TVs in the market that are configured in a way to be compatible with almost all the broadcasting standards like PAL, NTSC or SECAM. Another advantage of these LCD TVs are, that, they are thinner and take less space and also weigh quite less to be portable enough for general convenience of the user. Since they are portable and light weighted, they can be carried anywhere you travel more-so since they are compatible to all standards, you will be able to see local programs at the new place with your own TV without requiring additional devices, technical modifications or add-ons.

Advantages of LCD

A multi-system Television set may not be your ultimate choice owing to various reasons like the cost, specifications, design etc. But you may always prefer monitors with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) since they offer you a number of advantages not available with conventional television sets. A television set with LCD utilises the liquid crystal technology for visual output. Ordinarily these devices use Thin Film Transistor (TFT) for its functions. In older days when LCD TVs made its first appearance in the consumer market, it experienced certain problems like the ghost images during action display. it was also necessary for the viewers either to remain in straight line with the screen or having a slight angle. Today, the modern technological inventions have taken care of this problem and LCD TVs with Plasma displays are now dominating the consumer market of electronic media.

The entry of the giant screen LCD TVs

A couple of years back, in October, 2004, LCD TVs with 40-45 inches screen appeared in the market. There was a fierce competition among the leading companies like Sharp, LG, Samsung and larger screen TVs appeared in the market one after another. Sharp's 65 inch screen TV was followed by Samsung's 82 inch TV.

Advantage of LCD over conventional TVs

LCD TVs are among those latest high-definition televisions that have rich-in-picture quality and colour combinations. Most of the LCD TVs offer high contrasting capabilities too. In bright light environment the images are quite attracting and captivating. Since back light is in built in the monitors, the brightness is just as it should be. Old day Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions were huge and bulky. In contrast the LCD monitors are flat, lighter and takes very little space, being slimmer and trimmer. They may even blend in the natural background of the room or can even be hung on the wall, which was not possible with the conventional TVs.

The LCD technology

The Liquid Crystal Technology uses millions of crystals enclosed in a liquid base. With electricity passing through, the heat-sensitive crystals that are enclosed between two panes of glass allow light to pass through. They are further manipulated in varying degrees. This on turn results in production of pixels of a broad range of colours. When electric current interacts with the liquid crystals, it blocks the light. The result is a set of gray and transparent crystals. The widely used crystal type is the twisted nematic or TN liquid crystal. In this case the tiny transistors are laid on a polarized glass substrate. Specific rows are turned on to allow the electric charges to reach their target columns. Hence at one time only a particular pixel capacitor is charged. The process is repeated and micro-increments are affected. The final result is over 256 shades or levels of brightness for each colour pixel.

History of LCD TV

LCD TVs date back to the year 1888 when the Austrian scientist Friedrich Reinitzer invented the properties of liquid crystallization. But it took another 80 years, and in 1968 the first LCD was developed. This was done by RCA. Originally, a LCD monitor happened to be less than twenty inches of size, but later larger LCD monitors appeared in the market. Certain models go up to 50 inches size. Side by side, with the development of technology, the prices also started to become competitive favouring the consumers in general. Today, a customer has got multiple choices available before him in terms of cost, design, model, pattern etc. One of the best characteristics of a LCD TV is that the monitor has a life of 25 years or sixty thousand hours of normal use. These capabilities are the result of the fact that in a LCD, the light source can be replaced. However, there is no burning-in in case of LCD TVs since they do not use phosphor dots and use colour filters in the tabular pattern. While the first LCD TV did not prove to be good enough due to ghost images in action broadcasts, today LCD is a real pleasure to watch. Due to the reverse pull down correction, the quality of picture is very good. Distortions in transmission or in data packets in transit, are now a rare happening.

The top names LCD TVs of all sizes and brands are now available in the market. The biggest name in the fray is Sharp, Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Hitachi, LG, Phillips etc. Generic LCD TVs are also available on the net. The prices of LCD TV can be as low as $200 and as high as $1,000. But the price fluctuation depends on the brand, quality, etc. LCD TVs come in as flat panels, rear projections etc. Today they are also available in portable models and even wireless models.

Points to ponder before buying new LCD Televisions

Last but not the least, there are a few points you should remember while going for a new LCD Television. You may take into consideration: -

" The place where you are going to place your TV. The LCD TV being sleek and compact takes less space. It is also a decorative appliance.

" The LCD TV can be placed on wall or ceiling mounts or even table stands as the room décor demands.

" Carefully select the place to buy your new LCD TV. While a brick and mortar store in the town may be a better place in terms of quality and price and visibility, Internet provides the option to choose from a wide variety of branded products. While prices vary from provider to provider both in a brick and mortar store as well as on the Internet, you need to be well informed about the provider, the terms and conditions of sales and delivery and background check every aspect of the transaction.

" Have your TV properly insured against damages and theft.

Conclusion

LCD TV with PAL compatibility is not only sleek and decorative, it provides a great advantage of reduced power consumption. They consume 50% less electricity compared to traditional CRT TVs. Thus while you enjoy the enormity and exuberance of bigger screen, simultaneously you experience the advantage of saving on your utility bill. Since there is no problem of burning out, you and your family can watch all the favourite programs, including DVD movies A non-stop visual bonanza.

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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