Multi System Plasma & LCD TV Television Buying Guide

There are several different and incompatible video formats in use around the world.  Video broadcasts and recorded material in the USA will not play on equipment in Europe for example - and vise versa ! 

NTSC (National Television System Committee)
Color system currently used in North America. All TVs sold in the USA and Canada that are not purchased from a Specialty Multi System store such as us, are NTSC.  NTSC is Not compatible with other color systems such as PAL or NTSC.  This means that if you would like to play a Pal or Secam DVD movie on a NTSC tv, it will come in black and white and the picture will scroll.  You will not be able to see a viewable image on the TV. Also if you would like to take a NTSC TV to another country in Europe, Asia, or Africa, it will not work. There are ways of making it work by purchasing a Pal to NTSC converter as well as a Voltage converter. This will normally cost over $300 by the time you are done, so it may not be worth it for some TVs.  If you are interested in doing something like this please call one of our sales advisors at (847) 640-9000 or (877) 578-0587 toll free. The TVs that we carry are Multi system and support all the TV standards including Pal, NTSC, and Secam.  So if you purchase one of our TVs they will work anywhere in the world.

 
PAL (Phase Alternation by Line)
Color system currently used in Europe, Asia, Africa and many other places outside North America. This system is also not compatible with any of the others. So if you brought a Pal TV with your from overseas it will probably not work here in the USA.

Secam (SÉquentiel Couleur À Mémoire")
Color system currently used in mainly in France. This system is also not compatible with any of the others.

We do offer Video converters that will allow you to convert from one TV system to another, however the best picture quality is obtained only by buying a multi system tv. Normally if you are viewing Pal dvd movies in the USA, our DVD players do have very good video converters built in so you do not need to purchase a Multi system tv. However if you are wanting to use a TV overseas, it is recommended to purchase a multi system TV. Please call one of our Sales advisors if you have any questions regarding this.
 
  What TVs work where? I'm moving overseas and am wondering if my tv will work?
NTSC tv's will work only in North America, unless you purchase a video converter and a voltage converter. Even with the conversion, it is recommended purchasing a Multi System TV Which is made to work anywhere in the world.

   I just moved to the USA for a temporary period of time and want to buy a TV that will work here, and that I can take with me when I move back. What can I use.
Buying a Multi System TV will be your best option in the situation because it you will be able to take it overseas with you when you move back. Also the Multi System TVs we sell in the USA are usually much cheaper then those available overseas. So if you purchase your tv here, you will be able to get a better, cheaper model and take that back with you. Also normally duties and taxes in Europe are only on new items, so if you have used the TV here in the USA before moving, you will probably not have to pay as much in taxes.

  DVD players & VCRs: I want to be able to play foreign Videos and DVDs
If you are not going to be taking your TV overseas, but you just want to be able to play DVD and VHS movies that are Pal and different regions here in the USA you should consider purchasing a Code Free DVD Player that has a built in Pal to NTSC converter. We have many models to choose from on our site at http://www.220-electronics.com/dvd/dvdorig.htm . If you are also wanting to Play Pal VHS movies, you should look into a DVD/VCR combo or a VCR and a External video converter. We have packages and specials on these devices on our site, and you can call us for more information on them as well if you would like: (847) 640-9000 or (877) 578-0587.

  TV Tuner, What is it and do I need one?
A TV tuner is a card in the TV that allows you to change channels. TV tuners also have different systems around the world: Pal, NTSC, and Secam.  Pal M and Pal N are tuners that are used in South America. A tuners function is to capture your signal through your Antenna or a cable service and turn it into a video signal your TV can read. It allows you to change channels on your TV to the channel you want to watch. TV tuners are also in devices such as a DVD recorders, VCRs, Cable Boxes, Satellite receivers, etc... Modern day applications usually involve the use of a Satellite receiver or a Cable box to receive TV channels. Thus, A TV tuner is normally not utilized in these application. However if you do have a old fashioned TV connection where you are receiving channels from a roof antenna or your cable company will not provide you a cable box, you will need a TV tuner. If the TV you purchase does not have one, you can use a VCR or a DVD recorder instead. However 99% of the modern day applications do not require you to the TV tuner as there is already one in the Cable box, HD cable box, DVR box provided by your cable company, or they utilize the Satellite receive used with Satellite Dish applications which are used as a tuner.  The short answer is if you will be subscribing to a cable or satellite service, you probably do not need a tuner in your tv.

LCD VS Plasma: What's the diference? Which one is better?

This is a complicated topic: when choosing between LCD and plasma TVs, you're actually selecting between two competing technologies, both of which achieve similar features (i.e., bright, crystal-clear images, super color-filled pictures) and come in similar packages (i.e., 3.5 inch depth flat screen casing). To complicate the decision-making process further, price and size are two previous considerations that are rapidly becoming non-issues as LCDs are now being made in larger sizes and at competing prices with plasma TVs. Best prices on Multi System TVs at www.220-electronics.com.

Despite all these similarities, these technologies differ in how they process and display incoming video/computer signals.

Plasma flat screen technology consists hundreds of thousands of individual pixel cells, which allow electric pulses (stemming from electrodes) to excite rare natural gases-usually xenon and neon-causing them to glow and produce light. Best prices on Multi System TVs at www.220-electronics.com.This light illuminates the proper balance of red, green, or blue phosphors contained in each cell to display the proper color sequence from the light. Each pixel cell is essentially an individual microscopic florescent light bulb, receiving instruction from software contained on the rear electrostatic silicon board.

Whether spread across a flat-panel screen or placed in the heart of a projector, all LCD displays come from the same technological background. A matrix of thin-film transistors (TFTs) supplies voltage to liquid-crystal-filled cells sandwiched between two sheets of glass. Best prices on Multi System TVs at www.220-electronics.com.When hit with an electrical charge, the crystals untwist to an exact degree to filter white light generated by a lamp behind the screen (for flat-panel TVs) or one projecting through a small LCD chip (for projection TVs). LCD monitors reproduce colors through a process of subtraction: They block out particular color wavelengths from the spectrum of white light until they're left with just the right color. And, it's the intensity of light permitted to pass through this liquid-crystal matrix that enables LCD televisions to display images chock-full of colors-or gradations of them.Best Prices on Multi System TVs at www.220-electronics.com.

I don't care how they work... Just tell me which one is better... Ok, Please keep reading

PICTURE CONSIDERATIONS

CONTRAST/ BLACK LEVELS

Plasma technology has certainly achieved quite high contrast ratios, a measure of the blackest black compared to the whitest white. Many plasma display manufacturers boast a contrast ratio of 10,000:1.  Plasma displays achieve such impressive black levels by using internal algorithms to block the power to particular pixels in order to render a pixel "dark" or black.

LCD (liquid crystal diode) displays, by contrast, utilize electric charges to twist and untwist liquid crystals, which causes them to block light and, hence, emit blacks. The higher the voltage passing through the liquid crystals in a given pixel, the more fully those crystals untwist and effectively block light - all of which makes these pixels darker. The contrast Ratio on Most LCD's is 400:1 and as high as 1000:1.

Contrast Ratio ADVANTAGE: Plasma wins this battle over LCD.  Although the Recent improvements have been made to LCD TVs, their contrast ratio is still not as good as on Plasma TVs. The one continual drawback here for LCD is off axis viewing, when black levels consistently drop.Best prices on Multi System TVs at www.220-electronics.com.

COLOR ACCURACY

In plasma displays, each pixel contains red, green, and blue elements, which work in conjunction to create 16.77 million colors. Insofar as each pixel contains all the elements needed to produce every color in the spectrum, color information was more accurately reproduced with plasma technology than it was with other display technologies. The chromaticity coordinates were more accurate on most plasma displays. Though the color saturation resulting from the pixel design of plasma displays is remarkable, LCD technology has nearly caught plasma in gray scaling color accuracy. Plasma continues to exhibit more richness in color information and more natural coloration. Today, SMPTE color coordinates in top plasma TVs still normally outperform those in LCDs, which tend toward over saturation. Best prices on Multi System TVs at www.220-electronics.com.

LCD displays reproduce colors by manipulating light waves and subtracting colors from white light. This is an inherently difficult template for maintaining color accuracy and vibrancy - though most LCD displays manage this quite well. While color information benefits from the higher-than-average number of pixels per square inch found in LCD displays (especially when compared to plasmas), LCDs are simply not as impressive as plasmas with similar pixel counts. LCDs however, produce a typically brighter picture. Greens sometimes look too green and reds can run a bit warm, but in a room with bright outdoor lighting, an LCD might be the better choice.

Color Accuracy ADVANTAGE: Almost a Tie. Plasma color richness and naturalness will prevail in rooms with lower to normal lighting. LCDs will be better in very brightly lit rooms due to their inherent anti glare technology and brightness.

VIEWING ANGLE

Plasma manufacturers have made much of their 160° viewing angles, which is about as good as horizontal and vertical viewing angles get. This owes to the fact that each pixel produces its own light, rather than light being spread across the screen from one central source. Hence, each pixel is more readily visible because its brightness is consistent with every other pixel on the screen. Best prices on Multi System TVs at www.220-electronics.com. One consistent area of superiority of plasma viewing angles is demonstrated when viewing dark material content, especially DVDs. Plasma TV holds the black levels from off axis, while LCDs lose black level intensity more as the angle off axis increases. This usually occurs after around 90 degrees.

LCD manufacturers have done much to improve their displays' viewing angles. The substrate material on newer-generation LCDs by Sharp and Sony has helped to expand those units' viewing angles, though they still have some ground to cover before catching plasma. Expect the best LCD displays to have between 120 and 130 degree viewing angles.

FUNCTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

COMPUTER USE

LCD monitors display static images from computer or VGA sources extremely well, with full color detail, no flicker, and no screen burn-in. Moreover, the number of pixels per square inch on an LCD display is typically higher than other display technologies, so LCD monitors are especially good at displaying large amounts of data - like you would find on an Excel spreadsheet for example - with exceptional clarity and precision. For the same reasons, LCDs will also be a slightly better template for video gaming.

Plasma technology has increased anti burn in tactics as well as computer and static signal handling. There are still issues with each depending very much on the model and manufacturer. For example, most EDTV plasma televisions do not handle a computer input well and product a very jaggy image when viewing static images from same. Users may want to consider an commercial version plasma display if their application calls for a lot of computer use.

Computer use ADVANTAGE: LCD Wins this one. Although both are great at display VGA/ Computer signals, LCD displays are better at showing these signal when compared to Plasma's.

FAST-MOVING VIDEO PLAYBACK

Plasma displays get the nod here because of their excellent performance with fast-moving images and high contrast levels. While the "response time" of LCD TVs has improved in the last couple of years, they still suffer from a slight "trailer" effect, where the individual pixels are just slightly out of step with the image on the screen. During fast moving sports scenes, the most discerning eyes can detect this slight motion response lag.

Fast-Moving Video Playback/ Sports ADVANTAGE: Plasma wins on this topic.

High ALTITUDE USAGE

There is a reason LCD panels are the preferred visual display units for use on airplanes: LCDs aren't affected by increases or decreases in air pressure. Their performance is consistent regardless of the altitude at which they're utilized.

This is not the case for a plasma TV. The display element in plasma TVs is actually a glass substrate envelope with rare natural gases compressed therein. So, at high altitudes (6,500 feet and above), an air-pressure differential emerges, which causes plasma displays to emit a buzzing sound due to the lower air pressure. This noise can sound rather like the humming of an old neon sign.

High Altitude Usage ADVANTAGE: LCD, at 6500 feet and higher LCDs are the preffered choice. For those of you that live in the mountains, consider purchasing a LCD tv VS a Plasma.

LIFE / How Long will They last.

LCD manufacturers claim that their displays last, on average, 50,000 to 65,000 hours. In fact, an LCD TV will last as long as its backlight does - and those bulbs can and may need to be replaced every few years! Since this is nothing more than light passing through a prismatic substrate, there is essentially nothing to wear out in an LCD monitor. However, one nasty little known fact about LCD technology is that as the backlight ages it can change colors slightly (think of florescent office lighting). When this occurs the white balance of the entire LCD will be thrown for a loop and the user will need to re-calibrate, or worse, try to replace the backlighting or ditch the unit altogether. Some of the early purchasers of larger LCD screens will be learning this tidbit in a couple of years.

Plasma, on the other hand, utilizes slight electric currents to excite a combination of noble gases (i.e., argon, neon, xenon), which glow red, blue, and/or green. This is an essentially active phenomenon, so the phosphoric elements in plasma displays fade over time. Many manufacturers Included Sony in their commercial Line which is one of our best sellers, state upto 60,000 hours of life for many Plasma.  What happens is that as the TV ages, the argon, neon and zenon gases no longer display the colors as bright. There is no way to replace these gases; the display simply continues to grow dimmer with use until it finally can not be used anymore.Best prices on Multi System TVs at www.220-electronics.com.

ADVANTAGE: Even depending upon manufacturer quality. Both LCD and Plasma TVs Last nowdays last a very long time. Manufacturers say about 50,000-60,0000 hours. For the average person who uses the TV 3-6 hours a day, both technologies should last over a Decade at which time we will probably be purchasing a New Technology TV anyway.

SCREEN BURN IN

LCD technology is not prone to screen "burn-in" or "ghosting" (premature aging of pixel cells) due to the nature of the technologies “twisting crystals.”

With plasma displays, static images will begin to "burn-in," or permanently etch the color being displayed into the glass display element. The time it takes for this to occur depends greatly on the anti burn-in technology of the manufacturer. Recent improvements by plasma manufacturers have certainly extended the time it takes to burn in a plasma pixel cell. With all new technologies considered, this problem is no longer an issue as far as we see it.

Screen burn in ADVANTAGE: LCD, but not really a problem on Plasma anymore. Most new Plasma screen manufacturers are using a Anti-Burn in Technology to prevent this from happening. So with newer Plasma's we would say it is not really a problem anymore.

Overall:

It's really a toss up when it comes to choosing a Plasma or LCD if Price was not an issue.  However in the real world price is a issue, and your decision may be heavily based on the price. Normally Plasma TVs are priced best at sizes of 42" and 50". If you are looking for a TV that is smaller then 42",   then you might want to consider a LCD. Our website is constantly changing and new models and prices are coming out all the time. If you see a deal or a aggressively priced special that we are running on the size you are interested in we would recommend going with what you think is the best Value.   Our sales advisors are available on the phone at (847) 640-9000 and (877) 578-0587 incase you may have any questions regarding this.