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In The News |
In The NewsFlat Facts A few years ago, flat-panel video displays were as exotic as orchids—and a lot more expensive, with price tags of $10,000 and up even for modest plasma displays. As plasma-screen technology has matured, pricing has dropped dramatically, making large flat-panel displays more practical and affordable than ever before. Today’s screen sizes (which are measured diagonally) typically range from about 37 inches up to 80 inches, while unit depth is no bulkier than a picture frame. Plasma screens can be mounted right on the wall or hung from the ceiling, delivering the big-screen experience even in smaller rooms. Their wide viewing angles are also ideal for accommodating multiple viewers in close quarters. Where space is at a premium, they can be mounted over the fireplace, as long as the chimney is well insulated and the wall doesn’t heat up too much. When it comes to screen size, bigger isn’t always better. One factor in determining the ideal screen size is the distance between the viewer and the display. In the best seats at a movie theater, the screen spans a field of view of about 30 degrees, which provides an immersive viewing experience. The goal in the home environment is to select a screen size that produces this immersive sensation from the room’s primary viewing position. For smaller displays, LCD (liquid crystal display) units are rapidly gaining popularity for areas like kitchens and bathrooms. While LCDs generally provide more limited viewing angles than plasma screens, they deliver better performance in bright-light conditions—making it easy to watch the morning news while shaving, or to catch up with the evening newscast while making dinner. In addition, LCD manufacturers are implementing space-saving designs like mounting LCD units within bathroom mirrors or as drop-down displays mounted beneath kitchen cabinets. When it comes to selecting the right display, personal preference is every bit as important as technical specifications. Technically, plasmas produce a higher contrast ratio, including blacker blacks, than LCDs. Plasmas produce warmer and more accurate colors, while LCDs produce sharp pictures and lively colors—but in the end, the best choice is the unit whose pictures look best to you. The U.S. broadcasting industry is in the midst of a transition from analog to digital transmission, which will be completed by the end of 2008. While older analog sets will be still be usable with the addition of outboard converter boxes, many consumers are already making the move to digital television, to take advantage of the higher resolution and wider aspect ratio of high definition television (HDTV). HDTV displays offer up to 1,080 lines of resolution, compared to the 480 lines of today’s analog televisions. In addition to improved image quality, the 16X9 aspect ratio of HD displays are ideal for watching DVDs, as well as HD programming. With the dramatic growth of HDTV sportscasts as well as network programming, this is a great time to trade in the boxy TV sets of yesteryear for the sleek elegance of today’s high-resolution, flat-panel displays. Dwight Branco is a co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Hood Branco Innovations, which has a showroom/design center in Rocklin and a design center in Grass Valley. For more information, visit www.hb-innovations.comor email dwight@hb-innovations.com. You can also reach Hood Branco Innovations by phone at 916 630 1281 or 530 273 2600. News ArchiveSelecting The Perfect Flat-Panel Displays For Your Home
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