LCD Televisions: Sleek and Versatile

...but do they really make good televisions?
Up to not long ago, you had no choice for a direct-view display - all TV sets were of the same kind, using that old but reliable cathode-ray tube technology, simply referred to as CRT.

That is no longer true. LCD display technology that has become so popular with laptop screens, is being used to a great effect in small to medium screen size televisions.

In particular, at sub-42-inch screen sizes, LCD is at present the only mass-market flat-panel display technology.

Larger screen sizes up to 60-inch are also readily available, but at this screen category, plasma HDTVs still carry a price advantage. Price difference however is highly dependent on model and brand, while within the same brand, the price difference between sets of similar specs is just marginal.

For example, the Samsung 55-inch LN55B650 LCD HDTV is selling on amazon at a reduced price of $2,000 - which is practically the same as that of the slightly bigger but similarly spec 58-inch Samsung PN58B650 plasma HDTV.

And speaking of big screen flat-panel TVs, this is the year when massive 60-inch LCDs are start selling at truly affordable prices -with a price that is very much in line with that of plasma TVs. A case in point is the recently released 60-inch KDL-60EX700 Sony LED TV, which is selling online for under $2,700.

However, with the latest affordable prices for medium to large flat panel TVs, it is the 50 to 55-inch TV set that is turning out to be the real favorite big-screen size in home entertainment. It is a screen size that does provide a more immersive movie experience over smaller 40 to 46 inch sets, with only a minimal increase in the invested capital.