flat panel TV
A thin TV set that uses an LCD or plasma display technology. Most flat panel TVs are wide screen, high-definition sets (HDTVs) that support either 720p, 1080i or 1080p resolution; however, they do come in lower resolution models (see EDTV and SDTV). They also may be able to accept output from a computer and serve as a monitor (see flat panel display).
LCD Vs. Plasma
LCD and plasma are the two competing technologies used in flat panel TVs. The major differences between them are glare, weight, power consumption and color quality. For a summary of differences, see LCD vs. plasma.
1080p Resolution
The highest resolution for an HDTV is 1080p (1,080 progressive scan lines), but it can be difficult to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p because TV channels broadcast in 720p and 1080i, the two lower HDTV resolutions. However, 1080p sets handle high-definition Blu-ray DVDs as well as any other 1080p material in the future. In late 2006, LCD TVs began to feature 1080p, while plasma TV vendors were still tooling up for the higher resolution. For resolution details, see HDTV and progressive scan.
What Will You Watch?
For people who plan to watch mostly high-definition TV channels, any HDTV set that appeals to them in the showroom will most likely fulfill their needs. However, for watching old VHS tapes, standard DVDs and old movies on cable that are not in high definition, all TVs do not produce the same results. The difference between a 46" LCD TV that costs $1,500 and one for $5,000 is quite often its ability to make standard definition material look as good as it did on an old analog CRT tube. That may sound odd, but analog TVs are engineered for one standard TV format and are not trying to modify it.
Prospective buyers should see how the set upconverts and stretches movies in the older, square SDTV 4:3 format to the wide screen HDTV 16:9 format. This requires a special demonstration because TVs in every showroom always display high-definition sources so they look their best. In addition, animated cartoons are often running because they have highly saturated colors that look more dazzling.
Size Does Make a Difference
In addition to the diverse handling of standard definition (SD) formats, the various brands of flat panel TVs display high-definition (HD) sources differently. There is an enormous amount of complex processing that takes place within the set, and the larger the screen, the more jagged edges, pixelation and other visual artifacts are noticeable. It takes a very high-quality 60" TV to look as good as any 32" set (see deinterlace, cadence correction and dynamic noise reduction).
HD Ready and HD Built In
"HD Ready" TV sets display one of the three high-definition resolutions, but do not have a built-in tuner. A set-top box from a cable or satellite company is required. "HD Built In" means that the TV has an HD tuner and can display HD signals broadcast over the air to an antenna.
Wall Mounting
Although all flat panel TVs can be wall mounted, models 40" and above require a strong support. The wall bracket must be bolted into the studs of sheetrock and plaster walls by an experienced installer. See HDTV display modes, upconvert, aspect ratio, Blu-ray, home theater and rear-projection TV.