Best HDTV Buyer Guide - Introduction To Display Types

Before asking the question "who makes the best hdtv?" - there is another important choice you need to make first - which TYPE of display do you want?

HDTV can be viewed in a number of ways, and it may be that there are some that you haven't considered - your choice isn't just limited to plasma vs LCD.

These different methods of displaying the image have various pros and cons - and it may be that your room will be more suited to one type than another.

Let the best HDTV buyer guide take you through the types of display that are available to you.

Sony BRAVIA W Series LCD HDTV

1 LCD TV

• 2-6 inches thick
• Screen size from 15 inches to 70 inches
• Can be hung on a wall or stood on a flat surface
• Main LCD TV brands are Sony, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, and Sharp
• More information: LCD TV Guide

2 Plasma TV

Panasonic Viera TX-P42X10 HD Plasma TV

• 4-8 inches thick
• Screen size from 37 inches to 70 inches
• Can be hung on a wall or stood on a flat surface
• Main plasma TV brands are Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung and LG
• More information: Plasma TV Guide

3 LED TV

Samsung LED 7000 Series

• 1-6 inches thick
• Screen size from 32 inches to 55 inches
• Can be hung on a wall or stood on a flat surface
• Main LED TV brands are Samsung, Sony and Sharp
• They are being marketed as LED TVs - but actually have LCD screens
• More information: LED TV Guide

4 Front Projector

InFocus X10 Digital Projector

• Projects image on a screen or wall - so screen depth is not relevant
• Image size from 40 inches to 300 inches - and isn't a fixed size like a flat panel
• The projector will need to be placed on a suitable flat surface or fixed to a mount/stand (but it is portable)
• Main brands are Infocus, Optoma, Epson, Panasonic, Sanyo, Sony, and Mitsubishi

5 Rear Projection TV

Mitsubishi WD-65737 DLP HDTV

• 15-17 inches thick
• Screen size from 50 to 73 inches
• Available with CRT, DLP, LCoS or LCD projectors
• Mainly suitable for standing on a flat surface as they can be bulky
• Main brands are Mitsubishi and Samsung
• Many companies have pulled out of the market and no longer make these

6 OLED TV

Sony XEL-1 OLED TV

• Less than 5mm thick (can be as thin as a sheet of paper!)
• Screen size up to 40 inches in prototype models
• Extremely new technology and only one model commercially available
• This Sony XEL-1 is the first - with an 11 inch screen
• In the list for the sake of completeness - because it's the future of TV (and because I want one!)

Best HDTV Buyer Guide Summary

As you can see from our HDTV buying guide, there are quite a few display options if you are interested in looking at all of the possibilities.

Most people will go directly for an LCD TV - or maybe a plasma - but you may find a projector or an LED TV is more suited to your needs.

Once you have decided which option is best for you to view HDTV, then you can narrow it down to the best model for you.

Go to the specific guides for more information on each type of display.

Go to: Plasma TV Guide | LCD TV Buyers Guide | LED TV Guide

Back from Best HDTV Buyer Guide to Home Cinema & Home Theater Guide Homepage

back to top