Title: 16x9 Widescreen TVs: Info on the newest models

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The proliferation of widescreen and high definition programming (HDTV) offered by cable and satellite TV providers is making a widescreen television set a necessity for many viewers. With an aspect ratio of 16:9, these sets are equipped to handle digital TV, and they’re perfect for home theater. They’re also becoming more economical. The latest widescreen sets come in a variety of models, including Direct View, LCD, Plasma and Projection. All function in unique ways and have different features.
Direct View televisions: These TVs are the conventional sets that have been around for years. They’re the standard set, with the traditional cathode ray picture tube. Sets with an aspect ratio of 4:3, come in varying sizes, from 9 inches all the way to 40. Buyers can get direct view sets that are equipped to handle high definition programming, have widescreens with an aspect ratio of 16:9, and come in 30-, 34- and 38-inch models. These widescreen sets are heavy, though, and require quite a bit of space.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) televisions: These sets have flat panels and operate using the Liquid Crystal Display technology used in cell phones and computer screens. The crystals in the set are electrically charged, which makes it possible for them to control the flow of light that produces images. Because the crystals don’t radiate light themselves, an auxiliary light is needed, like a florescent bulb. LCD sets are very thin and don’t produce radiation. These sets are easy to mount on a wall; they can also sit on a table or desktop. LCD sets are more expensive than plasma sets, in part because they cost more to manufacture. However, LCD sets that are 32-inches or smaller are very popular. Most LCD sets can handle HDTV.

Plasma televisions: These sets are also very light and mobile – they can be mounted on the wall and still offer great image resolution and perfect image proportion from any viewing angle. Plasma sets utilize gas in producing an image. The pixels in the sets are made of glass and hold the gases, which are electrically charged. Plasma sets are superior to LCD TVs in that they are available in larger screen sizes and have superior contrast ratio and motion tracking. Plasma sets do radiate heat, however, and they don’t function well in higher altitude settings. When considering contrast ratio and brightness, Projection sets and Direct View sets offer a better picture.

Projection televisions: Projection sets function by casting an image onto a screen, like a movie projector in a movie theater. There are two types of projection TVs, front projection sets and rear projection sets. Both require a dark room, like a movie theater, in order to work to their fullest. Both front and rear projection sets offer good image quality, are affordable and east to set up. They require projection lamps, which will function from 2000 to 4000 hours before needing to be replaced. Front projection sets come in 150-inch models, and bigger, while rear sets range from 42 to 73 inches.

About the Author: J. Hall writes articles for consumers who want to find the best technology news available. She has written for many major publications about the latest television deals and promotions and how buyers can find the best discounts.