Tecnologia Moderna

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Considering a flat-panel TV? The latest LCD[->0] and plasma[->1] HDTVs deliver outstanding picture quality, and both display technologies have improved dramatically over the past two years. Each type has a different set of strengths that make it more suitable for certain viewing situations.
In this article, we'll cover the pros and cons of each type, and explain some of the most common"tech-speak" in terms that will help you make apples-to-apples comparisons when you're shopping. You'll learn everything you need to know to figure out which flat-panel type is right for you. We'll also take a closer look later in the article at what happens inside each panel type to help you understand why you may prefer one over the other.
[->2][->3]LED TVs such as the Samsung UN46EH6000[->4]combine LCD display technology with LED backlighting to create bright, high-contrast images.|
What about LED TVs?
So-called "LED TVs" have become really popular in the past few years. This is not a new display technology. LED TVs[->5] are actually just LCD HDTVs that use an LED backlight instead of a conventional fluorescent one. While the display technology is the same, LED-LCD TVs generally havebetter contrast and more accurate colors than fluorescent-backlit models. For more information, see our video on LCD backlighting[->6].

LCD vs. plasma
If you poke around the Internet you'll find a ton of information (and some misinformation) about today's flat-panel TVs. The chart below provides a quick comparison of plasma and LCD. Because of the difference in performance betweenfluorescent-backlit LCD TVs and LED-backlit models, we've separated them into two different rows.
DisplayType|ScreenSize|ViewingAngle|PictureContrast|VideoMotion|ColorGamut|PowerConsumption|Pros & Cons|
Plasma|42"-65"|Excellent|Very Good to Excellent|Excellent|Excellent|Good|Pros: excellent contrast and black levels; effortless motion; good picture depthCons: not as power-efficient or thin as most LCDs;generates more heat than LCDs|
LCD with fluorescent backlight|19"-46"|Good to Very Good|Good to Very Good|Good to Excellent|Very Good|Very Good|Pros: panels weigh less than plasma and use less energyCons: picture slightly less natural and "filmlike" than plasmas|
LCD with LED backlight|19"-80"|Good to Very Good|Very Good to Excellent|Good to Excellent|Excellent|Excellent|Pros: panels use the leastenergy and weigh less than plasma; models with local dimming capability can have black levels rivaling plasmasCons: picture slightly less natural and "filmlike" than plasmas|
What type of TV do I need for 3D?
To watch 3D TV, you'll need a TV with a screen capable of displaying 3D[->7] video — it can be a plasma or LCD. You'll also need compatible 3D glasses, either "active" or "passive" to matchthe type of 3D tv you have. And you'll need a source of 3D video, like a 3D Blu-ray player or 3D channels from your cable or satellite TV provider. For more info, see our intro to 3D[->8], watch our video about 3D TV[->9], or check out our in-depth 3D TV FAQ[->10].
Viewing angle
All flat-panel TVs have a great picture when you're sitting directly in front of the screen. But if your eyes aren'tcentered on the screen — you're viewing from off to one side, standing up, or lying on the floor — you may notice that the picture looks less bright and vivid, and you might see slight changes in color.
Viewing angle limitations are more of an issue for LCD TVs than for plasmas. LCDs use a backlight, and the LCD pixels act like shutters, opening and closing to let light through or block it. Thisshutter effect causes increasing variations in picture brightness as viewers move further off axis.
Picture contrast
Picture contrast is the difference between the brightest whites and the deepest blacks a TV can produce. It's an important performance spec — some experts consider it to be the most important. But because TV makers don't all measure contrast the same way, it can be difficult for...