DLP TVs are shallower and much lighter than the old CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs, but they still require a share of floor space. A 56-inch Samsung DLP set, for instance, measures 10.6 inches to 15.8 inches deep, depending on the model selected. On the plus side, DLP technology doesn’t use the glass tubes of old rear-projection sets, making them lightweight for their size. For homeowners wanting to mount one in a cabinet, the 65-pound to 74-pound weights are manageable.
Another type of TV technology used for big-screen TVs is LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), which JVC and Sony market as D-ILA and SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display), respectively. These technologies—alternatives to big-screen tube TVs—promise rich color and a smooth moving image. JVC’s latest 58-inch and 65-inch HD-ILA TVs are built around an innovative mirror assembly that shaves the depth of the TV cabinet by a third. The cabinets measure about 11 inches deep, making them a nice choice for in-wall mounting applications.
boxed in? Each system has benefits and drawbacks, although technology continues to improve on all fronts. LCD will remain the technology of choice for smaller TVs (those with diagonal screen sizes of 42 inches or less). The thin, lightweight panels make LCDs perfect for wall- or cabinet-mounted kitchen and bathroom applications. Toshiba’s RealSteel TV is designed specifically to match the stainless steel appliances in contemporary kitchens. Philips, Séura, and other manufacturers sell TVs that double as mirrors when not in use, making them a popular choice for upscale bathrooms. And combination units that fit a side-loading DVD player into an LCD TV, such as those from Toshiba and Westinghouse Digital Electronics, are perfect space-savers for the bedroom or home office.
LCD TVs are known for their brightness, making them good candidates for brightly lit rooms. Their contrast, however, has been an issue when compared with plasma TVs, which produce deep blacks and better detail in dark scenes. LCD TVs also have been faulted for response time, which affects how motion is displayed on screen. Other technologies claim smoother motion in action and sports scenes, although LCD suppliers continually improve the technology.
Plasma TVs are known for exceptionally rich color and contrast, along with fast response time. But plasma does have its drawbacks. Static images can result in “burn-in,” where an imprint of a channel’s logo or a video game screen left on for too long becomes part of the display. Recently, TV manufacturers have come up with various technologies that reduce burn-in, so video game households should expect to see an increase in the number of plasma TVs that purportedly solve the problem.
Another limitation of plasma TVs is that they run very hot and require sufficient ventilation if mounted in the wall or in a cabinet. What’s more, plasma sets are heavier than their LCD counterparts and could require additional bracing in the construction stage. They’re also less efficient than competing technologies. In an issue paper on the energy efficiency of TVs, the Natural Resources Defense Council rates LCD, LCOS, DLP, and plasma TVs as very high, high, moderate, and very low, respectively. While promoting its HD-ILA TVs, JVC even touted energy usage as an advantage over plasma. In testing, a JVC 58-inch TV used 230 watts of power, compared with 683 watts for a similarly sized plasma display.
TV as we know it will be completely overhauled by mid-February 2009, but there’s no reason to panic. Smart consumers can begin making planning decisions today that will carry them far into the digital future.
Rebecca Day specializes in writing about home electronics. She can be reached at customhomerd@aol.com. A version of this article originally appeared in residential architect‘s sister publication CUSTOM HOME.