Flat panel monitors currently capture the lion’s share of the high-end home video market. The decision to purchase an LED, LCD or Plasma model is one based upon application and price. All three technologies offer incredible clarity and brightness, as well as superb off axis viewing. With an overall depth of around 1.5 to 4”, flat screens can be installed in areas that were previously inaccessible. As prices for these technologies continue to fall, flat panels have all but ended the reign of rear projection televisions. Currently, Plasma flat screens still dominate the market over 58”, although LCD models in larger sizes are becoming more price competitive in that segment. Smaller sizes continue to battle for market share between all three designs.

In a direct comparison between Plasma and LCD panel technology, reviewers have generally favored the life like color balance, flexibility and detail of the Plasma panel over the improved brightness and contrast of LCD. The perceived question of plasma longevity has been answered, as many new plasma models offer three year warranties and 100,000 hour ratings. Image burn-in is less an issue than ever, with special circuitry incorporated in many models to preserve the panel.

One major drawback to Plasma is energy consumption. Green environmentalists note that LCD and LED are significantly more conservative in that regard. Another negative with Plasma is that the glass surface of the panel is very reflective. In rooms with bright sunlight or glare from adjacent windows, Plasma resolution and detail are affected.

The newest version of flat screen technology is the LED based panel, or light emitting diode. LED is essentially an upgraded version of LCD technology, which allows for more even distribution of light across the panel surface. Lighting can be directed from the back or side of the panel. Color balance, (as well as the spectrum of colors represented) is dynamic and detailed. Panel depth is the thinnest of all three designs. Currently, the only negative is price per inch, which is the highest of all flat panel designs.

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When absolute screen size is your primary concern, and lighting in the room can be controlled, front projection is the best game in town. The stunning advancement of DLP and LCD chip technology found in rear projection televisions is also employed in front projection designs.

Technical advancements and improved bulb design have made front projection a much more cost effective option than it was several years ago. Just as in flat screen designs, manufacturers have models that embrace variations of LCD, LED and DLP designs. While many have achieved great success with DLP and LCD based designs, direct LED models are new to the market, and have limited brightness. All have superb contrast ratios, and are flexible and easy to install.

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SUPER WIDESCREEN TECHNOLOGY

The introduction of the ultra high resolution Blu-Ray format is changing the way many of us enjoy watching movies. Rather than the standard DVD aspect ratio of 16:9, Blu-Ray movies are broadcast in an expanded format. This wider, more panoramic perspective allows for a true theater like experience. The new format is called 2.35:1 or Cinemascope, which when viewed through a special projector lens, removes the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. This concept has gained rapid acceptance in high performance applications, as it allows for the viewer to enjoy movies in the original format shown at the theater.

Just as in the early 2000’s, when THE EDGE was the first retailer in Chicago to feature demonstrations in HD, THE EDGE was the first retailer to show 2.35 Blu-Ray fully realized. Watch our events page for future video technology debuts, such as HD3D.

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