Television Types

Cheapest TV - Guide on Televisions

From Mini TVs to Front Projection Home Theatre. It is very likely that you will find a variaty of the selections below. Some may come in widescreen aspect ratio (16:9) as well as standard aspect ratio (4:3) and some may come in an intergrated DVD and/or VCR combination. So look out for special offers and added extras. This is just a general overview.

2-26" Televisions

Types of TVs are available in this range:

	Mini TVs: Models with 2 - 4 inch LCD screens that run on AA batteries or plug-in adapters. Screens tend to wash out in direct sunlight.
	Portable tabletops: 9 - 26 inch compact, inexpensive basic models great for smaller spaces. Direct-view sets with an average picture resolution of 270 lines.
	TV/VCR combos Built-in VCR means no wires to connect, and TV and VCR share a single remote. A convenient space-saver, but you can't simultaneously record a program on one channel while watching another.

Common features in this screen size range are listed below.

• Headphone jack - Enables you to listen to your television privately
• Sleep timer - Set your TV to go to sleep after you do
• Parental control - Protect those younger eyes. This password control system allows you to prevent your kids from viewing certain channels
• Closed caption - This feature displays a live text transcript of a program's dialogue at the bottom of the screen
  

27 - 39" Televisions

Types of TVs in this range:

	Large tube Models in this range offer a multitude of features to improve picture and sound quality. Most feature optimum connections to other components (S-Video and Component Video). Available in standard aspect ratio (4:3) and widescreen aspect ratio (16:9).
	Digital (HDTV) HDTV uses digital broadcasting signals to provide a picture with a resolution of about 1,080 lines - nearly triple that of conventional broadcasts. While most HDTV sets are larger projection models, some are also available at the upper end of this size range.

Common features in this screen size range are listed below.

• Surround sound - Many models in this range feature some type of enhanced sound which, to varying degrees, simulates the sound reaching your ears from multiple directions. True surround sound, however, can only be achieved through a home theater speaker system
• S-video input - Provides a better quality picture from video sources such as DVD and DSS players. An S-video output (on the VCR, DSS, etc.) is required for the feature to work
• Component video input - Provides the highest quality picture from video sources such as DVD and DSS players. A Component output (on the VCR, DSS, etc.) is required for the feature to work
• Picture-in-picture (PIP) - This feature lets you open a window on your screen to view another channel simultaneoulsy
• Stereo reception - Most models in this range are capable of receiving a stereo broadcast signal

40" Televisions and above

Types of TVs in this range:

	Plasma Screen: Screen size 40 to 50 inches. It is common for a lot of home entertainment systems to work well with a large Plasma screen. Usually flatter than a Rear-projection screen, giving them the advantage of takeing up less space.
	Rear–projection: Screen size 41 to 80 inches. Screens of choice for most home theatres today. Can be watched in a well-lit room without losing picture quality. Slimmer and half as heavy as direct-view TVs of a similar size.
	Front–projection: Screen size 40 to 300+ inches. True home theatre experience: top-of-the-line picture and sound. Best when watched in the dark. These televisions used to be expensive, but now the start at just over £1,000 for the projector. You also have to buy a screen and several other components.

Common features in this screen size range are listed below.

• Dolby digital inputs - All HDTV and some other projection models have built-in Dolby digital 5.1 decoders
• Component video input - Provides the highest quality picture from video sources such as DVD and DSS players. An component video output (on the VCR, DSS, etc.) is required for the feature to work
• Comb filter - This component helps maximize picture resolution and reduce distortion. There are five types of comb filters ranging from glass at the low end to the best - 3D/YC
• 16:9 Cinema screen aspect ratio - These screens present a picture that's true to the actual rectagonal shape of a movie screen. All other TVs have the standard 4:3 ratio