Video

Display Types

Plasma – This very popular technology uses a thin panel design (usually 3-4”) in various sizes to display all types of video from cable, satellite, computer, DVD’s, off-air broadcast, or video recordings. These can be hung on the wall or set on a shelf/cabinet with a simple stand.

High points –

• Space saving design
• Wide viewing angle
• Universal applications

Low points –

• more expensive than other technologies
• Can have “image burn” with non-moving images over long period of time

DLP – Digital Light Processor – This is a newer technology using a tiny computer chip (about the size of a postage stamp) with 1-2 million microscopic mirrors placed on it that are controlled by the chip. The mirrors turn on and off (flip up and down) and are splashed with color from a spinning color wheel and bounced back through a lens system and sent to the screen. This type of technology is used in two forms (typically) and sent to a movie screen on the other end of the room.

Rear Projection – This is more of a free-standing table/shelf top unit housed in a chassis, in screen sizes varying from 44” to 70+” wide diagram and about 15”-16” deep. These are considerably less bulky and fit into cabinets better than the older style CRT rear projection “big-screens” of days gone by.

High points-

• Less bulky
• Excellent light output
• Good color saturation
• Good value to screen size
• High performance capability

Low Points-

• Shallower black levels
• Some “halo” effect around images
• Bulb replacement every 3000 to 6000 hours

LCD – Liquid Crystal Display –

This is a long proven technology that is now being adapted and refined to offer excellent video display performance. These TVs can come in a huge array of styles and sizes, 13”-70+” being the most common. The technology can be used in a flat panel design (usually 2”-4”deep) and up to 42” diagonally, to the rear-projection style with a chassis 15-16” deep and up to 40-70+” diagonally.

High points-

• Good value to screen size
• Large selection of styles and sizes
• Space saving thin designs
• Smooth color and contrast levels
• No “Burn In”
• Excellent computer display device

Low points-

• Narrower viewing angles
• Slower video tracking
• Less light output

Video Sources-

HDTV Broadcast – Wow digital TV (HDTV) is as good as anticipated. With video resolutions 4-10 times that of analog TV this is the ultimate in video source capability. The growing list of HDTV channels is making HDTV viewing more and more exciting. HDTV is broadcast via satellite, digital cable, and off air antenna systems.

 

DVD – Digital Video Disc – A DVD player (single or multi-disc) will play movies and music CDs both. Video and audio is stored on a small disc with multiple layers allowing a large storage medium. Video and audio quality is superior to everything except HDTV at this point.

 

DVR – Digital Video Recorder – Replaces the old VCR and makes recording and playback of video a much easier system to operate. It also offers better picture quality and allows you to watch or favorite shows on your schedule.