LCD TVs Test

Reviews

"Group test review: 26in LCD TVs"

Published on: 5/2009

On test: Sony Bravia KDL-26V4000, JVC LT-26DE9BJ, Panasonic Viera TX-L26X10, LG Electronics 26LG3000

With the 26" LCD TV a thing of the past as a main screen, it has made a rapid though not unexpected return as the screen size of choice for second rooms. The four reviewed here are a good selection of what's new, but are they just quick throw-togethers to make some money on the new trend? Review details: Four 26" LCD TVs were reviewed and rated. Final verdicts ranged from 5 to 8 points out of 10. → More

"Group test: 19in LCD TVs"

Published on: 12/2008

On test: Sharp LC-19D1E, Toshiba 19AV505D, LG Electronics 19LG3000, Humax LGB-19DTT

While the credit crunch looms large, shops are slashing prices in an attempt to entice more custom. This means a small LCD TV for the kitchen, bedroom or home office now no longer looks so out of reach. But which one of these four sets should be stretching out your stockings come Christmas morn? Review details: Four smaller LCD television sets were reviewed and rated based on features, performance and value for money. Scores ranged from 6 to 9 points out of 10. → More

"Group test: 46in TVs"

Published on: 10/2008

On test: Panasonic TH-42PZ85E, LG Electronics 47LG7000, Samsung LE46A656A, Sharp Aquos LC-46X8E

Now that prices are beginning to fall, more people are beginning to look to larger screens for their next television, however, 46in is still seen by many as an unattainable luxury. AVReview thinks different. Review details: Four large-screen televisions were reviewed and rated based on features, performance and value for money. Scores ranged from 6 to 9 points out of 10. → More

"TV joins your wireless network"

Issue: 11/2008

On test: Samsung LE-46A756

Decked out in a traditionally stylish Samsung design and featuring the same successful panel as previous Samsung sets, this LCD brings something new to the table in the form of wireless connectivity and DNLA media streaming support. Review details: Single Test → More

LCD TVs

The quality of LCD televisions has improved dramatically since their introduction putting them on equal footing with plasma screen for sizes up to around 37inches. In fact, LCD has impressed the public so much, that one in three consumers now opt for LCD when buying a new set.

The internal electronics of an LCD panel are very complicated, but at its most basic level it is still the same technology that has powered those Casio calculators and digital watches since time immemorial. Light is passed through a series of polarizing filters which either blocks it or allows it to pass through, thus creating an image on the display. In LCD flat panel displays, this light is then sent through a series of specially arranged colour filters which, due to their close proximity, can fool the eye into thinking it is seeing a single blended colour, when in fact it is a mosh pit of individual prime colours.

LCD TVs are now sold for the same prices CRT televisions were going for towards the end of their lifespan, indeed CRT televisions are nowadays rarely stocked in the more upmarket stores and usually only available as bargain basement products from random east Asian rebadgers and second hand stores.

A good LCD television should have a low response time, high brightness and good contrast ratio. The contrast ratio will tell you how many shades there are between the lightest and darkest colour the set can produce, this will then allow you to see more detail in dark sections of a film, which was previously where LCD technology fell down. Today's screens are perfectly capable of producing perfect images and when paired with a decent surround sound system and DVD player, can make a very nice home cinema system.