CRT: Cathode Ray Tube
A display technology that works by firing electrons at a fluorescent screen.
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display
A display technology that works by shining a bright white backlight through tiny crystals manipulated using an electric field. LCD TVs use Liquid Crystal Display screens.
Plasma
A display technology that works by using an electric charge to turn gases into a plasma which then excites phosphors to emit light. Plasma TVs employ this type of technology.
Rear projection
A display technology that works by projecting an image onto the screen from within the television - using a CRT, DLP, 3LCD or LCOS projector.
Interlaced
Interlaced video only displays every second horizontal line, rapidly switching between the odd and even numbered lines to build the entire image (unlike Progressive).
Progressive
Progressive video displays every horizontal line at once (unlike Interlaced).
Response time
How long it takes a pixel in an LCD screen to change colour. High response times can mean motion blur.
Contrast
How much brighter the whitest white in a picture is than the blackest black, expressed as a ratio ie. 500:1.
Dynamic contrast
How much brighter the whitest white in the bright scenes is than the blackest black in the dark scenes. By dimming the backlight in the dark scenes, LCD TVs can create a higher dynamic contrast than standard contrast.
Viewing angles
Have far you can sit to either side of a screen before the image starts to dim, measured in degrees.
Upscaling
Adding extra dots to an image so it still looks sharp on a high definition screen.
Downscaling
Removing detail from an image to display it on a low resolution screen.
HDMI
High-Definition Multimedia Interface - the cable format that combines digital video and audio in the one cable.
HDCP
High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection - copyright protection used on high definition Blu-ray and HD DVD movies. Both the player and the display must be HDCP-compatible, otherwise the video may be downscaled to standard definition or blocked completely.
Viera Link
Panasonic technology allowing a television to control other home entertainment devices connected together via HDMI. Sony recently announced its own version called "Bravia Link".
Multi-channelling
A television network using more than one channel to broadcast different programs at the same time.
More from Comparison Net...
> Compare over 150 Plasma and LCD TV models
Three simple steps to find the TV model you want:
1. Narrow your search by brand, price range or feature, eg find all SONY tvs, find all PLASMA tvs, find all tvs with Full HD Display and find 42 inch Panasonic tvs.
2. Select a shortlist of televisions to compare, side by side.
3. Find reputable stores near you.
> Check out our Digital Television Buyers Guide
A comprehensive buyers guide for Plasma and LCD TVs - there's lots to consider when choosing the dream television to live at heart of your lounge room.
> Find more Plasma & LCD TV articles on Plasma versus LCD Digital Televisions, HDTV and Energy Ratings
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