Flat screen televisions have been one of the greatest technological innovations in the home viewing in the last three decades. Today's flat screens are lighter, sharper, more luminous and energy efficient than comparably-sized cathode ray tubes of the past, making a full theater experience possible for Joe and Jane Doe in their own living room. The efficiency and economy of modern plasma and liquid crystal display (LCD) systems have made large, wide screens - once restricted to high end projection systems - available to nearly everyone.

Picking the Display Type that Works for You

LCDs and plasmas both have their strengths. The type of video display you choose should depend largely on how you plan to use it. In the past, it was common for plasma displays to have a very "glossy" screen, which tended to reflect a lot of light. LCDs have traditionally had less glare issues. This, plus their often higher light output, makes LCDs ideal for bright rooms or for daytime viewing.

By comparison, plasmas are often best suited for areas where there is more light control. They perform their best in darker areas and work better when they aren't competing with ambient room lighting. Plasmas also generally offer superior "off-axis" viewing, which is a fancy way of saying the image can be seen better when viewed from an angle. In a room where there is a wide range of seating locations or the TV will not always be viewed straight on, a plasma display may be something to consider.

While LCDs used to struggle with off-axis viewing, technology advances have been closing this gap over the years. A surefire way to know if a display will work with your situation is to measure where you will sit at home before visiting a store to look at TVs. Take note of not only the viewing distance, but the viewing angle. You'll then be able to replicate more accurately your normal viewing behavior at the store and get better idea of how the display your are considering will work in your home.

Making the best choice

While the number of brands, technologies, features, and sizes can be a bit overwhelming, the variety of available displays means there is likely a TV out there that is just right for your viewing habits. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when choosing a flat screen display:

• Think about where you will put the display
  You already know to check whether off-axis viewing is a concern for you, but how many people will be using it and from what distance? It's tempting to stand in front of a display when viewing dozens of them at a store, but take the time to view them from the same distances and angles you expect to watch it from in your home. And speaking of angles, consider that displays are often most comfortably used when the screen is at eye level. Placing a display over a fireplace may look nice when standing up discussing it, but make sure that viewing angle is right for you if you usually watch while sitting down.
• Check the reflectivity of the screen
  Turn off the TV and walk around. Looking at the TV's screen with the power off makes it easier to see how much ambient light it will reflect. Displays with matte screens, common to LCD TVs, are better if your room at home has a lot of bright light.
• Test the TVs using content you know
  Bring one of your favorite DVDs and play it on the TVs you are considering. Most retailers show content in which images change quickly. This can make it hard to get a real sense of the TV's picture. Although there are many factors that can affect a display's picture, testing TVs using content you are familiar with can make it easier to focus on the picture.

The Home Theater Resource Center on CNET.com has a good side-by-side comparison of the feature, picture quality and durability of plasma LCD TVs. You can find it on their website here. Although this is a generic comparison, it will help you know what to look for when you are shopping.

If you are still confused, give us a call and let our Agents help. We are also on site at your local Best Buy store. Not only does Geek Squad provide on-site consultation services, our Agents can deliver, install, and configure your display and the rest of your AV system for peak, personalized performance. Go Ahead. Use Us!