LCD HDTV Vs. Rear Projection LCD

Flat Panels

Without question, a key selling point of flat panel sets is the ability to wall mount the units, creating a sleek appearance. Flat panel LCDs use a color engine involving liquid crystals that border on a semi solid. When white light passes through the crystal, the internal image processor commands the diodes to "twist" to block light and help generate colors and their relative intensities. Flat panel LCDs are illuminated by either CCFL (modified fluorescent) bulbs, or light-emitting diodes. Flat panel LCDs are positioned as flagship displays among the manufacturers that make both rear-projection and flat panels, given their generally superior contrast, black levels and off-axis response.

Although the concept of crystal activity remains similar to flat panel sets, rear projection units deploy a high-intensity projection bulb contained within the chassis of the television, creating the necessary illumination. These sets are stand-mounted, but not necessarily heavier. Rear projection LCDs cannot be wall mounted without heavy modification, and viewing angles are inferior to their flat panel cousins, given the use of a lenticular (striped) screen. Rear projection units require the replacement of a high-intensity bulb, every 2000 to 4000 hours.

Flat panel LCDs can be spotted by their thin form. These units range from 1.5 to 4 inches in depth, and the general overall appearance is that of a sleeker, slimmer television. Rear projection models are usually around 16 inches deep, are bulkier in appearance, and have images that tend to lack the subjective image "punch" of their flat panel counterparts.

Both versions of LCD lack the ability to be "burned in," or suffer from permanent image retention. This phenomenon occurs when images, such as from computers and video games, are left static (paused) for a significant amount of time. This fact is why most modern computer monitors are LCD-based, along with their sharp images and punchy dynamic range. As a result, LCD sets are ideal for commercial and family scenarios, where a variety of images are displayed, and/or the level of attention to the display is limited.

Both rear projection and flat iterations of LCD are relatively efficient, at least in comparison to plasma sets. On average, LCDs consume about 20 percent less energy in standby than plasma. Between flat panel and rear-projection LCD, the latter tends to be slightly more efficient, important for green-minded installations and users.