TV in the kitchen: basic selection options. Monitors - with a wide horizontal viewing angle - prices Which is better than PLS or IPS? How to Pick a Good Screen - Guide

Despite a certain stagnation, the monitor market is gradually undergoing changes. Ultra HD resolution, also known as 4K, is becoming a serious trend.

"Super clear" monitors are especially popular among users working with graphics and video editing. But those users who like space on the desktop are also eyeing ultra-high-resolution displays. MacDigger offers three of the best 4K monitors for your Mac.

Dell P2715Q

The diagonal panel of the monitor Dell P2715Q is 27 inches, and the resolution is 3840 × 2160 pixels. The company has adopted an IPS matrix that provides horizontal and vertical viewing angles up to 178 degrees.

The model has a brightness of 350 cd / m2 and a response time of 9 ms. Typical and dynamic contrast ratios are 1000: 1 and 2,000,000: 1.

The manufacturer positions the model as tools for professionals: the monitor covers 99% of the sRGB space, and the declared value is Delta E3.

The stand allows for adjustment of the display's tilt and swivel angle, as well as its height in relation to the table top. You can also change the screen orientation from landscape to portrait if needed.

The panels are equipped with digital interfaces Mini DisplayPort, HDMI (MHL) and allow the use of a built-in four-port USB 3.0 hub. With a DisplayPort connector, multiple monitors can be daisy-chained together.

The average price of Dell P2715Q in Russia is 45,200 rubles.

LG 27UD88

Monitor LG 27UD88 - more new model in the ranking, it is presented on at CES 2016. The device is also equipped with a 27-inch IPS matrix, the screen resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels.

The model provides coverage of 99% of the sRGB color space, the manufacturer's declared brightness is 350 cd / m2, the pixel response time is 5 ms (Gray-to-Gray), maximum frequency screen refresh - 60 Hz.

Feature of LG 27UD88 is the presence of a USB-C connector, which will be appreciated by owners of 12-inch MacBooks. The interface can be used for both signal source and power supply. However, in addition to it, there are other video inputs: two HDMI 2.0, one DisplayPort 1.2.

A USB 3.0 hub with two ports is provided for connecting peripherals and charging mobile devices.

The average price of Dell P2715Q in Russia is 43,400 rubles.

ASUS PB287Q

ASUS PB287Q is positioned by the manufacturer as budget solution, while its diagonal is an inch larger than the previous two models. The device is equipped with a 28-inch matte screen based on a fast TN-matrix with an aspect ratio of 16: 9, a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.

The response time of ASUS PB287Q is 1ms (Gray-to-Gray), which is suitable for high-quality dynamic games. The stand allows you to adjust the position of the screen in four directions, including turning it 90 degrees, and the built-in speakers save space on your desktop without cluttering it with external acoustics.

I must say right away that Asus PB287Q should not be chosen by professionals. In fact, the feature set and the low price point are more intended to appeal to enthusiasts, and the monitor has attractive features such as VividPixel, QuickFit and GamePlus. So along with the fast response time and low latency of TN panels, this model is best suited for gamers.

If required, ASUS PB287Q LCD Monitor can be wall-hung using the optional VESA bracket.

The average price of ASUS PB287Q in Russia is 41,200 rubles.

When choosing a monitor, many users are faced with the question: which is better than PLS or IPS.

These two technologies have existed for a long time and both show themselves quite well.

If you look at various articles on the Internet, then they either write that everyone must decide for himself what is best, or do not give an answer to the question at all.

Actually, there is no point in these articles at all. After all, they do not help users in any way.

Therefore, we will analyze in which cases it is better to choose PLS or IPS and give those tips that will help you do right choice... Let's start with theory.

What is IPS

It should be said right away that on this moment it is the two options under consideration that are the leaders in the technology market.

And not every specialist will be able to tell which technology is better and what advantages each of them has.

So, the word IPS itself stands for In-Plane-Switching (literally "intra-site switching").

It also stands for Super Fine TFT. TFT, in turn, stands for Thin Film Transistor.

To put it simply, TFT is a technology for displaying a picture on, which is based on an active matrix.

It's hard enough.

Nothing. Let's figure it out now!

So, in TFT technology, the control of liquid crystal molecules in occurs with the help of thin-film transistors, which means "active matrix".

IPS is exactly the same thing, only the electrodes in monitors with this technology are on the same plane with the liquid crystal molecules, which are parallel to the plane.

All this can be clearly seen in Figure 1. There, in fact, displays with both technologies are shown.

First there is a vertical filter, then transparent electrodes, after them liquid crystal molecules (blue sticks, they are of most interest to us), then a horizontal filter, a color filter and the screen itself.

Rice. # 1. TFT and IPS screens

The difference between these technologies lies only in the fact that the LCD molecules in the TFT are not located in parallel, but in the IPS - in parallel.

Thanks to this, they can quickly change the viewing angle (specifically, here it is 178 degrees) and give a better picture (in IPS).

And also due to this solution, the brightness and contrast of the picture on the screen have significantly increased.

Now it is clear?

If not, write your questions in the comments. We will definitely answer them.

IPS technology was created in 1996. Among its advantages, it is worth noting the absence of the so-called "excitement", that is, the wrong reaction to touch.

And also it has excellent color reproduction. Quite a lot of companies produce monitors using this technology, including NEC, Dell, Chimei and even.

What is pls

For a very long time, the manufacturer did not say anything at all about his brainchild, and many experts put forward various assumptions regarding the characteristics of the PLS.

Actually, even now this technology is shrouded in a lot of secrets. But we will still find the truth!

PLS was released in 2010 as an alternative to the aforementioned IPS.

This abbreviation stands for Plane To Line Switching.

Recall that IPS is In-Plane-Switching, that is, "switching between lines". This refers to switching in the plane.

And above we said that in this technology, liquid crystal molecules quickly become flat and due to this, a better viewing angle and other characteristics are achieved.

So, in PLS, everything happens in the same way, but faster. Figure 2 shows all this clearly.

Rice. # 2. PLS and IPS work

In this figure, at the top is the screen itself, then crystals, that is, the same LCD molecules that in figure 1 were indicated by blue sticks.

The electrode is shown below. On the left, in both cases, their location is shown in the off state (when the crystals do not move), and on the right - in the on state.

The principle of operation is the same - when the crystals start to work, they begin to move, while initially they are located parallel to each other.

But, as you can see in Figure 2, these crystals quickly acquire the desired shape - the one that is necessary for the maximum.

For a certain period of time, the molecules in the IPS monitor do not become perpendicular, but in the PLS they become.

That is, in both technologies everything is the same, but in PLS everything happens faster.

Hence the intermediate conclusion - PLS works faster and, in theory, this particular technology could be considered the best in our comparison.

But it is too early to draw final conclusions.

Interesting: Samsung filed a lawsuit against LG a few years ago. It argued that the AH-IPS technology used by LG is a modification of the PLS technology. From this we can conclude that PLS is a kind of IPS and the developer himself recognized this. Actually, this was confirmed and we are a little higher.

Which is better PLS or IPS? How to choose good screen- management

What if I didn't understand anything?

In this case, the video at the end of this article will help you. There, the TFT and IPS monitors are graphically shown in a section.

You will be able to see how it all works and understand that PLS everything happens in the same way, but faster than in IPS.

Now we can proceed to further comparison of technologies.

Expert opinions

On some sites, you can find information about an independent study by PLS and IPS.

Experts compared these technologies under a microscope. It is written that in the end they did not find any differences.

Other experts write that it is better to buy PLS, but they do not really explain why.

Among all the experts' statements, there are several main points that can be observed in almost all opinions.

These moments are as follows:

Monitors with PLS matrices are the most expensive on the market. The cheapest option is TN, but such monitors are inferior in all characteristics to both IPS and PLS. So, most experts agree that this is very justified, because the picture is better displayed on PLS;
Monitors with PLS matrix are best suited for all kinds of design and engineering tasks. And also this technique will perfectly cope with the work of professional photographers. Again, it can be inferred from this that PLS does a better job of rendering colors and providing sufficient image clarity;
According to experts, PLS monitors are virtually free from problems such as glare and flickering. They came to this conclusion during the tests;
Ophthalmologists say the PLS will be much better perceived with the eyes. Moreover, it will be much easier for the eyes to look at the PLS all day than at the IPS.

In general, from all this, we again draw the conclusion that we have already drawn earlier. PLS is slightly better than IPS. And this opinion is confirmed by the majority of experts.

Which is better PLS or IPS? How to Pick a Good Screen - Guide

Our comparison

And now let's move on to the final comparison, which will answer the question posed at the very beginning.

The same experts distinguish a number of characteristics by which different ones need to be compared.

It is about such indicators as light sensitivity, response speed (meaning the transition from gray to gray), quality (pixel density without losing other characteristics) and saturation.

We will use them to evaluate two technologies.

Table 1. Comparison of IPS and PLS by some characteristics

Other characteristics, including saturation and quality, are subjective and depend on each individual.

But even from the above indicators, it can be seen that PLS has slightly higher characteristics.

Thus, we again confirm the conclusion that this technology performs better than IPS.

Rice. No. 3. First comparison of monitors with IPS and PLS matrices.

There is the only "popular" criterion, which allows you to accurately determine which is better - PLS or IPS.

This criterion is called "by eye". In practice, this means that you just need to take and look at two adjacent monitors and visually determine where the picture is better.

Therefore, we will provide several similar images, and everyone will be able to see for himself where the image visually looks better.

Rice. No. 4. The second comparison of monitors with IPS and PLS matrices.

Rice. No. 5. The third comparison of monitors with IPS and PLS matrices.

Rice. No. 6. The fourth comparison of monitors with IPS and PLS matrices.

Rice. No. 7. Fifth comparison of monitors with IPS (left) and PLS (right) matrices.

Visually you can see that on all PLS samples the picture looks much better, more saturated, brighter, and so on.

We mentioned above that TN is the most inexpensive technology today and monitors using it, respectively, are also cheaper than others.

After them, the price is followed by IPS, and then PLS. But, as you can see, all this is not surprising at all, because the picture really looks much better.

Other characteristics are also higher in this case. Many experts advise buying with PLS matrices and Full HD resolution.

Then the image will really look just fine!

It is impossible to say for sure if this combination is the best on the market today, but one of the best for sure.

By the way, for comparison, you can see how IPS and TN look at a sharp viewing angle.

Rice. No. 8. Comparison of monitors with IPS (left) and TN (right) matrices.

It is worth saying that Samsung created two technologies at once, which are used in monitors and in / and were able to significantly bypass IPS.

It's about Super AMOLED screens who stand on mobile devices of this company.

Interestingly, Super AMOLED resolution is usually lower than IPS, but the picture is richer and brighter.

But in the case of PLS above, practically everything that can be, including the resolution.

It can be generally concluded that PLS is better than IPS.

Among other things, PLS has the following advantages:

the ability to transmit a very wide range of shades (in addition to primary colors);
the ability to support the full range of sRGB;
lower energy consumption;
viewing angles allow several people to comfortably see the picture at once;
all kinds of distortions are absolutely excluded.

In general, IPS monitors are perfect for solving common household tasks, for example, watching movies and working in office programs.

But if you want to see a really rich and high-quality image, buy equipment with PLS.

This is especially true when you need to work with design / engineering programs.

Their price, of course, will be higher, but it's worth it!

Which is better PLS or IPS? How to Pick a Good Screen - Guide

What is amoled, super amoled, Lcd, Tft, Tft ips? You do not know? Look!

Modern technology is developing rapidly. New TV models appear regularly, offering ever higher picture quality. The concept of "high definition television" emerged and firmly rooted, raising the bar of experience to a new level. The transition to all-digital TV broadcasting is just around the corner, providing superior detail and noise reduction. Therefore, it is quite natural that the question arises of replacing home screen or purchasing an additional one.

There are more than 120 manufacturers and several thousand TV models in the world. Each company seeks to attract the buyer with new proprietary technologies and developments, which, in order to make the right choice, you need to understand. The purpose of this article is to help you choose your TV.

Screen type

First of all, you need to decide for what purpose the TV is being bought: whether you will watch news or broadcast programs, DVD or Blu-Ray movies, whether you will put it in the kitchen or bedroom. After all, a screen suitable for receiving a satellite signal in a living room and a TV set for watching movie discs are not at all the same thing. The living room usually contains most of the components of a home media system: a DVD or Blu-ray disc player, surround sound speakers, a satellite receiver, and more. The TV in the kitchen usually works for the background, in the bedroom it is needed to receive terrestrial cable and satellite TV broadcasts, and to view discs. Powerful sound and connection of additional devices are no longer required here. If a TV is needed for a nursery, consider the possibility of connecting game consoles, a camera or camcorder to it. When this issue is resolved, you can begin to understand the characteristics of the TV.

So, first you have to decide on the type of screen.

The following types of TVs are on the market today:

Liquid crystal (LCD, LCD);

Light-emitting diode (LED);

Plasma.

All of them have their own advantages and disadvantages - we will consider them in more detail.

LCD TV

LCD-technology (eng. LCD - Liquid Crystal Display, "liquid crystal display") is by far the most widespread. An LCD screen is a matrix of many dots, called pixels. Each pixel is made up of three “subpixels” of red, green, and blue. Liquid crystals inside the elements are able to change their position in space under the action of an electric field, letting in or blocking out light from backlight lamps installed behind the matrix. When all three subpixels are fully transparent, the cell is white, and when opaque it is black. Halftones and shades are obtained by mixing the primary colors in the desired proportion. Thus, using a special microcircuit, you can control the transparency of each pixel and form an image.

The design feature of the LCD technology is the need for light to "overcome" a layer of liquid crystals, the transparency of which is not ideal. Therefore, in order to obtain sufficient picture brightness, the installation of powerful lamps is required, which increases the price and power consumption of the device. The elements are not able to perfectly block the flow of light - the black on an LCD TV screen is not actually completely black.

Among the shortcomings, it is also necessary to note the distortion of colors and the loss of contrast, since the viewing angle of the LCD is not so wide. Because of this feature, LCD TVs could not gain popularity for a long time, but now, thanks to the efforts of the developers, distortion has become almost invisible.

The advantages of LCD TVs include a wide selection of models with different brightness (from 250 to 1500 cd / m2) and contrast (from 500: 1 to 5,000,000: 1). Thanks to this, the buyer can purchase a device that optimally combines the required image quality and an affordable price. In addition, LCD TVs are light and thin so they can be wall-mounted. But the biggest merit of liquid crystal technology is its massiveness. Due to large-scale production, prices for LCD TVs are now lower than other similar devices.

Also, LCD TVs have gained popularity for their versatility. LED TVs provide a comfortable viewing experience in almost any environment, so they are suitable for most rooms. By the level of contrast and color rendering, expensive LCD models can compete with plasmas, which allows them to take their rightful place, for example, in the living room of the Hi-End class.

LED TV

The difference between LED-TV (English LED - Light Emitting Diode, "light-emitting diode") from liquid crystal is only in the matrix backlight technology: instead of fluorescent lamps, LEDs are used, due to which LED-TVs have a number of advantages over LCD.

An LED TV is capable of displaying more colors than a "tube" LCD TV, so the image looks more natural. The use of LEDs made it possible to reduce the thickness of the screen and reduce power consumption by up to 40%, compared to LCD. The brightness and contrast characteristics have also improved significantly.

The only drawback of this technology is its relative high cost. However, the advantages of LED TVs suggest that over time they will become leaders in this market.

Because LED TVs are based on liquid crystal technology, they are as versatile as LCDs. But due to its merits, LED TV will be more preferable than LCD when it comes to your living room.

Plasma TV

Plasma TV screen is also a matrix of small elements, but this technology is implemented in sealed cells filled with gas - neon or xenon. If, with the help of special transparent electrodes, an electric voltage is applied to the cell, then the gas inside it turns into a plasma state and begins to emit ultraviolet light. The rays fall on a phosphor layer applied to the cell wall, which, depending on its composition, emits red, green or blue light. The higher the applied voltage level, the more intensely the cell glows. Different shades of color are obtained by mixing the three primary colors. By controlling the voltage supplied to the cells, the electronic module forms an image on the plasma screen.

Thus, according to the principle of operation, the cells are similar to fluorescent lamps, that is, they have the property of self-luminescence, therefore a plasma TV has some advantages over LCD and LED.

Plasma TVs provide excellent picture contrast and are about 3 times brighter than most LCD and LED screens. After all, a pixel in an inactive state does not emit anything - it is really black, and the light emitted by it in an active state has a fairly high intensity. The use of phosphor makes colors vivid and saturated. Plasma TVs, in comparison with LCD and LED, have a very fast response time.

Plasma technology has a number of specific design problems. The main one is the problem of the minimum cell size. Creating a small cell - actually a gas-filled glass flask with electrodes - is difficult. Therefore, the development of this technology runs counter to the development of other "matrix" visualization technologies: the diagonals of plasma TV screens have only recently reached 32 inches, while plasma screens with large diagonals (over 50 inches) have been around for a long time.

The availability of only models with large screen diagonals on sale has made plasma TVs the usual choice for buyers who want to get the most out of watching movies in bright, saturated colors.

The main characteristics of the TV:

Screen diagonal;

Permission.

Advanced TV options:

Matrix response time;

Contrast;

Brightness;

Viewing angles;

Interfaces;

Additional functions.

Screen diagonal

Screen diagonal can be considered a fundamental characteristic of a TV. It directly affects its size, weight and price. Correctly selected screen diagonal largely determines the comfort and impressions obtained from viewing, therefore, deserves the utmost attention when choosing.

Traditionally, the size of the diagonal of the screen is measured in inches and is denoted, for example, like this: 32 ". It is easy to calculate it in centimeters: 1 inch = 2.54 cm.

In order for the viewing to be comfortable, the diagonal of the TV screen must necessarily correspond to the size of the room in which it is planned to be installed. The most common in the domestic market are screens ranging from 26 to 42 inches. For a TV in a living room, a large screen diagonal is very important, since the whole family or a group of guests can gather in this room at the same time, and each of those present must perceive the image clearly, without causing strain and eye fatigue. There can be many layouts, but in most cases a TV with a screen diagonal of 32 ”or more will be optimal for a living room.

For the kitchen and bedroom, it is better to choose a smaller TV, because the area of these rooms is usually inferior to the area of the living room. Studies show that the optimal diagonal of a TV screen should be about 3 times less than the distance at which it is supposed to be watched. If the TV is too large for a given room, the image on the screen will not be perceived as a whole. There may be some "graininess" of the picture and the jaggedness of the boundaries between objects. This is especially true for models with a plasma screen: when viewed at too close a distance, the image tends to "disintegrate", that is, individual pixels become noticeable. Therefore, for the kitchen, we recommend choosing a TV with a screen diagonal of 20-26 ", for a bedroom it can be slightly larger - up to 32".

Most 15-21 ”models have a D-Sub (sometimes referred to as“ VGA ”) or DVI port that allows you to connect your TV to your computer as a monitor.

Permission

Be sure to pay attention to the screen resolution. This characteristic is responsible for the quality and detail of the image.

The screen of any liquid crystal, LED or plasma TV set consists of cells called pixels, the total number of which is called the screen resolution. It is expressed as two numbers, the first of which indicates the number of pixels horizontally and the second vertically, for example, 1920x1080. A high resolution Screen allows the TV to display crisp images with plenty of detail and smooth lines without jagging.

A 42 ”TV with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 will show a clearer picture than a TV with a resolution of 1366 x 768 at the same diagonal. The fact is that having more pixels on the same screen area means that each of them is smaller.

Today, most the best quality images available to the general public provide a relatively new standard digital television- HDTV or high definition television (HDTV).

HDTV (English "High-Definition TeleVision") is a set of high quality television broadcasting standards, which includes requirements for format, resolution and image formation method, as well as for sound quality.

High Definition Standards Formats:

720p: 1280 × 720 resolution, progressive scan;

1080i: 1920 × 1080 resolution, interlaced;

1080p: 1920 x 1080 resolution progressive scan.

Scan, denoted by the Latin letters "i" and "p", is a way of displaying a frame on the screen. Unlike Interlacing Scan, Progressive Scan provides better image quality, that is, completely eliminates the combing effect on the edges of objects moving horizontally, as well as jitter of a still picture (for example , in pause mode). To work with progressive scan, the TV requires a more powerful and expensive processor, but support for this mode is mandatory for modern HDTV screens.

High definition television standards are developed by the European "Information and Communication Technology and Consumer Electronics Association" (EICTA). To facilitate the identification of models, the organization has also published requirements for technical parameters devices capable of processing high-definition signals A special label has also been approved.

Models satisfying minimum requirements HDTVs are marked with "HD-Ready", which literally means "ready for HDTV". That is, a TV with the "HD-Ready" sticker is necessarily equipped with:

A screen with a resolution of at least 1280x720 pixels;

At least one input capable of receiving HD signals in 720p and 1080i formats. It can be a YPbPr1 analog component input, or digital DVI or HDMI;

At least one digital DVI or HDMI input supporting HDCP content protection technology.

The most common resolution for HD-Ready TVs is 1366x768 pixels. Such models are forced to interpolate the 1080i signal, reducing its resolution.

The "Full HD" label is given to TVs capable of displaying 1080p images and must be equipped with at least one HDMI input to receive a high-definition signal. The screen of a modern Full HD TV always has a resolution of 1920 x 1080.

The screen of an HDTV TV is always widescreen, that is, it has an aspect ratio of 16: 9. This format covers up to 70% of the field of view of the human eye, which allows the viewer to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the film, which enhances the viewing experience.

Russian on-air analogue television broadcasting has a resolution of 720x576 pixels with an aspect ratio of 4: 3. Video from a standard DVD is usually played in 720x480 (16: 9) resolution. A natural question arises - will the new TV set receive a signal from “non-HDTV” sources, and how will this affect the image quality?

Yes, an HDTV is capable of receiving and displaying a standard definition signal. In this case, an image with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 can be displayed on a widescreen screen in two ways: with black stripes at the edges of the picture, or by cropping slightly at the top and bottom. Some TV models have a special processing unit that removes noise from the analog signal, increases the resolution using interpolation, applies digital anti-aliasing algorithms, thus improving the picture to HDTV standards. However, one should not expect "miracles" from such transformations. A high definition signal is required to obtain a high quality picture.

Unfortunately, there is no widespread high-definition television broadcasting in Russia. This requires the modernization of a large number of TV stations and the transition to fully digital TV broadcasting, which is planned for 2015. Therefore, at the moment, only Blu-Ray discs, satellite or cable TV, and game consoles can serve as a source of high-definition signals. Nevertheless, in some regions of the country, digital broadcasting is already being launched, and cable TV networks are emerging and developing.

Matrix response time

The concept of "response time" was not applied to CRT televisions, since the duration of the afterglow of the phosphor was rather short. But with the advent of "matrix" screens, this parameter has become very important.

Matrix response time is the average time it takes for a screen matrix element to transition from one state to another. Excessive response times can result in “trails” of residual glow behind fast moving objects.

Usually the time it takes for a pixel to go from white to black and then back again is measured. But some manufacturers measure the response time using the so-called "GtG" (English "Gray-to-Gray") scheme. The response time is expressed in milliseconds (ms). Its typical values, for example for LCD matrices, are in the range from 2 to 10 ms.

When watching dynamic scenes in films, for example, chases or battles, the fast response time will not allow the picture to "blur". For comfortable viewing of films and programs, a screen with a response time of up to 8-10 ms is sufficient, but if you plan to connect a TV to a computer, you should limit your choice to models with a response time of less than 5 ms. The response time can be ignored if you are buying plasma. In this case, its value is invariably low.

Contrast

Another characteristic of a TV screen that affects viewing comfort is picture contrast, which is the ratio of the brightness of the lightest to the darkest part. That is, the brighter the matrix displays white, and the deeper, richer - black, the higher the contrast level of the screen. So, for example, at a contrast ratio of 1000: 1, the white areas are 1000 times brighter than the black ones. High contrast allows you to see more shades of color and picture detail.

But the intrinsic, "constructional" (it is also called static) contrast of even expensive LCD matrices is still insufficient, especially when playing HD video, where the requirements for image quality are very high.

To increase the visible contrast, manufacturers have come up with a fairly effective and, at the same time, inexpensive solution... Modern TV analyzes the content of each frame and automatically adjusts the screen brightness. Thus, in low-light scenes, the backlight emits less light, making dark colors deeper, and in bright frames, it gets brighter, emphasizing the white.

Contrast measured using this automatic backlight dimming is called "Dynamic Contrast" (DC). Its values in expensive models can reach 5,000,000: 1, and acceptable image quality is provided by dynamic contrast ratios of about 10,000: 1.

The use of LED backlighting for LCD TVs has significantly increased the contrast, so the image on the LED TV screen looks deeper and clearer than on a conventional LCD.

Brightness

The high brightness of the screen allows you to comfortably watch TV in external, natural or artificial lighting conditions. Low brightness images are difficult to read and cause excessive eye strain.

The brightness of a TV screen is expressed in luminous intensity per unit area and is measured in cd / m2 (read as "candela per square meter").

Currently, the most expensive models of LCD TVs are almost equal in brightness to plasma TVs, which have always won in this parameter due to the self-luminescence of the screen elements. But most of the LCD matrices are still inferior to them, since the flow of light from lamps or LEDs has to overcome a layer of liquid crystals, the transparency of which is not absolute. Typical brightness values for LCD and LED TVs range from 300 to 600 cd / m2, while for "plasmas" it easily reaches 1500 cd / m2.

However, brightness is not the only important characteristic of a TV, as some manufacturers try to teach it. The fact is that with an increase in the brightness of the image, its contrast decreases, and the colors become dull and inconspicuous, despite the declared "large color gamut". Therefore, high screen brightness should always be combined with sufficient contrast.

Based on practical experience, we can formulate several recommendations for choosing the optimal ratio of brightness and contrast. So, for a budget TV model with a brightness of 300 cd / m2, the contrast should be at least 1000: 1. In the middle segment, we recommend choosing a screen with a brightness of 400-500 cd / m2 with a contrast ratio of about 5000-10000: 1, and for the high-end class - already from 600 cd / m2 and at least 20,000: 1.

An excess supply of brightness will not be superfluous, especially since it can always be adjusted within a fairly wide range. And of course, not every TV can "compete" in brightness with direct sunlight, so you should avoid installing it in front of windows.

Viewing angles

The maximum viewing angle is another characteristic of the TV that appeared with the advent of digital screens. It denotes the maximum angle to the plane of the TV screen, when viewed from which the image is perceived without distortion.

To understand where the distortions come from, it is necessary to carefully study the structure of the screen matrix - this effect is due to its very structure.

The liquid crystal matrix is a multi-layer surface and is a very thin structure. The pixels are optically isolated from each other by polarizing filters, and the lamps or backlight LEDs are located at a very small, but still non-zero distance from them. And therefore, the light, passing through the cells, falls into a kind of "well", which limits the area of its dispersion.

A wider viewing angle is provided by a thinner and therefore more expensive matrix. Most LCD TVs have a viewing angle of 170 degrees, while flagship models range from 175-178 degrees.

Distortion appears as a change in screen colors and a drop in the apparent brightness and contrast of the image. As the viewing angle increases, the observer sees not a sharp drop in picture quality, but its gradual deterioration. The best results are obtained when looking perpendicular to the screen, and distortion remains subtle in the range from about -60 to +60 degrees. Thus, the optimal viewing angle for the TV is about 120 degrees.

Budget models usually have viewing angles of about 160-170 degrees. But with correct installation such a model will not be able to view from the “wrong” angle, and you simply will not be able to notice the distortion, while saving quite a lot. A good option would be, for example, installing such a TV set near the end (short) wall of a not too large room. In order not to experience discomfort associated with an incorrectly selected viewing angle, you need to consider the location of the TV.

For plasma panels, the viewing angle problem is not so acute due to the peculiarities of this technology. The fact is that visible light is emitted by a layer of phosphor, which is much closer to the outer surface of the screen than lamps or backlight LEDs for LCD and LED screens. Therefore, almost all plasma TVs provide a maximum viewing angle of about 175-178 degrees.

Interfaces

The TV interfaces allow you to connect other devices to it: DVD and Blu-ray players and video recorders, game consoles, digital cameras and camcorders, surround sound speakers, laptops and other attributes of the modern “digital home”.

The list of possible interfaces is wide enough:

Composite (AV). It was widespread in the era of CRT TVs, but the quality it offers does not meet today's requirements. Therefore, TVs are equipped with a composite input for compatibility with older devices. Usually presented in the form of three RCA ("tulip") connectors, one of which, as a rule, yellow, is used for video transmission, and the other two - for stereo sound transmission.

Component. An analog interface that implements the transmission of a video signal in the form of three image components. This eliminates the need to mix the signal in the source and then separate it in the receiver, which provides a better picture quality compared to the composite input. However, it is inferior to digital connections, and TVs are equipped with component video and audio outputs for compatibility with older devices. Switching is carried out using RCA ("tulip") connectors. Does not transmit sound.

SCART. Combined multi-pin interface for analog transmission (input and output) of image and sound over a cable up to 15 meters long. It is the standard for devices intended for sale on the European market. In terms of the video signal transmission quality, it is at the level of the component interface, but some TV models also allow two-way exchange of digital commands via SCART, for example, synchronization of the TV and VCR start-up. Compatible with composite and component interfaces using SCART-"tulip" adapters.

SCART-RGB. This designation is sometimes used to identify a SCART interface that supports RGB video transmission for better image quality.

S-Video. An analog connector used to output images to a TV from a computer, laptop, video recorder, digital camera and other devices. By choosing the appropriate adapter cable, for example, from S-Video to 4 "tulips" or from S-Video to SCART, you can connect a variety of image sources. Does not transmit sound.

D-Sub. A common standard analog video output used to connect computers to a TV. The signal transmitted via this interface is very sensitive to interference and electromagnetic interference, so the image quality depends on the quality of the cable used and its length, which can be up to 15 meters. D-Sub equipped TVs can usually be used as full-fledged computer monitors. Does not transmit sound.

DVI. Transmits a higher quality picture than D-Sub due to the use of a digital signal format and no double digital-to-analog conversion. A 4.5 meter DVI cable allows you to transfer images with a resolution of 1920x1200, and a 15 meter cable - up to 1280x1024 pixels. Does not transmit sound.

HDMI. a modern high-definition multimedia interface designed to transmit high-definition video signals (up to 2560x1440) and multi-channel audio over a single cable up to 5 meters long. It is compatible with DVI, but is mainly used for switching various household audio / video equipment; also, via HDMI, you can connect a computer equipped with this interface to a TV.

Mini-jack. The stereo jack used for audio output is often found on the front of the TV. In this case, it is intended to connect headphones.

Coaxial audio output (BNC). Digital interface for sound transmission. It features high signal quality and minimal interference. Used to transfer sound between the TV and a disc player or AV receiver, and to connect surround speakers.

Optical audio-out (Toslink). Digital interface for transmitting surround sound. Allows you to transmit a multichannel signal without interference, thanks to the use of an optical cable that is not susceptible to electrical interference. Used to transfer sound between the TV and a disc player or AV receiver, and to connect surround speakers.

USB. A computer connector that has become widespread in television technology. Used to read music and videos from flash drives. Usually located on the front of the TV, which allows you to quickly connect a USB flash drive for viewing. In the absence of digital TV broadcasting, USB port can serve as a convenient HD source.

As a rule, any TV set is equipped with a wide range of various connectors, but only expensive models can boast all existing interfaces, and, accordingly, versatility in connection.

When choosing a TV, you need to think in advance about what devices you plan to connect it to, and make sure that the TV model you choose has the appropriate interfaces. In the set of ports, it is better to include those that may be useful in the future.

Recently, it has become very popular to connect devices via HDMI. In addition to its high bandwidth, this interface is highly versatile and is therefore equipped with many components of a modern home media system. Preference should be given to TV models that have as many HDMI ports as possible.

Tuners

Despite the possibility of connecting many signal sources, receiving television programs remains an important task for the TV. Any TV has a built-in electronic unit that is responsible for receiving terrestrial, satellite or cable TV signal, which is called a tuner (English "tuner", literally, "tuner").

A TV can be equipped with more than one tuner. Thus, two tuners allow using the "Picture-in-picture" (PIP) mode to display images from two TV channels at once. This can be useful, for example, if you are waiting for a show to start while watching news or music videos. Often the manufacturer indicates support for PIP mode in the characteristics of a TV that has only one tuner. In this case, this function will work only when connecting additional signal sources other than the antenna: disc player, computer, camcorder, satellite receiver or others.

Tuners are of three types:
analog. So far, the most relevant type of tuner for the Russian buyer. Allows you to receive an analog TV signal from a conventional antenna or cable TV network;

digital. Able to receive a digital television broadcast signal. At the moment, it is practically not conducted anywhere in Russia, therefore, the presence of a digital tuner on the TV now can be considered only as a reserve for the future;

hybrid. Combines the capabilities of digital and analog tuners. There are a lot of TVs equipped with a hybrid tuner on the market today, and buying such a model can probably be considered the best option.

Sound

The built-in speaker system is present in almost any modern TV. When buying a TV screen for the living room, it usually means connecting a home theater system, but if the target room is a kitchen or bedroom, you can also look at the device's own audio capabilities to save space.

Inexpensive TVs can only reproduce mono sound and use one or two speakers. More advanced ones are equipped with a built-in stereo system, in which the number of speakers can be from two to eight. Some Russian terrestrial TV channels broadcast with A2 / NICAM stereo sound, and for full reception of such broadcasts the tuner must also support this format.

The high power of the TV's built-in speaker system is important to create sufficient sound power in large rooms... It is rational that TVs of small diagonals are equipped with acoustics with a power of 1-5 W, and large ones - 10-20 W or more. As a rule, the manufacturer selects it in such a way as to provide a comfortable sound when the TV is installed in a suitable room (see the subsection "Screen diagonal").

When choosing a TV for the living room, you should pay attention to the presence of a Dolby Digital processor in it. It will allow the TV to independently decode the signal for multi-channel playback. audio track 5.1 format, and if there is a built-in amplifier, output it to an external speaker system. Otherwise, you will need to connect another device equipped with a Dolby Digital decoder to enjoy surround sound.

Additional functions

Many modern TVs have a set in their arsenal. additional opportunities, with the help of which manufacturers extend the functionality of products. It is rather difficult to give any specific recommendations here: your choice, most likely, will depend on how necessary and convenient one or another function seems to you.

Some Philips TVs are equipped with the AmbiLight function, which uses additional multi-colored lamps on the cabinet to create backlighting in the room. Its color is chosen depending on the color prevailing in the scene: for example, if there is fire there, the backlight will be orange-red. This allows you to enhance the experience of watching the movie and achieve a more immersive atmosphere.

Panasonic Viera series TVs have a VIERALink function that allows you to easily combine multiple devices of this brand, such as a disc player, satellite and AV receiver into a single coordinated system and control it with just one remote control. Similarly acts Sony technology BraviaSync used in Bravia series TVs.

Below is a short list of other additional features found in many TV brands from different brands:

off / on timer. Allows you to tune your TV to automatic switching on or shutdown at a specific time. For example, the screen in the kitchen will turn on when you go to work;

24Hz (24p True Cinema). Films are initially shot at 24 frames per second. But when burning them to a regular DVD, the format requires 25 frames per second, which leads to a slight acceleration of the image when viewing. A TV that supports this feature is able to restore the original playback frame rate, provided the disc player also supports it;

program guide (EPG). Electronic program guide with description. More convenient than its paper and newspaper version, but support for this function exists only for digital terrestrial or cable TV broadcasting;

protection from children. Prevents children from turning on the TV when adults are away. It can also implement blocking of individual TV channels;

teletext. Allows you to receive additional information on the TV screen, if such an opportunity is provided by local television broadcasting;

automatic adjustment volume. TV channels and disc recordings may have different volume levels. This function automatically analyzes the volume of the sound source and adjusts it in accordance with the level selected by the user;

enter channel names. Allows you to easily identify channels using custom labels;

list of favorite channels. You can add the channels that you would like to watch into it, without wasting time switching programs one by one;

freeze frame (Time Shift). Provides the ability to "stop time" by pause while watching a TV program. Naturally, its broadcast continues, but you will not miss anything, since the TV saves a video to its internal memory, which you can watch later.

Some TV models provide a choice of operating modes: standard, game, cinema and others. Switching to the appropriate mode allows you to automatically adjust the display settings so that they are optimal for the selected image type. For example, the game mode activates a special circuit to reduce the response time of the sensor and thereby eliminate the blurring effect of fast-moving objects, which is very important for games.

We buy a TV

Guided by the recommendations given and carefully analyzing the parameters, you can easily choose the TV that is most suitable for you. We hope that with the help of our advice, you can create a modern, high-tech, well-functioning media system in your home that will make your stay at home more fun and enjoyable.

An LCD TV is an LCD flat panel TV. The technology is based on the use physical properties crystal. LCD models have several advantages over plasma TVs. First of all, this is a longer service life and a high-quality picture at various viewing angles. The difficulty in choosing is only the selection of the optimal parameters.

LCD TV diagonal

When purchasing a TV, it is worth deciding on the required diagonal. For maximum comfort, the distance from the viewing position to the TV should be 4-5 times greater than the diagonal. Thus, with a 32-inch diagonal, the distance to the sofa should be at least 3.25 meters.

When buying a TV, it is worth choosing several models with the same diagonal and evaluating the image quality, moving away from 3.5-4 meters.

Contrast

The reliability and clarity of the picture, the gamma of tones and halftones with all its beauty depend on the contrast of the TV, but when choosing, you should not particularly study this indicator - all modern LCD models should have a contrast ratio of at least 800: 1.

On the manufacturers' markings, there may be a contrast ratio of 12000: 1, but it is worth taking a closer look at the additional inscriptions and it becomes clear that this is dynamic contrast and it is achieved through additional adjustments. Therefore, the indicator is not worth attention.

Brightness

With a low level of brightness, the eyes will be very strained and, accordingly, tired from prolonged viewing, and with daylight watching TV will be almost impossible. Choose models that average brightness of which is not less than 450 cd / m2.

V selected models a detector is built in to determine the illumination and subsequent automatic tuning brightness for maximum comfort.

Viewing angle

The minimum value for the viewing angle of horizontal or vertical planes is about 160 degrees - viewing TV at an 80-degree angle will reduce the contrast 10 times from viewing in the center. In modern models, the allowable angle is 176-178 degrees.

Response time

For the appearance of the image, the liquid crystals move to the extreme position from the initial position, and the time spent on the movement is called the LCD response time. The image quality and viewing comfort directly depend on the response time.

With a high value of the indicator, a trail may appear on the screen when the images change quickly, or the images will overlap. In modern LCD TVs, the response time should not be higher than 8 m - almost ideally 2-3 ms.

Sound

The stereo system will be one of the defining moments when choosing an LCD TV. Modern the lineup differs in the presence of a digital amplifier, which is used to ensure the maximum permissible sound purity.

Televisions must have a 2-way speaker system of tweeters and four speakers. Comfortable perception is achieved with speaker sizes from 6 cm, and tweeters from 2 cm.

Traditionally, sound quality is measured by the power of the speakers in speaker system, which is measured in watts, but this parameter does not greatly affect the quality perception. Many manufacturers use ignorance of buyers and indicate the power consumption, and sellers can quite accurately compare the amount of power with the sound quality. You should not pay attention to this, but you should ask about the intensity of the sound, which is measured in decibels.

You should also take into account the presence of a speaker system that creates the effect of presence and has a Surround standard.

Matrix size

Television signals used in our country are in SECAM or PAL format and correspond to a resolution of 720 by 576. When purchasing TVs with a small diagonal, this should be taken into account when choosing a model whose resolution exceeds this size.

To watch movies from video media, you should select a much higher resolution, for example, 1366 by 768, and for a digital television signal, 1920 by 1080 is more suitable.

Inputs and outputs

Most LCD TVs have a standard set of outputs and inputs - S-Video, SCART, component and composite.

The presence of HDMI and DVI is encouraged. The difference between HDMI and DVI is the ability to receive both video and audio signals in digital form... An undoubted attribute of modern equipment is support for memory cards such as SD, MS and MS pro, MMC, SM, CF, XD.

So, we have identified the main characteristics by which it is necessary to choose LCD TVs. For standard-size apartments, the best choice would be a TV with a 32-inch diagonal or more and a minimum contrast ratio of 800: 1, in addition, the TV should have no more than 8 ms response delay and sufficient brightness. The viewing angle should be at least 160 degrees and we pay special attention to the speaker system. It is worth remembering the sound parameter, measured in decibels, not watts. An LCD TV must have minimal set inputs and outputs, and support major types of memory cards.

The manufacturer has a significant influence on the purchase of equipment. The most popular are Sony and Panasonic TVs, where the price rises by 30% only from the popularity.

South Korean models from Samsung, LG and Phillips deserve undoubted attention of consumers, which have earned confidence in the release of high-quality and not too expensive products.

Let's try to figure out how plasma differs from LCD when choosing a TV in a store, what to look for, and what you can ignore. What screen parameters are basic for a TV receiver and which ones are better for this or that model.

LCD panels

What are the advantages of an LCD TV?

The liquid crystal matrix is very thin, there is no large picture tube in this panel, so the LCD TV has the following advantages:

Slim body and light weight, thanks to this, it can be placed directly on the wall and thus save space in the apartment
Pixels in the matrix very small and their high matrix density allows for high definition LCD TVs, which guarantees stunning picture clarity and full compatibility with high definition television. In addition, LCD TVs with a diagonal of 32 inches and larger support the Full HD format. This will allow you to use it even as a monitor for a computer, play computer games and at the same time get a picture with a high degree of detail.
Lcd tv extremely functional... You can connect to them a variety of photo, audio and video equipment, computers, game consoles and other devices without which it is difficult to imagine the life of a modern person.
Viewing angle of 178 degrees vertically and horizontally. This will allow you to watch TV in a large group, and the image will remain bright and clear from almost any angle.
LCD TVs consume least energy and thus save it.
And finally, the most large selection of diagonals from the smallest to the largest. You can pick up a TV, both in the kitchen and in the living room.

To summarize all this, the advantages of an LCD TV are:

1 Slim
2 Light
3 Compact
4 High resolution
5 Functionality
6 Viewing angle 178 degrees
7 Low power consumption
8 Wide range of diagonals

Plasma

What are the advantages of plasma models over LCD. The contrast of modern plasma models is higher than that of LCDs, thanks to this, deep blacks on the screen and amazing image volume are achieved.

Studies have shown that among TVs with large size plasma screens are less eye fatiguing and provide a more comfortable viewing experience. Unlike an LCD TV, a plasma panel retains a high picture contrast regardless of the viewing angle.

There is no such parameter as response time in a plasma panel, because it is negligible. Plasma TVs can have 18-bit processors that can handle trillions of color shades. And LCD TVs can have 10-bit processors that can handle about a billion colors. How more powerful processor, the more natural the picture on the TV screen. A large supply of shades allows the most realistic color reproduction of both brightly lit objects and those in the shadows, while maintaining the volume and depth of the image. Although much here depends on the ability of the human eye to distinguish these shades, and it turns out that this advantage does not play a decisive role.