Posts Tagged contrast ratio
HDTV Shopping Tips – Buyer Beware!
So, you’re looking for a brand new High Definition Television?
Before we get started, let’s talk about what an HDTV is.
Essentially an high definition television set is the latest in TV technology which offers much higher image clarity than the older TVs. In order to take advantage of the higher resolutions you will need to receive an HD signal (or at the very least a digital signal… which is pretty much a basic service now a days).
When going out to evaluate a new TV make sure that you truly understand the various resolutions and whether or not you really need it. For some getting the highest quality picture is a must, while for others just being able to watch regular TV is enough… Also, when going to your local outlet, make sure they accurately demo the true quality of the HD by having them tune in an HD signal to their TVs. Because the only way to truly evaluate the difference (and to appreciate high definition) between the TVs is to see all the models next to each other using the same “feed.”
Hopefully this isn’t too confusing…
Ok, so we’ve talked about resolution, but what does it mean?
Well, the HDTVs currently come in a variety of flavors from 720 to 1080 (there are lower resolutions but you really shouldn’t consider anything less than 720 and really no less than 1080 if you want great quality picture). Each of these resolutions come in an “i” and a “p” variety (in other words, you have 1080i and 1080p, and the same goes for 720 resolutions).
If you are only watching regular HD TV (broadcasts), 1080i is the highest resolution that you can get. However, 1080p is the highest resolution you can get on a TV currently. Since regular broadcast TV only take advantage of 1080i there’s really no need to invest in 1080p; unless you plan on purchasing a Blu Ray disc player (which takes advantage of the latest technology), plan on playing some of the latest video games on playstation / xbox and want to take advantage of the highest resolution available, or just have some money to blow and want to show off to your friends.
While there are other areas that can make a difference in terms of your image quality such as: contrast ration, screen (glossy or non-glare), brightness and other control features; the resolution is key to image quality as the difference between a regular non-HDTV and a 1080 resolution TV is a factor of six. In other words a 1080p HDTV has 6 times better image clarity than a regular television set.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of things you should know about before investing your hard earned money on a new HD TV set. Make sure you educate yourself and evaluate the various brands. There are the top brands such as Sony and Samsung and 2nd and 3rd tier brands as well. And while the specs look similar there can be a wide disparity between each television set. So buyer beware!
Tags: 1080p, 1080p hdtv, contrast ratio, hd tv, hdtvs, samsung, television, tv technology, videoRelated posts
How to Find the Best CCTV LCD Video Monitor
Your CCTV camera always comes hand in hand with an LCD monitor the same way a pen can’t work without the right paper surface to write on. TV sets may be compatible with them, but they certainly can’t work 24/7 the way LCD monitors do and has to, considering the purpose of CCTV. CRTs, the bulky monitors used for computers, may also work but they emit more radiation and consume more electricity. Thus, you’re left with the best choice of all for CCTV cameras, and that’s an LCD video monitor.
How to Choose the Right CCTV LCD Video Monitor
When shopping for CCTV LCD video monitors, be sure to consider the factors listed below.
Size
This is very important especially if you have limited space to work with. A large LCD monitor, however, is preferable if you expect a frequent need to review real-time or previous footage.
Brand
Avoid purchasing LCD video monitors manufactured by little-known brands. You may find its very affordable price helpful, but such low prices usually come with poor product quality and customer support. If, however, you insist on purchasing a not-so-known name then be sure at least to check for what kind of after-sales support and warranty you’ll be given.
Resolution
A very basic term for resolution is simply the overall quality of photos and video footage captured by the CCTV camera. If your CCTV camera is connected to a CPU as well, you’ll have to make sure that your video card specifications are compatible and at par with that of your LCD video monitor. If not, the image would have to be resized and the result won’t be favourable.
Other elements you should consider and which may affect the overall visual quality of your monitor are brightness, response time, pixel pitch, and contrast ratio.
Audio Capabilities
Not all LCD video monitors come with built-in speakers and even those that do cannot always guarantee high sound quality. The only way to find out which has the best audio capabilities is to test them yourself. Search online for previews of other users to avoid making the same mistakes they did.
Are You Interested in Buying a Secondhand CCTV LCD Video Monitor?
It’s possible to find a used CCTV LCD video monitor that’s still in good working order, but it won’t be easy. Be especially careful when shopping online for used electronic equipment as there is no way for you to test the product prior to having it delivered to your doorstep.
Tags: camera, cctv camera, cctv cameras, contrast ratio, lcd monitor, lcd monitors, lcd video monitor, monitor, monitors, sound quality, speakers, video, video monitorRelated posts
LCD Televisions – Things You Need to Know Before You Buy
So what should you know before you make your new purchase? Here are some helpful tips to hopefully make your preliminary decisions a little easier.
Size
LCD TV’s are available in such a vast array of sizes. You can purchase as small as 10″, and then move up the range from 32″, 37″, 42″, all the way up to 108″. The decision can be difficult with so many options, however, begin by considering the viewing distance from the prospective television. How far away do you plan on sitting from your new LCD TV? Obviously, you do not want to buy the 52″ TV if you are only 4 feet away. Optimally, for LCD TV’s of 42″, plan to be about 10 feet away, where as an LCD TV of over 60″ should be viewed at over 15 feet away. In sum, do not get in over your head and buy a large TV without having the proper space to view it.
Resolution
Resolution may be expressed as 720p, 1080p, 1080i, 1024×768, etc. These numbers represent the vertical and horizontal lines that make up the picture quality on the screen. The most advanced and future-ready resolution is 1080p, which stands for 1080 pixels (or vertical lines) with progressive scanning. This is better than 1080i, as the “i” represents “interlaced”. Interlaced simply uses the previous technology of updating a picture every other line beginning with the odd numbered pixels, and then the even. Progressive scanning is constantly refreshing every pixel all of the time.
Refresh Rate
In addition to either progressive or interlaced scanning, companies such as Samsung, Panasonic, and Sony offer multiple speeds in which those pixels are refreshed. With a higher refresh rate, comes better clarity, less interruption of high action scenes. The most common refresh rate is between 60-120 Hz, however, 200 Hz has reached some markets. Smaller TV’s may not show much difference with higher resolution and refresh rates, but on the contrary, larger TV’s demonstrate rather big differences.
Contrast Ratio
Contrast Ratio is described in terms of 700:1, or 25,000:1. It is simply a ratio of how many steps it takes in shades of gray to go from black to white and back again. Some brands offer what they call “Dynamic Contrast Ratio” in which is not a true description of the TV’s color capabilities. With a dynamic contrast ratio TV, it will lower the back light in darker scenes to darken pictures. In short, an LCD television with a higher contrast ratio will be able to deliver greater color and picture quality.
Overall, when deciding on a TV, begin with determining the size that meets the needs of the viewing room. From there, you can decide on the importance of the resolution, refresh rate, and contrast ratio.
Tags: 1080p, contrast ratio, dynamic contrast ratio, lcd television, lcd televisions, lcd tv, lcd tvs, new lcd tv, samsung, television, televisionsRelated posts