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D-ILA / HD-ILA (Direct-Drive Image Light Amplifier)

Microdisplays are the newest form of rear projection television technology to hit the rapidly growing high definition display market offering all the advantages of CRT based rear projection TVs (RPTVs), plus a whole lot more. Microdisplays come in all the same size ranges of traditional RPTVs, but are based on digital microchips driven by light projection technology, and not CRT based technology.

The most notable advantages to microdisplay technology are:

With all these advantages, microdisplays are sure to redefine the RPTV display market. At the same time, HD-ILA will redefine the microdisplay market.

D-ILA utilizes a highly sophisticated form of 3-chip, vertically oriented LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon) technology that adds an inorganic alignment layer which both stabilizes the device performance and maximizes chip production. The result is superior resolution, grayscaling, brightness, and color reproduction when compared not only to LCD and DMD (aka DLP ™), but also to other existing LCOS systems. HD-ILA TVs are the most technologically advanced microdisplays available today.

LCD vs. Plasma TVs

Currently, flat TVs are created using two different technologies: Plasma and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The foundation of the Plasma TV is over a million tiny glass cells that are charged with a mixture of neon and xenon. Behind these cells are colored phosphors, which are chemical compounds that emit light when energized. Each cell has three phosphors; one red, one blue, and one green. When activated by an electrode, the plasma cells emit invisible UV light. The UV light strikes the red, green and blue phosphors on the back of the display and thus creates the pixels that form the image you see on the screen. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology works differently. Liquid is suspended between two transparent panels. Within the liquid are crystals that, when activated by voltage, re-position themselves so that they either allow the light to pass through the panel and or block the light. This process is similar to turning on and off a million light bulbs. Fluorescent tubes behind the panels supply the light source. Both the lit and unlit crystals create visible pixels that cumulatively compose the image on the screen.

Pros and Cons of Each

Brightness

Brightness in LCD and plasma screens is typically expressed as candelas per square meter (cd/m2). Typically, plasmas are listed at 500-700 cd/m2, but independent reviewers ("real world" situations) say that that the brightness of plasma is closer to 100 cd/m2. Conversely, LCD TVs typically get a brightness rating of 450 cd/m2, again when measured independently in "real world" situations.

Contrast Ratio

Contrast ratio is the measurement of the brightest white against the blackest black that the TV can create. The higher the contrast ratio, the easier it is to discern details on the screen. Current plasmas measure contrast ratios of up to 3000:1. However, independent reviewers believe that measured in real world viewing situations, contrast ratios for plasma TVs drop to approximately 200:1. Conversely, LCD TV contrast ratios range from 350-450:1 when measured using the same realistic standards.

Color Saturation

Color saturation describes the amount of grey in a color. The more grey, the lower the saturation. Plasma has the advantage over LCD in the area of color saturation because of it's method to light blocking. Plasma is able to completely turn off pixels when not in use, so that no stray light dilutes the colors. The way LCD technology works means that there is some stray light and therefore obtaining true color is difficult.

Screen Size

Right now, the plasma market offers TVs as big as 103 inches, and no plasma TV is available smaller than 32 inches. LCD screen sizes range from 13 inches to 70 inches, and because of manufacturing innovations, larger models are becoming available every year. Look for LCDs to catch up in this area soon.

Viewing Angle

Historically, plasma TVs have had a larger viewing angle, at about 160 degrees, when measured against older LCD TVs. However, the newer model LCD TVs have viewing angles up to 175 degrees.

Burn In

Burn in is what happens when a static image stays on a plasma screen for an extended period of time. LCD's are not at all susceptible to burn in. While Plasma TVs are vulnerable, some newer plasma TVs have added features that combat it, called pixel orbitor.

Lifespan

Typical plasma TVs have a life span of 30,000 to 40,000 hours, which equates to about 27 years of usage if you have the set on for 4 hours a day, or about 4 1/2 years if you leave it on 24/7. The lifespan of an LCD TV is typically 50,000 to 60,000 hours, or about 40 years running 4 hours daily, or about 6 1/2 years if you leave it on 24/7.

Response Time

Response time is the amount of time, measured in milliseconds (ms), that it takes for a pixel to go from active to inactive and back to active again. Lower numbers mean faster transitions and fewer visible image artifacts. Plasma TVs were made to handle rapid movement on the screen more effectively. They can have response times as low as 15 ms. LCD TVs started as PC displays, and so the need to show fast movement wasn't critical; somewhere around 25 ms. LCD manufacturers have been steadily improving their response times as the demand for fast moving, full motion video has increased. Newer model LCD TVs can have response times as fast as 16 ms.

Power Conservation

Because the crystals in LCD TV do not produce light, the technology is labeled as "non-emissive," which means it does not give off radiation like the CRT. Cold cathode light sources, like fluorescent tubes, which use only a little power, are used to illuminate the image. LCDs also use less power than plasma televisions, because plasma requires powering hundreds of electrodes to stimulate the phosphors.

Installation

Plasmas are heavier, use more power, and run hotter than LCD TVs, and therefore require more planning when mounting them. Plasmas are generally best installed by professionals. End users should let professionals install LCD TVs also, or can use them just as they use a traditional TV using a stand.

Flat Panel Television: Which Flat Panel Is Right For You?

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and purchase a new flat panel television. Now you may be asking, “Should I get an LCD or a plasma television? What’s the difference, anyway?” Both options offer terrific viewing experiences, and with the technologies behind them having vastly improved since the first flat panel hit the market, it’s hard to go wrong. But there are a few issues to consider before you plop down your hard-earned cash on a new flat panel.

Screen Size

Before we get into plasma vs. LCD specifics, we should spend some time addressing screen size. Of course one of the great things about flat panel televisions is the relatively small amount of space they take up compared to traditional CRT televisions. Giving you the option to wall-mount a television means you can get away from bulky entertainment centers -- your television now resembles a piece of art rather than a piece of furniture. This can open up your entertainment room and give you more space to work with.

Sitting the right distance from your flat panel television is important for optimizing your viewing experience. If you get too far away from an HDTV, your eyes can't resolve all the detail it offers. But if you sit too close, you may start to notice the pixels that make up the screen, which will be distracting. Resolution also plays an important role in determining the size of television that works best in your room. For instance, 1080p allows you to sit about 30 percent closer than standard HD.

But the question remains — what size of television is right for your room? Many people buy as big a television as they can afford, which is often slightly larger than the one the neighbors just purchased. But all jokes aside, there are actually some methods you can use to help you determine what size television would go best in your home, although there are differing opinions on the best way to determine your ideal viewing distance. Generally, you multiply one of the screen’s dimensions (height, width, diagonal) by a fixed number. With new high resolution flat panels, it’s common to see 1.5 – 3.5x the screen width as the rule of thumb, with 2.5x being optimal for Standard Definition content (like traditional non-HD broadcast television, VHS tapes, etc.). Again, with High Definition, and especially 1080p, you can get even closer. Mitsubishi’s website indicates that you need a viewing distance of 6 feet for a 52" 1080p television, while 9 feet will accommodate a 73" 1080p model. That’s a lot of television in what seems like a small space, but with 1080p resolution, you’re in it for the theater-like quality, and that distance is adequate.

Of course, everyone is different, as a trip to your local movie theater will prove. Some head for the front, some enjoy the back row, and many opt for somewhere in between. You likely have your own comfort zone when watching television, too. Just keep in mind that 2 – 3x the screen width will get you in the best viewing position for your flat panel HDTV.

How They Work

Although they are both categorized as flat panel displays, plasma and LCD use different technologies to achieve this status.

Plasma Television

A plasma display uses an emissive flat panel where light is created by applying a charge to gas (called phosphors) trapped between two panes of glass. This gas is inert and harmless, but when a charge is applied to it, the gas radiates color across a spectrum allowing you to view hues, light and motion that the eye translates into a moving picture.

Plasma displays are brighter than most televisions, boast a broad color gamut, and can be produced in very large sizes (up to 80" diagonally in some cases). The display panel itself is around 2.5" thick, allowing for narrow-profile mounting, and can provide outstanding contrast ratios. As the technology advances so does the plasma television's affordability. The new generation boasts a lifetime of up to 60,000 hours viewing time -- nearly 30 years for the person who averages 5 hours of viewing a day.

LCD Television

An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) incorporates many (several thousand) tiny opaque panes, or crystals. Behind these crystals is a light source in the form of a replaceable bulb that illuminates the crystals. The light is cast through a liquid crystal solution that resides between two clear panels. Power is then applied to individual crystals, opening and closing their lenses at an incredible rate, allowing light to pass through them and for the television show or movie to be seen.

Monitors that contain phosphor have a risk of burn-in. Also known as "ghosting", burn-in is actually a group of pixels whose phosphors have aged prematurely due to a static image that persist on TV screens. LCD televisions and computer monitors have no burn-in risk because no phosphor is resident. The result is a high-quality, dynamic display that has a potential viewing life of 60,000 hours. Another benefit of LCD televisions is their sleek design. An LCD television is narrow and light enough to be easily mounted on a wall without taking much more room than, say, a framed painting.

Ambient Lighting

One of the biggest differences in Plasma and LCD is how they respond to a room's ambient light. Plasma displays offer better black levels because their internal algorithms can block power to particular pixels, effectively turning it off. LCDs, on the other hand, utilize electric charges to twist and untwist liquid crystals, which causes them to block light. This is effective to create blacks, but not as effective as plasma technology. And with an LCD display, off axis viewing causes black levels to drop.

If your room is a dedicated home theater and you can control the lighting, plasma is terrific and will provide a better black level (although the difference is shrinking). If you're watching content with a lot of dark and light images shown simultaneously (think DVDs, video games, NTSC TV signals), a plasma will consistently outperform an LCD.

However, if your room has lots of windows and there is often a lot of light, LCD is better because it's able to drive better contrast in these situations and doesn't suffer from distracting reflections. And if you really want to go with a 1080p set, you'll have many more options (at least right now) in the LCD realm. There are very few 1080p plasma models available, and they tend to be more expensive, although the picture quality of these televisions is really amazing.

Content

The type of programming you plan on watching on your new television can also help you in deciding the best type of flat panel television to purchase. Although the gap is narrowing, plasma is still better for fast motion as the technology allows it to refresh the screen faster than LCD. If you're a sports fan, you may want to give plasma the nod if you can control your room lighting.

The "response time" of LCD TV is improving, but there is still a slight "trailer" effect with fast moving scenes. The individual pixels can be slightly out of step, and discerning eyes will detect the slight motion response lag.

Another thing to consider: if you own or are going to buy a Blu-ray disc player, you'll get the most out of it by matching it up with a 1080p television. As mentioned before, there are only a couple of 1080p plasmas available at this time so you may want to go with an LCD, as there are several 1080p models available, with more and more coming to market.

Mounting

One thing that people love about flat panel televisions is that they can be mounted on a wall. LCD and plasma monitors can both be wall-mounted. Plasmas weigh quite a bit more than LCD televisions, however, and you may need some wall reinforcement if you want to go with a large screen.

If you want a screen that is 50 inches or more, and you want a cantilever mount (mount that extends the television from the wall and allows it to swing from side to side), your standard wall may not be able to handle the dead weight of a plasma. In this case, it's better to choose an LCD, as they are much lighter than plasmas. A heavy plasma on a cantilever mount may call into question the structural integrity of your home and may cause sheet rock nails to pull out of the wall, or worse. However, if this is the direction you'd like to take, Sound Decision would be happy to give you some direction in regards to reinforcing your wall.

Conclusion

So, by now you hopefully have a good idea of the type of flat panel television you'd like to purchase, or at least have some information to help you make your decision. These guidelines are meant to give you a basic rundown of the differences between LCD and plasma televisions. While there are some notable differences between the two technologies, it's hard to go wrong with a flat panel high definition television. If something in this article jumps out at you, give some thought as to how important that aspect of your home entertainment experience is to you. Hopefully we've provided information that will help you make your decision. If you're still not sure, give us a call to discuss your concerns, and make sure the model you have your eye on has all the video and audio connections for easy integration into your system. Or just follow your heart and go with the model that you think would give you the most entertainment bliss for your buck.

We install many makes and models of televisions to meet your viewing needs.

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