Going Digital: Comparing the technology

By Shellie Bailey-Shah and KATU Web Staff Published: Feb 12, 2008 at 6:24 PM PST Last Updated: Feb 13, 2008 at 4:12 PM PST
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This is the second installment in a series of reports by KATU Problem Solver Shellie Bailey-Shah aimed at helping you understand the upcoming transition to digital television in February, 2009. 

PORTLAND, Ore. - As we continue our week-long series on the switch to digital TV, we take a look at a few options to consider if you decide it's time to buy a new TV.

Again, you don't have to buy a new TV for the digital switch in 2009 -  you can keep your old one and get a digital converter box or buy a newer set with a built-in digital tuner.

But if you are in the market, how do you decide between LCDs, DLPs or plasmas? These days, walking into a TV store is like wading through alphabet soup, so we've compiled a sort of buyers guide to help spell it out.

"There's not any one technology that is better than the next, per se," said Coby Wilcox with Standard TV and Appliance.

The best TV for you depends on how and where you plan to use it. Here is a rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of the three most popular TV technologies available.

Plasmas

The Pros

  • They have an excellent picture with good color and black levels.
  • They handle motion well, making them best for movies and sports.
  • They're a bit cheaper than LCDs at the larger sizes.

The Cons

  • They're big, 42 inches or larger, which may be too big for your space.
  • They're energy hogs, the most consumption of any of the three technologies.
  • They tend to reflect, so if you have a room full of windows this is not the best choice for you.

LCDs

LCDs account for about 80 percent of the TVs sold at Standard TV and Appliance. "These are really the TVs that are driving the market right now," said Wilcox.

The Pros

  • Do fine in well-lit rooms.
  • They have excellent picture quality.
  • They use three times less energy than plasmas.

The Cons

  • They're really only good up to about 52 inches.
  • They're usually the priciest.

Rear Projection

"DLPs are a great bang for the buck," said Wilcox. "You're getting a lot more screen for the dollar."

The Pros

  • These TVs have excellent picture quality.
  • They use the least amount of energy.
  • They are less expensive than flat-panels.

The Cons

  • They are not wall mountable.
  • You lose a bit of the picture if you're viewing from the side.
  • You do need to change the bulb every three to five years. They cost $250 a pop but remember, you're spending several thousand dollars less up front.