What exactly is a Liquid Crystal Diode (LCD) TV? Liquid Crystal Diode (LCD) TV LCDs are all around us. Liquid crystal displays so prevalent, in fact, that most people couldn't get through their day without using one. This technology is utilized in digital clocks, microwave ovens, car dashboards, calculators, stereos, thermometers, and even some bathroom scales! LCD TV has given birth to those slim, cool-looking, bright displays that are popping up everywhere from bank lobbies to living rooms. The twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal is the most common type of liquid crystal being used in display applications today (e.g., LCD televisions, LCD monitors, and LCD projectors). LCD TV monitors work by blocking light. By sandwiching a solution of TN liquid crystals between two perpendicularly aligned panes of polarized glass, it becomes possible to manipulate the intensity of light as it passes through this crystalline matrix and out the glass panel at the other end. The light source in an active-matrix LCD TV monitor is a florescent bulb, which emits white light through a polarized glass pane behind the liquid crystal solution. Theoretically, then, you can start with a white display: This is one where its liquid crystals are completely twisted and therefore able to direct the full spectrum of light out through the polarized display screen in front of you. By exploiting a combination of red, green, and blue subpixels of various intensities (or gray scales), a single pixel triad can reproduce approximately 16.8 million colors. Plasma televisions use neon and xeon gas trapped between layers of glass to create a picture. LCDs use liquid crystal and thin film transistors (TFT) to create an image. Currently production of LCD TVs are limited to smaller sizes than plasma TVs. "Burn In" is a phenomenon that occurs when an image is left on the screen too long, like if you pause a DVD for a long time. Once burn in happens, you will always see a ghostly outline of the Burnt In image no matter what you are watching. This is because some pixels on the TV can no longer create as much light as others, so they will always appear darker. Most commonly this occurs from playing video games for too long (see, your mother was right) or from watching letterboxed material too often. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to limit videogame time and to watch material in a full screen format as much as possible. Another good tactic to avoid Burn In is to take frequent breaks. You can play video games for a little while, then watch some TV before you go back to the games. However Burn In is nothing new. It has always been something to consider since the first TVs were invented. And Flat-Panel TVs are no more prone to Burn In than any other type of TV. In fact, one type of Flat-Panel TV is completely immune to this problem. Burn In is a consideration with Plasma TVs, but not LCDs. Plasma TVs, like traditional Cathode Ray Tube TVs create their own light. They make light by exciting a chemical coating inside the screen called "phosphors". The burn-in issue happens when you continually ask some of these phosphors to make light while others nearby are basically sleeping. LCDs on the other hand create a picture by blocking light from an outside source (basically a powerful light bulb). This makes it impossible for burn-in to happen on a LCD screen. So if your Flat-Panel TV is a Plasma, just keep in mind what you are watching and for how long, just like you would on a traditional television. But if it's an LCD set, go ahead and schedule that 24-hour Madden marathon video game session. What's the difference between a Flat Screen TV and a Flat-Panel TV? A Flat Screen TV is a term used to describe any TV where the screen is a level plane. These TVs have a wider viewing angle than ones with curved screens. That means you can sit farther away from directly in front of the TV, and still see the whole picture. This term is usually used to describe Tube TVs. But even though the flat screen improves the quality of the TV, the total size of the TV is still the same as TVs always have been. Which is to say rather big. Flat-Panel TVs also have flat screens, but that's not the really impressive thing about them. Flat-Panel TVs are called "Flat" because they are so thin they can be hung on a wall like a painting. What's the difference between LCD Flat-Panel and Plasma Flat-Panel? In all the ways that really matter, there isn't that much of a difference between the two. Both types of Flat-Panel TVs are thin enough to be placed virtually anywhere, and produce a picture that is startlingly clear, sharp, and bright. The only difference that really matters is the screen size. The majority of LCD TVs have a screen that measures 30" and smaller. TVs with a screen of 32" and larger are typically the domain of the Plasmas. Technically, LCD and Plasma TVs are entirely different approaches to the same result, because they create images using completely different technologies. Can I connect external speakers to your LCD/TV monitor? Yes. Our LCD/TV monitors come with an Audio Output outlet which allows you to connect external speakers to the monitor. Can LCD/TV monitor be wall mounted? Yes. LCD/TV monitors can be wall mounted. However depending on the model, the speakers might be built into the stand. Hence, in order to have the sound output, external speakers will have to be connected to the monitor - which can be done easily.

What's the difference between a Flat Screen TV and a Flat-Panel TV?

A Flat Screen TV is a term used to describe any TV where the screen is a level plane. These TVs have a wider viewing angle than ones with curved screens. That means you can sit farther away from directly in front of the TV, and still see the whole picture. This term is usually used to describe Tube TVs. But even though the flat screen improves the quality of the TV, the total size of the TV is still the same as TVs always have been. Which is to say rather big.

Flat-Panel TVs also have flat screens, but that's not the really impressive thing about them. Flat-Panel TVs are called "Flat" because they are so thin they can be hung on a wall like a painting.

What's the difference between LCD Flat-Panel and Plasma Flat-Panel?

In all the ways that really matter, there isn't that much of a difference between the two. Both types of Flat-Panel TVs are thin enough to be placed virtually anywhere, and produce a picture that is startlingly clear, sharp, and bright. The only difference that really matters is the screen size. The majority of LCD TVs have a screen that measures 30" and smaller. TVs with a screen of 32" and larger are typically the domain of the Plasmas.

Technically, LCD and Plasma TVs are entirely different approaches to the same result, because they create images using completely different technologies.

Can I connect external speakers to your LCD/TV monitor?

Yes. Our LCD/TV monitors come with an Audio Output outlet which allows you to connect external speakers to the monitor.

Can LCD/TV monitor be wall mounted?

Yes. LCD/TV monitors can be wall mounted. However depending on the model, the speakers might be built into the stand. Hence, in order to have the sound output, external speakers will have to be connected to the monitor - which can be done easily.