Pros
• The thin profiles and light weight of LCDs make them easy to mount on a wall.

• Power demands are a bit lower than comparably sized plasma displays and considerably lower than CRT televisions.

Cons
• Fast-moving images may suffer from a slight trailer effect, but with improved LCD technology, the effect is barely perceptible.

• When pixels stick on or off, they show up as either a pinpoint of bright light or black, which can be distracting on-screen.

• From certain viewing angles, LCDs will lose video contrast and color.

• LCDs with CCFL backlighting suffer from leaking light, and unlike LEDs, they can’t dim certain areas on-screen. This may result in blacks and whites that appear to be more gray in color.

Best For
• Streaming PC content

• Bright, sunny rooms

LED (light-emitting diode)

LED TVs are actually a type of LCD TV. These sets use one of two LED backlight technologies:

• Full-array lighting places LEDs behind the screen in a grid pattern, letting the TV dim certain LEDs for the best contrast ratios available.

• Edge-lit sets have LEDs placed around the frame of the TV, and light is directed toward the center of the screen. Edge-lit models cost less than full-array sets and are a lot thinner.

Pros
• By using LEDs, these sets use a lot less electricity than other HDTVs, and they don't contain harmful mercury.

• Overall, LED TVs are one-third thinner than other LCD TVs and have longer life spans.

• Plasmas are well-known for their deep blacks and crisp whites and fast response times, but LED TVs closely match in performance.

Cons
• These sets are costly because they feature a relatively new technology.

• Blooming, or a halo effect, may encircle bright images that are on dark backgrounds.

Best For
• Eco-conscious viewers

• Fast-paced gaming

Plasma

Pros
• A plasma TV’s phosphors light up evenly across the screen to create images, which are consistently bright and clear with vibrant colors.

• The contrast ratio is high, so you’ll see some of the darkest blacks and brightest whites.

• The design and technology of plasma TVs lend themselves to large screen sizes—typically 50 inches or greater.

• Rapid pixel response means no blurry motion.

• Wide viewing angles give you the same high-quality images on-screen no matter where in the room you happen to be sitting.

Cons
• Some plasmas are susceptible to image burn-in if not cared for properly.

• Low air pressure and high altitudes may cause plasmas to buzz.

• Some plasmas have highly reflective glass, which isn’t ideal in sunny settings.

Best For
• Large groups who watch TV together

• Movies or sports with nonstop action

RPTV (rear-projection TV)

Pros
• RPTVs are surprisingly lightweight for their sizes.

• You’ll find exceptional picture quality on very big screens (65 inches and larger).

• As screens get bigger, RPTVs tend to be more cost-effective than an LCD, LED, or plasma TV.

Cons
• With depths of 16 to 24 inches, these TVs are far too big and bulky to mount on a wall.

• RPTVs require lamp replacements every few years.

Best For
• Anyone who wants to bring a cinematic experience home

• Big, roomy home theaters