Gerard said:
I've been thinking of updating my TV and want to get something that might/may be the better of the two.
Gerard, the best of them all is 1080p (or Full HD). This is the type of TV you need in order to play Blu-Ray or HD-DVD discs. Unfortunately, you pay a premium on 1080p TV's. A 42" 1080p set will cost around $2,000.00 (Australian Dollars) more than a 1080i set of the same size. Also, a 1080p device is essential for those who want to make the most of the video capabilities of Windows Vista. And if you're planning to use a media centre PC to play Blu-Ray or HD-DVD movies, then Vista is vital since none of the features for using a 1080p set to its full potential will make their way to Windows Xp. Which is another thing that makes Vista the worst OS ever. And thus another way Microsoft is trying to force computer buyers to use Vista on their systems. Also, a 1080p TV is essential if you intend to make the most of a Playstation 3 (which, incidentally, plays Bu-Ray discs).
Now, when it comes to Blu-Ray or HD-DVD, both the players and the discs are quite
expensive. If you can afford such equipment, by all means.
Otherwise, it would be cost efficient to stick with a 1080i TV. All digital (DVB-T) standard and high definition broadcasts are in 720i and in 720p and 1080i respectively. There are no 1080p broadcasts yet, so 1080p is still bleeding edge technology. And for most homes it's still superfluous at the moment. Until Blu-Ray and HD-DVD devices are found in every home in the same manner as DVD players are today; stick with 1080i.
You might also be thinking about the difference between LCD and Plasma TV's. Plasma TV's work on exactly the same principle as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a 'standard old tube style TV' as Bob puts it. But instead of using three cathode ray guns and a matrix like a CRT, a plasma TV uses electrodes instead. Hence, plasma TV's are prone to the same 'burn in' problems as CRT TV's. Thus, they are not suitable for the rigours of public display. Which is why you see some of them on their last legs at any given Foxtel kiosk you visit at the shopping centre. Also, plasma TV's can become a fire hazard if they are left turned on constantly.
There have been cases of plasma televisions exploding like bombs. And, getting back to the Foxtel kiosk. This is why they are also housed in a cabinet with a cooling system to prevent the TV's from overheating.
LCD televisions on the other hand are immune to 'burn-in'. And they are perfect for public display areas. They do have their advantages. A couple of the drawbacks LCD televisions have is firstly the response time. The response time of an LCD TV can be up to around 20 ms. Thus you get 'ghosting' like blurs watching a video containing fast moving subjects such as the vehicles during a car chase. Secondly, there is what's called 'pixelation', in which you get a slight mosaic like look on the picture.
If you are considering an LCD set. Look very closely at the screen for pixelation and establish what the response time the set has. You will find less blurring in fast motion on a set with an 8 ms response time than on one with a 16 ms response time. If you are considering a plasma set. Make sure you place it in a well ventilated area where you can keep it cool.
On a completely different note. There is another interesting fact about colour television. The standards used around the world. NTSC (National Television Standards Commission), which is used in the US; works on the same principle as the old black and white TV's, where each line is drawn horizontally across the screen in one direction. PAL (Phase Alternate Line), which is used in Australia. works by drawing the screen by way of one line being drawn from left to right, the next being drawn from right to left and so on. The framerate of NTSC video is 29.97 fps while the framerate of the PAL system is 25fps.
Because PAL scans each line in alternate directions, the resolution is slightly higher than NTSC and there is a clearer picture despite the slower framerate.