Modern technology is developing rapidly. New TV models appear regularly, offering increasingly higher image quality. The concept of “high-definition television” emerged and firmly took root, raising the bar of experiences to a new level. The transition to all-digital television broadcasting is just around the corner, which will provide excellent detail in broadcasts and make you forget about interference. Therefore, the question quite naturally arises about replacing the home screen or buying an additional one.

There are more than 120 manufacturers and several thousand TV models in the world. Each company strives to attract buyers with new proprietary technologies and developments, which you need to understand in order to make the right choice. The purpose of this article is to help you choose a TV.

Screen type

First of all, you need to decide for what purpose you are buying the TV: will you watch news or broadcast programs, DVD or Blu-Ray movies, will you put it in the kitchen or bedroom. After all, a screen suitable for receiving a satellite signal in the living room and a TV for watching discs with films are not at all the same thing. The living room usually houses most of the components of a home media system: a DVD or Blu-Ray player, surround sound speakers, satellite receiver and other. The TV in the kitchen usually works for the background; in the bedroom it is needed to receive over-the-air cable and satellite TV programs and watch discs. There is no longer any need for powerful sound or connecting additional devices. If you need a TV for a child’s room, consider the possibility of connecting game consoles, a camera or a video camera to it. When this issue is resolved, you can begin to understand the characteristics of the TV.

So, first you must decide on the type of screen.

The following types of TVs are available on the market today:

Liquid crystal (LCD);

Light-emitting diode (LED);

Plasma.

They all have their advantages and disadvantages; let’s look at them in more detail.

LCD TV

LCD technology (English LCD – Liquid Crystal Display, “liquid crystal display”) is by far the most common. An LCD screen is a matrix of many dots called pixels. Each pixel is made up of three "subpixels" of red, green and blue. Liquid crystals inside the elements are capable of changing their position in space under the influence of an electric field, allowing or blocking light from backlight lamps installed behind the matrix. When all three subpixels are completely transparent, the cell has White color, and when opaque - black. Halftones and shades are obtained by mixing primary colors in the required proportion. Thus, using a special chip, you can control the transparency of each pixel and form an image.

A design feature of LCD technology is the need for light to “overcome” a layer of liquid crystals, the transparency of which is not ideal. Therefore, to obtain sufficient picture brightness, it is necessary to install powerful lamps, which increases the price and power consumption of the device. The elements are not able to perfectly block the flow of light - the black color on an LCD TV screen is not actually completely black.

Disadvantages also include color distortion and loss of contrast, since the viewing angle of the LCD is not that wide. Because of this feature, LCD TVs could not gain popularity for a long time, but now, thanks to the efforts of the developers, distortion has become almost invisible.

The advantages of LCD TVs include a wide selection of models with different brightness (from 250 to 1500 cd/m2) and contrast (from 500:1 to 5,000,000:1). Thanks to this, the buyer can purchase a device that optimally combines the required image quality and an affordable price. In addition, LCD TVs are lightweight and thin, so they can be placed on the wall. But the greatest merit of liquid crystal technology is its mass availability. Due to large-scale production, prices for LCD TVs are now lower than for other similar devices.

LCD TVs have also gained popularity for their versatility. LED TVs provide comfortable viewing in almost any environment, so they are suitable for most rooms. In terms of contrast and color rendition, expensive LCD models can “compete” with plasmas, which allows them to take their rightful place, for example, in a Hi-End living room.

LED TV

The difference between an LED TV (English: Light Emitting Diode) and a liquid crystal TV is only in the matrix backlight technology: instead of fluorescent lamps, LEDs are used, due to which LED TVs have a number of advantages over LCD.

An LED TV can display more colors than a tube LCD TV, so the image looks more natural. The use of LEDs has made it possible to reduce the thickness of the screen and reduce energy consumption by up to 40% compared to LCD. Brightness and contrast performance have also improved significantly.

The only disadvantage of this technology is its relative high cost. However, the advantages of LED TVs suggest that they will eventually become leaders in this market.

Because LED TVs are based on LCD technology, they are just as versatile as LCDs. But due to its advantages, LED TV will be more preferable than LCD when it comes to your living room.

Plasma TV

The screen of a plasma TV is also a matrix of small elements, but this technology is implemented in sealed cells filled with gas - neon or xenon. If an electrical voltage is applied to the cell using special transparent electrodes, the gas inside it turns into a plasma state and begins to emit ultraviolet light. The rays strike a layer of phosphor applied to the cell wall, which, depending on its composition, emits red, green or blue light. The higher the applied voltage level, the more intense the cell glows. Different shades of color are obtained by mixing three primary colors. By controlling the voltage supplied to the cells, the electronic module forms an image on the plasma screen.

Thus, according to the principle of operation, the cells are similar to fluorescent lamps, that is, they have the property of self-luminescence, so a plasma TV has some advantages over LCD and LED.

Plasma screen TVs provide excellent image contrast and are approximately 3 times brighter than most LCD and LED screens. After all, a pixel in an inactive state does not emit anything - it is really black, and the light emitted by it in an active state has sufficient high intensity. The use of phosphor makes the colors bright and saturated. Plasma TVs, compared to LCD and LED, have a very fast response time.

Plasma technology has a number of specific design problems. Main problem minimum size cells. Creating a small cell - essentially a gas-filled glass flask with electrodes - is quite difficult. Therefore, the development path of this technology runs counter to the development of other “matrix” visualization technologies: plasma TV screen diagonals only recently reached 32 inches, while large diagonal plasma screens (over 50 inches) have existed for quite a long time.

The availability of only models with large screen diagonals on sale has made plasma TVs a common choice for buyers who want to get the most out of watching movies in bright, rich colors.

Main characteristics of the TV:

Screen diagonal;

Permission.

Advanced TV options:

Matrix response time;

Contrast;

Brightness;

Viewing angles;

Interfaces;

Additional functions.

Screen diagonal

The screen diagonal can be considered the fundamental characteristic of a TV. It directly affects its dimensions, weight and price. Correctly selected screen diagonal largely determines the comfort and impressions received from viewing, and therefore deserves the closest attention when choosing.

Traditionally, the screen diagonal size is measured in inches and is designated, for example, as follows: 32”. It is easy to convert it into centimeters: 1 inch = 2.54 cm.

In order for viewing to be comfortable, the diagonal of the TV screen must correspond to the size of the room in which it is planned to be placed. The most common screens on the domestic market are sizes ranging from 26 to 42 inches. For a TV in the living room, the large screen diagonal size is very important, since the whole family or a group of guests can gather in this room at the same time, and each of those present must perceive the image clearly, without causing eye strain and fatigue. There can be many layout options, but in most cases, a TV with a screen diagonal of 32” or more will be optimal for the living room.

For the kitchen and bedroom it is better to choose a smaller TV, because the area of ​​these rooms is usually smaller than the living room area. Research shows that the optimal diagonal of a TV screen should be approximately 3 times less than the distance at which it is intended to be watched. If the TV is too large for that particular room, the image on the screen will not be perceived as a whole. Some “graininess” of the picture and stepped boundaries between objects may be noticeable. This is especially true for models with a plasma screen: when viewed at too close a distance, the image tends to “disintegrate,” that is, individual pixels become noticeable. Therefore, for the kitchen we recommend choosing a TV with a screen diagonal of 20-26 inches; for the bedroom it can be a little larger - up to 32”.

Most models with a screen diagonal of 15-21” have a D-Sub input (sometimes also called “VGA”) or a DVI port, which allows you to connect the TV to a computer as a monitor.

Permission

You definitely need to pay attention to the screen resolution. This characteristic is responsible for the quality and detail of the image.

The screen of any LCD, LED or plasma TV consists of cells called pixels, the total number of which is called screen resolution. It is expressed as two numbers, the first of which indicates the number of pixels horizontally, and the second - vertically, for example, 1920x1080. High screen resolution allows the TV to display clear images with plenty of detail and smooth lines without aliasing.

A TV with a 42” screen diagonal and a resolution of 1920x1080 will show a clearer picture than one with a resolution of 1366x768 with the same diagonal. The point is that having more pixels on the same screen area means each one is smaller.

To date, the most best quality images available to the general public provide a relatively new standard digital television- HDTV or high definition television (HDTV).

HDTV (English: “High-Definition TeleVision”) is a set of high-quality television broadcasting standards, which includes requirements for the format, resolution and method of image formation, as well as for sound quality.

High Definition Standard Formats:

720p: resolution 1280×720 pixels, progressive scan;

1080i: resolution 1920×1080 pixels, interlaced;

1080p: resolution 1920x1080 pixels, progressive scan.

Scanning, denoted by the Latin letters “i” and “p”, is a method of displaying a frame on the screen. Unlike interlacing (English “Interlacing Scan”), progressive scanning (English “Progressive Scan”) provides better image quality, that is, it completely eliminates the “comb” effect on the boundaries of objects moving horizontally, as well as the jitter of a motionless picture (for example , in pause mode). To work using progressive scan, the TV requires a more powerful and expensive processor, but support for this mode is mandatory for a modern HDTV screen.

High definition television standards were developed by the European Association for Information and Communication Technologies and consumer electronics" (EICTA). To facilitate model identification, this organization also published requirements for the technical parameters of devices capable of processing high-definition signals. Special labeling was also approved.

Models that satisfy minimum requirements HDTVs are marked with the “HD-Ready” sign, which literally means “ready for HDTV”. That is, a TV with the “HD-Ready” sticker must be equipped with:

A screen with a resolution of at least 1280x720 pixels;

At least one input capable of receiving HD signals in 720p and 1080i formats. This can be an analog component input YPbPr1, or digital DVI or HDMI;

At least one digital DVI or HDMI input supporting HDCP content protection technology.

The most common resolution for HD-Ready TVs is 1366x768 pixels. Such models are forced to interpolate the 1080i signal, reducing its resolution.

The “Full HD” label is given to TVs that are capable of displaying 1080p images and must be equipped with at least one HDMI input for receiving a high-definition signal. The screen of a modern Full HD TV always has a resolution of 1920x1080.

The HDTV screen is always widescreen, that is, it has an aspect ratio of 16:9. This format covers up to 70% of the field of view of the human eye, allowing the viewer to immerse themselves deeper into the atmosphere of the film, which enhances the viewing experience.

Russian terrestrial analogue television broadcasting has a resolution of 720x576 pixels with an aspect ratio of 4:3. Video from a standard DVD is usually played in 720x480 (16:9) resolution. A natural question arises: can new TV receive a signal from “non-HDTV” sources, and how will this affect the image quality?

Yes, an HDTV can receive and display a standard definition signal. In this case, an image with an aspect ratio of 4:3 can be displayed on a widescreen screen in two ways: with black stripes along the edges of the picture, or by slightly cropping the top and bottom. Some TV models have special block processing, which clears the analog signal of noise, increases the resolution using interpolation, and applies digital smoothing algorithms, thus improving the picture to HDTV standards. However, you should not expect “miracles” from such transformations. To obtain a high-quality image, a high-definition signal is required.

Unfortunately, there is no widespread high-definition television broadcasting in Russia. This requires the modernization of a large number of television stations and the transition to fully digital television broadcasting, which is planned for 2015. Therefore, at the moment, only Blu-Ray discs, satellite or cable TV, gaming consoles. However, in some areas of the country digital broadcasting Cable TV networks are already being launched, appearing and developing.

Matrix response time

The concept of “response time” was not applied to CRT televisions, since the duration of the phosphor afterglow was quite short. But with the advent of “matrix” screens, this parameter has become of great importance.

Matrix response time is the average time during which a screen matrix element moves from one state to another. Too long a response time can result in the appearance of “trails” of residual glow behind fast-moving objects.

Typically, the time taken for a pixel to transition from white to black and then back is measured. But some manufacturers measure response time using the so-called “GtG” scheme (Grey-to-Grey). Response time is expressed in milliseconds (ms). Its typical values, for example for LCD matrices, are in the range from 2 to 10 ms.

When watching dynamic scenes in films, such as chases or fights, the short response time will prevent the picture from becoming blurry. For comfortable viewing of movies and programs, a screen with a response time of up to 8-10 ms is sufficient, but if you plan to connect the TV to a computer, you should limit your choice to models with a response time of less than 5 ms. You can ignore the response time if you buy plasma. In this case, its value is invariably small.

Contrast

Another characteristic of a TV screen that affects viewing comfort is image contrast, which is the ratio of the brightness of the lightest area to the darkest area. That is, the brighter the matrix displays white, and the deeper, more saturated black, the higher the screen contrast level. So, for example, with a contrast ratio of 1000:1, the white areas are 1000 times brighter than the black areas. High contrast allows you to distinguish more shades of colors and details of the picture.

But the inherent, “structural” (also called static) contrast of even expensive LCD matrices is still insufficient, especially when playing HD video, where the requirements for image quality are very high.

To increase the visible contrast, manufacturers have come up with a fairly effective and, at the same time, inexpensive solution. A modern TV analyzes the content of each frame and automatically adjusts the screen brightness. Thus, in low-light scenes, the backlight emits less light, making dark colors deeper, and in bright scenes, it becomes brighter, enhancing whites.

The contrast measured using this automatic backlight brightness adjustment is called dynamic contrast (DC). Its values ​​in expensive models can reach 5,000,000:1, and acceptable image quality is provided by dynamic contrast values ​​of about 10,000:1.

Application LED backlight for LCD TV matrices has made it possible to significantly increase the contrast, so on the screen of an LED TV the image looks deeper and clearer than on a regular LCD.

Brightness

The high brightness of the screen allows you to comfortably watch TV in external, natural or artificial lighting conditions. Low brightness images are difficult to perceive and cause excessive eye strain.

The brightness of a TV screen is expressed as luminous intensity per unit area and is measured in cd/m2 (read as candelas per square meter).

Currently, the most expensive models of LCD TVs are almost equal in brightness to plasma ones, which have always won in this parameter due to the self-luminescence of screen elements. But most LCD matrices are still inferior to them, since the flow of light from lamps or LEDs has to overcome a layer of liquid crystals, the transparency of which is not absolute. Typical brightness values ​​for LCD and LED TVs range from 300 to 600 cd/m2, while for plasmas it easily reaches 1500 cd/m2.

At the same time, brightness is not the only important characteristic of a TV, as some manufacturers try to teach it. The fact is that as the brightness of the image increases, its contrast decreases, and the colors become dull and inconspicuous, despite the declared “large color gamut.” Therefore, high screen brightness should always be combined with sufficient contrast.

Based on practical experience, we can formulate several recommendations for choosing the optimal ratio of brightness and contrast. So, for a budget TV model with a brightness of 300 cd/m2, the contrast should be at least 1000:1. In the middle segment, we recommend choosing a screen with a brightness of 400-500 cd/m2 with a contrast of about 5000-10000:1, and for the high-end class - from 600 cd/m2 and at least 20000:1.

An excess supply of brightness will not be superfluous, especially since it can always be adjusted within a fairly wide range. And of course, not every TV can compete in brightness with direct sunlight, so you should avoid installing it opposite windows.

Viewing Angles

The maximum viewing angle is another TV characteristic that appeared with the advent of digital screens. It indicates the maximum angle to the plane of the TV screen from which the image is perceived without distortion.

To understand where distortions come from, you need to take a closer look at the structure of the screen matrix - this effect is due to its very structure.

The liquid crystal matrix is ​​a multi-layer surface and is a very thin structure. The pixels are optically isolated from each other by polarizing filters, and the backlight lamps or LEDs are located at a very small, but still non-zero distance from them. And therefore, light, passing through the cells, enters a kind of “well”, which limits the area of ​​its dispersion.

A larger viewing angle is provided by a thinner, and therefore more expensive, matrix. Most LCD TVs have a viewing angle of 170 degrees, and flagships model series- 175-178 degrees.

Distortion manifests itself in the form of changes in colors on the screen and a drop in the apparent brightness and contrast of the image. As the viewing angle increases, the observer does not see a sharp drop in picture quality, but a gradual deterioration. Best result is achieved when viewing perpendicular to the screen, and in the range of approximately -60 to +60 degrees, distortion remains barely noticeable. Thus, the optimal TV viewing angle is about 120 degrees.

Budget models usually have viewing angles of about 160-170 degrees. But if such a model is installed correctly, viewing from an “inappropriate” angle will be impossible, and you simply will not be able to notice the distortion, while saving a lot of money. A good option would be, for example, to install such a TV at the end (short) wall of a not too large room. To avoid discomfort associated with an incorrectly chosen viewing angle, you need to think about where to install the TV.

For plasma panels, the problem with viewing angles is not so acute, thanks to the features of this technology. The fact is that visible light is emitted by a layer of phosphor, which is much closer to the outer surface of the screen than the lamps or LED backlights of LCD and LED screens. Therefore, almost all plasma TVs provide a maximum viewing angle of about 175-178 degrees.

Interfaces

The TV interfaces allow you to connect other devices to it: DVD and Blu-Ray players and VCRs, game consoles, digital photo and video cameras, surround sound speaker systems, laptops and other attributes of a modern “digital home”.

The list of possible interfaces is quite wide:

Composite (AV). It was widespread in the era of CRT televisions, but the quality it offers does not meet today's requirements. Therefore, TVs are equipped with a composite input for compatibility with older devices. Usually presented in the form of three RCA connectors ("tulip"), one of which, usually yellow, is used for video transmission, and the other two are used for stereo audio transmission.

Component. An analog interface that transmits a video signal in the form of three image components. This eliminates the need to mix the signal at the source and then separate it at the receiver, which provides better picture quality compared to the composite input. However, digital connections are inferior, and TVs are equipped with component video and audio outputs for compatibility with older devices. Switching is carried out using RCA connectors (“tulip”). Does not transmit sound.

SCART. Combined multi-contact interface for analog transmission (input and output) of image and sound over a cable up to 15 meters long. It is a standard for devices intended for sale on the European market. The quality of video signal transmission is at the level of a component interface, but some TV models also allow two-way exchange of digital commands via SCART, for example, synchronizing the start of the TV and VCR. Compatible with composite and component interfaces using SCART-tulip adapters.

SCART-RGB. This designation is sometimes used to identify a SCART interface that supports video transmission in RGB mode, which provides better image quality.

S-Video. An analog connector used to output images to a TV from a computer, laptop, video recorder, digital camera and other devices. By choosing the appropriate adapter cable, for example, from S-Video to 4 “tulips” or from S-Video to SCART, you can connect a variety of image sources. Does not transmit sound.

D-Sub. A common standard analog video output used to connect computers to a TV. The signal transmitted over this interface is very sensitive to interference and electromagnetic interference, so the image quality depends on the quality of the cable used and its length, which can be up to 15 meters. TVs equipped with D-Sub can usually be used as full-fledged computer monitors. Does not transmit sound.

DVI. Transmits a higher quality image than D-Sub due to the use of a digital signal format and the absence of double digital-to-analog conversion. A DVI cable 4.5 meters long allows you to transmit images with a resolution of 1920x1200, and a cable 15 meters long allows you to transmit images with a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels. Does not transmit sound.

HDMI. a modern high-definition multimedia interface designed to transmit high-definition video signals (up to 2560x1440) and multi-channel audio over a single cable up to 5 meters long. It is compatible with DVI, but is used mainly for connecting various household audio/video equipment; you can also connect a computer equipped with this interface to a TV via HDMI.

Mini-jack. A stereo jack, used for audio output, is often present on the front of the TV. In this case, it is intended for connecting headphones.

Coaxial audio output (BNC). Digital interface for audio transmission. It features high signal quality and minimal interference. Used to transmit sound between a TV and a disc player or AV receiver, as well as to connect surround sound speakers.

Optical audio output (Toslink). Digital interface for surround sound transmission. Allows you to transmit a multi-channel signal without interference, thanks to the use of an optical cable that is not subject to electrical interference. Used to transmit sound between a TV and a disc player or AV receiver, as well as to connect surround sound speakers.

USB. A computer connector that has become widespread in television technology. Used to read music and videos from flash drives. Usually located on the front panel of the TV, which allows you to quickly connect a “flash drive” for viewing. In the absence of digital television broadcasting, USB port can serve as a convenient source of HD signal.

As a rule, any TV is equipped with a large set of different connectors, but only expensive models can “boast” of having all existing interfaces, and, accordingly, versatility in connection.

When choosing a TV, you need to think in advance about what devices you plan to connect it to, and make sure that the TV model you choose has the appropriate interfaces. It is better to include in the set of ports those that may be useful in the future.

Recently, connecting devices via HDMI has become very popular. In addition to high throughput, this interface is highly versatile, and therefore many components of a modern home media system are equipped with it. Preference should be given to TV models with as many HDMI ports as possible.

Tuners

Despite the ability to connect many signal sources, receiving television programs remains an important task of the TV. Any TV has a built-in the electronic unit, responsible for receiving terrestrial, satellite or cable television signals, which is called a tuner (English “tuner”, literally “tuner”).

A TV may be equipped with more than one tuner. Thus, two tuners allow you to use the “picture-in-picture” (PIP) mode to display images from two television channels at once. This can be useful, for example, if you are waiting for a program to start while watching news or music videos. Often, the manufacturer indicates support for PIP mode in the specifications of a TV that has only one tuner. In this case, this function will only work when connecting additional signal sources other than the antenna: disc player, computer, video camera, satellite receiver or others.

There are three types of tuners:
analog. So far, the most relevant type of tuner for Russian buyers. Allows you to receive an analog television signal from a conventional antenna or cable TV network;

digital. Capable of receiving digital television broadcast signals. At the moment, it is practically not carried out anywhere in Russia, so the presence of a digital tuner on a TV now can only be considered as a foundation for the future;

hybrid. Combines the capabilities of digital and analog tuners. Today there are quite a lot of TVs on the market equipped with a hybrid tuner, and purchasing such a model can probably be considered the best option.

Sound

A built-in speaker system is present in almost any modern TV. Buying a TV screen for your living room usually means connecting to a home theater system, but if the target room is the kitchen or bedroom, you may want to consider the device's own audio capabilities to save space.

Inexpensive TV models can only reproduce monaural sound and use one or two speakers. More advanced ones are equipped with a built-in stereo system, in which the number of speakers can be from two to eight. Some Russian terrestrial TV channels broadcast with stereo sound in the A2/NICAM format, and in order to fully receive such broadcasts, the tuner must also support this format.

The high power of the TV's built-in speaker system is important for creating sufficient sound power in large rooms. It is rational that small diagonal TVs are equipped with acoustics with a power of 1-5 W, and large ones - 10-20 W or more. As a rule, the manufacturer selects it in such a way as to ensure comfortable sound when installing the TV in a room of a suitable size (see subsection “Screen diagonal”).

When choosing a TV for your living room, you should pay attention to the presence of a Dolby Digital processor. It will allow the TV to independently decode the signal to play a multi-channel 5.1 audio track, and if it has a built-in amplifier, output it to an external speaker system. Otherwise, you will need to connect another device equipped with a Dolby Digital decoder to get surround sound.

Additional functions

Many modern TVs have in their arsenal a set additional features, with the help of which manufacturers expand the functionality of products. It is quite difficult to give any specific recommendations here: your choice will most likely depend on how necessary and convenient this or that function seems to you.

Some Philips TV models are equipped with the AmbiLight function, which uses additional multi-color lamps on the body to create background lighting in the room. Its color is chosen depending on the color prevailing in the scene: for example, if there is fire, the backlight will be orange-red. This allows you to enhance the impression of watching a film and achieve a more complete immersion in its atmosphere.

Panasonic TVs of the Viera series have the VIERALink function, which allows you to easily combine several devices of this brand, for example, a disc player, satellite and AV receiver into a single coordinated system and control it with just one remote control. Sony BraviaSync technology, used in Bravia series TVs, operates in a similar way.

Below is a short list of others additional functions, found in many TV models of different brands:

off/on timer. Allows you to set the TV to automatic switching on or turning off at a certain time. For example, the screen in the kitchen will turn on while you are getting ready for work;

frequency 24 Hz (24p True Cinema). Films are initially shot at 24 frames per second. But when burning them to a regular DVD, the format requires a frame rate of 25 frames per second, which leads to a slight acceleration of the image when viewing. A TV that supports this feature is able to restore the original frame rate during playback, provided that the disc player also supports it;

program guide (EPG). Electronic program transmissions with descriptions. More convenient than its paper-newspaper version, but support for this function exists only for digital terrestrial or cable television broadcasting;

protection from children. Prevents children from turning on the TV when no adults are present. It can also implement blocking of individual TV channels;

teletext. Allows you to receive additional information on the TV screen, if such an opportunity is provided by local television broadcasting;

automatic volume control. TV channels and disc recordings may have different volume levels. This function automatically analyzes the volume of the source sound and adjusts it in accordance with the user-selected level;

Entering channel names. Allows you to easily identify channels using custom labels;

list of favorite channels. You can add channels that you would like to watch into it without wasting time switching programs one by one;

freeze frame (Time Shift). Gives you the opportunity to “stop time” by pausing while watching a television program. Naturally, its broadcast continues, but you won’t miss anything, since the TV saves internal memory video that you can watch later.

Some TV models provide the ability to select operating modes: standard, game, cinema and others. Switching to the appropriate mode allows you to automatically adjust the screen settings so that they are optimally suited for the selected image type. For example, game mode activates special scheme to reduce the response time of the matrix and thereby eliminate the blurring effect of fast-moving objects, which is very important for games.

Buying a TV

Guided by the recommendations given and carefully analyzing the parameters, you can easily choose the TV that is most suitable for you. We hope that with the help of our tips you will be able to create a modern, high-tech, smoothly working media system in your home that will make your stay at home more fun and enjoyable.

What is better to choose: a monitor or a TV for a PC? Since the late 90s, the popularity of the computer as a gaming platform has grown. Previously, no one thought to connect a TV to a PC for the convenience of gaming, but times have changed.

TV

It is logical that big screen the image will be brighter and clearer. Modern TVs are large in size and have high resolution. Therefore, some people have a desire to one day connect TV to their computer. So, let's look at the features of its use.

First of all, it is worth talking about the disadvantages of the TV before using it for its intended purpose. Firstly, it is impossible to adjust the TV's angle and height. This can be solved, just use it bracket. Secondly, it is worth considering that the TV is much larger in size.

If the choice is made in favor of TV, then you need to choose the type of screen. There are two of them: liquid crystal And plasma. But plasma TVs are gradually going out of use, since they are inferior to LCD in almost everything. There are, of course, also old CRTs, projection TVs and lasers. There will be no talk about them, since the first two are outdated, and laser ones have not been fully studied, and the effect on human health is still unknown.

A PC user decides to connect a TV when the screen diagonal already seems small. Good screen The TV has a diagonal of approx. 50 inches, while the monitor has 32 .

In favor of purchasing TV include Screen size. In addition, it is very convenient to view videos, movies, photos, etc. It is also worth thinking about purchasing a TV when there is little space in the room or apartment for a PC with a table and a good monitor. You can directly connect the PC itself and the television antenna to the TV, so television will also be available. Another advantage is the ability to use TV with friends: it is very convenient to play (for example, FIFA or Mortal Kombat) on a big screen if you don’t have a console.

But there will be several more disadvantages. At first it will be difficult to get used to the size of the screen; on a small screen everything is located relatively close, but on a TV it will be tiring to look at it from different angles at first. Although you just need to choose the right distance to work: with a regular monitor, 50 cm is enough, but here you’ll have to sit further away.

A monitor and a TV with the same resolution and different diagonals will show a different picture - the quality on the monitor will be much better. Therefore, we must be guided by the principle “larger diagonal – higher resolution.” Obviously, such a TV will be more expensive. But the PC must also have a powerful video card so that there are no slowdowns.

The following disadvantages will not be decisive, but quite unpleasant:

1. There will be a slight delay in the TV image after you press a key on your keyboard or mouse.
2. The mouse cursor moves noticeably slower, as if “floating”.
3. For games, the refresh rate is important - “hertz”. Monitors have from 60 Hz, and good TV– 100 Hz and more. In short, as the Hertz frequency increases, the smoothness of the picture increases. But the TV shows excellent results when watching TV channels, but after connecting to a PC, the smoothness can drop sharply.
4. The image has high contrast and brightness. On the one hand, this is not bad, but with prolonged use your eyes quickly get tired.

This is a key component of the PC, its choice will not affect performance, but it is what the user comes into contact with. This article will also only cover LCD screens.

To choose the right monitor, you need to answer one question for yourself - what tasks will you face? Of course, monitors are versatile and are used for many purposes. But you can make a bias by one. For example, for games, for programming, for office tasks, and so on.

One of the main parameters is viewing angle. Depending on the viewing angle, color rendition from the screen decreases or increases. The standard value at which it will be convenient to use the monitor is up to 175 degrees. Therefore, inspect the screen image from all sides before purchasing.

The next parameter is brightness and contrast. Working with a monitor that is too dim will strain your eyes in bright light. Some people think that increased brightness is harmful to the eyes, but this is not true. In any case, the brightness can be lowered, but it cannot be increased above a certain value. Contrast is the ratio of the darkest and brightest parts of the screen.

And, perhaps, the most important thing - diagonal and resolution. Here it also depends on the tasks, there are large (up to 34 inches), medium (up to 27) and small (up to 23). The key here is resolution - the number of pixels on the screen that determines the clarity of the image. Here the principle is similar to a TV - “larger diagonal, higher resolution.”

A noticeable advantage of the monitor is its compactness and customizability.

The disadvantages include the following:

• Price. As the diagonal and resolution increase, the price increases.
• You can only watch movies on a small screen directly at the table.
• Not suitable for a large company. It’s problematic to watch movies and play games.

What do they have in common?

Modern information output means are equipped with HDR technology. Thanks to this technology, the contrast and depth of the image on the screen increases. But here it is worth noting that there are not many high-quality sources that support HDR (Netflix, iTunes, Xbox One, PS4). We can also say that both a TV and a monitor are equally convenient to use for watching videos and movies.

What is the difference?

The key difference is price. The average monitor is much cheaper than the average TV. There is also a difference in functionality. The TV can be set up for TV broadcasting. The number of different settings for TV is much greater than on a monitor.

Another, not particularly decisive, but significant difference is mobility and space occupied. A full-fledged PC requires a full-fledged table. Of course, the TV monitor can also be hung on the wall using a bracket, but is it worth it?

In addition, there is minimal latency on the TV, and the video card must be powerful enough.

And most importantly: who should buy what?

TV as a monitor will be useful:

1. Programmers, designers, artists. In simple words for those who use a PC to work with programs in which the interface requires a lot of space.
2. For owners of small apartments where there is not enough space for a full-fledged desk with a PC and monitor.
3. For fans of movies and/or games. It is better to use TV in a company.

It is better to buy a monitor:

• To work with office programs(Word, PowerPoint, 1C, etc.).
• For online games (don’t forget about the response on the TV).

It often happens that when you ask a salesperson in a store about a specific monitor, he answers: “It’s a TV.” You nod in bewilderment, feel awkward and ask to see the monitors. In fact, they are not much different from televisions. Moreover, they can replace each other.

What is the difference between a monitor and a TV?

The key feature of a TV is the presence of a TV tuner, which receives a television signal from broadcasting stations. Monitors previously did not have TV tuners, but 2-in-1 models have long appeared: both a monitor and a TV. Moreover, the fashion for such models has long passed. Digital and cable television have blurred the line.

Unlike a TV, a monitor receives a signal from the computer's video card, and not from the broadcasting television station. But technically, apart from the presence/absence of a TV tuner, there is no difference between a TV and a monitor. And even the TV tuner is not indicative.

There are also differences:

1. Screen diagonal. TVs are usually large, because... they are viewed from a distance of 2-3 meters. Monitors are designed to operate at a distance of 0.5 meters from the screen. Hence the different sizes: most often monitors have a screen diagonal of 17-22 inches. The large diagonal causes inconvenience when working. A 22-inch TV is uncomfortable to watch because it is so small. Such models are suitable only for kitchens or small rooms. And again, this difference is not indicative: there are TVs with a diagonal of 22 inches, and there are huge monitors with large diagonals.
2. Screen Scan. TVs typically use interlaced screen scanning, which makes multimedia content look good from a distance. But on a monitor with interlaced scanning it is inconvenient to work with text, so progressive scanning is used there. But! When you connect your TV to your computer, you can select in the settings which scan mode to use: progressive or interlaced. So again there are no differences.
3. Frame rate, resolution, format, pixel response speed. All this also occurs, but again there are monitors and TVs with the same FPS value, resolution and format.

Still, most modern TVs have TV tuners, monitors do not. Also, SMART TVs have recently appeared, which are not just a device for displaying images on the screen, but full-fledged computers with access to the Internet, etc. Monitors have absolutely no need for all this functionality.

So, the main differences between a monitor and a TV

1. Monitors are suitable for working close to the screen. TVs are not designed for this;
2. Pixelation on a TV screen up close will be more noticeable;
3. Typically, the resolution of monitors with the same diagonal will be higher;
4. TVs are controlled by remote control;
5. TVs have many more interfaces for connecting different gadgets;
6. A monitor with the same diagonal and resolution will cost less than a TV.

What is better: a monitor or a TV for a computer?

It is impossible to answer unequivocally. It is necessary to compare specific monitor and TV models. The purpose for which the devices are selected also plays a role.

For example, if you need a monitor, but would like to watch cable TV, then it is better to choose a TV with an HDMI interface, through which the TV is connected to the computer’s video card. This solution is ideal for a living room or large hall.

But if you have good high-speed Internet, then to watch TV you just need to download an online TV program. So the monitor will replace the TV. The only thing is that you won’t be able to switch programs using the remote control (although a wireless mouse will completely replace it).

For games, of course, it is better to choose a monitor with a high pixel response time. TVs usually have a long response time (5-7 ms). The monitor is also recommended if you will be working on it, especially with texts. In this case, TV is no longer an option. After all, monitors are specifically designed for close-up work, which is why texts on them are easier to read. If you read website pages from a TV screen, your eyes will get tired faster and your vision will strain.

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Questions and answers

To determine which is better - a monitor or a TV for a computer, you need to find out a couple of things about your display device:
- desired diagonal
- intended use
We will return to this later, but for now a short introduction.

What is the difference between a monitor and a TV?

First of all, the difference between a monitor and a TV is that the first simply displays incoming information, and the second, depending on the class, improves it.
The simplest monitors have no adjustments at all, not even brightness and contrast. More or less advanced ones allow you to adjust the white balance, have factory presets and allow you to adjust images manually.
Monitors can have a built-in digital tuner and then such a device can perform the function of a simple TV. It's 2017 and the need for such tuners has disappeared - just connect a smart set-top box (IPTV set-top box) to the monitor via an HDMI connector and you will again get a simple TV, but with more functionality, because... separate set-top boxes allow you not only to watch many more channels on the network than social broadcast offers, but also to access the Internet.

What is the difference between a monitor and a TV in terms of games?

A monitor, like a TV, has a matrix of a certain type - TN, -VA, IPS/PLS, OLED.
A monitor, like a TV, has an input lag - a delay between pressing a button and displaying the action on the screen.
It is believed that monitors supposedly have better pixel response and lower input lag. It is also believed that TN matrices have the lowest response (you have to somehow justify the monstrous image quality). In fact, there is only one advantage of TN matrices - low price. If you want to break your vision into a monitor whose color shades change depending on the position of your head relative to the monitor, please. But your vision is worth more than any monitor, even if this monitor is a Sony BVMX300 for several tens of thousands of dollars.
By the way, since we are talking about vision, some users have sensitivity to flicker, which tires their vision. If there is one, look in the search for “monitors without PWM”.

When choosing a monitor for gaming, you need to pay attention to three simple points:
- real pixel response speed (and not marketing noodles in the form of 2 ms GtG)
- input lag
- uniformity of illumination

Because Our resource is dedicated to televisions, not monitors; we are not aware of mass tests of the response of monitor matrices on the Internet. However, when I did a small test of three monitors myself, it turned out that the best response was from the monitor in which, on paper, it was the highest.
If you want to evaluate the response yourself, you will need a laptop with an Internet connection, HDMI cable and the website http://testufo.com/ where you can evaluate the response in various tests.
I suspect that this decision may seem difficult to implement. Backup plan - we put a recording of a dynamic fighting game onto a flash drive. Several such recordings with different backgrounds are needed (since the pixel response differs depending on color combinations). And in the store we ask you to connect the necessary monitors to the PC with your flash drive. It is better to agree with sellers in advance.

So, let's look at where the cable length is shorter in all tests/situations - that one wins.

With input lag it is somewhat simpler. First, you can buy a Leo Bodnar tester (about $100) or go to http://www.displaylag.com/display-database/
As you can see, the best monitors have an input lag of at least 9 ms, and the worst – over 100.
For dynamic games, input lag of up to 44 ms is considered tolerable. On my 32” TV, the input is 37 ms and allows you to comfortably play all games, except those where you need to press buttons that appear on the screen (like DIVA):
The uniformity of illumination is checked on a white and black background. There should be no gray spots or impurities of other colors (yellow, red) on the white. There should be no highlights on black. However, this does not affect the result of the game - only its quality.
Don’t forget also that input lag affects not only your monitor/TV, but also your gamepad/stick/hitbox/keyboard, as well as your PC/laptop/console. And it all adds up in the end. Any device through which the signal passes from the pressed button to the display on the screen.
Another difference between a monitor and a TV is that the former allow you to set a larger number of displayed frames - 75, 120, 144, 240 Hz (PlayStation 3D), while TVs, even having a 120 Hz matrix, only accept 60 Hz of the input signal, and the rest create yourself. But this option is suitable for watching sports and dynamic movies, and in games it leads to a serious increase in input lag and the appearance of artifacts.
The only TVs that are capable of receiving 1080p@120Hz are 4k Sony TVs, and even then with some artifacts. The upcoming update of television hardware will make it possible to receive a 2160p@120Hz signal within the HDMI 2.1 standard and without any artifacts.
It’s not yet clear whether 2017 TVs will receive this hardware or whether they should wait until 2018.

So, what to choose - TV or monitor?

A couple of years ago this was a difficult question. Nowadays, TVs with small diagonals have degraded so much (with rare exceptions) that if you are demanding about backlight uniformity and pixel response, it is better to take an adequate monitor (of course, having tested it before).
If you need a large screen for little money, from which you will launch any materials (computer lab) or films, a TV will do. As a bonus, if suddenly the diagonal later becomes small for you, you can move this TV to another room and use it for its intended purpose. And here old monitor will have to sell/give away/throw away.

What is better for gaming - a monitor or a TV?

If you are interested in a diagonal of less than 32’, definitely a monitor.
If 32’ – among the 2016 models there is potentially one with an IPS matrix and a little more options among the 2015 models – you can find out about this on our forum.
There is nothing serious among the 40’ models in 2016; there is one model with a 43’ diagonal, if 1920x1080 resolution suits you.
An adequate 4K TV as a monitor should be looked for in diagonals from 49. Some interesting things can still be found from the remnants of 2015 in smaller diagonals, but their number is rapidly decreasing.

If you are a pro-nano gamer who only cares about input lag and response, http://www.displaylag.com/display-database/ will help you.
For those who do not plan to make money from offline tournaments, I advise you to take an adequate TV with the largest possible diagonal instead of a monitor.
It’s still nice to remember how I played Soul Edge (Blade) on PS3 for the first time in 2008 on a 50’ HD-Ready plasma a meter away. Enormous positive impressions, despite the resolution being ridiculous by today's standards. Everything looks large, the characters are almost full height...
The effect was no less in tanks at 60’ - almost like in a real combat vehicle.
I switched from a 17’ CRT to a 32’ LCD TV. It took three days to get used to the response and size, now it seems tiny to me. Well, it’s clear that if I were now given a choice, no matter how cool the monitor was (even if), I would never return to monitor diagonals.
Another example from experience - as soon as my father-in-law got a 15.6’ laptop with ships and he saw the version of the game with a connection to a 50’ plasma, now he can’t get him away from the TV)
A large diagonal in games provides the most positive emotions. And the larger the diagonal, the more emotions.
The ultimate solution for big-screen gaming is LG OLED TVs; the 2016 4K models recently received an update to reduce input lag. Built-in image retention elimination functions prevent panel burnout, and after finishing a gaming session, it is recommended to leave the TV in standby mode for an hour (the self-cleaning cycle is activated). As for OLED monitors, the stated price tag for them is comparable to a 65’ 4k OLED TV and even higher.

What to choose - a monitor or a TV for working with graphics and photos?

What to choose - TV or monitor - what's the difference?

At the end of the last century, many people used televisions as monitors. Remember what TV looked like in those days - large, with a convex screen. With some effort, it was possible to connect 8-bit computers of those times - Atari - to them.

Those times are coming back. Only now everything is much more modern and confusing. Previously, monitors and televisions looked completely different. Now, sometimes it is simply impossible to distinguish them. TVs have monitor functions, and vice versa

Monitor? Or is it TV?

First, let's define the terminology. According to Western tradition, a digital HD panel is usually called a monitor, and it differs from a TV only in the absence of a tuner (PAL/DVB for Europe and NTSC/ATSC for the USA). In English the name sounds like this: Tunerless Monitor, TV/Monitor, etc. Such monitors are somewhat cheaper than TVs of the same size. According to our tradition, they are called panels, or simply televisions.

Indeed, it is not at all necessary to have a tuner to be called a TV. Tuners are designed only to receive free terrestrial channels. And in order to have satellite or cable broadcasting, a built-in tuner is not needed. Large TVs are often sold without a tuner. This is still rare for small models.

Monitors with tuners

However, such panels cannot be called real monitors. Now let's talk about computer monitors themselves, which, in principle, are not much different from a TV in terms of functions.

Some time ago it was quite popular to equip computer monitors with built-in tuners. However, because of this they did not become televisions.

So, the main difference between a computer monitor and a panel is resolution. Monitors have computer resolution. And to process the TV signal, they used special algorithms, which caused the image quality to suffer.

Such a monitor with a built-in tuner is significantly worse than a regular monitor and a PC with a tuner, external or internal. The first reason is that the tuner built into the monitor cannot be adjusted according to your preferences. The second reason is that it cannot be used to record programs on a computer.

Therefore, monitors with built-in tuners cannot be called popular.

The actual monitors

The most popular are monitors without tuners, i.e. ordinary computer monitors. Many buyers have long realized that purchasing a monitor with an HDTV is much cheaper. Especially considering that most models are equipped with HDMI and DVI inputs, to which you can connect digital HD video.

It is only necessary that the monitor supports HDCP - the content protection protocol. Without this support, it is possible that HD content will not be available. Most often, monitors have such support, but it is better to be vigilant.

Widescreen monitors can be used perfectly as digital TVs. But there is a small drawback - most of these monitors have a resolution of 1920x1080, instead of the required HD 1920x1200, and a screen format of 16:10, while HD requires 16:9.

Recently, monitors have begun to be produced that support the 16:9 format and the required resolution. First of all, they are intended for video lovers. Monitors are practically no different from televisions, except for the auxiliary functions unique to monitors.

TVs

It's no surprise that many TVs today can be used as monitors, and vice versa. Most panels now have DVI and VGA outputs. In addition, modern video cards are equipped with an HDMI output, which is necessary for HDTV.

However, there are also disadvantages. TVs often have larger pixels, so when working close to them, it’s inconvenient to work on them, like working on a computer.

Therefore, it is extremely important that the TV uses progressive scan, which is inherent in monitors. You also need to make sure permissions are compatible.

The undoubted advantage of TVs is that they have better brightness and contrast, greater visibility, and correct settings they are simply perfect for video games.

What to choose?

As you can see, there are many universal models on the market, so the choice is yours. You just need to decide what everything is the main priority. Please also note that the monitor is high resolution will cost much less than an HD TV.

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