As well as looking good on or off, they’re also better for viewing digital channels (you don’t need a digital box), or terrestrial channels (which will be turned off from next year as the digital switchover commences). And then there’s the picture quality, which experts say is far superior to the old CRT telly. With high definition technology, the screen delivers an image with more depth and less ‘visual noise’. This allows you to sit closer without your eyes straining.
Add to this the fact that LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs have lower power consumption and a wider viewing angle, and you viewing experience has just gone from pre-historic to space age. Ready to slim down?
Get with the programme
There are two main categories of flat screens – plasma or LCD. On the eco-side, LCD screens use less power than plasma, but if it’s a larger, brighter ‘cinema’ style screen you’re after, opt for plasma (they range from about 42 to 100 inches).
Size matters
Flat screens are real attention-grabbers. Great if you want to make it a feature, but not if you prefer more discreet appliances, or have a snugger living space (or bedroom/kitchen). For smaller models, John Kempner from John Lewis recommends Grundig. ‘Their new range of 15″ & 19″ models each have an integrated DVD player: excellent value with prices starting from

When you are thinking about which Television to buy, you need to carefully consider size and location, especially if your options are a Plasma TV, LCD flat screen TV or a rear projection TV. Flat screen TV technologies are limited by screen size. You can get LCD TVs in a variety of sizes ranging right from tiny to the very large. Plasma TVs are best viewed starting from 37 inches. The HDTV screens tend to be a lot wider than their height, appearing rectangular. Because of this, the space requirement varies from TV to TV. The specialty of flat screen TVs is that they can also be wall mounted or placed on stands, making them a space saving unit.
Room Size
A 30 to 40 inch HDTV might be suitable for a small room particularly if you plan to place it in an entertainment unit or against a narrow wall. But for a big room where you have sufficient wall area, a rear projection TV of a larger size will look good. For those who plan to go in for the home theater system, front projections TVs are a good choice. After you’ve decided where you will place your TV, you need to consider how far you will sit from your TV screen when you watch it. If there is enough distance, a large screen TV is fine. But if viewing distance is very limited, and you opt for HDTV, bigger need not mean greater picture clarity. You cannot view a small screen from too far off or a huge screen from very near.
Viewing Distance, Angle And Lighting
The best way to figure out the ideal distance to maintain between you and your screen is to divide the screen size by 5. Seat yourself so that you are looking directly at the middle of the screen. While considering performance of TVs, the angle at which you view them matters a lot. With plasma TVs, which have a 160-degree wide viewing angle, you can put them anywhere in your room. The viewing angle for LCD TVs is lesser at 120 degrees; while rear projection TVs are at 90-100 degrees. So if you are not sitting directly opposite the TV the lesser the viewing angle, the less satisfying the picture quality. Bright lights are suitable for plasma and LCD TVs but for projection TVs you must have little or no light.
Picture Quality
A perception of picture quality can vary from person to person, and TV to TV. It depends on how the TV is constructed and the internal processing method. The TV must have good black levels since these produce better details. CRT TVs are capable of better black levels. Digital TVs like plasma, LCD and DLP produce black that looks more like dark gray. When the picture shows good contrast, the impact is much more. Incidentally, there’s something called “burn in” that happens in Plasma TVs that ends up showing ghostly images on the screen, especially when you are watching a favorite sports channel or happen to be enjoying video games.
Thus, viewing criteria and location are important considerations when you shop for your flat TV.

• Color: Silver
• Universal fits 32″ to 63″ LCD and Plasma Tv’s
• Tilt Feature: -15°
• Weight capacity: 165 lbs
• High Quality Wall Mount for your Home

Product DescriptionThis is Angle Adjustable Wall Bracket for LCD Plasma. This Flat Wall Mount supports any 30″ to 65″ flat panel screen and plasma TVs up to 165 lb weight. The slim wall plate keeps the screen close to the wall for a very d. . . More >>

TILTING – Wall Mount Bracket for Mitsubishi LT40134 LT-40134 LT46131 LT-46131 LT46133 LT-46133 LT46134 LT-46134 LT46144 LT-46144 LT46231 LT-46231 LT46233 LT-46233 LT46244 LT-46244 – 46″ Flat Screen LCD HDTV TV

• Supports screens up to 165 lbs
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• Dual Arms Extend Up 4″ TO 26″

Product DescriptionThese new dual arm cantilever mounts are a breakthrough in flat panel mount design, combining strength, easy installation, and striking product design that is unparalleled in the industry. The dual two-link arm design pr. . . More >>

VideoSecu Large Heavy Duty Wall Mount Bracket fitting Gateway GTW-P42M102 GTW-P42M203 GTW-P42M303 42″ Flat Plasma HDTV TV LCD -Black with Free 7 FT HDMI Cable MW370B

• Fits most TVs and Displays from 37″ to 55″, VESA 200X100 to 680×460mm compliant
• Standard screws to TV or to the wall included
• Tilt: -15 to +15 degree up and down
• Arm extends up to 26″ from the wall
• Cable management on arm, with 7 ft HDMI cable

Product DescriptionThese new dual arm cantilever mounts are a breakthrough in flat panel mount design, combining strength, easy installation, and striking product design that is unparalleled in the industry. The dual two-link arm design pr. . . More >>

VideoSecu 26 inch Extension Large Heavy Duty Dual Articulating Arm TV Wall Mount for 37″ 38″ 40″ 42″ 46″ 47″ 48″ 50″ 52″ FLAT Plasma LCD TV with Free 7 FT HDMI Cable MW370B

• Articulating swivel TV mount extends the flat panel display through 26 ” from the wall
• Adjustable tilt of 15°up or down. Free 7ft HDMI cable
• Fits most 37″ to 55″ flat panel screens, mounting hardware included
• VESA compliant 200mmx100mm up to 680×460. Cable management on arm

Product DescriptionThese new dual arm cantilever mounts are a breakthrough in flat panel mount design, combining strength, easy installation, and striking product design that is unparalleled in the industry. The dual two-link arm design pr. . . More >>

VideoSecu TV Mount for Panasonic TH42PA20 TH-42PA20 TH42PA20U/P TH-42PA20U/P TH42PA25U/P TH-42PA25U/P TH42PD25U/P TH-42PD25U/P TH42PD50U TH-42PD50U TH42PD60U TH-42PD60U TH42PG9U TH-42PG9U — 42″ Plasma Flat Screen LCD HDTV TV-Arm Extended 26″

• Fits most 32″-55″ TV HDTV LCD LED Plasma and Display
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VideoSecu Mount W01 TV Wall Mount for Vizio most 32″ 37″ 42″ 46″ 47″ 50″ VX32L VU32L VO32L VP322 VW32L VU37L VO37L VX37L VW37L VW37LHDTV40A GV42LF VW42L VW42LF SV420XVT VP423 VP422 VO42LF VW46LF SV470XVT GV47LF VO47LF VP504F Flat Panel HDTV and Displays W01

• Fits most TVs and Displays from 37″ to 55″, VESA 200X100/200X200/300X300/300X200/400X400/400X300/400×200/600×400 up to 770×480mm
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• Included mounting hardware

Product DescriptionThis mount is VideoSecu brand. Please report to Amazon. com if you recieve a mount without VideoSecu logo. These new dual arm cantilever mounts are a breakthrough in flat panel mount design, combining strength, easy instal. . . More >>

VideoSecu 24 inch Extension Large Heavy Duty Dual Articulating Arm TV Wall Mount for 37″ 38″ 40″ 42″ 46″ 47″ 48″ 50″ 52″ FLAT Plasma LCD TV MPA65B 1N9

• This mount is VideoSecu brand. Please report to Amazon.com if you recieve a mount without VideoSecu logo.
• Articulating swivel TV mount extends the flat panel display through 24 ” from the wall
• Adjustable tilt of 15° up or down
• Fits most 37″ to 55″ flat panel screens, mounting hardware included
• VESA compliant 200mmx100mm up to 770mmx480

Product DescriptionThese new VideoSecu dual arm cantilever mounts are a breakthrough in flat panel mount design, combining strength, easy installation, and striking product design that is unparalleled in the industry. The dual two-link arm. . . More >>

VideoSecu TV Mount for Panasonic TH42PA20 TH-42PA20 TH42PA20U/P TH-42PA20U/P TH42PA25U/P TH-42PA25U/P TH42PD25U/P TH-42PD25U/P TH42PD50U TH-42PD50U TH42PD60U TH-42PD60U TH42PG9U TH-42PG9U — 42″ Plasma Flat Screen LCD HDTV TV-Arm Extended 24″

• 42-inch flat-panel television stand
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• 49″ H x 42″ W x 21.38″ D

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Techcraft LCD42 42-Inch Flat Panel Television Mount Stand