What You Need to Know about Televisions

Plasma or LCD? Which is Right for Me?

Both LG LCD and Plasma Display (PDP) flat panel TVs are sleek, thin, state-of-the-art, and capable of displaying stunning, high-definition pictures with surprisingly wide, off-angle viewing. But which technology is right for you? Use our interactive guided tour to find your perfect TV or learn more about each type below.

What is a Plasma Display?

Plasma Displays are larger flat panel TVs that use conductive plasma to produce colored light. Gas in the plasma state reacts with phosphors in each sub-pixel to produce vivid colors and an ultra-clear picture.

Plasma displays generate their own light to produce a stunning contrast ratio and smoother, crisper, high-motion video. This is one reason why some consumers prefer plasma displays to LCDs for watching sports and action movies. Plasma displays are also known for their deep, rich blacks, and incredibly precise colors, making them ideal for watching movies—where dark scenes are more common.

For several reasons, many experts consider plasma displays the better choice for home theater environments. Firstly, plasma displays tend to perform better in light-controlled environments, such as home theater rooms. Second, plasma displays also have a slightly wider viewing angle than LCD flat screens, so no matter where you’re sitting in the room, you can still enjoy a precise, vivid picture.

What is an LCD Display?

LCD displays are digital televisions with a fixed pixel structure. Each pixel has three sub-pixels of red, green, and blue. The image on a flat panel LCD display is generated by a backlight behind the panel. The image goes through a polarizing filter and each sub-pixel has tiny crystals that create different levels of brightness.

One advantage of LCDs is the wide range of sizes. LCDs start at 15” and go up to 55 inches. Smaller LCD TVs are offered in both 4:3 and widescreen versions. Screens above 22” are strictly widescreen models, and come in either enhanced definition (ED) or high definition (HD).

LCD displays also offer a great deal of versatility. Their wide size range allows for a wide price range, so you can find one to fit your budget. Also, since LCDs use adjustable backlight technology, the picture won’t wash out in brighter rooms or environments where light conditions cannot be controlled. LCDs also perform wonders for video games and computer graphics. In other words, no matter what you’re watching, LCDs deliver stunning high-definition picture.

What does the Energy Star® mean?

LG gives its customers the opportunity to participate in greenhouse gas reduction by providing them with products that meet the U.S. government’s Energy Star® standard for energy-saving consumer products.

Energy Star is the U.S. government's international program that encourages the use of energy-saving consumer products. It was formed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992, as part of energy-saving and greenhouse gas reduction efforts. The majority of LG Electronics' products meet the Energy Star standard. For example, the battery charger for handsets produced for the U.S. market fulfills 100% of the Energy Star requirements.

LG and Energy Efficiency

LG Electronics is one of the largest global companies of its kind. Because of this, we feel we have a social responsibility to actively take on the environmental issues that arise from the carbon output of our industry. We have implemented, and are continuing to perfect, two independent strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of our company:
1. Develop more environmentally friendly technologies in our factories
2. Continuously raise the energy efficiency of our products

LCD & Plasma TVs

Of the LCD and Plasma TVs released since 2005, some 90% satisfy the Energy Star standard, with many exceeding these requirements by more than 30-percent.

	Met	Exceeding(30%)	List
LCD	88%	45%
PDP	91%	29%

We’ve also greatly reduced the number of parts in our plasma TVs by adopting a single-scan method during production. For this reason, our LCD and plasma TVs not only reduce energy consumption (saving you money on your energy bill), they also reduce their impact on the environment by employing environmentally friendly materials.

For more information visit the government’s Energy Star website.
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LG Design Philosophy for TV

LG’s Digital Display Innovations

LG designs its digital displays with its customers in mind, introducing new products that demonstrate a clear commitment to our core design principles. Our broad knowledge and ongoing commitment to developing next-generation digital display technologies are two of our key advantages over competitors in this fast-moving industry. We are constantly pushing the envelope with our innovative designs for LCD and Plasma TVs. For example, in 2008, LG launched the world’s slimmest LCD TV, the Scarlet LGX, just 44.7 mm thick. And LG will continue to invest in next-generation technologies such as flexible displays and 3D displays, both of which are redefining our entertainment expectations for the future.

LCD TVs

LG’s Full HD LCD TVs are optimized for movie viewing. Full HD processing takes low-resolution analog signals to near high-definition levels (1080p), and reproduces crisp images by displaying the original pictures without any blurring or distortion. At work here too is Intelligent Eye technology, which optimizes brightness and contrast by adapting to ambient light. LG’s Full HD TVs also incorporate 240Hz scanning technology allowing viewers to watch fast-moving action sequences with virtually no motion blur. Further, our exclusive Invisible Speaker Design provides clear and powerful sound at any volume, creating a completely exhilarating movie experience every time. View all the latest LG LED and LCD TVs.

Plasma TVs

With LG Plasma TVs, viewers enjoy greater picture clarity with deeper blacks and more defined shadow detail – in a stylish, seamless panel design A Dual XD engine produces optimal quality for all kinds of video, and provides clearer overall picture quality. And our Super Bright panel further enhances effects, providing brighter and clearer picture quality, as well. View all the latest LG Plasma TVs.

What accessories do I need?

LG offers a variety of accessories which expand the capabilities of your television even further -- from 3D accessories to those setting your TV free from the hassle of cables. But which are compatible with your particular TV?

Accessory Compatibility Chart
Download Accessories Catalogue >>

What are LG’s Core Technologies for HDTV?

What are LG’s Core Technologies for HDTV?

Most LG HDTVs possess core technologies that provide smart ways to optimize your viewing experience and make adjusting picture and sound a snap. Have a look at what lies at the heart of an LG HDTV.

•    Picture Wizard Take the guesswork out of picture adjustments with a wave of your hand. Get easy self-calibration with on-screen reference points for key picture quality elements such as black level, color, tint, sharpness and backlight levels. The remote is the new magic wand.

•    Invisible Speaker System You won’t believe what you’re hearing. Fine-tuned by renowned audio expert Mr. Mark Levinson, LG TVs utilize a unique, hidden speaker system that delivers a clean, polished look and enhanced audio with a wider sound field.

•    Clear Voice II Not sure who or what you’re hearing? The upgraded Clear Voice II now allows you to customize your personal preferences based on your home environment through an easy adjustment process. This calibration process is based on distinct voice zoom levels and does not interfere with surrounding sounds, so you’ll hear dialogue well and won’t miss a word.

•    AV Mode II Quickly and easily select from one of three AV modes for “Cinema,” “Sports,” or “Games” to enjoy optimized HDTV picture and audio quality.

What is Full HD 1080p?

Full HD 1080p Resolution lets you enjoy enhanced picture quality over standard HDTV with almost double the pixel resolution. See sharper details like never before. Just imagine a Blu-ray disc or video game seen on your new LG Full HD 1080p TV. It’s time to put resolve back in your resolution.

How can an LG HDTV save energy?

Friendly energy is smart energy. In addition to adhering to the new Energy Star 3.0 guidelines, LG HDTVs with Smart Energy Saving have energy-saving options like the ability to choose a content-specific setting, “video mute” or engaging exclusive Intelligent Sensor Technology that automatically dims the backlight.

Why Get HDTV?

There are many reasons to get HDTV, from stunning picture quality, to enhanced programming, to HD sound—not to mention the upcoming national transition to digital.

Picture Quality

Invested in the quality of your entertainment? Get richer color, deeper blacks, and sharper images when watching your favorite TV, movies, or the big game on HDTV.

Resolution

TVs old and new are made up of a series of horizontal lines, which in turn are comprised of tiny dots, called pixels. The number of these lines and dots make up a TV’s "resolution," or picture clarity.

Screen/Room Size

Check out our interactive HDTV Viewing Distance Calculator to find the perfect TV for your room.

Widescreen

Enjoy a bigger, better picture—and cinema-style viewing—with a widescreen TV. With a 16:9 format, you get the full benefit of watching "true" widescreen television. And digital widescreen is the future of TV. Roll over the 4:3 and 16:9 links at right to see the difference.

Surround Sound

Many high-definition programs are broadcast in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound—the very same high-fidelity sound quality found in Dolby Surround movie theaters.

HD Programming

Today, there are dozens of high-definition programs transmitted to American homes every hour—day or night. HD Programming is available via cable, satellite, and over-the-air broadcast. Programming can vary by station and delivery type. For example, satellite currently does not deliver the TNT network in HD, though some cable systems do.
Broadcast networks provide a large portion of their primetime programs in high definition. They also provide some major sports in HD, including weekly football, regional baseball (as well as national playoffs and the World Series), basketball, and NASCAR. Many specials and major awards shows are also available in HDTV.
Satellite companies are continually expanding their HD offerings. Currently these include movies on HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, The Movie Channel, Starz, HD Net Movies, and Encore. Additionally, they offer networks that provide a variety of content, such as HD NET and ESPN HD. Arts and music are mainstays of Bravo HD. And channels devoted to Animation, Extreme Sports, Travel Logs, and Music Videos are also available in HD, round the clock, via satellite. In some markets, ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX HD programming are provided as well.
Cable systems have joined the HD initiative as well. In addition to local channels, many cable operators now offer premium HD movie channels and HD regional sports. Cable also offers its own exclusive networks, In HD and In HD 2, providing movies, music, and other varied programming.

Standards Transition

Currently, television stations in markets across the country are airing digital TV programming, though they may continue to provide analog programming until the target date set by Congress for the completion of the transition to DTV, February 19, 2009. Until this transition is complete, television stations will likely continue to broadcast both digital and analog.
Go to the government’s DTV website for more information on the federally mandated digital transition.