LCDs, LEDs and Plasmas, Oh My!

If you're looking for that perfect flat screen as a gift this Christmas, your search may be more complicated than it seems. These days, there are so many different factors to take into consideration when purchasing high-quality televisions, just thinking about it can make your head spin. We're here to help break it down for you. Read our easy-to-digest comparison of the four major TV contenders this Christmas.

LCDs
Basic Technology: LCDs use the liquid crystal diode technology and reproduce colors through a process of subtraction – blocking out particular wavelengths from the spectrum of white light. Traditional LCDs are illuminated by one, large fluorescent CFL light.

Best For: Brightly-lit rooms, although they display a quality picture in all settings. LCDs are the most commonly used televisions in retail settings and for public display because of their bright picture and plexiglass screen, which reduces the glare from other lights sources, like windows and lamps.

Benefits:

• Run cool and have a low power consumption
• Can be as thin as 2 inches deep
• Have a light-weight design that make moving and wall placement easy
• Display close to a 170 degree viewing angle
• Are resistant to burn-in (a permanent discoloration of areas on an electronic display)
• Contain LCD backlights that are estimated to last between 30,000 and 60,000 hours
• Have plexiglass screens that result in less glare than TVs with glass screens

LEDs
Basic Technology: LEDs are an advancement on LCD technology. Similar to conventional LCDs, LEDs also use the liquid crystal diode technology. However, unlike the traditional LCDs, which use one CFL (compact fluorescent light) to illuminate the screen, LEDs align many, small LEDs (light-emitting diodes) along the back of the TV to illuminate the screen.

Best For: Similar to traditional LCDs, they are also ideal for brightly-lit rooms, because of their plexiglass screens and brightness.
Benefits:

• Include all of the same benefits as traditional LCDs plus
• Have less “glow” because of their numerous LED light sources
• Display better color contrasts
• Have greater viewing angles
• Tend to have increased motion-tracking or response time (leads to less image-blurring)

Plasmas
Basic Technology: Plasmas use pixel-cell technology, which is essentially individual, microscopic, fluorescent light bulbs, which glow due to xenon and neon gases excited by electric impulses. An absence of electrical impulses will result in complete blackness, a high level of electrical impulses will result in complete white.

Best For: Low to normal-light settings and for individuals who are interested in purchasing a television with a very large screen.
Benefits:

• Are known for their “perfect” picture quality
• Allow for a more true color – deeper blacks, more color depth, and less wash out, because of their ability to completely deactivate a light source
• Have a higher contrast ratio than LEDs and LCDs
• Allow for greater viewing angles
• Provide better motion-tracking or response time (which leads to less image blurring)
• Can often appear dull in store showrooms, but have a better picture quality in “real life” settings, like at home

3D
Basic Technology: 3D TVs are made with either LCD, LED, or Plasma technology, depending on the brand. 3D TV is not exactly like the 3D you may be used at the theater. 3D TV, instead, adds an illusion of depth to your screen. Similar to the technology used in theaters, 3D imaging is based on the science that human eyes are about 7 centimeters apart. Each eye processes images differently, from different angles. Therefore, the 3D content displays two separate images on the same screen simultaneously, one meant for the viewer’s left eye and one meant for the viewer’s right eye. When the viewer wears the active liquid crystal shutter glasses, or shutter glasses, they perceive the image as a single, 3D image. The shutter glasses, in addition to their liquid-crystal lenses, contain electronics and batteries that sync to the TV using an infrared or Bluetooth signal.

Best For: Viewers who are looking for that “wow” factor! 3D TV is likely the most important breakthrough in television technology since the invention of digital TV.

Benefits:

• Give an incredible viewing experience
• Display added depth
• Offer better views than theater 3D, due to the technological advancement in glasses (shutter glasses use liquid crystal lenses and communicate with the TV, while most theaters use passive polarized 3D glasses, which only restrict the light that reaches each eye)
• Provide better user-control than the theater (some 3D TVs allow the user to adjust the degree of 3D)
• You don’t always have to watch in 3D – these TVs come with a standard non-3D system as well

Winter Home Security

In the winter months, it can be easy to forget to pay attention to keeping your home secure. However, though inclement weather may seem discouraging to you, it does not prevent many criminals from taking advantage of people’s homes during the winter months. In residential burglaries, most burglars spend less than 60 seconds breaking into a home. Even during the winter, your home’s security should be a subject that you pay close attention to. Here are some general tips that will help you in keeping your home safe and secure for your family.

Plow Your Driveway

It’s highly recommended that you arrange for your driveway to be plowed on a regular basis. This is not only important for your own personal safety, but can also help to discourage burglars as well. If you are absent for a long period of time, an unplowed driveway may be a sign to burglars that your house is deserted.

Mark Your Valuables

A good habit to get into is to write your postal code with a security marker on your valuable electronics, keepsakes and other items. Keep a running inventory of these objects, updating it as necessary. This way, if the police recover stolen goods, they have the ability to return them directly to you (as long as you reported them missing). This is a precautionary measure, but should be followed nonetheless.

Check Your Outdoor Security Equipment

If you have security lighting, motion sensors or other equipment installed outdoors, it’s best if you test this equipment on a regular basis. Severe weather can damage or destroy outdoor equipment, and you may not notice until it is too late. If possible, check to see that any security equipment you purchase is rated for outdoor use.

Purchase a Lock Defroster

In order to avoid being kept out of your home or car by a frozen lock, always keep a high-quality lock defrosting device close at hand. These devices may be battery-operated, or may simply be a tube of liquid that can be used to melt the ice inside your lock. Most lock defrosters are relatively inexpensive, and can fit easily in a purse or handbag.

Protect Your Home

Purchasing a security system is important at any time of year, as it is a great step towards increasing your home’s overall level of security. You can follow this Step by Step Guide to choosing a home security system, which will help you to decide on a level of protection that is right for your home. Depending on your needs, you may find that having a home security system gives you a sense of reassurance that your home is under constant protection.

http://www.familyhomesecurity.com/winter-home-security-tips/