Types of HDTVs, Their Advantages & Disadvantages

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There are several different ways to display HD images (Types of HDTVs). The most common are CRT-based - either RPTVs (large) or Direct View (small). I've started with the more common types, progressing to the less common ones.

Comparison of Display Types:
Each type of HDTV has advantages and disadvantages.
Here is a short list for each display type:

CRT-based RPTVs
Advantages:
Least expensive per inch (available in sizes 40" - 80")
Easily repairable
Excellent colour rendition, including blacks
"Known quantity" for many years

Disadvantages:
Requires initial and periodic convergence and setup
Large, "ugly" black box (typically) (takes up floor space)
Susceptible to burn in, if not properly set up, operated.

There are no CRT-based RPTVs that can natively display 720P. If the TV accepts 720P it gets converted to 1080i or 480P, depending on the set.

Direct View HDTVs (Tube TVs)
Advantages:
Smaller size for some smaller rooms/entertainment centers (maximum size 34" in widescreen)
No need for convergence.
Better vertical viewing angle than RPTVs

Disadvantages:
If tube goes bad, repair cost is exorbitant - equivalent to cost of new TV
Horizontal resolution typically 700-1000 lines max (100-400 lines less than RPTVs depending on model)
Can burn in if not properly set up, operated.
Very heavy in the larger sizes.

There are no "consumer" Direct View TVs that can natively display 720P. If the TV accepts 720P it gets converted to 1080i or 480P, depending on the set.

LCD-based RPTVs
Advantages:
Light/compact for its screen size
High resolution - 720P (actually typically 768/788P) (720P is considered by many to be superior to 1080i, hence the higher price for these sets)
No need for convergence.
Not susceptible to burn in. Under severe commercial service (same channel 24/7), greyscale degredation has been encountered, but not under normal home use.

Disadvantages:
Periodic lamp replacement - about 2 years - ~$200-$400.
More expensive than CRT-based RPTV
Doesn't display blacks as well as CRTs.

DLP-based RPTVs
Advantages:
Light/compact for its screen size
High resolution - 720P (720P is considered by many to be superior to 1080i, hence the higher price for these sets)
No need for convergence.
No possibility of burn in

Disadvantages:
Periodic lamp replacement - about 2 years - ~$200-$400.
More expensive than CRT-based RPTV
Doesn't display blacks as well as CRTs. May have "rainbow" effect.

Plasma
Advantages:
***y, thin, can hang on the wall
Available in sizes to 63" (expensive) (Very expensive 70-80" units have been announced recently)
Excellent resolution (768P typical)

Disadvantages:
Expensive; Does not display blacks as well as CRTs (some very expensive units are better at blacks than the cheap ones)
Susceptible to burn in if not properly set up, operated.
Some have difficulty with multiple inputs

Be careful - inexpensive plasma displays may be 480P only.

Flat Panel LCDs
Advantages:
***y, thin, light, can hang on the wall
Excellent resolution (768P typical)

Disadvantages:
Extremely expensive
Only available in smaller sizes at this time
Doesn't display blacks as well as CRTs

Be careful - inexpensive flat panel displays may be 480P only.

Projection
Advantages:
Large, variable screen size
Compact unit
Excellent viewing angles

Disadvantages:
Typically need dedicated, darkened "home theater"
Lamp life (LCD/DLP) - about 2 years - ~$200-$400.
Be extremely careful when buying regarding resolution. 720P units are $5000+, yet some units are on the market with lower (non-HD) resolutions for $1000+.

LCoS-based RPTVs
Advantages:
High resolution - 720P or 1080P, depending on model/price
No need for convergence.

Disadvantages:
Only a couple of manufacturers
Expensive, new technology
Doesn't display blacks as well as CRTs

Dead Pixels: Any fixed pixel display (LCD, DLP, Plasma, etc) has the potential to have dead pixels. This is a "disadvantage" of these displays, although I have not heard a significant number of complaints regarding this issue.

OLED
Organic Light Emitting Diodes - possibly the future of flat panel displays
Will make inroads into PDAs, cellphones, digital cameras, etc.
Advantages:
Can be made into a flexible thin display - like plastic
***y

Disadvantages:
Not yet available for TVs
Largest size to date - 20", proven only in small displays - 4" or less
Concerns regarding long term viability of actual OLED system (display fades quickly)

There are new technologies on the horizon, like SED, which will be added to this FAQ once consumer TVs come to market. SED production is scheduled to start in 2006, with full production in 2007.

Holodecks

In your dreams


More info here.

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(This FAQ was originally posted at HDTVoice and has been reprinted here with permission)