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Windows Vista Media Center in Easy Steps

Look at the big picture.

They may still be called “the small screen,” but today’s TVs are anything but. State-of-the-art flat-panel TVs have massive screen sizes, slender profiles, amazing image quality, and tons of extra features. Find your dream TV by learning:

The technologies used in flat-panel TVs—and how much they’ll cost you
The types of flat-panel TVs, their pros and cons, and some popular models
Flat-panel TV specifications, connections, and even design considerations

What Is a Flat-Panel TV?

The average flat-panel TV is only about 4" thick. These technologically advanced units offer large screens and clear, vibrant images in a relatively lightweight package—a far cry from the bulky TV sets of yesteryear.

CRT TVs vs. Flat-Panel TVs

Every TV falls into one of two categories: CRT (cathode-ray tube) or flat-panel.

CRT: CRT TVs have been available to consumers for more than 70 years. CRTs use cathode-ray tubes (explained below) to display images. They also have glass screens, which limits their size potential (a CRT’s screen size typically doesn’t exceed 40" diagonally). To accommodate the bulky cathode-ray tube, traditional TVs are large and heavy—a standard 17" CRT TV can weigh more than 40 pounds.
Flat-panel: The demand for conventional CRT TVs is decreasing thanks to new flat-panel technology—namely, LCD and plasma (see LCD TVs vs. Plasma TVs)—that eliminates the cathode-ray tube, resulting in a sleek, space-saving set that’s thin enough to hang on a wall.

Flat-Panel vs. Flat-Screen TVs

The terms are often used interchangeably, but flat-panel and flat-screen indicate two different things. Although most CRT TVs have slightly convex, or curved, screens, some newer CRT models are available with flat screens and are referred to as “flat-screen.” But only the type of TV that doesn’t contain a cathode-ray tube and is a few inches thick qualifies as a flat-panel TV.

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