Buying a TV for your home theater setup is a big choice. But once you have made it, you might just be out shopping for another TV a bit sooner than you thought! With the plethora of small size LCD TVs around, having a second or third screen for the bedroom, kitchen, or even bathroom is becoming a popular choice for many homeowners! Since this type of TV is really just for casual use, it doesn’t have to be large. 15 inch LCD TVs are very popular for this type of use, and LCD technology actually makes a lot of sense at this size. Larger LCD TVs can cause problems with color reproduction due to the difficulties spreading light evenly across the screen. Smaller LCDs have no such disadvantage though, offering even, bright color across the screen which negates the drawbacks of the smaller sized screen to some extent at least. If you plan to use a small screen in this way, and might be placing it in an area near open windows, choose a matte screen rather than glossy. Glossy screens are better suited to areas that are likely to be dark when in use, as they can suffer from excessive reflections near windows but otherwise seem to offer a richer picture.
The other benefit of an LCD screen (although plasma really isn’t available in such a small size, is the life span of the screen, with LCD lasting for up to a claimed average of 60,000 hours.
Let’s take a look at a few popular models – all of these are available from Buy.com, a premium online retailer.
There are a host of other models out there, with prices ranging from under $200 for a cheaper screen right through to $400+ for a good quality model with extra features. The price you spend will ultimately be determined by budget considerations and of course how often you expect to use your new TV, but don’t be afraid to spend a little more if it will get you the features you want. Most shoppers have found that after spending a little more upfront, they get a model that meets their needs for years to come.
