Since you have shelled out the money for a television that is going to give you a high quality picture, you will want to get the most out of your viewing experience. First of all, you will want to get your home lighting ready for setting up your LCD TV. It is recommended that a backlight be used for best possible viewing, especially when watching a movie in the dark. This means having a low watt light behind your television. Additionally, you want to make sure that there will be no glare from other light sources such as lamps or windows.

When setting up your LCD TV, you will have a lot of calibration to do. This means changing the contrast, brightness, and color calibration. The best way to do this is with a movie that has equal light and dark coloring. A letterbox or widescreen movie will help you to see the contrasts better than a full screen version. This may seem like a pain, but it is going to be worth it when you are sitting and enjoying the television that you paid so much money to enjoy!

Setting up your LCD TV isn’t going to be a huge project, but it is worth taking the time to do properly. When the time comes, make sure that your home is ready. Make sure that your television stand will hold your new television, especially if you have bought one bigger than your previous tube television. Make sure that your lighting is ready and be prepared to set the proper calibrations. When you know what to expect beforehand, it will make setting up your LCD TV that much easier!

You may not realize it, but you probably use an LCD device every day. If you own a laptop computer, a microwave oven, a modern thermometer, a CD player, or a digital watch, all these are LCD technology. LCD stands for “liquid crystal display.” Look at the numbers displayed on your microwave oven; do you see how crisp and clear they are? How about the dials and numbers on your digital watch? LCD technology beats the traditional cathode ray tube and projection TVs in clarity, resolution and sharpness. Not only is it virtually impossible to mount a clunky cathode ray tube TV on your wall, but tubes wear out quickly and the picture quality of projection TVs is notoriously poor.

For home entertainment purposes, most people are especially interested in LCD televisions. When LCD technology was first introduced, the prices of these TVs were typically very high. But in the past few years, LCD TV prices have dropped as the technology became widespread and affordable. Try this simple experiment: go to a large electronics store and ask the sales staff to show you an LCD TV and then a traditional cathode ray tube TV (if they even have one!). You’ll notice the picture superiority of the LCD immediately. Plus, LCD TVs are thinner, lighter, and use less power than cathode ray TVs. LCD TVs come in high definition (HD) compatible models that create an even sharper image, in thin, flat panel models, and widescreen models. Each type of these LCD TVs have specific advantages. For example, if you want an LCD TV in your bedroom but don’t have a lot of wall space, a flat panel model will serve you well. But in your living room, you’ll most likely want a TV that has high definition and a wide screen to set up your home theater components.

When you decide to buy an LCD TV you have many models, sizes, and pricing options to choose from. Consumer guides and customer reviews rate the “best of 2008” LCD TVs as:

- The Samsung 52-inch 1080p HD TV
- The Sony Bravia 52-inch 1080p HD TV
- The Panasonic 50-inch 1080p HD TV
- The Sharp Aquos 42-inch 1080p HD TV
- The Samsung 32-inch 720p HD TV

You can find the LCD TV that meets all your space requirements, including 19, 37, 46, 61 and 65-inch TVs. You can also find a cheap flat screen TV locally or on-line. One thing is certain: cathode ray tube televisions are rapidly becoming obsolete in comparison to LCD HD TVs. Projection TVs are no longer manufactured. Also, LCD technology tends to be cheaper than plasma technology for televisions and computer monitors. The best buying strategy is to specify what kind of equipment you need, the size of the TV you need, and what type of TV system you can afford.

Samsung spokemodel explains a little bit about what makes LCD TVs tick, and some of the advantages of LCD technology. Good for a high level overview.

Ever wonder what's going on inside your $3000 LCD television, but were too smart to take it apart and find out? These guys do it for you. Granted the dialog could be better, but you get a little background on LCD flat panel technology, as well as a brief look at the chipsets involved. I wonder if they put it back together?

Invariably in your search for a flat panel TV you will be faced with the decision of LCD or plasma. There's a lot of good information on the web, however the technology is dynamic. Manufacturers scramble to close disadvantages and win market space. Your final decision on your new TV should be based upon your own eyes- go to the store and look at the LCD widescreen, and then look at the plasma TV next to it and choose what you like best. There are advantages to each type of TV- here are the top ten for LCDs.

1. No burn in - Static images can leave permanent ghost images in a plasma tv. Plasma manufacturers have developed some anti-burn in technology, be sure to check it's there before you pick a plasma over LCD.

2. Brighter - LCD TVs perform better in bright environments than their plasma cousins. If you have a well lit room, add a point for LCD.

3. Less glare - Hand in hand with a brighter picture, less glare means a better picture in the living room with picture windows.

4. Runs cooler - If you have two televisions of equal size- say a 42 LCD and 42" plasma TV, the LCD will run cooler. There's some debate, but generally speaking cooler is better for electronic components.

5. Less power- Watt for watt you will use less electricity with a LCD TV. It will probably only be a couple of dollars per month, but if you're ecology minded it's a point to remember.

6. Long display life - 60,000 hours - LCDs will typically at least a decade- possibly quite more depending upon your use. Plasmas have made some strides, but be sure to read the specifications if in doubt.

7. Lighter - LCD televisions are lighter- this may be important depending upon where you are considering mounting the television, and of less importance, shipping.

8. Smaller sizes available under 32” - LCDs are getting bigger, and plasmas are getting smaller, but right now if you're looking for a good HD TV under 32", it will be a LCD.

9. Performance at higher altitudes - Due to a pressure differential in the plasma gases inside a plasma display and outside it, plasma TVs have to use a bit more power to display a picture at altitudes above 6,000 feet or so. This differential results in a buzzing sound due to higher power required to render the picture, and sometimes the TV's fan will kick on. If you live at a higher altitude be sure to consider a LCD television, or make sure that your plasma has been specially built to handle the altitude.

10. Price - Prices are dynamic, but as LCDs get bigger and make inroads on the plasma market, there are some bargains to be had where competition is at its highest (say around 42"); and you can find LCDs that are less expensive than plasma.

You should also consider how your new TV will be used- there are certain disadvantages to LCD when it comes to blurring fast motion (read the specifications -- manufacturers are improving), viewing angle (also improving- but if you have a group that regularly watches TV be sure to form a semi circle around the TV in the store and check it). A LCD TV makes a great alternative to plasma.