In an effort to do its bit for energy conservation, Sharp has launched new range of full LED backlit HDTVs. LE600 and LE700 Aquos are the company’s concrete steps towards an increased market share along with environment friendly technology solutions.

The LE600 range offers 32-inch, 40-inch and 46-inch TVs. LE700 series includes those screen sizes along with a 52-inch model. The series will have four HDMI sockets, 1080p resolution, USB playback of photos and MP3 music and Sharp Aquos Link to control compatible devices through a single remote. LE700 series will utilize 100 Hz technology and a rapid pixel response time of 4ms.  These eco friendly sets use only 40% of power used by the LCD TVs. They also have a super efficient standby mode with 0.01 W power consumption.

The new Aquos range will be manufactured at what the company claims as the world’s first ‘Tenth Generation LCD Plant’ and available for the customers in the UK electronics stores from August 2009.

Contrast ratio is one of the most essential aspects of televisions deciding the picture appearance. The play of colours on the screen, their brightness and darkness are also the main parameters of buying decisions of a television. Thus every customer must be aware of what exactly is this quintessential feature and how is it measured.

Contrast ratio is a measure of the display system. It is the ratio of luminance. This ratio is measured by grading the shades of the brightest white to that of the darkest black a display system can produce. There are two types of contrast ratios-

1. Static contrast ratio- It is the ratio of the brightest part of the screen to the darkest part that is displayed simultaneously on the screen.
2. Dynamic contrast ratio- It is the ratio of the blackest black of an image to the whitest white of the other image at a different time. The dynamic contrast ratio is the recent development with the LCD technology. They enable entire screens to become darker for dark scenes and lighter for light scenes. This is done by adjusting the backlight intensity.

Different methods of measuring the contrast ratio yield different results. Many manufacturers use the full on/ full off method as it gives an ideal ratio without considering the effects of the room. Contrast ratio of the LCD TVs is mostly measured by this way. It is measured in an ideal room (totally dark) where there is no chance for the light from the TV to get reflected and all is absorbed. This method gives the maximum ratio and best measures the dynamic contrast ratio.

Another method for measuring the contrast ratio is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) method. It is more realistic as it takes into account the effects of the room. This method is generally used to measure the static contrast ratio.

Whichever method used to measure the contrast ratio, before buying a television, it is better to judge the same with the numbers provided. And the best judge of the optimum contrast ratio is definitely the human eye. It would definitely feel the difference if the colours of the screen are not appropriate.

LCD TVs in general have a long life. Its proper maintenance will ensure excellent functioning of the TV throughout its lifespan. Take some time out and clean the instrument regularly. Following are the tips on maintaining your LCD Television-

• Place your LCD TV in a clean and dry environment. Always try to avoid moisture and dust.
• The temperature of the room having TV should be normal, neither too high nor too low. Drastic temperature changes can change the contrast ratio, refresh rate, and other features of your LCD TV.
• Clean the TV with a slightly damp soft cloth, clean microfiber cloth or special screening wipes. Make sure to unplug all the wires to avoid electrocution or a short circuit. Do not press down heavily. Gently remove the dirt from the screen. Repeat the cleaning process after every 2-3 days so that the TV stays away from the air pollutants and looks clean and new.
• When the lights on the TV fade, use a branded fluorescent bulb to replace it.
• Check the contrast ratio of your TV. Get it to the optimum level. Higher contrast ratios need more light and thus the life of the bulb might reduce.
• Do not twist or stretch the wires of your LCD Television.
• Keep all the sharp objects away from the screen to avoid scratches.
• Turn off the TV when it is not being used.
• Do not pause at an image for a longer time as it negatively affects the screen.

Along with the above maintenance tips it is essential to be cautious regarding few acts which can cause direct harm to the television. The don’ts of your LCD TV maintenance are as follows-

• Do not use alcohol or abrasive material like paper towel to clean your screen as it may affect the screen coating or bezel paint.  
• Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
• Do not expose TV to volatile gas or fluid such as pesticide.
• Do not put the TV in contact of vinyl or rubber products for a longer period of time.

Even if we buy a product worth a penny or two we often ponder about its lifespan. So while purchasing a consumer durable product as expensive as a television, the lifespan of the product ought to influence our decision.

LCD TV sales are now seeing a sharp increase and expected to increase even further in the near future.  A lot can be attributed to its lifespan along with its quality of picture.

Under controlled conditions (in a room with standard lighting conditions and 77° temperature throughout) LCD TVs last up to 80000 hours according to some manufacturers. But such conditions are a rarity in a house. Thus the lifespan comes down to 50000 to 60000 hours. That means if you keep your LCD TV on 24/7 it will last up to six years. This lifespan is way ahead of the standard plasma television which is around 25000 to 30000 hours.

One thing that needs a mention while discussing about the life of a LCD TV is that it lasts as long as its light sources. The more the backlight of a LCD TV can work the more the life of the TV. Thus the images on the TV dim when the bulb itself dims.

The quality of the light source is a critical consideration while purchasing your LCD TV. It’s also important for maintaining a proper white balance on the TV. Prefer shelling out on LCD TVs of a good brand as the backlighting would generally be of a good standard. Set the CONTRAST feature on your LCD TV appropriately as high levels of the same means the backlights have to work harder and thus life decreases. Moreover, some backlighting bulbs can be replaced and some cannot. Doing some research on the backlighting would be essential before you buy your LCD TV. If the bulbs could be replaced the LCD TV can last up to years to come.