LCD TVs are also known as liquid crystal display televisions. They are color televisions which use the LCD technology to create images. What’s unique about the LCD televisions are that they are skinnier and weigh less when compared to other televisions of similar sizes. LCD TVs are also available in much larger sizes as well than ever before. Ever since the cost to create the LCD TVs has been dropping, they have begun to dominate the television marketplace.
LCD TVs became the most popular TV technology on the market place in 2007 and its sales compared to other televisions continued to increase. The first LCD TVs were created in the 1980s to help produce portable computers. They were going up against plasma displays for market share at the time. LCDs had a very low refresh rate so the screens often appeared blurry but they were extremely lightweight and were cost effective.
Because the refresh rates were too slow, LCDs were not able to compete yet in the television market. This was not a major concern at the time because there was not yet a demand for a better television technology from consumers. As advances were made to include Super VHS and DVDs it was still hard to find a LCD screen that was greater than 30 inches wide.
People continued to experiment, however, and in 1988 Sharp produced the first LCD television – it was 14 inches. It was marketed as a specialty item for wealthy customers and was not meant for the average consumer. However, as the market continued to advance, more investments were made into plasma televisions and they began to gain much more traction compared to LCD sets.
Not to be outdone, the people who produced LCD screens poured more into their research and development efforts and were soon able to reduce their costs. The next LCD models were still small but in 2004 many people had 32 inch versions and the 42 inch screens were being picked up quickly as well. Manufacturers also had plans to develop much larger screens which would hit the market shortly.
By 2006 the prices started to fall dramatically for LCD TVs. LCDs were still more expensive than plasmas, but not by much anymore. The LCD technology also provided a much better experience and was of higher quality. In 2007 LCDs were no longer priced at a premium to plasmas and it was clear that they would outsell plasmas for the critical 2007 Christmas season.
When the numbers were in for the 2007 holiday sales, LCDs sold more than plasma and CRTs over the same period of time. This led to Sony canceling their famous Trinitron brand in most of their major markets and they closed down the plant that manufactured them in 2008. The following year, Pioneer Electronics, one of the leaders in plasma technology, decided that it was going to stop producing their sets as well.
Because LCD technology allows manufacturers to build 50 inch screens as well as tiny screens it has become the dominant player in the market – you can now find an LCD monitor to fit almost any of your needs. Prices will continue to fall and people are constantly coming up with new uses for LCD technology which is only expanding the reach and power that LCD has in the marketplace.
Zeeman Haus enjoys writing articles online on a variety of subjects. You can check out his latest website on 7 Inch LCD TV which reviews and lists the best LCD TVs to help you pick the best one for your needs.
Tags: Electronics, Color Televisions, Development Efforts, 15 lcd
