The LCD TV is really starting to come of age and while they have dominated the small screen market in recent times over plasma, it seems it may not be too long before they challenge their arch rival in the bigger screen areas.

In fact, proto type 55" LCD TVs have already been produced and if the progress continues to gather momentum they could very well challenge plasma in the area it is best known for - large screen televisions.

In this article, let's take a look at some of the advantages of an LCD TV and why you may consider one for you home over the next few months.

Advantages Of LCDs

The price of LCD has always been a drawback for most home theater enthusiasts. The money outlaid for a small screen television doesn't seem to make sense when for less, you can purchase a large screen plasma. As mentioned above, that scenario is likely to change rapidly.

As far as advantages are concerned, here are just a few:

- Very good viewing experience. They will handle any lighting conditions from a well lit room, an artificially lit room and even a small light such as that from a lamp. In other words, your picture wont attract that wash out effect or annoying glare.

- Viewing angle...yes, this was once a bug bear and was one of the advantages enjoyed by plasma but times have changed and you could now reasonably expect to be able to view your set from an angle of 160 degrees.

- The quality of picture is excellent, even life-like. Color is enhanced to incredible levels and makes the viewing experience pleasurable. It's almost as if the screen is conveying a smooth appearance and you won't see annoying lines in your picture.

- It is versatile. An LCD TV can double up as a computer monitor as well as providing input for just about any video format around.

- Very easy to set up even for someone who is technically challenged. Devices of an external nature are always challenging to someone with little technical knowledge but most LCD TV sets come with built in tuners.

- You will generally expect to get a minimum of 60, 000 hours of viewing time from your LCD TV. This was one of their big advantages over plasma although the latter is making up ground in this area in rapid fashion.