- LCD televisions grew from the LCD technology used by devices including digital watches and clock radios--using a flat, thin display where the pixels in front of the light source generate the image. Television manufacturers adapted it with much smaller multi-colored pixels, and created a grid of electrodes that stimulates and activates each pixel individually for each visual frame.
- Early LCD televisions were suited to smaller models, and had an early problem with "ghosting," where the picture couldn't keep up with fast movements, leaving behind a ghost-like blur. Also, the picture was only viewed well from a direct angle; anywhere else and the quality of the image suffered.
- LCD televisions became more popular and affordable as technology improved, and improved to accommodate larger screens--up to 50 inches and over. Changes from fluorescent to LED (Light-Emitting Diodes) backlight helped solve the viewing angle issue and made for a clearer picture.
- High Definition LCD televisions have a screen resolution of up to 1280 (horizontal) by 720 (vertical) or 1920 x 1080 lines of resolution, much higher than the 720 x 480 lines of standard TVs. And, where older TVs had an aspect ratio of 4:3, HD televisions have an aspect ratio of 16:9, similar to a movie theater screen.
- The other popular form of HDTV now is Plasma screens. One advantage of LCD is that plasma televisions have a permanent "burn in" after-image on the screen if an image (like a station logo) stays motionless too long on the screen. Also, on average, LCDs use half the power of Plasma televisions.
