If you are bent on buying a new state-of-the-technological-art TV set, my choice would be the LCD television that is compatible with the PAL broadcast standard.

PAL, or phase-alternating line, is the standard broadcast system used in most parts of the globe, including Asia. To those residing in select countries of Asia and Europe in particular, it is important that their television sets be PAL compatible. Otherwise, their TVs would not be able to capture the video and broadcast programs. In other words, the television would have no signal and it will not work.

The PAL system is an analogue broadcast standard using some 625 alternating lines, and operates in most countries on the 50 HZ frequency. It is basically a system of encoding colours to produce greater picture details and broader colour luminance.

PAL is the broadcast standard use in Asia and Europe, in contrast to the NTSC system in the United States, Japan and others. The other or the oldest television standard is SECAM, which is still being adopted by a few countries, like France. First commercially used in 1967, PAL has eight different and generally incompatible types in use, throughout much of the worldtypes B, G, H, and also D, I, K, N and M. Asian countries on the PAL standard include China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Laos, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan and Thailand. It is also used in the United Kingdom and most European countries and in some countries in South American and Africa.

A number of these new television models are out in the market, and fortunately, these are configured to work with the different world television standards. The so-called multi-system TVs invading the high-end market are able to receive broadcast systems from either PAL, NTSC or SECAM standards. Most of todays advanced models are generally portable because they are lightweight, and you could even bring your very own TV along, to watch any local broadcast when traveling to almost any point in the globe.

Now, whether you opt for a multi-system model or not, we suggest that you choose a set with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitor. LCDs offer a wealth of advantages not previously possible with conventional television.

Such a TV utilises the liquid crystal technology for its visual output. This technology is generally based on Thin Film Transistor (TFT). Early LCD TVs had certain inherent problems relative to the traditional visual display systems. It displayed 'ghosting' images with fast moving action and was best viewed looking perpendicular to the screen or from a slight angle. In the recent years, these problems have been over-come, and LCD TVs, along with Plasma displays, have become dominant TV products in the world market.

In October, 2004, the market saw the entry of LCD TVs with 40 to 45 inches screen, while Sharp announced the successful launch of a 65 inch panel. Consequently, in March, 2005, Samsung came out with an 82 inch LCD panel.

LCDs belong to the new breed of high-definition television that gives very sharp pictures and amazingly vibrant colors. Because of the vibrant images displayed on the monitor screen, LCD televisions can appear to give off superb contrast as well. This kind of television especially gives off captivating images during bright light situations. Backlight is built into each monitor to provide brightness.

Compared to the traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions, LCD monitors are flat. They are light in weight, unlike the CRT models that are very heavy and bulky. LCDs are so slim and flat that they can make to blend with the interior design of a room and can even be hung on the walls.

LCD or liquid crystal technology use millions of crystals trapped in a liquid base. When electricity is turned on, the heat-sensitive crystals, encased in between two panes of glass, allow light to pass through. In an LCD monitor, this property is manipulated in varying degrees so that the screen produces pixels of a broad range of colors and thus be able to display images. It is the light behind the glass panel that beams light through the monitor display. The liquid crystals, when subjected to electric current, block the light, resulting to patterns of gray and transparent crystals. The most commonly used type of liquid crystal is the twisted nematic or TN liquid crystal.

The tiny transistors are laid on a polarized glass substrate, and specific rows are turned on to allow an electric charge to reach a target column. This way, only a particular capacitor at a particular pixel is charged. This process is done in minutely exact increments, resulting in an amazing range of over 256 shades or levels of brightness for each color pixel.

LCD television traces its history to as far back as 1888 when Austrian scientist Friedrich Reinitzer first discovered the phenomenon of liquid crystallization. However, it was only in 1968 when the earliest LCD was developed by the RCA television company.

LCD monitors used to be available under-20 inch sizes. However, manufacturers have been utilising scientific advances to come up with better and bigger-sized LCD monitors. Certain models now reach up to 50 inches in width.

As LCD technology improves, so does the pricing. Where these TVs used to be more expensive than their Plasma counterparts, LCD televisions are now priced competitively and come in various sizes to choose from.

A very good feature of LCD TV is that its monitor can last up to 25 years or over 60,000 hours of normal use. This is so because its light source is replaceable. It also evades the occasional problem of burning-in, that can affect the other kinds of television. This is owing to the fact that unlike Plasma TVs, LCDs do not use phosphor dots; instead colour filtersred, green and also blueare utilized in the layered active matrix panel.

The LCD televisions that first appeared in the market did not produce good visuals when compared to CRT TVs. The early models had "ghost" images when displaying fast acting scenes. Today, however, LCD viewing has become a pleasurable experience, and even highly anticipated. Pictures viewed are very smooth and clean because of the so-called "reverse pulldown" correction, that the television does to the distortions caused by the process of transferring film into video for broadcast purposes.

LCD television of all brands and sizes have flooded the market. Among the big manufacturers are Sharp, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Hitachi, JVC and LG Philips. Generic LCDs, which naturally come at lower prices, are readily available through the Internet. Prices can run as low as under $200 and as high as over $1,000, depending on its brand, features widescreen or standard aspect ratio and size. LCD TVs come in flat panel, rear projection and now, even in wireless or portable models.

Before buying your new LCD television, however, it is best to remember certain things. Firstly, try to visualize the placement for your TV. Capitalise on the fact that LCD models are sleek and compact. An LCD monitor is actually more of a decorative fixture rather than a mere home appliance. If you are buying a flat panel model though, installing it should be a breeze and almost like a painting to behold. Wall or ceiling mounts and table stands can also be used to display your LCD television.

Also, decide where to buy your new digital TV. It might be better to purchase your LCD unit in an established dealer around your residence to facilitate easier or quicker access to after-sales service. Take note that prices can vary, with stores offering the best prices likewise offering the least quality service. But whether you are shopping via the traditional route or via the Internet, always try to background check a retailer; and find out more about its policies and record of service. Do not forget the insurance.

Aside from the visual experience and the sleekness of designs, LCD technology has made possible, perhaps the important feature of LCD television, is its practical offer of reduced power consumption. LCD TVs are very, very energy-efficient and, inch for inch with CRTs, consume over 50 percent less electricity. In other words, you can bring in to your home big-screen experience sans the extra cost of added electricity. And because burn-in is not an issue with LCDs, your family can practically watch your entire favorite broadcast programs or DVD movies nonstop.