LCD TV at a price of conventional TV

Following the government's call for energy conservation, Jakartans are busy determining which household appliances are electricity-efficient. Moreover, since the government prohibited TV broadcasts after midnight, the search is on for alternative home entertainment.

Watching a DVD is best on a TV that creates a cinema-like atmosphere. A TV with a wide screen -- over 29 inches -- is a good start. You may choose either a conventional cathode ray tube (CRT) TV, a projection TV, a DLP TV, an LCD TV or even a plasma TV.

Of all these types of TVs, a plasma TV offers the best picture quality, though it's the most expensive. Don't worry, though, as Changhong, a Chinese TV manufacturer, makes a range of plasma TVs with affordable prices: the PT 4204 type (42 inches), has HDTV, DVI and PC input and is priced at Rp 20 million. Or a (42-inch) Sansui, which sells at the same price (Rp 20 million) and has PC input, HDTV, brightness of 1,000 cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 3,000:1.

If you like Japanese-made plasma TVs, then the JVC GM-V42S (Rp 31,900,000/42 inches) is a good choice, or a Hitachi 32PD5000TA (Rp 30 million/32 inches). Another Japanese plasma TV manufacturer, Sony, offers its Sony KE-MV42A1 (42 inches) at Rp 34,300,000. Samsung offers two types of 42-inch plasma TVs: the PS-42D4, which sells at Rp 27,200,000, and the PS-42DS, which is Rp 27,500,000. Another Korean manufacturer, LG, has brought out its RT-44SZ23RB, a 44-inch plasma TV sold at Rp 29,400,000.

If you are on a limited budget but wish to buy a TV with a screen that is wider than usual, then the range of TVs on the market measuring 43 inches diagonally are worth considering. In this category you can choose Samsung projection TVs, which are sold at Rp 9,500,000 and come in three types: SP-43T6HF SP-43T7HF and SP-43T8HF. If you wish to opt for a DLP one, then the Samsung Tantus SP-50L2 (50 inches), which is sold at Rp 41,300,000, is a good buy.

Meanwhile, attractive deals are also available for LCD TVs. At Rp 10 million, a Vitron CHD-W300C6 (30 inches) is the most inexpensive LCD TV in its class. Another choice may be a Shinco dTV-320 (32 inches), which is offered at Rp 17 million. Well- known brands are more expensive: a Sony KLV-L32M1 (32 inches) is available at Rp 30 million while a Toshiba 32WL46E (32 inches) is sold at Rp 27,500,000.

However, if you decide to buy a CRT TV, then you can make your choice from among the following 34-inch sets: a Panasonic Tau TX- 34P700XM (Rp 16 million), a Philips Matchline 34PT8219 (Rp 9,500,000), a Samsung Plano CS-34Z7 (Rp 13,700,00), a Sony Wega KV-XR34M61 (Rp 10 million) or a Toshiba 34JZ9UE (Rp 12 million).

Doharto J. Simatupang