LCD televisions and background humming noise

5 Sep 2005 6:23 PM

dotnw

You know tube based TVs make a kind of quiet constant whistle noise
when they are switched on - if you press the mute button on the remote,
you can hear the TV making this very quiet constant sound. Do LCD tvs
make this same noise, or are they much quieter - perhaps even
completely silent?

As I sit really close to my TV, I can hear this noise all the time, and
it kind of gets on my nerves a bit sometimes - I was wondering if I
switched over to an LCD tv, I wouldn't have this.

Thanks, regards, dnw.

5 Sep 2005 10:26 PM

Cail Young

Show quote Hide quote

On 6/9/05 4:23 AM, "do***@hotmail.com" <do***@hotmail.com> wrote:

> You know tube based TVs make a kind of quiet constant whistle noise
> when they are switched on - if you press the mute button on the remote,
> you can hear the TV making this very quiet constant sound. Do LCD tvs
> make this same noise, or are they much quieter - perhaps even
> completely silent?
>
> As I sit really close to my TV, I can hear this noise all the time, and
> it kind of gets on my nerves a bit sometimes - I was wondering if I
> switched over to an LCD tv, I wouldn't have this.
>
> Thanks, regards, dnw.
>

The noise is made by the flyback transformer, a component in CRT TVs. LCDs
don't have them, but I have heard a very faint buzz from some LCD power
supplies. Certainly nowhere near as annoying as the classic flyback whine.

5 Sep 2005 10:36 PM

DeepOne

do***@hotmail.com wrote:

>You know tube based TVs make a kind of quiet constant whistle noise
>when they are switched on - if you press the mute button on the remote,
>you can hear the TV making this very quiet constant sound. Do LCD tvs
>make this same noise, or are they much quieter - perhaps even
>completely silent?
>
>As I sit really close to my TV, I can hear this noise all the time, and
>it kind of gets on my nerves a bit sometimes - I was wondering if I
>switched over to an LCD tv, I wouldn't have this.

I have a couple of small Samsung LCD TVs (17" & 15"), and they seem to
be pretty quiet. I'm not sure whether they are completely silent ,
but they are certainly much quieter than any conventional TVs I've
had.

6 Sep 2005 7:34 AM

dotnw

Thanks a lot for your replies.

I've never actually ever seen an LCD tv. Are they, generally speaking,
ok for watching tv? Some of the cheap ones seem quite small. (looking
at the specifications on the net) I think I'd like one at least 24
inches, but don't really want to spend more than £500 ($900).

If you could think of the 1 greatest disadvantage and advantage of an
LCD tv, what would it be?

For me, having a quiet display would be *very* good, and I could put up
with an inferior picture quality, although I would really like
widescreen capabilities for my dvds. I don't care about HD at the
moment.

Thanks, regards, dnw.

6 Sep 2005 9:15 AM

DeepOne

do***@hotmail.com wrote:

>I've never actually ever seen an LCD tv. Are they, generally speaking,
>ok for watching tv?

I prefer them to regular TVs.

>Some of the cheap ones seem quite small. (looking
>at the specifications on the net) I think I'd like one at least 24
>inches, but don't really want to spend more than £500 ($900).

The price goes up pretty quickly with increased size. As long as
you're not too picky about brand names, you may be able to find one
around that size in (or at least near) your price range unless the
prices are higher in the UK than they are in the US.

>If you could think of the 1 greatest disadvantage and advantage of an
>LCD tv, what would it be?

Here are a few disadvantages that I can think of: They cost more.
The optimal viewing angle is less than that of a conventional TV (i.e.
it seems that the color and brightness start to fade if you get too
far away from being directly in front of them). I think they may not
last as long (I've had CRT TVs last around 20 years or more), but I
haven't had one long enough for it to die yet.

Here are some advantages: They weigh much less and take up less
space. You can even mount one on the wall like a picture if you want.
They don't generate as much heat. Some models can double as computer
monitors. To me, the picture seems sharper, and the colors look
better somehow. You should probably visit a store which has a number
of different models on display to see for yourself.

>For me, having a quiet display would be *very* good, and I could put up
>with an inferior picture quality, although I would really like
>widescreen capabilities for my dvds. I don't care about HD at the
>moment.

Mine are both 4:3 aspect ratio. I've never owned a widescreen TV. My
parents have a widescreen LCD TV (I talked them into replacing the
20-year-old TV in their bedroom), and they're very happy with it. But
I think you may have to put up with some picture distortion
(stretching) when watching 4:3 video on a widescreen TV. Supposedly,
it isn't good for them to display black borders on the sides on a
regular basis.

6 Sep 2005 10:32 AM

dotnw

This seems good value at £500 ($900) because it's half price.

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=3801&productId=155009&Trail=C%24cip%3D28956.Sound%2Band%2Bvision%3EC%24cip%3D29029.Televisions%3EC%24cip%3D29030.LCD%2Bflat%2Bpanel%2Btelevisions&categoryId=29030&clickfrom=name

I've heard things about "dead pixels" - is this something to be
concerned about?

Thanks, regards, dnw.

6 Sep 2005 9:27 PM

DeepOne

do***@hotmail.com wrote:

>This seems good value at £500 ($900) because it's half price.
>
>http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=3801&productId=155009&Trail=C%24cip%3D28956.Sound%2Band%2Bvision%3EC%24cip%3D29029.Televisions%3EC%24cip%3D29030.LCD%2Bflat%2Bpanel%2Btelevisions&categoryId=29030&clickfrom=name

Maybe. I'm not familiar with that brand.

>I've heard things about "dead pixels" - is this something to be
>concerned about?

I would be concerned about it if I had any. I have two LCD TVs and an
LCD computer monitor, and I haven't seen a dead pixel on any of them
(I didn't see any on my parents' LCD TV either). I don't think it's
as much of a problem as it used to be. But it would be a good idea to
check the store's return policy to ensure that you'll be able to
return it if you're not satisfied.

8 Sep 2005 1:40 PM

Dimitrios Tzortzakakis

--
Tzortzakakis Dimitrios
major in electrical engineering, freelance electrician
FH von Iraklion-Kreta, freiberuflicher Elektriker
dimtzort AT otenet DOT gr
? <do***@hotmail.com> ?????? ??? ??????

news:1125944630.497019.83340@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> You know tube based TVs make a kind of quiet constant whistle noise
> when they are switched on - if you press the mute button on the remote,
> you can hear the TV making this very quiet constant sound.

Most people however usually watch TV with the sound on.

> Do LCD tvs
> make this same noise, or are they much quieter - perhaps even
> completely silent?
>

Yes, they are, but they have other major disantvantages-poor contrast and
sharpness, very often dead pixels, and generally not ripe technology, in
contrast with normal CRTs that are produced, researched and developed for
more than 50 years.I prefer CRTs all around my home;the only LCD is on my
digital camera, even my camcorder has the traditional B&W miniature CRT,
which is more than enough for shooting good videos.

> As I sit really close to my TV, I can hear this noise all the time, and
> it kind of gets on my nerves a bit sometimes - I was wondering if I
> switched over to an LCD tv, I wouldn't have this.
>

Sitting very close to your TV will damage your sight.You'll have to choose a
distance that allows you to see every detail of the picture, but not too
close or you'll start see the lines that make up the picture or even the
phosphor dots.
Show quoteHide quote

> Thanks, regards, dnw.
>

8 Sep 2005 1:58 PM

dotnw

You have put forward an argument that suggests that LCD displays are
inferior to CRTs. (They are also much more expensive too)

If this is the case (and I don't disbelieve you at all), put quite
simply, what is the point of LCD televisions (to watch television
programmes)

I know that they are light and slim, but frankly, who cares.

I hate that high pitch whine from my CRT, and that's the only reason
why I'm considering getting an LCD tv.

I sit close to my computer monitor (obviously), and don't get eye
problems - I'm figuring that by watching 90 minutes of tv a day on an
LCD display won't cause any great problems.

Thanks, regards, dnw.

Dimitrios Tzortzakakis wrote:
Show quoteHide quote

> --
> Tzortzakakis Dimitrios
> major in electrical engineering, freelance electrician
> FH von Iraklion-Kreta, freiberuflicher Elektriker
> dimtzort AT otenet DOT gr
> ? <do***@hotmail.com> ?????? ??? ??????
> news:1125944630.497019.83340@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> > You know tube based TVs make a kind of quiet constant whistle noise
> > when they are switched on - if you press the mute button on the remote,
> > you can hear the TV making this very quiet constant sound.
> Most people however usually watch TV with the sound on.
> > Do LCD tvs
> > make this same noise, or are they much quieter - perhaps even
> > completely silent?
> >
> Yes, they are, but they have other major disantvantages-poor contrast and
> sharpness, very often dead pixels, and generally not ripe technology, in
> contrast with normal CRTs that are produced, researched and developed for
> more than 50 years.I prefer CRTs all around my home;the only LCD is on my
> digital camera, even my camcorder has the traditional B&W miniature CRT,
> which is more than enough for shooting good videos.
> > As I sit really close to my TV, I can hear this noise all the time, and
> > it kind of gets on my nerves a bit sometimes - I was wondering if I
> > switched over to an LCD tv, I wouldn't have this.
> >
> Sitting very close to your TV will damage your sight.You'll have to choose a
> distance that allows you to see every detail of the picture, but not too
> close or you'll start see the lines that make up the picture or even the
> phosphor dots.
> > Thanks, regards, dnw.
> >

8 Sep 2005 5:11 PM

Laurence Payne

On 8 Sep 2005 06:58:26 -0700, do***@hotmail.com wrote:

>If this is the case (and I don't disbelieve you at all), put quite
>simply, what is the point of LCD televisions (to watch television
>programmes)
>
>I know that they are light and slim, but frankly, who cares.

The people who buy them, I guess :-)