What Makes HDTV So Great? 
What Are the Drawbacks of High Definition?

HDTV Tube Display – PROS ; Incredible razor sharp picture.  Because Tube Displays require no additional convergence other that the initial factory set-up, their resulting picture is extraordinarily sharp and vivid.  HD Tube Displays also excel in rooms with a high degree of ambient light. 

HDTV Tube Display – CONS ;  As with their Standard Definition cousins, Tube Displays are Heavy, and usually carry a comparatively larger price tag per inch of display area.

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HDTV Rear Projection  - PROS; Rear Projection TVs, because there are not Tube based, and utilize optics to increase their display area, have a much larger image when compared to a Tube display, per unit cost.  Rear Projection TVs usually have a more robust audio system owing to the increased size of the cabinet. Some HD Rear Projections have extensive “Monitor” capacity, meaning that they have a variety of digital and analogue video and audio inputs for maximum source flexibility.

HDTV Rear Projection – CONS; Ironically, cabinet size. Directly corresponding to the picture area, Rear Projection Big Screens have the largest footprint of any of the HDTV options available.  Convergence – Because Rear Projection TVs utilize 3 separate CRT projectors to generate the High Definition image, they are subject to falling out of convergence. Fortunately, most HD Rear Projection systems are equipped with point Convergence adjustment controls to help fine tune the alignment of the CRTs when necessary.

Burn-In. In order to project such a large image, an HDTV Rear Projector’s CRTS’ operate at a higher light output and consequently, a higher voltage than their Tube counterparts do. This higher energy output can result in CRT burn-in, where static images displayed on the screen can, after an extended period of inactivity, can burn themselves into the CRT phosphors, causing a permanent ghost image.  This is most problematic with HDTV Rear Projection when they are used with Video Games.

HDTV Flat Screen Pros  - Device Size.  HD Plasma and LCD Screens don’t utilize traditional CRT technology, so they do not require a projection area of a Tube or Rear Projection HDTV.  In fact, HD Flat Screens are shallow enough to hang on a wall with the right support device.  Imagine your Flat Screen hanging above your fireplace…  Convergence – Because HD Plasma and LCD Flat Screens don’t rely on separate CRTs to generate the HD image, convergence is always spot on.

HDTV Flat Screen Plasma / LCD CONS -  Price.  As with any new technology, Plasma and LCD flat screens are still the most expensive high definition solution available.  This will change over time, but the corresponding decrease will not be as rapid as Tube or Rear Projection technologies.

Contrast – The plasma cells and LCD packs in a HD Flat screen are not capable of displaying the range of contrast that their analogue brethren can.  Most Higher End high definition Flat Screens use the 3000:1 spec for measuring contrast.  In practice, by the time you factor in viewing variables and source material, this is far from accurate. Still, these sets shoot a great picture, and most reviews split hairs over what is an overall fantastic image.

Reliability.  HDTV Plasma and LCD Flat Screens are the most delicate of the current display technologies.  Use caution and an extra pair of hands when moving and mounting your device.