Mad TVs ... Projection vs. LCD vs. Plasma

Mad TVs ... Projection vs. LCD vs. Plasma

March Madness Perfect Event For Big Screen TVs

NORWALK, Conn., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- March Madness has marched in -- and the NCAA college basketball tournament field of 65 is complete -- so it's time to catch the big games on the best big screen TV available.

As you prepare for the Big Dance of spring, and as a new chapter in basketball bracketology beckons -- advancements in TV technology can give you the best seats in the house. With a new era in electronic entertainment, however, the right TV for the biggest sports event of spring becomes fuzzier as the picture becomes sharper. March Madness fans at Shoppers Advantage have set the stage with TV tips to accompany the chips and dips, and the member- based buying service brings it all into focus with this playoff comparison of tube, projection, LCD and plasma TV technology:

Tube: Traditional television technology that's been around for years. TVs using cathode ray tubes -- while still producing a good quality picture -- are becoming obsolete due to their space and weight requirements vs. those of newer technologies.

Projection: Choice of front projection or Micro Display (LCD or DLP) systems delivers an improved picture quality over traditional tube televisions. Still, they require more space and are somewhat heavier than flat panel technologies. With sizes upwards of 50 inches or more, these televisions produce a home theater effect at reasonable prices. Consumers could pay as little as $1,100 for 51 inch sets and as much as $3,500 for 72-inch models.

LCD: Liquid Crystal Display -- a sleek, futuristic looking display that is light and thin and available in sizes up to 48 inches. Often found mounted on a wall, they deliver excellent picture quality. Prices begin at about $1,000 for 30-inch sets and go up to more than $4,000 for 45-inch plus models.

Plasma: Like LCD, delivers excellent picture quality in a small frame and footprint. Available in sizes up to 70 inches, these TVs provide similar home theater effect as projection TV's. However, Plasma has the highest price and best picture quality per viewing area. Consumers could pay an estimated $1,800 for 42-inch models and as much as $4,400 for 50-inch plus sets.

"Our latest Shoppers Advantage Catalog has a full line of televisions in each of the four technologies" said Michael Lombardo, director of Shoppers Advantage. "We are especially excited about our featured 37-inch LCD monitor with a member price of just $1,799."

About Shoppers Advantage

Shoppers Advantage (1-800-526-4848) is a leading membership-based, toll- free/online shop-at-home service, boasting the buying power of nearly two million members nationwide. Shoppers Advantage provides valuable benefits and low prices on an expansive database of high-quality products from more than 1,200 manufacturers, including popular name brands such as Sharp, GE, Hewlett Packard, Fisher Price and AT&T. Shoppers Advantage offers member confidence in buying with a 200 percent Low Price Guarantee (if a lower price is found within 60 days of purchase, Shoppers Advantage will refund double the price difference), 60-day product return policy if you don't like the product, and product warranty extension for up to two years while membership is active. Shoppers Advantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.

About Affinion Group

Affinion Group is a leading affinity direct marketer of value-added membership, insurance and package enhancement programs and services to consumers. With more than 30 years of experience, Affinion Group currently offers its programs and services worldwide through more than 4,500 affinity partners. Its diversified base of affinity partners includes leading companies in a wide variety of industries, including financial services, retail, travel, telecommunications, utilities and Internet. Affinion Group also has a growing loyalty solutions operation which administers points-based loyalty programs. Based in Norwalk, Conn., Affinion Group has approximately 3,600 employees throughout the United States and in 13 countries across Europe.

Source: Shoppers Advantage

CONTACT: Todd Smith, +1-615-764-2598, or mobile: +1-615-202-7944, or
Andrea Lindsley, +1-615-780-3315, or mobile: +1-615-415-8886, both for
Shoppers Advantage

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