[Philip Lelyveld comment: this article contains good brief update descriptions of the different display options available to consumers.]
IT ISN'T YOUR IMAGINATION—television has become bewildering. We're not talking about the dizzying number of channels. We mean the televisions themselves: the technology that drives them and the features that differentiate one expanse of sprawling glass from the next. There are more acronyms than ever to decipher. LCD begot LED, which, in turn, spawned OLED. And just when "high-definition" seemed to be reaching the physical limit of resolution, along comes Ultra HD, a new standard so confusing that even the industry can't agree on what to call it (is it 4K, Ultra HD or 4K Ultra HD?). But these are exciting times, too. Images are sharper and bigger than ever before—and great displays are more affordable. If you're in the market for a new TV, there are a few key terms worth learning, whether you're looking to screen effects-laden blockbusters or just want to tune in to "Downton Abbey." From panels that are barely out of the prototype stage to the industry's steadfast push for 3-D, here's what you need to know to navigate the state-of-the-art in displays.
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