The massive influx of flat panel televisions into the consumer market in recent years has increased the actual fragility of these displays.

All sorts of businesses on the internet now have screen savers, giving you a plethora of options.

This is because manufacturer warranties do not cover damage to the screen, nor do additional warranties sold by retailers. They both realize how susceptible these screens are to damage, and would rather sell you an expensive replacement TV than repair the damaged one.

With this, there are two basic types of protectors for your LCD, LED or Plasma TV: flat plastic and folded plastic. A look at each:

Flat Protectors

Advantages:

• Less expensive.

• Considered by many to have a “cleaner” look.

• Heat escapes easily.

Cons:

• Most fasten with Velcro (which can hold 4 pounds).

• Edges saw cut or poorly flame polished.

• Some as small as 1/8″ thick.

• Easy flex.

• It is only kept away from the TV by the thickness of the Velcro or other fastener.

• Adhesive on TV.

folded guards

Advantages:

• Secured and strapped down.

• 1/4″ pads provide isolation from the TV.

• The folded edge is stiff; unit flexes very little.

• Heat escapes easily with pads under the upper lip.

• Flame polished edges.

• Lip is weight bearing instead of Velcro.

Cons:

• Straps considered unsightly by some.

• The folded edge may be wider than the thickness of the TV.

Claims and Reality

Caveat Emptor (“Let Buyer Beware”) couldn’t be more important than when it comes to selecting an LCD TV screen protector.

Fact: The vast majority of these companies are working out of their garage and couldn’t ship a rush order if their lives depended on it.

“Claims” to look for and the usual reality of such claims:

Say:

• Bent LCD or plasma screen protectors cause the TV to overheat.

Reality:

• Plasma or LCD TV screen protectors can be mounted with 1/4″ thick pads under the edge to allow heat to escape and, if the calculations are done correctly, actually allow 50% more to escape than flat protectors.Screen protectors are only separated from the screen by the thickness of the Velcro.

Say:

• Bent plasma or LCD screen protectors are ugly.

Reality:

• Saw cut and poorly polished edges may be “ugly” to some, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Would you rather your screen protector not fall off or look good?

Say:

• Our clip is a better way to hold the plastic on the TV.

Reality:

• Speaking of ugly! A 1/8″ thick acrylic clip is NOT a better way.

Say:

• Bear is made of Lexan, which is 80 times stronger than glass.

Reality:

• This may be true, but it is exaggerated. Acrylic is 15 times stronger than glass, giving you more than enough protection. Also, Lexan can’t be easily bent, so it needs to be a Velcro-attached flat screen protector, which also can’t be flame polished.

Say:

• We are the world’s largest producer of LCD screen protectors.

Reality:

• The de facto claim of many. Focus on quality and thickness – this speaks for itself.

A consumer checklist when buying a flat screen TV protector:

• Google the address. If you find out it’s a home address, walk away. If you can’t find an address on their website, just continue.

• Are you a US company or a foreign company domiciled in the United States? You definitely want the coach.

• Try emailing or calling them… How quickly do you get a response?

• How is the flat protector attached?

• How thick is the acrylic?

• How are the edges finished?

So as you can see, with a little proper due diligence, you will find yourself buying a protector that will protect you and your TV.