Response time is a critical element to consider when buying a LCD TV because it directly impacts the screens ability to clearly portray moving images and well-defined edges. However, it is not the only thing that makes or breaks a LCD TV. Other factors like picture improvement technology, progressive scan and resolution also affect overall picture quality.
Side Effects of Slow Response Times
Ghosting would be a product of a slow response time, which is where images stay on screen longer than intended. Or, when watching a baseball game on a LCD screen with a slow response time the ball would appear to have a comet-like tail when it moves across the screen.
Common Response Times
In the TV market, common response times are 8ms, 16ms, 20ms and beyond. On this scale, 8ms would be the best response time. While many LCD screens under 26" are rarely affected by slow response times, screens 30" and larger are not as fortunate. In my opinion, flat panel LCD screens larger than 30" have a difficult time displaying moving images with clarity.Therefore, I would be wary of anything larger than 30" with a response time above 16ms.
