Do all LCD TV's shadow?

Factors to consider, pros/ cons, in installing LCD TVs to hotel guestrooms

• I am refurbishing a hotel and am considering adding LCD TVs to the guestrooms... for use by guests who want to watch clear TV as well as use the TV as a monitor for their laptops etc.. As this is "new technology" and not yet commonplace for hotels, I want to know what the experience of other hotels has been in placing LCD TVs in the guestrooms, what problems they've experienced, a "list of tips / things to consider and take into account" if going this way. The answer should be 'hotel specific'... in other words, don't need just a general 'things to consider when buying a LCD TV"... Instead, would be "things to consider if plan to furnish your guestrooms with an LCD TV"... As a bonus, would like to know any recommended models for hotels specifically of this type of TV (am looking at 25 to 30 inch models).

• Answer:

  Based on my research, hotels are showing considerable interest in installing LCD televisions in their guest rooms. LCD TVs create an upscale image for the hotel, and potentially enhance the opportunity to sell Video on Demand services. A critically important consideration is the need to purchase commercial versions of LCD televisions for hotel use to maximize conductivity with Video on Demand services and to provide important features that are useful to hotels that are not present in consumer versions. Waterproof versions with floating remote controls are also available for installation in bathrooms. I have not been able to locate any commentary from hotels regarding their experiences with placing LCD TVs in their guest rooms. However, based on my knowledge of the technology, there are obviously several considerations. Cost is obviously the first one. LCD televisions are still considerably more expensive than their cathode ray tube counterparts, even HDTV-capable cathode ray tube models. However, prices are dropping rapidly. Theft prevention is likely to be a big issue since the sets are desirable, expensive, and relatively lightweight. How the television is mounted in the room is critical in making theft difficult. LCD televisions are also more vulnerable to being scratched and/or damaged. Placement of the television within the room can help mitigate this issue, but adequate insurance coverage and/or a budget for periodic replacement of damaged sets is necessary. The commercial sets are generally sturdier than their consumer counterparts, so that helps as well. Proper cleaning of the screen is also important since use of the wrong chemicals or procedures can damage it over time. Given your desire for guests to be able to use the television to connect other devices, that will also drive model selection since you want it to be easy for the guest. A combined LodgeNet/LG offering seems to address this issue head-on: "Like LodgeNet's Klebanoff, Wolf also underscored the importance of keeping the technical end of things simple for hotel consumers. 'The real differentiator with this rollout is the connectivity panel, which will enable guests to connect nearly any digital device into the HDTV [set]. For instance, a tiny PDA screen suddenly becomes 32 inches big, making it easier to read e-mails and view attachments. 'Guests of Marriott will be able to split their screens so they can work on a presentation on their laptop and watch TV at the same time. For entertainment, MP3 players, iPOD-type devices, videogames--including networked games over the Internet--and camcorders can be routed to the HDTV, as well,' Wolf said." "HD Joining List of Hotel Creature Comforts" by John Mirli, TV Technology.com (August 3, 2005) http://www.tvtechnology.com/features/news/n_hd_joining_list.shtml I have provided links with information about multiple manufacturers of commercial LCD televisions geared towards the hotel market. LG Electronics appears to have made the largest commitment, but products from Dell, Westinghouse, and Sharp are also available and in use in hotel rooms. Sincerely, Wonko Sources: "Lewis cautions that consumer digital TV sets are not the best investment for hoteliers. ?LG and other manufacturers design commercial HDTV sets specifically for hotel rooms,? he says. ?These sets are sturdier than consumer models, and they also will include volume-limit controls, auto shutdown features, and channel-locking functionality that ensures the hotel?s ?welcome channel? is the first thing guests see whenever they turn on the set.? He adds that commercial sets are far more likely to support a hotel?s VOD system, whereas with a consumer set your in-room entertainment offerings may actually shrink by being limited to broadcast and cable/satellite HD content. You should also look for a set with a DVI (digital video interface) or HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) input as another way to help ensure long-term value." "HDTV In The Guest Room: How To Enter the New World of Digital TV With Confidence" By David M. Bankers, Hotel Online (September 2004) http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2004_3rd/Sept04_HDTV.html "FCC REGULATIONS, DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT DRIVE HDTV SOLUTIONS FOR LODGING INDUSTRY" LG Electronics (November 14, 2005) http://www.lgcommercial.com/ "Westinghouse Digital Introduces LCD TVs, Art Frames to Hospitality Industry" Westinghouse Digital Electronics (May 5, 2005) http://www.advancedimagingpro.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=21&id=883 "LG Electronics USA, Inc." Hotel & Motel Management (August 2004) http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3072/is_14_219/ai_n9486762 "Dell Launches LCD TV Models that Mean Business" Dell (November 15, 2005) http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/pressoffice/en/2005/2005_11_15_rr_001?c=us&l=en&s=corp "Accor to equip its hotels worldwide with flat screen TVs" Island Publications Ltd. (September 15, 2005) http://www.travelmalta.com/Trader/Archive.september.htm "Trident specifies Sharp LCD TV package for superior hotel experience" Trident Microsystems Ltd. (2005) http://www.tridentmicrosystems.co.uk/case_studies/20050103_2.html "Clean your LCD without damaging it" CNet (April 20, 2005) http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-6209355-1.html Search terms: clean LCD TV; LCD TV "hotel room"; LCD television hotel room; hotel room LCD