Image: James Worrell/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images
About This Quiz
Basic, small flat-screen televisions can purchased for a few hundred dollars, while massive, top-of-the-line models can cost as much as a new car. But do you know the right -- and wrong -- ways to clean your flat-screen TV? Take this quiz to see how much you know about the latest television technology and the best way to maintain your flat-screen.
True or false: All flat-screen TVs are also flat-panel TVs.
true
false
Any kind of TV can have a flat-screen, including bulky cathode-ray models. For a thin, lightweight unit you can hang on the wall, invest in a flat-panel television. However, people are now referring to "flat-panel" technology as "flat-screen," so you might as well get used to the term, even if it is technically incorrect.
Every TV ever made has been flat-screen.
Advertisement
What relatively dated technology gave traditional TV's their bulky form?
knob and tube
plasma
cathode-ray
Classic cathode-ray technology takes up a lot of space. New TVs rely on LCD or plasma technology, which fits into a much smaller unit.
Advertisement
True or false: It's OK to forcefully scrub your TV screen to remove grease and grime as long as you're using a microfiber cloth.
true
false
Use a gentle touch when cleaning your flat-screen TV. Scrubbing too hard can cause severe damage to the screen.
It depends on the brand of television.
Advertisement
Which of the major TV technologies is known for providing the “blackest blacks” and a high level of picture contrast?
LCD
LED
plasma
In general, plasma TVs offer the blackest black and provide the highest level of contrast.
Advertisement
Which of the major TV technologies is most energy efficient?
plasma
LED
LCD
In general, LCD televisions offer the highest level of energy efficiency of all the major TV technologies.
Advertisement
True or false: It's fine to use regular household glass cleaner on an old cathode-ray TV set.
true
Break out the Windex. It's fine to clean older cathode-ray sets using regular household glass cleaner, but keep these products away from newer LCD and plasma models.
false
It depends when the glass cleaner was bottled.
Advertisement
To cut grease and banish fingerprints on a flat-screen, mix up a solution of water and this liquid.
ammonia
isopropyl alcohol
Mix a solution containing up to 50 percent isopropyl alcohol with water to safely clean your flat-panel display.
laundry detergent
Advertisement
True or false: Ammonia and other solvents can strip anti-glare coatings and other finishes from your flat-panel display.
true
Keep ammonia and solvents far away from your flat-screen to prevent permanent damage.
false
Yes, but you don't want them on there anyway.
Advertisement
True or false: You can safely clean your flat-screen with paper towels as long as they're clean.
true
false
Clean or dirty, paper towels can scratch the screen of your flat-panel TV. Stick to microfiber and other soft cloth materials.
They actually should be a little bit dirty.
Advertisement
What type of TV is generally the thinnest and most lightweight?
LCD
LCD TV's are generally thinner and weigh less than plasma and cathode-ray models.
plasma
cathode-ray
Advertisement
You Got:
/10
James Worrell/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images
