Ever since the writing was on the wall for analog television signals, electronics companies began producing almost exclusively high definition televisions. The good news is that the technology has been around enough for prices to fall to affordable levels for nearly everyone. There are a few things to take into consideration when preparing to buy an HDTV, before you plug it in to start enjoying your AT&T U-verse or Verizon FiOS service.
Map out a plan
Before even picking a style or brand of HDTV, make sure to take measurements of where the television will go. Determine if it will go on an entertainment center, on a shelf, or hanging on a wall. Take notice of how far it is between where the HDTV will go and the closest seating. The larger an HDTV is, the further back a viewer has to sit in order to not see a pixilated picture. Also determine how much light viewers need to watch television. Different HDTVs will perform differently with changes in light, so make sure to research this as well before buying.
Picture quality
The standard-bearer for picture quality for HDTVs right now is 1080p. This means the screen is 1,920 by 1,080 pixels. However, there are some ways to make up the difference in quality in lesser HDTVs, including adjusting the seating distance from the television. The good news is that 1080p televisions are starting to rapidly drop in price, making this technology available to more people.
Connectivity
As the technology improves, televisions are becoming more than just a vehicle to watch television programs. It is the focal point for a home’s multimedia. Make sure an HDTV has at least one port to connect to HDMI equipment, such as camcorders and game consoles. Also, most HDTVs have USB ports, and some come with Ethernet ports to connect to the Internet.
Plasma vs. LCD vs. LED
Comparing plasma, LCD, and LED high definition televisions is not an easy task as it may look at the first glance. Plasma and LCD TVs have been around long enough to get pros and cons out in many reviews. Even today, they all have their own advantages and shortcomings when compared to each other. LED is still quite new when compared to the previous two, plus it’s more expensive. The first thing about LED TVs that physically catches your eyes is how thin they are. Most of the reviews claim that plasma TVs still have better viewing angle then other technologies. Same applies to when it comes to the motion – plasma seems to be the winner again. Still, you won’t make any mistake if you go with LCD that refreshes the screen at 100 MHz or more. Same is with LED as it used the same refreshing technology as LCD.
In any case, make sure you shop around. Especially during the holidays, many stores offer great savings or rebates on HDTVs, making it a great time to invest in an important piece of home entertainment equipment.
