what features of a standard tv that i should take note when i'm buying one?

Question

i'm planning to buy a standard tv that is not a HD TV, what features should i ask the salesperson to make my TV a great buy...

Answer 1

The main things to consider which often go unconsidered are:

How many devices will you connect to the TV? If you wish to remain somewhat compatible with past and present technology, but aren't interested in HDTV, then look for a TV with at least one composite (RCA) input, one s-video, and one component input.

The only other types of inputs currently in use are those which are for HDTV, and HD-DVD: DVI and HDMI. Don't worry about those if again, you're not interested in HD.

Take a gander at the remote control: Does the button layout make sense to YOU? Will it be easy to find the buttons in the dark? Some manufacturers make the remotes with tiny buttons which are impossible to tell apart from one another. Others make a remote which lights up. Is the remote programmable, thus enabling you to consolidate your other remotes?

Consider where the TV will sit in your house- this will help you decide on a size. Will there be adequate space to sit away from the set? This next bit may not be as important to you- consider how the TV will look with the rest of your furniture. It IS, afterall, technically a piece of furniture. Some sets are just plain ugly!

Also take into account your budget. Can you afford the set you want? Should you wait until you can afford it (if you can't) or should you go for a less expensive model? These are questions only you can answer.

Things NOT to worry about: Don't pay attention to the "Digital comb filter x-y raster blah blah blah" There was a time when these features mattered, because not everybody had them. Most manufacturers have come up with their own versions of doo-dads and gizmos which claim to give you a great picuture. Don't buy into it. Standard definition tv can only look SO good, get my picture?

There are really no "bad" manufacturers these days. If that were the case, they wouldn't be in the business of making electronics! The biggest mistake is to buy something just for "Brand Name"- Most people think of SONY, Panasonic, or even Philips when they think "GOOD TV". I could detail the pros and cons for many brands- it all boils down to what you like, and how you plan on using the TV.

As far as "Extended Service Plans"- they are a good value DEPENDING upon how much you pay for the TV, and the length of the plan. The biggest misthinking is that "Any thing that will go wrong will happen in the first 30 days" Not so. You cannot predict lightning storms or power surges. SOME (not all) service plans cover the cost of repair AND technician to come to your house and pick the TV up. That's nice considering you may not want to lug a 36" TV back to the store!

Good luck!

Answer 2

If you're going for a standard TV, the main issue is picture quality, and that's all down to your personal decision. I'd go and have a wander around some shops and stop to look at the tellys - see what you think.

old-fashioned TVs (cathode ray tube, or CRT) are still recognised as having a much better picture than LCD or plasma - but they do take up a lot of room! Depending on the size of your living room, have a think about how important picture quality, the size of the box and the size of the screen are. For example, I chose a slightly smaller screen than some might get (I got 32") because I don't have a huge living room and my seat's closer to the telly anyway!

Oh, and I don't know whether American TV signals are uniquely in widescreen yet, but here in the UK everything is transmitted widescreen these days, even soap- so it was a given that I was to get a widescreen TV.

Answer 3

Megapixel decision is important in case you decide on super, crisp, clean, high quality photos. Mega potential million, so if a digicam has 7.0 megapixels of decision, the image is composed of roughly 7 million colour dots. it particularly is a important sort of dots and is a mag conceal high quality image. regrettably, you are able to no longer purchase that for basically $2 hundred. a solid lens is likewise significant, yet returned, you at the instant are not likely to get a solid lens for $2 hundred.00. a third function is what share photos the digicam can take up speedy succession -- the greater the greater useful, because of the fact it potential it has a speedy reminiscence card. What length reminiscence card the digicam takes is likewise significant - with each image better than a megabyte in length, you decide on a minimum of 500MB of storage. i might say spend closer to $4 hundred and get a digicam which will final you very nearly continuously particularly than get a low value one and be upset after a at the same time as on the barriers. in case you have an particularly solid workstation video exhibit, you will delight in what a digicam with 7 megapixels of decision can do. solid success and satisfied image-taking.

Answer 4

Make sure it sounds good. This is the worst thing to have a great picture but no good stereo sound.

Answer 5

the best advice is go to consumer reviews. i do often for other items. if you pick one out look at the user reviews first. go to a third party board like yahoo.

Answer 6

is it cable ready? how many channels? auto programmable?
warranty life? return policy?