what to look for when buying a new tv?

Question

don't give me features that might show up only in expensive tv's plz.

Answer 1

First of all, go to a store that has a lot of models on display and go look at all of the various types available. Even the most expensive ones with all of the whiz-bang features you never heard of and will likely not use. And, go in with the mindset that you're not going to buy anything yet. You're just researching what kind you are thinking of buying.

Compare the pictures on the various TVs (they usually all have the same signal going to them). The most important aspect of which type and brand of TV you will buy is whether you like the picture or not. Maybe one has a very sharp picture while the one next to it looks a little fuzzy. And, the one with the sharp picture costs a couple hundred dollars more. Is that worth spending the extra money or can you live with the fuzzy picture?

Look at the TVs directly straight on, then walk to the side and see what happens to the picture. Does the picture fade or become dark when viewed from a slight angle (some do a whole lot more than others)? If so, is this going to be a problem? Is the TV going to be in a location where some people will be regularly watching it from an angle (like a large living room)?

Pick up the remote and play around with it. Is it intuitive or will it drive you crazy trying to figure out how to use it?

Look at the back of the TV. Does it seem to have all of the connectivity you need?

Look at the TV itself. Is the TV itself appealing to you? Most look pretty much the same. But, maybe you specifically want a black or silver one to go with your decor.

Talk with the sales people. Ask them questions, like why a particular model is so much more expensive than another. Are those features worth the extra cost to you?

Finally, jot down specific model numbers of the TVs you would like to buy. And, not just "a 40-inch Sony LCD". You need to know the specific model number, because Sony makes about 6 different models of 40-inch LCD HDTVs that range in price by a couple thousand dollars. You also want to make sure whether you're looking at a current year's model or the previous year. A lot of places will stock the previous year's models and give you a better deal on them to move their inventory.

Now, go home and do some research on the internet. Places like Best Buy and Circuit City have good search and browsing capabilities on their web sites that allow you to do comparisons. They also include links to customer reviews, so you can read what people have to say about a particular model and/or brand. To find out what kinds of prices are available, type the brand and model number into a search engine.

Shopping on-line can be a great way to get a good deal (free shipping, no sales tax, etc.). But, beware of some places that have a price so low it seems too good to be true. These places usually charge exhorbitant fees for accessories or they try to bully you into buying an extended warranty. And, if you don't pay for the extras, you end up in limbo for months, repeatedly being told that your TV is on backorder, even though they already charged your credit card.

To check on an on-line retailer before making a purchase, look them up on this site: http://www.resellerratings.com.

This site includes customer reviews on thousands of on-line retailers. Only go with the ones you recognize or that people say they had good experiences with. If you do a search on a place and it's not in their database, avoid it. You may end up spending a few dollars more at a better store. But, that peace of mind is priceless.

Answer 2

America as in the US:

ATSC tuner for free over the air digital channels (UK and other countries not using US standard this would be DVB tuner or Freeview)

NTSC tuner for free analog channels until 2-18-2009 or for commpatibility with basic cable or standard satellite boxes until 2012 (UK and other countries not using NTSC would be PAL until they phase that out)

QAM tuner for cable digital channels in the US (channels you could only get with a cable box until the new law passed and made this possible - subject to cable company authorization via cable card and their ability to be in compliance with the current law)

Resolution:

480i - This is a standard TV - Not HD

480p or 576p - This is an EDTV which is somewhat like saying it is ready for better viewing of DVD Videos (non-hi definition ones)

720p - This is the lowest form of HDTV but fine for sets that are smaller than say 40 inches

1080i - This is the HDTV that is compatible with the best free over the air broadcast signals - somewhat more expensive than 720p

1080p - These are the most expensive sets - But I have seen ones that are 42 inches and 1080p for $1155 at places like B & H Photo Video (Westinghouse model)

Contrast Ratio:

(Number) to 1 - The higher the number the more theater-like the experience so that the contrast between black and white is greater

Types:

LCD - Lower Power Consumption & Longer life than Plasma

Plasma - Highest contrast ratio - More expensive

DLP - Nice way to get a big picture for less

CRT - Old reliable, cheap, lasts long time, but heavy

DILA - JVC only - Newest and most expensive technology but also the best - coming soon from Sony with a different four letter abbreviation

Answer 3

the pointy AQUOS TVs have countless the proper comments for image high quality. i replaced into advised by using a proper purchase rep to stay faraway from the Westinghouse sort, yet he might have merely been upselling me. He mentioned a number of them have been lower back broken. so a techniques as irritating if a television is an HDTV or merely HD-waiting, that's no longer frequently a situation on condition that maximum individuals use an HD set with a cable container that effectively acts as your tuner. maximum people who're conserned approximately paying for a HDTV as against an HD-waiting visual demonstrate unit don't understand that they are getting a container from their cable employer that's used as a tuner. bear in mind: any HDTV will look lots greater constructive than any SDTV, presented you have the capacity to view an HD sign. purely a small volume of content fabric is avialable in HD, yet that proportion will enhance on a daily basis.

Answer 4

In order to view motion pictures [on standard dvds], your prospective tv contrast ratio should be 2000:1.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Just be sure it's got zinc-enabled transfer technology (ZETT)(found in ALL televisions, not just expensive ones. Ask any salesman - they'll know what you're talking about. If it doesn't have ZETT, get another brand/set.