Digital Journal — With so much content being produced for high-definition TV these days, Digital Journal is always asked what type of TV is the best to buy, and what factors are important to consider. Unfortunately, there is no easy or quick answer, and a lot of it depends on your own taste — there isn’t one TV that everyone agrees is the best bang for your buck. The challenge of buying an HDTV is compounded by so many different choices, numbers and acronyms, and we understand that buying a high-def TV can be both frustrating and confusing.
With so much to consider, the following is a rough guide of knowing how natural light can affect your picture, the differences between LCD and plasma, and things you might not think of when buying an HDTV. (To see
Digital Journal’s previous Top 5 picks for HDTVs, check out our
Top 5 Best HDTVs - Digital Journal's Essential Digital Gear List -
originally published June 2006).
How Deep Are Your Pockets?
Before anything else, decide how much money you can spend. Sounds obvious — we know — but with prices, size and features ranging so drastically, a budget will determine what type of TV you can purchase.
Prices of plasmas, LCDs, rear projections and CRT high-def TVs vary widely. Decide your budget and surf online to find out what type of television fits into that range. Do this before you go shopping because a salesperson on commission can often try to sell you upgrades you don’t need.
We also recommend you stick with a name-brand manufacturer and avoid discount prices on brand names you have never heard of. They are cheap for a reason.
LCD Vs. Plasma
Today, there are four major types of high-definition TVs on the market. They are: direct view, rear projection, front projection and flat panel. These categories are also broken down into subcategories.
Rear projection TVs (RPTV) are commonly referred to as “big screen TVs.” Sizes range from 40 to 70 inches, and sets tend to be much cheaper than newer technologies because they take up a lot of floor space, and they are heavy as hell.
Direct view TVs use CRT (Cathode Ray tube) technology. These sets are familiar to most people because we’ve used this technology for many decades. TVs range in screen size and have incredible picture, but the industry is moving away from this technology and toward flat panel plasmas and LCDs.
Video projectors are an alterative to TV sets. They are great for that movie theatre experience, they work well in tight spaces because they are usually small, and they can project an image on the wall or screen that is more than 100 inches wide. This technology used to be very expensive, but prices have come down a lot recently. High-end HD projectors and screens can be costly, but Epson and Canon offer pretty good projectors and screens at lower price points (Epson’s PowerLite Cinema 400 is a 720p HD projector that retails for only $1,999 CDN).
Flat panel TVs are where it’s at: The newest type of TV, most people know these as being either LCDs or Plasma screens. Both are usually slim, with the possibility of being hung on a wall.
How they work: The picture on a plasma screen is generated by charging tiny gas plasma cells with electrical voltage. LCDs vary the amount of electrical charge sent through liquid crystals.
Until very recently, most hardcore TV enthusiasts have chosen plasma screens over LCD because they display deeper blacks (black levels are important for contrast and detail). But LCD technology has evolved dramatically and some argue improvements to the picture’s tonal range make LCDs more appealing than plasma.
Viewing angles is also an important consideration: When you go out to buy your HDTV in the store, watch to make sure the colour and contrast don’t change too much when you view the TV from various angles. Ensure your plasma or LCD flat panel has a
wide viewing angles.
LCD screens also use less power than plasma and typically last longer. Plasmas have also been known to suffer from burn-in; if you watch news channels, or play video games that have a lot of static images, plasmas might not be the set one for you because the image can physically be “burned-in” to the screen. Manufacturers have made improvements to this technology, but some plasmas are still susceptible to burn-in.
Again, stay away from cheap brands you have never heard of, and don’t buy “EDTV” because it isn’t true high-definition (it takes a standard signal and “up-converts” it to look better). Also (even with a name-brand product), don’t let the price tag fool you — really expensive sets are not
always better.
Lights, Camera...Reflection?
When you make the final decision, determine how much space you have, and how much natural light is in the room.
If you live in a condo with little floor space, a flat screen LCD or plasma is the best option, whereas more room will permit an HDTV with a big footprint. Dark rooms are great for video projectors or traditional CRT-based HDTVs, but both units don’t perform well in a room with lots of reflected light.
Many TVs these days have an anti-reflection coating to help stop the glare effect, but be sure to walk back and forth in front of a TV set to check for reflection. Tell the salesperson about the amount of natural light in your room, and make sure he or she pays attention.
Plug it in, Plug it in
You should also consider what you will be connecting to your new HDTV to make sure it has all the connection inputs. When you go to buy newer cables, watch for salespeople who try to up-sell you on the “best type of cable” that costs 10 times more than the next-level down. Mid-range cables and connectors will suffice to hook up your new HDTV.
Trial By Internet:
Once you nail down a few HDTV sets you like, check out each in person and rank them in order from your favourite to your least favourite. Go home and research the model numbers to read reviews; the Internet is home to thousands of reviews of TVs and it will best help you ensure your HDTV choice is the right one. Research, research, research is the key to finding the right TV for you.
For more information on HDTVs, check out the following:
Got your own suggestions? Want to recommend a TV? Post your comments below for other users:
What to Look for When Buying an HDTV
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