The last holiday season were a big hit for flat screen televisions. Than there was the CES 2006 in January. Now we have many games comming up that ‘require’ a large flat screen television.

Superbowl, Winter Olympics, World Championship soccer…these are very big games that will come to on a large screen LCD television.

9 tips that you could use to purchase this new set:

1. You want HDTV
The deadline for TV stations to convert to digital broadcasting is just three years away: February 2009. At that time, you’ll need a converter box for your current analog set to receive digital signals. And by that time, many more TV shows will be in the 16:9 (or rectangular wide-screen) aspect ratio, instead of standard TV’s 4:3 ratio.

2. Determine what you can spend
Once you know your price range, you can determine whether you’ll end up with a 60-inch , an ultra-thin 40-inch flat panel LCD, or a 32-inch for example. And don’t forget a TV stand, and possibly a tuner and antenna.

3. Choose the proper TV screen size for your room
Seating distance from the set determines picture clarity and the quality of the viewing experience. For HDTV sets it is recommended that you sit no closer than twice the diagonal screen size. In other words, sit about 8 feet (2,5 meter) from a 46-inch (117 cm) screen. If your room is too small — or the TV too big — you could get eyestrain and headaches.

4. How will the TV picture look from every angle in the room
Not everyone in the room can directly face the TV. So look at the TV from a side angle while shopping. If you can only see store lights reflecting on the screen, you don’t want that TV.

5. LCD or plasma
This is not an easy isue. See previous posts on this:
Dell compares LCD and Plasma
LCD vs plasma 4
LCD vs plasma 3
LCD vs plasma 2
LCD vs plasma 1

6. No cable or satellite service
If you don’t have cable or satellite service, you’ll need an ATSC digital TV tuner and a UHF-VHF antenna to receive stations over the air.

7. Usage of TV
You want to have as many inputs as possible to accommodate all of your devices, including your computer. So write down all the game systems, video machines and cameras you plug into your TV. You also may want the convenience of plugs on the front or side of the new TV, for a camera for example. When you buy an HDTV, remember to switch your DVD player to the “progressive” mode for the best picture quality on the set.

8. A place to put the TV
Don’t forget a new TV stand. They range $100-$800, or more for entertainment centers. If hanging an LCD screen on the wall, figure in $150-$300 for wall mounts. You may want to hide the TV in a cabinet while the TV is not in use. With an automated lift this will cost you $2000-$4000. Glass or metal stand? Glass looks sweet, but it won’t hide the wiring.

9. What looks best to you?
The final question. With all the questions you have on LCD TVs, hopefully some of it can be answered here, it still leaves you with the final question. What looks best to you (and your partner).

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette - Before buying a set, have a plan and know the lingo

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