Are you in the market looking to purchase a brand new HDTV but don’t know what features to consider? There are many new features now available in HDTVs ranging from 3-D to Internet, HDMI 1.4 to Picture-In-Picture not to mention Plasma vs. LCD or even Screen size. All of these options can turn the whole activity from a cool task to an unpleasant situation. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the different choices presented to you when buying a new HDTV then be sure to check out this article in order to find out the top 10 features to consider when purchasing a new TV.
1. Screen Size. Probably the most important thing to think about before buying a new TV is what size TV do you want. Sure everyone wants the biggest TV possible but that is usually just not practical so determine the actual size range you want before doing any comparison shopping. Remember that screen size is measured diagonally.
2. 3-D – It looks as though 3-D may very well become the future of TV. The good news is that it is here now so if you are currently in the market you should definitely consider purchasing a 3-D capable model. Spending a few hundred more dollars now may save you a few thousand if you decide you just have to have a 3-D HDTV in the near future.
3. Cost – There is no point even considering some of the more advanced features and giant sized displays if you know that they are out of your budget. So save yourself the time and heartache by only comparing TVs in your budget.
4. Depth –With cost and size already brought up this becomes important because if you lots of room (depth) in your entertainment center and you could place a 14+ inch deep TV then you can usually save quite a bit of money by buying a rear projection HDTV rather than a flat panel LCD or Plasma television which the latest TVs are now thinner than one inch deep.
5. Speakers – Many of the thin HDTVs out today contain speakers that sound alright; however, many of the TV’s speakers leave something to be desired and some just sound poor. This often may not necessarily be seen as a bad thing because lots of people don’t even use the built-in speakers, instead they opt to use speakers connected to a home theater system instead. If you don’t plan on using a home theater system and still want good sound there are a few HDTVs with high quality speaker systems built in.
6. PIP – Picture-in-Picture is often a very nice feature which allows you to watch two different shows (sometimes on different inputs) at the same time often either via split screen or a smaller picture displayed in one of the corners on top of the main picture. If PIP is a feature you are interested in be sure to check it out thoroughly as some TVs only allow PIP via one HDMI source input and the other picture through one of the built-in turners. So, if you wanted to watch TV through HDMI1 using your cable box and play a game on HDMI2 on your game console this may not be possible depending on the model.
7. Internet – Internet connectivity is becoming a popular new feature on many HDTVs. Connecting to the internet obviously allows you to surf the web on a huge screen, but it also allows for more than just that. Depending on your make and model you can also stream (almost instantly watch, while downloading) a movie from Netflix, Amazon, or Blockbuster. Keep in mind that an internet enabled TV must also have this feature built-in in order to watch movies but almost all have at least one of the three options. You will also need to pay for access to watch movies whether it’s a one-time fee or a monthly subscription.
8. Inputs – The number of inputs may be important to you if you choose to use multiple inputs. Be sure to have at least as many inputs as intend to you have devices hooked up to the TV. For example you will most likely want to have at least four HDMI connections, one for your satellite or cable box or DVR, one to three for your gaming consoles(s), one for your Blu-ray player, and one extra for future expansion; however, if you run everything through your home theater receiver then you may not need the connections. Keep in mind that non 3-D receivers can not pass 3-D signals through HDMI. Also, be sure the TV has a computer connection if you plan on hooking up a computer. The same is true for any other devices that you may wish to connect whether they are connected via s-video, composite, component, or USB make sure the HDTV you are considering has the connections to connect it.
9. LCD vs. Plasma – This is where things get a little more complicated. It is rather hard to compare two different technologies against one another but there are a few key differences which you may want to base your purchase on. For example, if you watch TV in a dark or dimly light room then Plasma may be a better choice for you as it tends to produce better looking black levels (blacker blacks). However, if your TV will be in a room that has lots of light then you may want to opt for an LCD since they tend to look better in brightly lit room conditions. Plasmas usually tend to run a bit higher than LCDs so plan to pay more for a similar Plasma over an LCD with the same features.
10. Resolution and Picture Quality – The final and perhaps most important feature to consider is the resolution and picture quality. You will most likely want an HDTV that supports 1080P at 120 Hz and if you decide to go with a 3D TV you will likely want a Full HD 3D TV which by definition will support 1080P at 120Hz or greater. As for the picture quality you will want to make a trip to the store to compare different models or perhaps better yet, look on-line for reviews on the different models you are considering. Keep in mind, when comparing TVs in the store, the TVs are often set to look best under the stores lighting conditions and may not look the same in your house. It is often recommended to have your television professionally calibrated once it is home and set-up in order to get the best picture possible from it.
