LCD and Plasma Televisions Buying Guide

You have decided to get one of those sleek looking lcd or plasma television. This is a serious buying decision, not because it is to keep up with the latest gadgetry but because it could decide your level of viewing enjoyment for years to come. Thus I came up with this comprehensive lcd or plasma buying guide which I hope can assist you in your buying endeavor.

However before that, you need to decide first, whether it should be a plasma TV or an LCD one. You can check out this Plasma-versus-LCD-guide to find out how to make the decision. Once this is done and before forking out any dollars for the purchase the following below are factors to be taken into consideration.

These factors are:-

1 Consider the budget
2 Size-up the screen size
3 HDTV basic knowledge
4 Wide Screen vs 4:3
5 Key features and connectivity options
6 Judging pictures quality
7 Video gaming and computer uses
8 Accessories and warranties

1) Consider the budget.

The table below list the budget range with the respective screen sizes. Take note that this is just a guide, it is always advisable to check out the latest price (which can be done online) before buying. As can be noted, plasma televisions are available from 42 inch onwards and for larger screen sizes.

Budget	Plasma TV Screen Size	LCD TV Screen Size
$300 to $500	Not Applicable	Up to 20 inches
$500 to $750	Not Applicable	Up to 30 inches
$750 to $1000	Not Applicable	Up to 32 inches
$1000 to $1,500	Up to 42 inches	Up to 37 inches
$1,500 to $3,000	Up to 50 inches	Up to 42 inches
More than $3,000	Up to 65 inches	Up to 42 inches

2) Size-up the Screen size.

Plasma and LCD televisions come in a range of sizes, there is suitable size for your living room, your home entertainment center, your kitchen or bedroom. Regardless where you intend to place the set, one should be aware that in order to get the best viewing experience, one need to sit a distance away. A good rule of thumb is for every diagonal foot of the screen, you need to allow 3 feet for viewing. Hence for a 32 inch the distance is 8 feet and a 42 inch, the distance is 11 feet. Hence if the room in which you plan to install the LCD or plasma is small, then it is advisable to get a smaller screen. As mentioned earlier larger screen sizes are normally plasma television . Where as LCD tv's screen sizes are available in smaller sizes, ie 42 inch and below.

3) HDTV basic knowledge

HDTV is High-definition televisions, which can display standard TV, progressive-scan DVD, and HDTV signals. The sharpness of the pictures depends on the resolution and HDTV provides the sharpest and and clearest pictures. HD comes in two different resolutions, that's 1080i and 720p. The 1080i has more lines and pixels, but 720p is a progressive-scan format that deliver a smoother and sharper image during motion. Another format that's coming into the picture is the 1080p which combines the superior resolution of 1080i and the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p. True 1080p content is not common or many yet but if one can afford it, it's best to buy a unit that support this as a future-proof option.

4) Wide Screen vs 4:3

When selecting your ideal LCD or plasma TV, consider the type of content you’re planning to view. If you will be watching mostly analog TV broadcasts, then you should shop for an LCD TV with a 4:3, or full screen, aspect ratio.

Alternatively ( and recommended ), consider a wide screen TV if you plan on using your TV to watch movies, view HD content, or play games using a modern gaming console. As more and more TV broadcasts begin to go digital, wide screen TVs are also the more future-proof option. Wide screen TVs have an aspect ratio of 16:9, which makes the displays much wider than they are tall.

Both 16:9 and 4:3 TVs can display wide screen and full screen content, but they employ black bars on the top, bottom, and sides of the screen to accommodate content that doesn't’t fit the TV’s native aspect ratio.

5) Key features and connectivity options

Look for easy-to-use inputs. On many LCD and plasma televisions, the connections are on the side or rear of the panel and might be hard to reach. Some models have a separate control unit to which you connect all your external audio/video devices, such as a DVD player or cable box. You then have only one cable going from the control box to the panel itself. This is good especially for wall-mounting as this makes it easy to access the inputs.

6) Judging picture quality

A salesperson may not agree, but ask if you can view the model you’re eyeing in low-light situations. Bright fluorescent lighting often hides differences in an LCD or plasma TV's black levels.

If you have a DVD that you're familiar with, see if you can use it instead of the TV signal that's normally shown. If there isn't any HDTV signal another option is to use a DVD. DVD provides the best picture a television can display, so it makes for a good reference from which to judge. Another way is if the store is properly equipped, time your visit to coincide with a live, HD broadcast of your favorite sport. That way your can also judge the picture quality and will know if next year’s World Series will be crystal clear or a blurry mess.

7) Video gaming and computer tips

Consider a set that doubles as a computer display. If you need a computer display as well as a TV, check connectivity options. An HD set with high native resolution is best for computer use. A standard VGA connection works with all computers; a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) input would be compatible with newer midrange computers.

8) Accessories and warranties

Here are some accessories, you may like to consider to go with the LCD TV purchase. These are cables, surge protector ( highly recommended) and the type of furnishing or wall mounting that fit in with your entertainment center or living room.

As plasma technology and LCD's are always evolving, it makes sense to spend a few hundred dollars extending the protection on your investment. However you should still read the terms of the agreement carefully. An extended warranty should at least cover everything that the manufacturer's warranty does, just for a longer period, and may offer additional benefits such as preventative maintenance and free or low-cost repairs. Most extended warranties begin from the date of purchase and so may overlap the manufacturer's warranty.

As for the manufacturer warranties, these are fairly standard and covers parts for one year and labor for 90 days. As such tvs are considered high-end tvs, this often have a one-year labor warranty. Some manufacturers also offer in-home service on more expensive and larger models that are difficult to ship.

Here are some other questions one should remember to ask when shopping around.

• Does this TV have a built-in HD tuner, or will I need to get a separate set-top box?

• How many HDMI inputs does it have? (A set-top box, an HD DVD player, and a digital camcorder are three devices that will need HDMI inputs.)

• What is the TV’s life span? (For example, when will I need to replace an LCD RPTV’s bulb?)

• Do you know what kind of HD programming is available in my viewing area?

• Will this particular model support 1080p?

Finally, remember when it comes to any thing TV and LCD or plasma televisions are no exception, seeing is knowing. No matter what the specs says or how glorious the picture of the TV is in the magazines ads, the main thing is trust your own eyes. And if you come across the ideal set, don't jump straight in and buy it but walk away from it for a few days and examine several more and then go back to it. If it’s still the one that makes you nod and smile, then it’s the one you want.