The question of choosing the right HDTV is one that is asked every day in living rooms and stores around the world. There is the choice of make, model, screen size and price not to mention the numerous technical features, leaving us to sort through a mass of marketing and ambiguous picture enhancement technologies in an attempt to make an informed decision.
The best thing to remember when deciding which HDTV to buy is that you should really make your decision based on which HDTV is the most appropriate for your needs. There are a variety of technologies that fall within the umbrella term `HDTV` so let`s take a quick tour of the most important information you`ll need to arm yourself with in order to streamline the process of choosing.
LCD or Plasma?
The two main types of display technology on offer in the HDTV market are LCD and Plasma, and though both are used in flatscreen TVs there are a few vital differences that define the two.
- LCD - Stands for Liquid Crystal Display, and are in general lighter, smaller and thinner than Plasma screens, ranging in size from around 46" right down to 15" or less. They also have higher resolutions in the smaller sizes, meaning the picture on an LCD screen will be sharp no matter what size you choose. The angle from which you can view LCD screens isn`t always as good as Plasma offerings, but they are usually better performers if the room you`re using them in is brightly lit as the screens aren`t reflective.
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- Plasma - Plasma screen range in size from 40" right up to over 100" if you have the money. Their screens use two sheets of glass containing various plasma gasses which produce a picture when stimulated by electricity. The biggest advantage over LCD screens is the improved contrast meaning deep blacks and bright whites. They are considerably heavier and thicker than LCD screens.
Should I go cheap or expensive?
Another problem facing HDTV buyers is the price difference within a given screen size. You can pay anywhere between £500 to over £5000 for a screen that is 50" across the diagonal, and on the surface you might think you were getting a better deal by going for the cheapest option. However, as with most things, you will get a much better HDTV if you are willing to spend a little bit more and go for a top brand within your chosen screen size. BUT!! Be warned there are exceptions.And I reccomendyou always have the TV picture demonstrated. Don't let the shop assistant rush you and try several different input types. DVD/TV/Games console etc.
Generally speaking, cheaper brands offer lower quality plastics, much poorer contrast levels and colour depth and will often be limited in terms of the number and type of connections. They might also will look a lot less appealing than their more expensive rivals. A good example is the Pioneer LX6090. As part of their new LED range of ultra-thin screens it represents the latest in HDTV technology. It is considerably more expensive than other Plasma screens of a comparable size. However, for the improvements in picture quality, interface, input diversity and energy saving it trumps cheaper options in every way.Having said that if you have a cheaper model demonstrated you might think it is good enough.
This logic should be applied whether you`re spending £300 or £3000 on an HDTV. If you`re going to be using it every day and want to experience the true leap forward in technology that HDTVs should be then you shouldn`t be skimping if you can afford not to. Whether you go for a Plasma, LCD or new LED HDTV, be sure to shop around and choose carefully in order to get the best deal on the best set.
