Back on Friday, I started a little HDTV series to help you pick out the best HDTV for Super Bowl XLIII. However, it's not as easy as making a single recommendation to everyone who stumbles across this blog. Since we all have different rooms, different lighting, and different things that we want out of our home theater setup, it's important to do your homework before splurging on your big purchase. Because of that, I urge you to head back and find out what size and type of TV is right for you. After you figure out what you're looking for, you're ready for part two of our four part series:
There are no buts about it - the best prices to be had on a TV are found on the internet. However, with TVs being the fickle electronics that they tend to be, you can't always rely on reviews and manufacturers spec sheets, like you can with other electronic devices. Generally speaking, a DVD player or laptop that is powerful and has good reviews will work great for you, but when it comes down to something as objective as your perception of a "good" or "bad" image, you truly have to see the TVs with your own eyes. And since it's the weekend, why not get out of the house, get on your feet, and stretch your legs a little?
For this reason, I suggest you step away from the computer and do some hands-on research. Head on over to your local Sears, Best Buy, or any other nearby retailer stocking copious amounts of big screen HDTVs and write down whichever ones catch your eye. Of course, it's important to know that the displays on many of the HDTVs are not optimized for the best color or brightness, but there's no better way to gauge an HDTV's strengths and weaknesses than through your own eyes. With that said, there are some particular things you'll want to keep in mind when checking out the various sets, so read up before heading out for your weekend stroll!
Viewing Angle
Your HDTV should look good, everywhere!
Take a good, hard look at any HDTV in front of you. Now take a few steps to the right. And then a few more. Many HDTVs, especially low-end Plasmas, don't look very good when viewed from the sides. While the sweet spot will always be right in front of the action, you can minimize the distortion by picking out a TV that looks good from all angles. Be sure to note any sort of color change, brightness decline, or fuzziness that occurs when you move around looking at the TV - if it looks unwatchable in the store, your buddies will be just as disappointed when you bring it home.
Image Quality
Clear! Not dark and blurry!
This one may be the trickiest to discern, but when looking at all the different HDTVs in front of you, which looks the best? Which one "pops" out to you? Do you notice any motion blur when objects move on screen? Is there any burn-in present? Even though the latter only really applies to Plasmas (and the second to LCDs), it's important to give stare long and hard at the HDTVs to get a good idea for which one is right for you. Don't be afraid to talk to the sales people and have them put on a Blu-Ray for you - the best way to tell whether or not a HDTV is worth the money is by pushing it to the limit, and if you're not blown away by the picture quality, you should move on to another TV.
Brightness/Contrast/Colors
Make that picture pop!
When looking into HDTVs, it's important to take into account the variables that make up the picture that you're seeing. While all of these variables can be tweaked on any TV to get a better picture when you take it home, a TV that looks exceedingly dull on the showroom floor probably won't look much better anywhere else. Talk to a salesperson and see if you can toy with the settings yourself - you don't want to write off a perfectly good HDTV if someone before you just happened to turn the brightness all the way down. As a general rule, plasmas have deeper, darker black levels than LCDs, and make a good purchase for areas with dim lighting. If you've got a bright den, though, the vibrant colors and mid-level blacks of an LCD might look just perfect for you.
Resolution and Features
Get the most out of your investment!
While you can get some great deals on big screen, low-resolution Plasmas, you should really opt to spend a little extra money on something nicer that will last you a while. Don't settle for a puny $500 32" 720p set when you can spend an extra $3-400 and get a nice 42" 1080p HDTV that's truly worthy of your front room! With the big Digital Conversion on February 17th looming right around the corner, you're going to need to upgrade anyway. Why not treat yourself accordingly?
The biggest numbers you're going to want to look into for your TV set are its screen size, and resolution. On most networks, HD TV is transmitted in 720p - the standard resolution that every HDTV can handle. However, there's something better -1080p - which is a resolution "beyond HD" that is exclusive to Blu-Ray movies and other "true HD" video sources. Your cable TV HD is nice, but a Blu-Ray movie on a nice 1080p HDTV should blow you away. If you aren't floored by your HDTV, you're doing it wrong, so make sure to examine all your options!
Remember kids: you can study the LCD vs. Plasma debate until your eyes burn, but the old adage "beauty's in the eye of the beholder" has never been truer than when it comes to HDTVs. For this very reason, the first step in choosing the right gameday 'tube is to do the footwork and get out there and find the perfect TV for you. Only then can you come back home to your computer - and Ebates - and save hundreds of dollars on the TV that makes the whole neighborhood drool on February 1st. Check back on Monday when I help you finally find that earth shattering HDTV deal, and save you hundreds on the perfect Game Day setup!
Heading out to the stores!
There are no buts about it - the best prices to be had on a TV are found on the internet. However, with TVs being the fickle electronics that they tend to be, you can't always rely on reviews and manufacturers spec sheets, like you can with other electronic devices. Generally speaking, a DVD player or laptop that is powerful and has good reviews will work great for you, but when it comes down to something as objective as your perception of a "good" or "bad" image, you truly have to see the TVs with your own eyes. And since it's the weekend, why not get out of the house, get on your feet, and stretch your legs a little?
For this reason, I suggest you step away from the computer and do some hands-on research. Head on over to your local Sears, Best Buy, or any other nearby retailer stocking copious amounts of big screen HDTVs and write down whichever ones catch your eye. Of course, it's important to know that the displays on many of the HDTVs are not optimized for the best color or brightness, but there's no better way to gauge an HDTV's strengths and weaknesses than through your own eyes. With that said, there are some particular things you'll want to keep in mind when checking out the various sets, so read up before heading out for your weekend stroll!
Viewing AngleYour HDTV should look good, everywhere!
Take a good, hard look at any HDTV in front of you. Now take a few steps to the right. And then a few more. Many HDTVs, especially low-end Plasmas, don't look very good when viewed from the sides. While the sweet spot will always be right in front of the action, you can minimize the distortion by picking out a TV that looks good from all angles. Be sure to note any sort of color change, brightness decline, or fuzziness that occurs when you move around looking at the TV - if it looks unwatchable in the store, your buddies will be just as disappointed when you bring it home.
Image QualityClear! Not dark and blurry!
This one may be the trickiest to discern, but when looking at all the different HDTVs in front of you, which looks the best? Which one "pops" out to you? Do you notice any motion blur when objects move on screen? Is there any burn-in present? Even though the latter only really applies to Plasmas (and the second to LCDs), it's important to give stare long and hard at the HDTVs to get a good idea for which one is right for you. Don't be afraid to talk to the sales people and have them put on a Blu-Ray for you - the best way to tell whether or not a HDTV is worth the money is by pushing it to the limit, and if you're not blown away by the picture quality, you should move on to another TV.
Brightness/Contrast/ColorsMake that picture pop!
When looking into HDTVs, it's important to take into account the variables that make up the picture that you're seeing. While all of these variables can be tweaked on any TV to get a better picture when you take it home, a TV that looks exceedingly dull on the showroom floor probably won't look much better anywhere else. Talk to a salesperson and see if you can toy with the settings yourself - you don't want to write off a perfectly good HDTV if someone before you just happened to turn the brightness all the way down. As a general rule, plasmas have deeper, darker black levels than LCDs, and make a good purchase for areas with dim lighting. If you've got a bright den, though, the vibrant colors and mid-level blacks of an LCD might look just perfect for you.
Resolution and FeaturesGet the most out of your investment!
While you can get some great deals on big screen, low-resolution Plasmas, you should really opt to spend a little extra money on something nicer that will last you a while. Don't settle for a puny $500 32" 720p set when you can spend an extra $3-400 and get a nice 42" 1080p HDTV that's truly worthy of your front room! With the big Digital Conversion on February 17th looming right around the corner, you're going to need to upgrade anyway. Why not treat yourself accordingly?
The biggest numbers you're going to want to look into for your TV set are its screen size, and resolution. On most networks, HD TV is transmitted in 720p - the standard resolution that every HDTV can handle. However, there's something better -1080p - which is a resolution "beyond HD" that is exclusive to Blu-Ray movies and other "true HD" video sources. Your cable TV HD is nice, but a Blu-Ray movie on a nice 1080p HDTV should blow you away. If you aren't floored by your HDTV, you're doing it wrong, so make sure to examine all your options!
Remember kids: you can study the LCD vs. Plasma debate until your eyes burn, but the old adage "beauty's in the eye of the beholder" has never been truer than when it comes to HDTVs. For this very reason, the first step in choosing the right gameday 'tube is to do the footwork and get out there and find the perfect TV for you. Only then can you come back home to your computer - and Ebates - and save hundreds of dollars on the TV that makes the whole neighborhood drool on February 1st. Check back on Monday when I help you finally find that earth shattering HDTV deal, and save you hundreds on the perfect Game Day setup!
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i think you've made a mistake. it is low end LCD TV that has a bad viewing angle not Plasma which do not suffer from this