With the AFC and NFC titles officially clenched by the Steelers and Cardinals (respectively), Super Bowl preparation has been officially kicked into overdrive! Sure, you'll need your chips, dips, and possibly some big ol' honkin' steaks to toss on the grill, but when it comes to The Big Game, one thing matters more than anything else: the TV. You can have the most delicious snacks and the comfiest couches in all the land, but if you can't see and feel the hits on the field, what's the point? When it comes to the Super Bowl, you have to go big or go home. And that's exactly why I'm here to talk about getting the biggest bang for your buck - with Ebates of course!

HDTV prices have been falling steadily over the past year, and there's never been a better time to splurge on the TV of the dreams. With the impending Digital Conversion coming on February 17th, you're going to need to upgrade or buy a conversion box anyways - so why not just sieze this opportunity for all it's worth?  By purchasing your TV over the internet (and through Ebates) you can save literally HUNDREDS of dollars on the exact same TV that you would find in stores - the only difference being that a truck brings the TV straight to your door instead of the store's! Many of us are a little reluctant to buy something so large and expensive over the internet, but I'm here to tell you that it's really not that scary at all! If I can do it, you can do it too, and there's no better time than now to cash in on all those pre-Super Bowl sales!

If you're looking for the ultimate gameday TV, it's obviously going to need to be something big and clear. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as opting for the "Awesome" model, so if you really want the best TV your money can buy, you're going to have to do a little research. Before you go and stare blankly at the hundreds of sets that litter your nearest big box store, find out which HDTV is right for you!

LCD vs. Plasma
The Big Decision

The debate for the ages; which type of HDTV is perfect for you? While there may be no one right answer for everyone, there are some clear-cut advantages, and disadvantages to each that might help you pick out the right type of HDTV for your home. First, Plasma HDTVs have been around longer, and rely on a completely different technology to product their images than an LCD screen. You can read about the science of it, but the biggest differences most can tell between the two types of screens are their black levels. Since Plasma pixels have the ability to effectively "turn off" black pixels, while LCD pixels use the most power "emitting" black, a comparatively-priced Plasma almost always has a darker image. While this is a definite plus in dimly-lit rooms, LCD HDTVs generally stand out in brighter rooms because of their slightly more vivid image that stands out when compared side-by-side.

Personally, I prefer LCD HDTVs because of their ease of use with computers (and ability to be used as a completely competent and massive computer monitor), straightforward 1080p output, and lack of any image retention whatsoever. It's very hard to get a "burnt in" image on any TV nowadays, but LCD HDTVs are almost guaranteed to never suffer from any gaming or news-related image retention. Of course they do still have a little bit of image "trailing," or "motion blur," but the newer 120 hz models do a pretty decent job of mellowing it out.
There is a whole slew of other features to take into account, but figuring out what's best for your setup is what's most important. Do your research before leaving to check them out for yourself!

HDTV Size
How big is too big?

Chances are you'll want a big TV for the game. But how big is too big? Believe it or not, there really is such a thing. If you're less than eight feet away from your screen, a 52" monster in your living room will likely leave you with a headache after a short while. This handy chart will give you an idea of the ideal size for your living room, and allows you to better "guesstimate" the amount of funding you'll need for the the TV of your dreams. So break out that measuring tape and figure out the exact size of TV that is perfect for your digital den!

Price Range
Be thrifty, but be happy!

Like it or not, the biggest determining factor in your HDTV purchase is price. Think about how much money you can put into your gameday account - in my opinion, you'll likely want to set aside at least $1000 for a quality HDTV over 40". You could get something as large as 46" for under $800 - but you certainly get what you pay for.  Remember: price points are only suggestive marks of quality, and there are multiple model numbers made by each manufacturer for you to take into account. Check out your finances and pick out a number, you'll already be saving hundreds off of comparative retail prices, so why not get something truly great instead of just "okay"?

By knowing how much you're looking to spend on the right size and style of HDTV ahead of time, you can make a much more educated decision when you finally go to look for the perfect display for Super Bowl XLIII. Check back Saturday morning when we return with the second part of our HDTV series, which will get you out of the house and (eventually) back onto the computer to find the best deal on the HDTV of your dreams!