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Introduction

High-Definition televisions are often on the list of big-ticket sales at many Black Friday
retailers. A good television should hopefully last you for several years, so this is not a
decision to rush into! Big discounts on these expensive sets can tempt you into a quick
purchase, but do your homework beforehand and you'll wind up with a
great TV for a great price.

This buying guide should give you the basics you need to make an informed decision in
buying your new set. We are making recommendations based on the overall value - the
bang for your buck - and not necessarily the highest of the high end. Expect a range of
options that should suit all budgets!

The great debate: Plasma vs. LCD
HDTVs are produced using two competing technologies: plasma and LCD. The
technological details behind both would require much more space than we have here,
but good comparisons are available at this site and in this video.

To summarize very briefly, LCD technology is generally the most versatile. This is what
is found in most flat-panel computer monitors, laptop screens, etc. It works well in a
variety of light conditions and is available in the largest range of sizes. Plasma is most
true to high-quality images - especially in rendering deep blacks - and will generally
produce the best image quality at a given size.

Many of the problems that were reported about each technology have since been
improved to the point where the advantages to each technology are slim. Plasma
previously reigned in avoiding motion blur, until LCDs introduced 120 Hz refresh rates
so that blur is imperceptible to the human eye (but you'll pay more for the faster refresh
rate). LCDs claimed longer life-spans until plasma manufacturers toughened their
panels to last just as long as LCDs.

However, there are still some downsides to each. LCDs have a narrower viewing angle
than plasma sets - be sure to test out the TV in advance by standing as far away as you
would normally sit and testing the full range of viewing angles. Plasma sets are
sometimes more susceptible to glare (due to their glass screens) - if your TV will be
located in an area with lots of natural light, consider an LCD. Finally, although many
plasma sets are Energy Star certified, their power consumption is still higher than an
LCD. If you're motivated by green (in more ways than one), you might stick to an LCD.

A word on sizing: all other considerations aside, plasma sets simply are rarely less than
40", with only a few offerings in the 30" range. If you're looking for a medium to small TV
(such as for a smaller living room, a game room or a bedroom), then LCD is your best
bet by default.

10 second summary:
Buy an LCD if: you are mostly budget conscious and are looking for an all-around set
with great image quality and low energy consumption, or if you want a small to medium
size set.
Buy a plasma if: you are a pixel junkie that wants the best image quality for your money,
or if you want a massive 50"+ screen to round out your home theatre.

Making your New Year's Resolution: 720p vs. 1080p

Once you have selected your technology, it is time to decide on a resolution: 720p or
1080p. You may recall a little something called 1080i, but this is terribly uncommon
nowadays and produces an inferior picture. With letters out of the running, we're left
with numbers. Put simply, the bigger the number (1080p) the more pixels you are
packing into the same size screen. The same image displayed on two equally-sized sets
of 720p and 1080p will look sharper on the 1080p set. Bigger is better - but it is also
more expensive. Be prepared to pay several hundred dollars more for the same HDTV
with higher resolution.

What does this mean for you? Check out this chart:

Basically, your decision on resolution depends on two things: what size your set is going
to be, and how far away you'll be sitting. According to the above image, the benefit of a
32" HDTV having 1080p resolution is not noticeable for most people sitting more than 6-
feet away from their television set. The benefit of 1080p for a 42" television starts at 8-
feet away, a standard viewing distance for most households. Generally speaking, unless
you are looking to use an HDTV as a computer monitor (in which case 1080p will display
text more clearly), you won't see the difference between the two resolutions.

Another consideration is whether or not you even have 1080p content to display on
your HDTV. Regular cable channels are broadcast in resolutions far below 720p. Even
HD channels are broadcast at 720p, and so although broadcast resolution may increase
in the future, for now you would see no difference in any TV broadcast. DVDs are also
far below HD-quality. The only real sources of true 1080p content right now are Blu-Ray
players (and these will still look pretty awesome in 720p).

10 second summary:
Buy 720p if: you're concerned primarily with price, are getting a screen smaller than 42",
sit far away from your TV, and are OK with not getting the full advantage out of Blu-Ray
Buy 1080p if: you want to future-proof your system, might use your screen as a
computer monitor, or watch Blu-Ray movies and true high-definition videos all the time.

Inputs and Outputs: cables everywhere!
Every TV is different and all of them will have different features and add-ons. Don't
forget to check each TV to see what it offers. One important thing to make sure is what
inputs and outputs your set has. Make sure your new TV will be compatible with all your
devices unless you are ready to upgrade those too!

Video Inputs:
•HDMI: this is the gold-standard in carrying an HD signal. You'll want a few of these -
make sure you have enough for all your peripherals.
These look kind of like big USB cables.
•Component video: this is another way to output an HD signal and is used by some
video-game consoles, satellite/cable receivers and other devices.
•DVI/VGA/Computer connection: this will allow you to attach your computer and use the
television as a monitor. Be sure to check if your computer outputs DVI or VGA (newer
graphics cards usually do DVI, but many laptops have VGA connectors - some might be
capable of HDMI) and make sure it is compatible with the TV - some manufacturers say
only "Computer Connection" and don't specify what kind!
•Composite video: this is the old-school cable (Red/White/Yellow) that is most commonly
found on older DVD players and home threatre components.
•S-Video: another older connector, may still be found on camcorders,
DVRs, or other devices.

What's in a name: Brand-names
Many stores have their own in-house brands. Best Buy has Insignia, Walmart has
Digistar. While these will provide a good value and will probably be indistinguishable
from other brands in terms of image quality, the parts used are sometimes sub-standard
and getting service, should your TV need repair, can sometimes be very difficult. On the
other hand, many consumers use these TVs without complaint. Weigh the benefits of
purchasing a more established brand name, such as Panasonic, Sony, or Samsung
against the additional cost.

A Final Note
There are lots of good choices out there for HDTVs. Use the variety to your advantage
and choose carefully! You will almost certainly be able to find a good deal, no matter
your budget, as long as you think out your purchase in advance. Do a little research,
check out your existing setup, and maybe even hit the stores early to compare TVs.
Then go forth and enjoy a superb picture and what will hopefully be a great deal!

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