Buying A New TV: Start Here!

Snapshot:

• Now is a great time to buy a TV.  TVs are sleek, reliable, and available in many sizes and price ranges.

• Buy an HDTV model.  An HDTV set can display all types of TV programs, and it is ready for the future.

• Do your homework before you shop.  Think about TV size, location, and connections.

• Compare HDTV models that fit your needs.  Look for the most natural picture, not the brightest.

• Make sure your new HDTV gets real HDTV signals from an ANTENNA, CABLE TV or SATELLITE TV.  

Due to the digital TV transition, you might be thinking of upgrading your TV, especially if you're thinking about getting a HIGH DEFINITION TV (HDTV) and watching local channels with an antenna.  Is now a good time?

Absolutely!  If you visit an electronics retailer today, you'll find walls and shelves of new TVs lined up in steadily larger sizes, from modest to huge, all with great HDTV pictures.  Picture technology on TVs has improved dramatically; there are many choices in size and displays, and TV prices, after large drops in the last holiday season, are more attractive than ever.  New features continue to appear, but they tend to be incremental.  In short, it's hard to buy a disappointing TV! 

Most TVs sold today are HDTV models.  You may find a few traditional "glass tube" or "cathode ray tube" TVs still available at budget prices, and there are TVs with the traditional 4:3 ASPECT RATIO screen shape with both glass tube and flat panel displays.  Skip the glass tube and 4:3 screen TVs!  Today, there is no reason to buy anything other than an HDTV model.  Today's HDTVs are lighter and thinner, and TV program production is moving steadily in the direction of more widescreen programs. 

Pricing of TVs is driven primarily by these factors:

Display type.  Nearly all TVs with a (diagonal) screen size of 40 inches and below are LCD displays.  For screen sizes above 40 inches, there are several types of displays to choose from.  In general, when comparing same-size displays, the order of most- to least-expensive displays is LCD sets, then PLASMA sets, then REAR PROJECTION sets, and finally FRONT PROJECTION systems.  Of course, in each category there are both budget and premium TV models that are exceptions.

Size of screen.  This is the main pricing differentiator within each display type. 

Special features.  These can affect pricing, but only for a few key upgrades.  Right now, new technologies such as "120 cycle refresh" and "LED backlight" can add a pricing premium. 

Brands and brand type.  There are two brand categories: standard brands, which sometimes have a "premium" line as well (such as SONY "Bravia" vs. SONY "XBR") and budget brands.  For the same screen size, a premium brand model can cost more than double what a budget brand model costs. 
Overall reliability of modern TVs is excellent.  "Flat screen" models (LCD and PLASMA displays) are proving to be very durable; REAR PROJECTION systems require slightly more attention, partly because some models eventually require a projection bulb change.  But if a TV works well for the first 30 days it is out of the box, it will probably perform well for years.  There's little reason to purchase extended warranties for current TV models (except for rear projection sets, if the warranty includes a replacement of the projection bulb). 

Planning your TV purchase.  You'll be happiest with your new TV if you do your homework first.  Here's a planning list.  Take your answers with you when you shop. 

TV location. Where will you watch the TV?

Small room - medium room - entertainment center - home theater? 
Bright or dark room?
What is the average sitting distance from the screen?
Will the TV sit on a table or stand, or be mounted on a wall?   Or will it be FRONT PROJECTION, with ceiling mounting?
Will you need to contract for the TV installation on the wall or ceiling?

Available space.  How much room do you have for the TV?  Especially horizontal room and depth.  (Take a tape measure to the store with you to measure the width and depth of TVs.)

Viewing choices.  What is the main kind of TV viewing do you do? 

• Sports/action? 
• Drama? 
• Movies? 
• Video games? 
• Computer monitor?
• Do you turn the lights down to watch movies? 

Signal source.  Where will you get your TV signals? 

From CABLE TV, SATELLITE TV, TELEPHONE COMPANY TV?

To get the most satisfaction from your HDTV, you should plan on getting an HDTV channel package.
How much is the HD channel package?   Can you afford it?
Do you have the right SET TOP for HDTV now?  What kind of connections and cables does the SET TOP require for HDTV?

From an ANTENNA?  Where will the antenna go?  Will the antenna wire reach the TV?

Sound system.  Will you add to the TV sound with a new or existing AV or home theater amplifier and loudspeakers?

What kind of audio connections does your AV system have? 
Does it switch video sources also?  What kind of video connections does it have? 
Will you need to contract for professional help for installing a SURROUND SOUND system?

Extras.  Are there extra features you might need?  Examples:

• Extra connections for external devices (DVD, DVR, game console, computer)  (The current connection standard is "HDMI."  Most sets have 3 HDMI inputs.)
• Computer inputs (VGA; DVI). 
• Connection jacks on the front of the TV. 

Recycling.  Do you want the store to recycle the TV you are replacing?  Ask the store about picking it up when the new set is delivered.

Finally, Budget.  Most TV buyers underestimate the cost of buying and setting up a new HDTV.  How much can you afford to spend on the TV and all accessories?  Think of everything:

• TV plus tax
• Surge suppressor (for voltage surge and lightning protection on the TV power line)
• Connection cables (to connect the TV signal source, AV receiver, DVD player, etc.)
• Antenna (indoor?  outdoor plus installation?)
• Wall mount bracket (if you will mount the TV on the the wall)
• Sound system 
• Multi-function remote control (one remote to control all the gadgets; the HDTV may have this, but dedicated models are more flexible)
• Delivery
• Installation  (Yup, this can add up!)

Here are some extra topics for TV planning.  They may not affect your TV purchase, but they should be part of your new viewing plan:

DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER (DVR).  Do you want to have the flexibility of pausing live TV and easily recording TV shows in HD?  If you have CABLE TV or SATELLITE TV, you can get DVR SET TOPS from them that will be the easiest to use for HD recording.  If you're watching TV with an antenna, you will need to purchase an HD DVR from companies such as TiVo or Echostar.  Another option is to connect your TV to a computer system that includes HD DVR recording. 

DVD player.  Is it time to buy one or upgrade?   DVDs currently are the best source of high quality HDTV viewing.  They do this two ways: some models can "upscale" or "upconvert" DVDs to look good on an HDTV by adding horizontal lines to the picture.  This is handy because they do this with standard DVDs.  Dedicated high definition DVD players can output a picture in "1080p" resolution - the highest quality that modern HDTVs can display. There were two competing formats being produced, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc.  As of February 2008, Blu-ray Disc is the surviving standard.  Blu-ray Disc players and DVDs are more expensive than standard DVDs, but they provide the highest quality HDTV viewing source. 

Multi-function remote control.  Most home entertainment devices will have their own remote controls.  And each one will walk off when you want to use it.  A great convenience is a single multi-function remote control that can be programmed to operate all the home entertainment devices. 

Shopping for the TV.  At the store, use the information above to help a salesperson narrow your choices of TV models. Then:

Pick several models that meet your requirements.  If you are looking at a TV picture size that has TV sets with different picture technologies (such as LCD and PLASMA), compare them all.

Get a quality picture source.  Make sure the TV displays have a real HD program source. This does not include watching channels from a satellite service, which can get degraded in transmission.  A reputable retailer should be able to provide a local high definition source, such as a Blu-ray Disc DVD. 

Key point: nearly all TVs on display in a store have not been adjusted for best viewing!  Retailers don't have time to do that. TVs on display tend to have the "factory settings, " which usually means high contrast and bright color.   Don't be impressed with a TV just because is it brighter than other models.  You should be looking for a TV picture that looks most natural.  

Watch them carefully.  Leave, come back, and watch them again. 

Watch slow scenes, looking for color and detail. 
Watch fast moving and sports scenes, looking for clean tracking without smudging.

Try SURROUND SOUND, too.  Watch at least one TV display that is connected to a mid-size SURROUND SOUND system (5 surround channels plus a subwoofer).  If you haven't experienced surround sound, see if you like the effect.

Learn store return policies and product warranties. 

If you're on a budget, see if the store is offering "open box" or "returned" TVs with full warranties, at a discount.  Some HDTVs get returned when owners realize they bought one too big - and the TVs come back in great condition. 

Pick a TV that has features you need, features you like, and a price you can handle. Do not choose a TV on picture quality alone. 

After you've made your TV purchase, make sure you get the full value out of your investment:

Don't judge the TV until you have connected it to a true HD video source - from an ANTENNA, CABLE TV, SATELLITE TV, or a high definition DVD player.  Research has shown that over half of the owners of HDTV sets do not have them connected to a source of  real HDTV programming!  

Then, make sure you see some HDTV shows (they will usually say at the beginning: "presented in HDTV").   

Try the TV picture adjustments.  Most TVs are initially set with too much contrast and brightness.  If there are "preset" settings, try those first.  Otherwise, adjust the contrast of the picture, then the brightness.  

If you want to optimize your investment, then after the TV has been on for about 100 hours (half a month, for most homes!), you might consider getting it "calibrated."  This means locating a certified HDTV calibration specialist who uses special equipment to adjust the settings on the TV picture and surround sound. 

For more information on HDTV display technologies and features, see the "HDTV Features" section or click here.

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CAPITALIZED WORDS are defined in the Digital TV Glossary.