A lousy economy has retailers eager to romance you with deals on high-definition televisions. If you're in the market, here are some tips:
Find the right price.
"It definitely pays to shop around. But absolutely set a budget first," says Alfred Poor, author of the online publication "HDTV Almanac," available at hdtvprofessor.com.
Think about how much you're willing to spend and scour newspaper circulars and Web sites for prices and special offers. If you plan to finance, budget payments so you pay off the total before any promotion period ends, to avoid hefty interest charges. Also factor in additional costs, such as a media stand, cables and/or delivery. And check to see whether the seller meets or beats a competitor's price.
Don't be afraid to go big.
As you marvel at the HDTVs in the showroom, think about how the perfect screen will look in your living room. Then think bigger. "The general rule of thumb is people typically buy too small," says Richard Fisher, A/V science director of the Web mag HDTV Magazine (hdtvmagazine.com).
Of course, you want a TV that will fit your viewing area without overwhelming it. Fisher says your viewing distance from TV screen to sofa should be four to five times the television's height. So if a model you like is 2 feet tall, expect to view it from about 8 to 10 feet away. Take a ruler or measuring tape to the store if it helps.
The big two:
LCD and plasma. LCD (liquid crystal display) and plasma (which is phosphorus based) are your two main HDTV options.
LCD TVs come in various screen sizes, so you should find one that's right for even the shortest viewing distance. LCDs typically use less energy than plasma TVs and generally weigh less, so they're easier to mount on walls. LCDs also handle bright rooms better than plasmas thanks to a brighter picture.
LCD traditionally got knocked for not registering true blacks and blurring fast-motion action, but today's LCDs can better handle those issues. For the best color on an LCD, Fisher says look for one with LED backlighting or WCG (wide color gamut) technology. For better fast motion, he says look for an LCD that offers a 120Hz refresh rate. Expect to pay a bit more for such features.
Plasma TVs typically provide richer colors and contrast than LCDs. They likewise handle fast-motion better than inexpensive LCDs, Fisher says.
Plasma TVs still weigh considerably more than LCD sets, with screen sizes often starting at 42 inches. Plasmas also tend to reflect in brighter rooms, so you might want to consider a plasma TV with an anti-glare screen. Oh, and Fisher says plasma is the most power-hungry display you can buy.
Think about HD content.
A high-definition TV doesn't magically transform audio and video into HD quality - you need to feed it HD content. Fisher recommends you upgrade to HD channels from your cable or satellite provider. And do ask about HD-capable DVRs so you can record HD programming.
Poor also suggests you avoid DVD players that "upconvert" standard DVDs to near-HD quality. He notes the technology built into a quality HDTV should do that job on its own.
What to know about HDMI.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface or HDMI gives you high-def audio and video via a single cable. To accommodate HDMI-friendly devices, make sure the HDTV you purchase has two or more HDMI slots.
HDMI cables in stores can be expensive, often starting at $30 and exceeding $100. Poor says skip those pricey cables and instead buy the cheapest HDMI cable you can find on the Internet. That way you're only looking at $10 to $15 for a 3- to 6-foot cable. "If it works, you're done," Poor says.
Fisher also suggests you skip the pricey HDMI cables, but only if you're connecting devices close to your HDTV. If you plan to run HDMI cable more than 10 feet, Fisher says, you're probably better off with the pricier stuff. Whatever cable you buy, Fisher says make sure it's HDMI 1.3 certified.
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