Television Buyer's Guide

Few things make for a better focal point of the entertainment room than the perfect television. With today's technology it is possible to feel like you are literally at the game you are currently watching or enveloped in the dramas of your favourite shows. Yet because of all the fancy terms, available features, and other key points you want to keep in mind, shopping for a television is much more complicated than it was only a few short years ago. Yet you can find all of your questions answered here and outfit your home with the ideal TV for you.

To Go HD or Not?

At this point most everyone has heard of the HD movement and the standard viewing methods of the past are fast becoming obsolete. For this reason, if you are going to be purchasing a new television it is virtually a necessity to opt for one that is HD capable. This will avoid any hassles in the upcoming future during the switch over.

3 Kinds of HD

720p: the image on the screen will be loaded at the same time due to a progressive scan for the best clarity for the picture even as it moves during action scenes. It is going to be easiest on the budget and has the ability to receive 1080p broadcasts that are simply shifted down. They will still portray excellent images on the screen and while they are the most 'basic' of HD technologies they are fine for the majority.

1080i: this is a step up from the 720p in that there are both more pixels and lines. This will offer you a clearer picture with more pixel concentration but these forms are not with the progressive scan and may create a blur effect in the fastest action scenes.

1080p: this is the highest level of HD and will fuse the increased number of lines and pixels with a progressive scan which will then bring everything that is viewed into the most realistic portrayal as well as eliminate any blur. Not only is this a major draw to sports fans but avid gamers as well. Further it is worth noting that Blu-ray and HD DVDs are best working off of these models.

Fitting the TV with Your Home

There are TVs made in every size, shape, and screen you can imagine but before getting into it all you want to take a moment and assess the room that it will eventually make its way into. Many of these newer models will be viewed best at a specific distance from the screen; you want to make sure you have enough area to then plan accordingly. When thinking of screen size keep in mind that the bigger your screen gets the further from the actual TV you will need to be seated. For screens up to 21 inches you will need to be about 2.4 metres away; up to 32 inch screens you should be placed about 3 metres away; up to 42 inches on the screen puts you at 3.6 metres away; and finally up to 60 inch screens mean you need to be a over 3.6 metres away.

To Flat screen or Not

These sleek little televisions are fast becoming more sought after by the masses for their enhanced image quality, vibrant colours, reduced glare, and ease of which to mount on the wall. Much more appealing than bulkier models, these flat screens are the wave of the future and are continually being made more and more equipped with additional features to make watching them all the better. They will not only save you space but offer you a wider range of angles to view from and a picture that won't flicker.

Plasma vs. LCD

The two different kinds of these TVs you can choose among are either plasma versions of LCD ones. The difference between them is the way in which they portray the images you see projected on the screens. Here are some facts on both:

• Plasmas have typically been better for viewing off of larger screens; if you are looking for a screen size over 40 inches you will most likely want to go with a plasma version.

• Plasma screen TVs are better for fast action sports or fast paced movies due to the fact that they have a faster uptake and you won't see any blur.

• Plasmas portray darker scenes and images very well due to their high level of contrast ratios.

• LCD TVs are improving in their ability to give image quality comparable to plasmas as the screen size gets larger; also, it is worth nothing that their smaller screens are known to be much sharper and crisper.

• LCDs are best for colour rich movies or shows bringing extra vibrancy and richer tones to the screen.

• LCDs are significantly lighter than plasmas which make them much easier to mount on the wall.

What it comes down to when deciding between a plasma or LCD TV is what you plan to spend the majority of your time watching on the television and where it is going to be placed. If your room is rather dark you may be swayed to go with a plasma; conversely lighter rooms may do better with an LCD. For lots of fast action scenes and sports games a plasma may come out the winner; yet if you are more interested in a colour that really pops you should look into an LCD.

Choosing the right size TV

The size of your new TV is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make when choosing it. Whether you're buying LCD, Plasma or LED, the size of the TV is measured the same way. The size is measured diagonally, in inches, and only takes the viewable portion into account - not the frame of the TV.

While you may think that a bigger TV is better, it is actually possible to buy a TV that's TOO large for the space you have. There's nothing worse than feeling you're sitting too close to a TV, and this can even lead to eye strain. It's important to be realistic about the size of TV your room can accommodate.

There are a number of charts and calculation methods available online which deal with working out the perfect size TV for your viewing space. They use the distance from your TV to your viewing position to work out the ideal size TV. The best one that we have found is:

Minimum Size of TV: Viewing distance (in inches) / 3

Maximum Size of TV: Viewing distance (in inches / 1.5

However, we would stress that this is just a rough guide and ultimately it is down to personal taste.

Size also has an impact on price. You can pay over £200 more for a 42" LG LCD TV over a 32" version in the same model series. LG TVs start at 19" and go right up to 60".

Where Does This Leave Your Budget

Yes, televisions can get rather pricey, especially if you choose to go with one that is on the cutting edge of the market. This is a personal consideration that you should think about before getting too far into the purchasing process. Set out a planned amount that you are willing to denote to your TV and then find one that not only fits those parameters but still has the best of quality. There are plenty of high end TVs that come with not only the basic features but a few extras that to the normal, everyday user will suffice just fine. Just because a model boasts higher pixels or contrast ratios, if you don't plan on viewing things that work off of those features you don't need to pay more for something you don't need. By becoming familiar with all that is available and what the different devices come with is the best way to find the perfect television for your viewing pleasure.