The focal point of any home entertainment system is usually the television. Therefore,it is crucial that great care is taken when buying a new TV. Every month large numbers of TV models with the latest technology are launched on the market – from CRT TVs to LCD TVs, Plasma TVs to LED TVs, HDTVs to full HDTVs, and Micro-Display TVs to Rear Projection TVs. If you are considering buying a new TV set and you are already confused about making your choice then consider the following important specifications:
How much can you afford?
The most important aspect while buying a television for most of us is probably the cost. LCD and Plasma televisions are more expensive than the older style CRT televisions. Televisions with full HDTV compatibility are more expensive than HD Ready or Standard Definition TVs.
Number of Colours
The number of colours is one of the main features to be considered when buying a TV. These days most televisions offer some 20 billion to 550 billion different colours. The number of colours reproduced determines the true-to-life quality of the image. Always go for High Definition if the quality of picture is important to you because it does justice to this feature.
Screen Size
Your viewing experience is directly related to the screen size. Some buyers believe that the larger the screen the better but it is not so always. If you have a small room with a large TV, it will never be a pleasant experience. Screen size is primarily dependent on the size of the room. A 46-inch television set cannot be accommodated in a 10 feet by 8 feet room; rather it can fit well only in a 14 feet by 16 feet room. Any 34 inch television would work well for rooms measuring 10 feet by 8 feet. If you go for large-screen televisions, the minimum viewing distance should be around 7 feet.
Sound Quality
Audio quality is a very important factor – your best bet would be stereo with a simulated surround sound. A HDMI or High Definition Multimedia Interface offers a digital audio and high definition video output through one port.
Screen Resolution
The resolution of the television set is related to the screen size. An HDTV compatible set will support a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, with a HDTV broadcast supporting around 1080 active pixel lines with a 16.9 wide-screen format. The HDTV-compatible flat panels TVs can support 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Contrast
The contrast ratio is an important feature for superior picture quality. This ratio determines the difference between black and white, meaning that the higher the ratio, the darker will be the black portions and lighter will be the white portion when the contrast ratio is more. A LCD TV set will give a minimum contrast ratio of 500:1.
The usual rule for the maximum size of TV screen that can be used in any room is to have a screen three to six times smaller than the distance of the viewer from the TV.
However a high definition screen, with very high resolution enables a viewer to sit much closer to the television and there is a growing evidence amongst reviews and internet blogs that many regret the size of their new TV being too small, shortly after about getting it.
Here’s a standard guideline of the minimum distance to be maintained to accommodate the maximum size of the television:
Maximum screen size of HDTV Viewing Distance
34 inches 52 inches
44 inches 68 inches
52 inches 88 inches
72 inches 108 inches
Another rule of thumb is to sit in your armchair / sofa and place a wide object in the space where you intend to have your new TV. Then ask someone to mark the left and right extremities of the area you can view without moving your eyes or head. That screen size should generally work well for a HDTV.
Of course many transmissions are not yet in high definition, so the compromise solution may well be to choose a screen size somewhere between the larger sizes that the new rules will come up with and the old one of up to 3 to 6 times smaller than the viewing distance.
Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Digital light processing was named for its ability to process light digitally. An Optical semiconductor called a Digital Micromirror Device chip aids this process. The DMD chip has over one million mirrors. Each mirror is less than 1/5” the width of a human hair. The DLP is more commonly known as a projection tv. Available in rear and front projection. Some models might have a slight ‘rainbow effect’, but these screens are not susceptible to burn-in.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Despite its name, there is nothing liquid about this screen. There are a variety of choices on the market, the flat panel displays being, by far, the most popular. People like the thin, lightweight construction making them ideal for either a tv or a computer monitor. LCD screens are not susceptible to burn-in, either, but their slow response time, especially in the earlier models, shows a ghosting effect. It is important to see the LCD monitor or tv in use before buying to make sure it meets your needs.
Plasma Display Panels (PDP)
Thanks mainly to slick, extensive marketing, plasma has become known as the ‘be all and end all’ of high end home electronics. All plasma tvs are flat panels. They are competitively priced to the LCD flat panel models and feature a stunning picture, so far, unmatched by LCD screens. Plasmas are susceptible to burn-in, but only slightly. The gases that power the picture can not be refilled, although no actual measurements have been made, educated guesses say a plasma should last between ten to twenty years.
High Definition Television (HDTV)
Commonly known as high def, it won’t be long before the ‘HD’ is dropped altogether. As cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs grow rarer and rarer, and technology goes more digital, all TVs will be high definition only. The type or brand doesn’t matter, new TVs are now all HDTVs.
After you’ve chosen the type and model of the TV you want you may need TV accessories to make your viewing experience more pleasant.
A TV Cabinet?
The TV cabinet is usually regarded as the best type of storage place to keep a TV set and accessories when not in use. Nowadays, television happens to be an integral part of every household. Moreover, if placed improperly, there can be acute disruption of the visual presence along with the decorative balance of even the best of the well-designed homes. A TV cabinet is likely to do away with this disorder.
One of the best options before the viewer is likely to place the TV screen on a vantage setting adding a rich visual appeal to the sitting area. The cabinets are manufactured out of different materials of hard wood like maple, teak, oak etc. However, you should be aware of certain facts and features prior to purchasing the cabinet. The prime issue being the size and type of the TV.
A TV Stand?
TV stands happen to be a vital accessory accompanying the television if you’re not going for a cabinet. Different types of TV stands are available in the market based on the different shapes and sizes of the television. Recently, the TV stands are manufactured out of different materials, which are further fancied by the assortments of lamps and bulbs with in-built features. Some stands also have rubber bumpers which helps for a more low profile based steel body.
Wall Mounts?
With the popularity of LCD and Plasma TVs, there is an increasing demand of the wall mounts. Wall mounts work well for flat panel televisions. The wall mounts are a cheaper alternative to a TV stand and have the ability to save space. They are often adjustable and needs no replacement if the viewer decides to purchase the new updated appliance.
The other possible minor accessories include a Triple Shelf Flat TV stand, Tray Table, Remote Control Holders etc.