Factors to Consider When Choosing an HDTV

Unless you've been camping out beneath a rock in recent years, you've no doubt noticed the wide spread of high definition televisions, or HDTVs. Now, you might be wondering why you would go through the trouble and expense of upgrading to a new television when you have a perfectly good one sitting in the den right now. In fact, you paid perfectly good money for it back in 1998, why should you ditch it for anything new?

The answer to this question, quite simply, is that HDTVs have a vastly improved image when compared to traditional TVs. If you somehow haven't seen a good HDTV showing some good HD content, you're missing out big time. Quite simply, the difference is night and day, and it is hard to go back to a standard def signal once you have gotten used to full HD.

So, you're sold on the benefits, but unsure as to what type of TV to get. At the moment, the two most popular technologies in the HDTV market are LCD and plasma TVs. LCD TVs are very similar to a flat screen computer monitor. LCD TVs are energy efficient, and are high resolution for their size. They are also very thin, making them easy to mount almost anywhere.

Plasma TVs use a different technology to display the image. This difference allows them to display motion better than most LCD TVs can. However, they are also thick, heavier, and more fragile than their LCD TV cousins. Take a look at both kinds and see which one works well for you.

Once you have chosen what type of TV you'd like, it's time to figure out the size you need. A commonly used formula for sizing up an HDTV is to take your viewing distance in inches, and divide by three to get the minimum size of TV for your room. This isn't a hard and fast rule, but it does help out. Measure the distance from where you will be sitting to where the TV will be, and use this number to figure out the right size.

Once you have your nice new HDTV, you will need to get some HD content to make it worth your while. There are several different ways to get HD content. The easiest way is to buy a digital antennae that will allow you to receive broadcast channels. Since these are digital, they are very high quality. If you want more channels, you'll be wanting to check into some HD plans for cable or satellite TV. If you are going to be watching movies, Blu Ray is now the format of choice for those looking to get HD content. The quality of a Blu Ray movie is stunning when compared with a regular TV signal. You will be quite pleased with adding a Blu Ray player to your entertainment center.

So, buying a new HDTV isn't rocket science, but having these basics in mind can be a great help. Shop around, see what works for you, and enjoy your new HD set!

By David C Wilson

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