LCD TV Buying Guide

Posted in LCD Television at 10:00 pm by Jim

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Buying an LCD television is a smart choice over other display technologies with superior benefits such as its wide viewing angles, thin and lightweight designs, low power consumption, longevity and zero burn-in risk.

As you compare all the LCD TV models and prices, you will want to weigh the following considerations when selecting your next LCD television:

  1. Where will the LCD television live? This will drive how large a set you will have to work with. If you intend to mount the LCD television above the fireplace mantle or on the wall, ensure that its mounting holes are VESA-compliant. Compliance to this standard will make sure your TV is compatible with the widest selection of mounting hardware.
  2. Do you wish to receive your local stations? If so, you will either need a set that has a built-in HDTV tuner or an HDTV-ready set with an external ATSC tuner. In either case, you will also need to purchase an HDTV antenna for best reception.
  3. What resolution do you want? All digital televisions are not created equal. For high-definition digital television (“HDTV”), you will want a resolution of 720p or 1080i. If you’re cost conscious, EDTV and SDTV offer lower resolutions at a reduced price.
  4. Will this set be part of a home theater? If so you will want to ensure the TV supports the 16:9 widescreen format. Combine a widescreen TV at HDTV resolutions with a progressive scan DVD player, and prepare to be amazed at the picture clarity you will receive.
  5. Do you want to also use the LCD TV as a computer monitor? If so you will be interested in the display’s resolution (in pixels) and the number of colors it is capable of displaying. You should go no less than 800×600 on the resolution (preferably 1024×768 or greater) and be capable of displaying 16.77 million colors or more.
  6. What ports does it have? Consider your existing components to see which ones are important for you. If you do intend to use the set as a computer monitor, look for a VGA or DVI port. An HDMI port can be used with an adapter if necessary.
  7. Will you be playing console games on this television? If so, you will want an LCD television with a refresh rate of 13-16 milliseconds or less. This rate will ensure you will avoid the “ghosting effect” that can sometimes occur with slower LCD TVs that are unable to keep up with the fast-changing pictures of a video game.
  8. When it comes to contrast ratios and brightness, you should opt for those LCD televisions that have at least 450:1 and 500 cd/m2 respectively.
And lastly, consider the most important criteria of all—your budget—so be sure to thoroughly compare several stores online to find the best prices before you buy.