December 03, 2010
Revised December 3, 2010. Copyright
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Let's face it; a good television is one of the most important purchases
you can make for home entertainment. Home entertainment systems are
becoming more elaborate with each passing year. They generally include
a nice LCD HDTV with all the trimmings and surround sound.
If you're one of the people who think one LCD TV is just like the next, think again. That
simply is not the case. Buying a great high definition television takes
careful consideration and some time going to the store to compare a
variety of brands. Here are 10 things to consider when looking for LCD
TV deals.
Resolution
No matter the size of the screen, pay very close attention to the
resolution it can display. More pixels mean a better picture. For
example, a display with a resolution of 1080p will have a much clearer
picture than a 720p. 1080p means it can display 1920 pixels vertically
and 1080 pixels horizontally. 1920x1080p is a very high resolution that
provides the best HD picture currently available.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate is the number of times per second a new image is
displayed. Many high-end brands are beginning to offer a 120Hz (hertz)
refresh rate; the North American standard is 60Hz. This may not seem
very important at first, but once you see the difference, you'll
understand. Fast motion displayed at 60Hz may seem blurred or have a
feathered effect, whereas the same images displayed at 120Hz will be
much smoother and sharper.
Contrast Ratio
The contrast ratio is arguably the most important thing to take into
consideration. Contrast ratio refers to the contrast between bright and
dark, or black and white, displayed on the screen. Most LCD televisions
have a difficult time displaying blacks and dark colors. A display of
at least 10,000:1 contrast ratio would ensure darks remain dark while
lights remain light. Please keep in mind that there is currently no
standardized method of measuring the contrast ratio, so there is no
industry standard.
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio refers to the relationship of the display's width to
height. The aspect ratio of conventional television sets is 4:3 whereas
the aspect ratio of a wide-screen TV is 16:9. Videos on VHS tapes may
not look incredible on your new TV because their aspect ratio doesn't
match the ratio used in more modern film making. HDTV, DVDs and
Blu-Ray, on the other hand, will look spectacular.
Video Input Options
Many input options are available for LCD televisions. Look for a model
that allows multiple forms of video input. Most are capable of being
connected to a personal home network for watching movies directly from
any PC in the house or from a home theater PC (HTPC). Gaming systems
like the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii are easily turned into home
theaters, but you'll need a good set of surround sound speakers to
complete the setup.
Calculating Your Viewing Distance
The distance at which you view your television screen can be the
difference between a grainy picture and a perfectly clear one. The most
reliable estimate to calculate viewing distance is roughly 3 feet for
each foot of screen. Optimal viewing distance for a 32 to 37 inch
display should be about 7 to 9 feet. A 42 to 46 inch display needs a
viewing distance of about 10 to 12 feet and a 50 inch display looks
best from 12 to 14 feet.
Lighting and Room Shape
Make sure you've taken lighting and the shape of the intended room into
consideration. You want people to notice your new addition when they
visit, but will the light from the doorway or a nearby window interfere
with your normal television watching habits? Keep in mind the fact that
your lights at home aren't the same as the bright fluorescent lights in
the store. Your screen may look completely different when you get your
new HD LCD TV home. Check the return policy before making your purchase.
Installation
Installation should be as simple as attaching the base, plugging in
cables and enjoying your favorite movie. A little extra research before
you purchase will make sure you're getting what you want.
Best Brands of LCD TV Based on Customer Reviews
The brands most people have come to trust are Samsung, Sharp, LG , and Sony. Five televisions recently reviewed on CNET
include brands like Panasonic, Samsung, LG and Vizio. Each of these
brands is affordable on most budgets and offers incredible value and
options for the money.
The LG 42LD450 scored an astounding 9.3 out of 10 in customer reviews.
This 42 inch full HD 1080p model has a high contrast ratio of
100,000:1, 2 HDMI ports and supports pictures and music via USB 2.0.
This model does not support video via USB. The price of this model
normally starts around $600.
Samsung
(http://www.dealhack.com/archives/2006/07/samsung_lns2341w_23inch_lcd_hd.html)
makes an incredibly sturdy and reliable LCD TV with dark rose-colored
trim. Don't let the idea of rose-colored trim turn you away from this
model; the color is so dark it's nearly black. Most Samsung models have
a touch of color on the trim, but it isn't distracting and looks great
with most decor.
The Samsung LN 46A630 has a crystal clear picture and often ranks 4.5
out of 5 star reviews. The high refresh rate of 120Hz automatically
means a sharper image with less blurring than models with a lower
refresh rate. This television boasts full 1080p HD, 3 HDMI ports, and
sports and gaming modes that further reduce blurring during fast motion
shots. The side-mounted USB 2.0 port is capable of playing MPEG video
as well as pictures and music.
As with most electronics, keep the old adage "you get what you pay for"
in mind. Many great HD LCD TVs sell between $500 and $800. A cheap LCD
TV just may be the worst possible purchase you can make.
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