LCD and Plasma Televisions Buying Guide

You have decided to get one of those sleek looking lcd or plasma television. This is a serious buying decision, not because it is to keep up with the latest gadgetry but because it could decide your level of viewing enjoyment for years to come. Thus I came up with this comprehensive lcd or plasma buying guide which I hope can assist you in your buying endeavor.

However before that, you need to decide first, whether it should be a plasma TV or an LCD one. You can check out this Plasma-versus-LCD-guide to find out how to make the decision. Once this is done and before forking out any dollars for the purchase the following below are factors to be taken into consideration.

These factors are:-

1 Consider the budget
2 Size-up the screen size
3 HDTV basic knowledge
4 Wide Screen vs 4:3
5 Key features and connectivity options
6 Judging pictures quality
7 Video gaming and computer uses
8 Accessories and warranties

1) Consider the budget.

The table below list the budget range with the respective screen sizes. Take note that this is just a guide, it is always advisable to check out the latest price (which can be done online) before buying. As can be noted, plasma televisions are available from 42 inch onwards and for larger screen sizes.

2) Size-up the Screen size.

Plasma and LCD televisions come in a range of sizes, there is suitable size for your living room, your home entertainment center, your kitchen or bedroom. Regardless where you intend to place the set, one should be aware that in order to get the best viewing experience, one need to sit a distance away. A good rule of thumb is for every diagonal foot of the screen, you need to allow 3 feet for viewing. Hence for a 32 inch the distance is 8 feet and a 42 inch, the distance is 11 feet. Hence if the room in which you plan to install the LCD or plasma is small, then it is advisable to get a smaller screen. As mentioned earlier larger screen sizes are normally plasma television . Where as LCD tv's screen sizes are available in smaller sizes, ie 42 inch and below.

3) HDTV basic knowledge

HDTV is High-definition televisions, which can display standard TV, progressive-scan DVD, and HDTV signals. The sharpness of the pictures depends on the resolution and HDTV provides the sharpest and and clearest pictures. HD comes in two different resolutions, that's 1080i and 720p. The 1080i has more lines and pixels, but 720p is a progressive-scan format that deliver a smoother and sharper image during motion. Another format that's coming into the picture is the 1080p which combines the superior resolution of 1080i and the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p. True 1080p content is not common or many yet but if one can afford it, it's best to buy a unit that support this as a future-proof option.

4) Wide Screen vs 4:3

When selecting your ideal LCD or plasma TV, consider the type of content you’re planning to view. If you will be watching mostly analog TV broadcasts, then you should shop for an LCD TV with a 4:3, or full screen, aspect ratio.

Alternatively ( and recommended ), consider a wide screen TV if you plan on using your TV to watch movies, view HD content, or play games using a modern gaming console. As more and more TV broadcasts begin to go digital, wide screen TVs are also the more future-proof option. Wide screen TVs have an aspect ratio of 16:9, which makes the displays much wider than they are tall.

Both 16:9 and 4:3 TVs can display wide screen and full screen content, but they employ black bars on the top, bottom, and sides of the screen to accommodate content that doesn't’t fit the TV’s native aspect ratio.

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