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Electronics are normally the hottest category during the holiday gift giving season. As with last year, High-Definition TV’s will be a big ticket item that a number of people will buy. Here are 6 things to consider before buying that big screen TV during the holiday season:
1. Plasma or LCD? HD sets come in a confusing variety of technologies — plasma, LCD, DLP, LCOS and SXRD (Sony’s version of LCOS). What the letters mean is unimportant. These technologies all show a high-quality picture. They just deliver it in different ways. Yet there are important differences. Plasma is generally seen as best for movies, LCDs for daytime viewing and sports. DLP and LCOS sets might provide the best value and overall picture. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. However for home usage, LCD or Plasma shouldn’t make a difference if buying a reputable brand that provides a good warranty.
2. Think big. "High-def" looks best on a large TV. Buy the biggest set you can afford, but make sure it fits the space. A 37-inch screen may work best in a bedroom, but a 60-inch screen is ideal in a large entertainment center. "The most important thing is deciding what TV is right for the room it will be in," said Phillip Swann, who runs HD Predictions, a consumer Web site dedicated to industry news.
3. Avoid a numbers game. The latest HDTVs tout a "1080p" signal and carry a higher price, but the advantage is small. Older models with a "resolution" of 1080i, 720p or 768p (LCD and plasma) also deliver a great picture. Unless you like to sit close to a big TV, sets based on lower resolutions are perfectly fine and less expensive while supplies last.
4. Thin is beautiful. But don’t limit yourself to a pricey flat-panel plasma or LCD. Sets based on DLP, LCOS and SXRD technology are cheaper and can deliver a superior picture. Most are less than 15 inches deep or half the thickness of big tube TVs popular a decade ago.
5. Count the total cost. While sets based on DLP and LCOS technology are cheaper, they may cost more to own in the long run. Why? These sets use bulbs (average cost: $A500) that need to be replaced after roughly 3,000 to 5,000 hours of viewing. To fix that problem, Samsung has introduced a line of DLP sets based on so-called LED technology that do not require extra bulbs. LCDs and plasmas generally last at least 20,000 to 30,000 hours.
6. Listen up. You’ve bought an expensive TV, but save some cash for a decent sound system. Home theaters are not the by-product of tinny speakers that rattle at higher volumes. A nice high-def picture deserves great sound to go along with it. The good news is some surprisingly good audio systems — at least five speakers and a subwoofer — can be had for as little as $500. Also, with HDTV’s, make sure you use the HDMI cable to optimize the picture and sound quality.
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