HDTV Buying Tips

PICTURE SELECTION: There is no current industry standard for buying the "best" TV. For the measurements or many of the measurements manufacturers use, there are no current industry standards. Each manufacturer uses different technology names and, in certain case, specifications for their particular TVs. If you really want to see what makes one TV better than another, let your eyes be the judge. Get up front and personal; move close to the displays and look at details. Everything you see should look lifelike, realistic and almost three dimensional on a high-quality, high-performance display.

a. ROOM ENVIRONMENT: Buyers should view the TV in an environment similar to their home: evenings, prime time or night time is the time of day when most TV viewing takes place. Store lighting is unnatural and nothing like your home. This can influence the overall picture and ultimately the experience you will have when you bring your new television home. Viewing television at nighttime is generally much darker than daytime. Bright televisions tend to wash out a picture.

b. SOURCE OF HDTV: HDTV is what everyone wants to see. However, most of today's network and broadcast programming is still in standard definition. This means when people bring home a new HDTV expecting to enjoy the benefits of high-definition instantly, they are sometimes disappointed. Appropriate connections and settings provide you with the viewing experience that you enjoyed at the store.

c. RESOLUTION: the larger the TV, the more importance resolution plays. The majority of content you'll be watching will still be 720p or 1080i. Blu-Ray Discs and HD-DVD are the only two consumer disc formats available today in 1080p and these provide an unmatchable video viewing experience. Contrast, what your eyes perceive in reality, not just a high ratio number, is just as important as resolution.

d. SHARPNESS: Pay special attention to lines and edges on the screen. Are the lines/edges sharp, are they clear and detailed? Get up close to the TV and look carefully at the edges.

e. BLACK LEVEL: The deeper the black, the greater the ability the TV has to achieve a realistic picture. Look for subtle details in darker scenes. This indicates the television is equipped to produce sharper contrast and greater dimension in a picture. You should be able to distinguish gradation in dark scenes. A good example to look for in the store is to look closely at the intensity of the blacks from TV to TV. Directly compare the black screen transitions between different content or in the credits at the end of a movie. Be sure to compare across the various brands and models.

f. COLOR ACCURACY: Colors should be true-to-life, not cartoon-like. The details in color should display subtle gradations. Skin tones should be natural. Bright, colorful scenes should be vivid and practically pop off the screen.

g. VIEWING ANGLES: Stand directly in front and center of the tv. Then view it on the left and right sides of the panel. The picture should remain consistent. Does the picture consistency change from different viewing angles? Does is maintain the same hues and colors as you move off center as well as image clarity? Does the picture remain crisp and clear or do images become soft and hazy?

h. ACTION SCENES: In fast-moving scenes, messy lines or square pixels shouldn't interfere with your favorite movie or sports program. Can you read the license plates in car chase scenes or notice the actual curve of a ball in flights in sporting events? Objects should be fluid, not pixilated. You should be able to see minute details and pristine images no matter what the action.

i. VERSATILE: The TV can be used for digital photo viewing, computer connectivity, video gaming, movies and much more.