High Definition Televisions represent a major breakthrough in the electronics and home theater industry. With resolutions over four times sharper than traditional televisions, HDTV's are capable of displaying vivid images with brilliant color reproduction and unprecedented clarity. There are a variety of brands and models from which to choose from industry leading companies such as Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, and Toshiba.
HDTV Types
When shopping for a High Definition TV, the first thing you'll need to determine is the style of HDTV that will be best for you. "High Definition" is a term which refers to the capability of the television to handle extremely high resolution input sources, but there are a variety of ways to achieve this. HDTV's are available in several different formats, such as plasma, LCD, and DLP. While they all provide the clarity, sharpness, and stunning color depth which is required for high definition viewing, there are several differences between each type of TV.
Plasma HDTV's
Plasma HDTV's are available in extremely thin profiles, meaning that they can be easily wall mounted, or placed in an out-of-the-way area when space is a consideration. Plasma TV's offer excellent brightness, sharpness, and color reproduction, especially with regards to black levels. This means that plasmas can create very deep black colors onscreen, leading to increased contrast and a more dramatic image quality.
Plasma TV's also have very wide viewing angles, meaning that the picture does not lose quality or brightness when viewed off center. This is very important if you'll be using your TV in a room where there is a significant amount of seating off to the side. Additionally, plasmas offer very fast "response rates," which allow them to recreate fast moving scenes without any type of motion blur. This is important for viewers who watch a lot of action films or sports programs.
LCD HDTV's
LCD HDTV's are similar in outward appearance to plasmas, but there are many differences beneath the surface. LCD's have the same slim profile as plasmas, but LCD sets are often a bit lighter. This is due to the fact that plasmas generally incorporate glass into the screen construction while LCD's are able to use lighter weight plastic. LCD's are also slightly more energy efficient than plasmas, which may be a concern if you're planning to purchase a very large screen.
In terms of picture quality, modern generation plasmas and LCD's are very evenly matched. While plasmas have a slight advantage in reproducing black levels, LCD's are typically available in higher native resolutions, especially in the smaller sizes, where plasma resolutions tend to be lower. This leads to an increase in picture sharpness on an LCD set. In previous generations, LCD TV's had a distinct advantage in lifespan, as older plasmas would lose much of their image brightness after 20,000 hours of viewing, but with recent advancements, the difference in lifespan between plasma and LCD is nearly identical.
DLP HDTV's
DLP or "digital light projection" HDTV's are another viable option. These TV's are well suited for table-top placement, as they do not offer the same thin profile as plasmas or LCD's. While the construction of a DLP set is slightly bulkier than the other options, the biggest advantage that DLP TV's offer is the increase in screen size compared to plasmas or LCD's in the same price range. Because DLP sets make use of projection technology, it is possible to produce a very large image without greatly increasing the cost of the TV. DLP HDTV's do suffer from reduced viewing angles, so rooms with wide seating configurations may not be the best candidates for DLP units. For buyers who are looking for excellent bang-for-the-buck, however, DLP is an excellent choice.
HDTV Specifications
Once you've decided on the type of HDTV that's best for you, it's important to compare the specifications and features available on different brands and models. You'll notice that manufacturers provide a full list of technical data associated with each model, but it's important to understand what each of these terms mean, and how they will factor into your decision. In addition to screen size, you'll notice that each model advertises a "native resolution." This is, in simple terms, the dimensions of onscreen pixels available on the television. A higher number here equates to a sharper, crisper image. If you plan to run true 1080p video sources, you should shop for a fairly high resolution here. Next, you'll want to look at the "contrast ratio" of the TV. Contrast ratio is simply the difference in brightness between the darkest and brightest pixel that the TV is capable of creating. A higher ratio here means the resulting image will have sharp contrasts between light and dark, which most viewers find very important to the overall perceived picture quality. You will also see the brightness of the HDTV listed. Brightness is the overall light output of the TV. Plasmas tend to be the brightest, but recent LED backlighting technology has made it possible for LCD's to level the playing field. Keep in mind that in a darker viewing environment, a high brightness output is not necessary.
HDTV Accessories
There are many accessories available for HDTV's, so in order to choose which ones you'll need, you need to evaluate your planned uses for the TV. In terms of cables, figure out what sources you'll be running to the TV. If you have "HDMI" capable sources, such as high definition digital cable boxes, or an HDMI DVD player, you'll need an HDMI cable for each of these. HDMI cables include both audio and video feeds internally, so you won't need additional audio cables for an HDMI source. If you have video sources without HDMI output, you will need either RCA or S-Video cables for these, as well as separate audio cables.
If you have several sources that will be used with your HDTV, consider purchasing an A/V Switcher. An A/V switcher allows you to plug multiple source devices into a single junction box, which can then route any of these sources directly to the TV. This can reduce the number of wires running to your TV and create a more manageable setup process.
HDTV sources are often accompanied by high quality audio feeds, so make sure that your home theater system is up to the task. If you do not have an audio system capable of accurately reproducing high quality digital audio, an easy solution is to purchase a Home Theater in a Box package. These packages include everything you need to set up a full surround sound home theater system without the headache of piecing together components one by one.
Finalizing Your Purchase
Once you've decided on which HDTV to buy, you can begin shopping for the best price. Compare different vendors and don't forget to account for shipping and handling charges when determining where to find the best deal. Shipping on a large HDTV can often be quite expensive, so this can add quite a bit to your final price. It's also important to contact your vendor and find out if they'll be providing shipping insurance for your item. This will prevent you from having any undue complications in the event that the TV is damaged during shipping. Look for a vendor with a good reputation and a comprehensive return policy. Carefully read the details of the return policy and find out if there is a money-back guarantee. There are many online reviews and ratings available for most vendors, so spend some time researching these to avoid any potential headache. This will ensure that your HDTV purchase goes smoothly from start to finish.