Flat panel TVs have exploded with popularity over the last 10 years with advancements in digital and High-definition. What cost $10000 7-years ago now cost under $3000. Its becoming more and more important to know how to select a flat panel tv. All our flat panel tv buying guides will help you make a right choice. Here are some basic considerations on how to select a flat panel tv.How to select a flat panel tv (considerations)
What about PlasmaPlasmas range from 32 to 60 and up and work well for home theaters because of their high contrast ratio which means that the blacks are blacker and the whites are whiter Plasma out performs LCD in that respect.
Consider an LCDLCD range from 13 to 50. LCDs are popular because of their wide range of sizes and will usually work better with ambient light situations: ex. sunlight coming in from a window LCD TVs will generally look a little brighter and have less glare with ambient situations because of their anti glare screen-material and technology.
Traditional AnalogAn analog TV cannot display progressive-scan DVD or HDTV. It can show only standard-definition programs such as those found on regular TV cable or satellite--including digital cable and DirecTV or Dish Network.
How about DigitalA digital television sometimes called a DTV can also display progressive-scan DVD and almost always HDTV.
Thought about EDTVThis stands for Enhanced-Definition TV and usually it describes a television that can display HDTV signals but doesn't have enough resolution to really do them justice. Most often it applies to plasma TVs and denotes 852x480 pixels.
High quality HDTVHigh-definition televisions or HDTVs can display standard TV progressive-scan DVD and HDTV signals. They're by far the most common type of digital television. High-definition television (HDTV) delivers amazingly clear picture quality often with 5.1 surround sound on a LCD or Plasma TV
Have you heard about the Analog Shut off 2009 myth?On February 8th 2006 President Bush signed into law the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 This law mandated a hard shut-off date of February 17 2009 for the end of all analog TV transmissions in the U.S. BUT you will be able to buy a converter box that will convert HDTV to SDTV (standard definition television) for existing analog SDTVs.
More on HDTVExperience the movies and sporting events in more detail than ever before. Consider the following when purchasing a HDTV. Buying a HDTV: Make sure your new TV supports at lest 1080i and 720p preferably 1080p HDTV signals.
Need for HDTV cablesYou'll need component video cables or HDMI DVI cables to receive a HDTV picture and fiber optic or coaxial digital audio cables for audio.
HDTV Content increasingMore and more television stations offer HDTV programming every day. TVs with built-in HDTV or an external tuner along with an antenna can receive HDTV broadcast content over the air. If you order an HDTV package from your cable or satellite service request an HD receiver. HDTV broadcast are not the only way to get HD content any more with the onset of Blu-ray and HD-DVD players with the ability to play full 1080p HD resolution. On demand HD content is also on the rise from a cable provider computer and or Xbox 360.
Is it HDTV-readyTelevision capable of receiving a high-definition television signal with the help of a receiver/tuner. Sometimes called HDTV compatible.
HDTV-compatible (another term for HDTV Ready)Television capable of receiving a high-definition television signal with the help of a receiver/tuner. Also called HDTV-ready.
What about an HDTV monitorMonitors display a signal fed into them and do not include a built-in tuner for programming.
What about Integrated HDTVHigh-definition television that has a built-in HDTV tuner. Connect an antenna to your integrated HDTV to receive high-definition broadcasts over the air. You'll still need to order an HDTV package and receiver from your cable or satellite provider to receive HDTV programming from them. Remember a built-in HDTV tuner will only help you get broadcast programming over the air. If you order an HDTV package from your cable or satellite provider request an HD receiver for your HDTV HD-ready or HD-capable TV. If you have a DCR HDTV request a CableCard from your cable provider. This access card helps digital cable ready (DCR) HDTVs tune digital cable channels without an external cable box.
Art of Wall Placement (LCD and Plasma)You can hang a flat-panel LCD or plasma TV. Make sure you have evenly spaced studs; you don't want to try to hang a 60 140 lbs plasma TV in drywall alone. If you have enough space buy a wall mount. You can hang your TV your self or have installation expert do it for you.
Simple Floor Placement (LCD and Plasma)You can use flat-panel stand for LCD or plasma TV.
