Buying a TV is not as easy as it used to be. Since the introduction of flat screen TVs, there are more factors to take into account than ever, not just screen size and case colour. Flat screen TVs are much more complex than traditional TVs and come with significantly more options, so it’s important that you know a thing or two about them to avoid paying a ton of money for a bunch of features you will never use. Here are the most basic aspects you should take into consideration when searching for the perfect TV for you.
Screen Size :
The first and maybe most important aspect of a flat screen TV is its screen size and, even though the first impulse would be to buy the biggest TV you can find, that might not be the best idea. A 60” TV might look great in your living room, for example, but it will definitely not be the best pick for a small bedroom.
Our recommendation:
The general rule for determining the right size is to determine where you will put the TV, measure the distance between the TV and the place you’ll be watching and divide it by 1.5; that should give you the maximum recommended size for a comfortable watching experience.
Display Technology :
We need to get a bit technical here, so you can figure out what display technology fits your needs the best. There are currently two main types of displays: LCD displays and plasma displays, each with its ups and downs.
LCD displays work by using a liquid crystal panel that’s lit from the side or, more recently, from the back, by cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) or LEDs.
Plasma displays use electrical charged gases that do not require any external source of light, their main advantage being that they can reproduce black or other dark colours more accurately than LCD displays, being more adequate for movie enthusiasts that want the most realistic experience. On the other hand, plasma displays can suffer from image burning, a phenomenon which “burns” a static image into the screen if it is displayed for long periods, making it slightly visible even after the image is changed or, in the most severe cases, even if the TV is turned off. This problem is most commonly found in old generation plasma TVs, though, newer TVs being less prone to image burns.
Our recommendation:
LCD displays, especially the ones that use LED lighting technology, are significantly more power-efficient than plasmas. They’re a better choice if you want to keep power consumption to a minimum.
3rd Dimension :
Some people consider 3D to be “the thing”, while others consider it a simple caprice. Where do you stand? 3D-capable TVs are usually more expensive than regular flat-screen TVs, so opting for a 3D TV is a justified choice only if you’re really going to use the 3D features. There are two types of 3D technologies: active 3D and passive 3D, both delivering similar results. The main difference is the required accessories: passive 3D uses simple glasses which are light and comfortable, as opposed to active 3D which uses shutter glasses – a type of 3D glasses that achieve the 3D effect by alternatively blocking one lens so each eye can see only the image that’s intended for it.
Our recommendation:
3D is still a fairly recent technology for home TVs. Whether or not it’s something you’ll truly enjoy and use for a longer period of time is therefore uncertain. Make sure to spend at least half an hour in the store to test it and ask around in your circle of friends whether anyone already has a 3D TV, so you can spend more time with it.
SMART Features :
Modern flat screen TVs can do much more than just display your favourite TV show; while at first simple functions such as allowing you to plug in an USB thumb drive and play a movie from it were added, TVs continued to evolve, reaching a point when they are solid competitors for PCs. We’re talking about Internet connectivity here, a feature that’s present in all high-end flat screen TVs, allowing you to send an e-mail, visit social networking sites or stream Internet videos right from your TV.
Our recommendation :
It’s a good-to-have feature as long as you really need it, but if you’re not a big fan of the Internet, buying a SMART TV will be a waste of money.
Financing your flat screen TV :
Although flat screen TVs have become a lot more affordable over the past five years, they are still no bargain. Which means that you should invest a lot of time to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Price comparison sites are an obvious choice if you intend to order your TV set online. Physical retail stores, meanwhile, may be able to offer you a loan at a very low interest rate, allowing you to pay off the purchasing price over one or two years. The Christmas season is a perfect time to buy a TV, since there are usually far better deals to be found.
Our recommendation :
It can be useful to create a bank account just for the purpose of saving up for your TV. Any basic bank account will do, as long as you have instant access to your money. This will help you get a better overview of your finances and whether or not you can actually afford to buy the device.
Reporting from London’s financial heart, William Masters has established himself as a coveted journalist for topics of international economics and personal finance.
