TV Buying Guide

Buying a TV can be one of the most difficult electronics-related decisions you can make. There are so many makes, models, sizes, and features available, the choice can seem somewhat overwhelming. We've put together this "TV buying guide" to help you narrow down the field and find the one TV that's best for you and your home. Let's take a look at some of the most important things to consider.

Different Types
"TV Buying Guide" has become much simpler. When you start shopping for a new TV, you're going to choose from three main types of display technology. This "TV Buying Guide" will focus on LCD, LED-LCD, and plasma. LCD and LED-LCD are the two most common types of televisions. The technology behind them is actually very similar. The only real difference is the way their screens are illuminated.

In the case of an LCD TV, the screen is lit from behind with fluorescent lighting similar to the long tubes found in ceiling light fixtures. LED-LCD TV sets are most often lit from the sides by LED light strips. These thin, pure white light strips have the advantage of producing better on-screen color and thinner TVs. They also use less power over time, making them more environmentally friendly--a factor some people use to guide their TV buying. Both LCD and LED-LCD screens work well in bright rooms and offer the widest viewing angles.

Because of the technology they use, LCD and LED-LCD TVs can exhibit blurring of the image during fast-moving scenes. This motion blur effect is lessened by increasing the refresh rate (among other techniques), so some LCD and LED-LCD televisions offer specs greater than the standard 60 frames per second (measured in hertz, or Hz). You will see 120 Hz and 240 Hz models, with each being progressively better at solving the motion blur issue. Sometimes you'll even see some higher numbers—but be sure to look closely at the true refresh rate, because some TV marketing attempts to somewhat artificially inflate this number to justify a higher price.

The other type of flat screen TV is called plasma. Plasma TV delivers the most realistic possible color without the blurring or ghosting that can sometimes be seen on LCD TVs during fast-moving scenes. Since their screens are made of glass, plasma TVs are generally heavier than LCD and LED-LCD TVs, something that can guide TV buying decisions. Plasma TVs aren't as well-suited for brightly lit rooms and suffer from narrower viewing angles than LCD and LED-LCD TV sets. If you plan to sit directly in front of your TV and can avoid unwanted light, plasma TVs offer an overall superior viewing experience.

the Right Screen Size
After determining the most appropriate type of TV display technology, size is the next most important factor to guide TV buyers. While it might seem like a good idea to buy the largest TV you can afford, picking the right size TV is actually vital to your viewing experience.

When buying a TV, base the size of the screen you buy on how far you're planning to sit from the screen most of the time. Generally, a good rule is to divide the seating distance by three to get the minimum screen size you should consider. For example, if you sit 6 feet away (96 inches), the minimum TV size you should consider is 32 inches. The maximum would be 64 inches. Anything larger, and you may get neck and eye strain.

Have Enough Inputs
You'll want to make sure when buying a TV that it has a least one HDMI input--the standard for high-definition video--for each device you plan to connect. You can always buy an HDMI switcher later if you need more inputs, but these are generally expensive and less convenient than simply starting out with as many as you need.

TV Sound
TVs aren't just about watching--you also have to consider the sound. While nearly all TVs come with built-in speakers, it's crucial to decide if they're going to be adequate for your needs. If you have a larger room or if you don't plan to add a dedicated sound system, pay attention to the speaker size and power (rated in watts) in the TV's specifications. For more spacious settings where you think the volume will need to be higher, a rating of 10 watts per speaker or higher should suffice. The larger the speakers and power rating, the more robust their sound will be in your room--a good factor to guide your TV buying.

If you're concerned the TV's sound might not be robust enough but you don't want to spend a ton of cash, you can look into options such as a sound bar speaker. These generally sound much better than built-in TV speakers, while maximizing both space and cost.

Accessing the Internet and Streaming Video: Smart TVs
If you enjoy watching streaming internet video from services like Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, and Hulu on your TV and don't already have a device that supports them--like a game console, Apple TV, or Roku player--a smart TV could be something for you to consider. Smart TVs often let you access services such as Twitter, or do things like check the weather and news without needing a computer. These additional benefits can be great help to guide your TV buying decisions.

Content in Three Dimensions
The final decision you have to make is whether or not the added price of going with a 3D TV is worth it for you. Since this isn't a feature you can add later, you definitely need to spend time considering your needs up front. If you watch a lot of Blu-ray movies and love 3D movies in theaters, or if you think you want to play video games in 3D, it's definitely worth letting 3D capabilities guide your TV buying decision. Just be aware that you'll also need a 3D-capable Blu-ray player and 3D glasses to complete the experience.

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