LCD TV Checklist: Are you Prepared?
by: Tim Jeffries
LCD flat screen TVs provide a superior picture as compared to
a
traditional television - and they can come in more attractive styles to
boot. A flat screen LCD TV can be mounted on a wall, under a cabinet,
on the ceiling… or can sit on a stand or on top of
furniture. LCD TVs
are versatile, flexible, and provide a better entertainment
experience…
but how do they work?
LCD flat screen TVs, and LCD technology itself, is based on
the
properties of polarized light. LCD TVs consist of two, perpendicularly
arranged panes of polarized glass "stuck together" by a
liquid-crystal-filled polymer solution. When they are exposed to
electrical currents, the crystals untwist to varying degrees,
permitting specific amounts and colors of light to pass though them.
Flat screen LCD TVs are, in effect, projection TVs that depend on an
extremely bright lamp as their light source, so they're considered a
"passive" display.
So how do you choose the right flat panel LCD TV for you? You
should at least consider the following factors when shopping for a flat
panel LCD TV.
1. Look for a HDMI input. This port keeps the signal
all-digital, avoiding degradation that can occur as the signal passes
through other components (like your cable box). HMDI carries
high-definition audio as well as video. Some satellite receivers and
DVD players also connect through this port.
2. Match the LCD TV size to the size of the room where it will
be placed. Because LCD TVs have higher resolutions than conventional
TVs, you can sit closer than you normally would, so you can view a
larger screen comfortably. (Keep in mind a 42-inch screen may overwhelm
a small room, though.)
3. Decide if you want the picture-in-picture feature. The
picture in picture feature allows you to simultaneously view two video
sources at once, with one appearing as a small window on the screen. If
you do want picture-in-picture in your flat panel LCD TV, keep in mind
that single-tuner picture-in-picture lets you watch TV in one window
and another source (like a DVD) in the second window. A flat panel LCD
TV with two tuners lets you watch two television sources at once.
4. Do you need HDTV? A flat panel LCD TV with EDTV is cheaper,
but it can't display high-definition signals. The price difference
between smaller flat panel HD-ready LCDs and ED-ready LCDs is fairly
low, so you're better off buying a HD-ready set. In fact, most experts
say there's little reason to buy a non-HD LCD television. These lower
resolution LCD TVs won't be able to accept high-definition signals, so
the picture won't look any better than regular analog TV. And small
HD-ready LCD TVs can be found for $500 or less, which is cheap enough
that there really isn't much to "save" on a non-HD LCD TV.
5. Check to see if the TV comes with a stand or mounting
hardware. Most flat panel LCD TVs come with a basic table stand, but
wall-mounting hardware costs an additional $100 to $200.
6. Look into the manufacturer's warranty policy before buying
online. Some manufacturers have strict policies regarding authorized
dealers. If you buy a Sharp LCD Television, for example, from an
unauthorized dealer, Sharp may not offer warranty coverage. (However,
the retailer may offer a substitute warranty that sufficiently covers
you.) The difference in price between an authorized Sharp dealer and a
discounter can sometimes be hundreds of dollars, so make sure you're
comfortable with the risk of not having a warranty, or make sure you
ask the dealer for information about their warranty terms for the flat
panel LCD TV you're considering.
7. Finally, learn about LCD TVs. There are far more things to
learn about LCD TVs than the above mentioned points. Get educated on
how to buy an LCD TV.
About The Author
Tim Jeffries is author of “The LCD TV Shopping
Guide.” Get your copy at http://www.llcdtv.com. |
