Information & Buying Tips for Choosing Your HDTV

There is a lot to choose from when it comes to picking out an HDTV.  The following are types of HDTV Sets on the market today:

• The Direct View Set:  This set resembles your traditional television CRT set that is not rear- or front-projection.  Traditionally, these televisions are smaller, and may or may not have the 16:9 aspect ration that you usually find with an HDTV set  (traditional CRT sets have the 4:3 aspect ratio).
• Rear Projection Set:  A rear projection set typically offers much larger sizes that a typical CRT set would and allows for a good balance between size and picture quality.  Many are available in the 16:9 ratio and are low-cost options for a good HD quality image.
• LCD Sets:  If you are more concerned with picture quality than budget, an LCD set is a good option.  These sleek sets are the lightest weight of all the options, and tend to be more durable than Plasma screens.  They also are less likely to experience the phenomenon known as burn-in where if a static image stays too long on the screen, it will "burn" itself into the screen.
• Plasma Sets:  Plasma sets are great for a lot of different lighting schemas.  They are also good from many angles.  These sleek, thin sets also provide great picture quality in very large sizes.

Here are some items to consider when discussing your options with your HDTV sales associate:

1. 1080i vs. 720P:  1080i has the highest resolution available today.  This means that over time as programming and content is produced in higher resolutions, this television will be able to bring out the best possible resolution.  The "i" stands for interlaced scanning, which means that it uses two separate passes to display odd, then even horizontal lines of resolution.  720P technology is progressive scan technology, and although there are only 720 lines or resolution vs. 1080, the progressive scan technology usually is ideal for fast motion images such as sports action.
   
2. Distance:  Measure out how far you will typically be sitting away from the television during normal viewing.  There are different sets that look better from different distances, and your sales associate should be able to direct you for the best set for your viewing distance.
   
3. Lighting:  Different types of sets reflect light differently and there are large differences between what sets look best with large amounts of ambient light versus those that look best in low light. 
   
4. Sound:  Many people may not notice the difference, but for true home theatre junkies, it may be important to identify what sound your HDTV is equipped with.  Many sets come with Dolby Digital sound, but not all, so again, ask your sales associate.