Follow the tips below that will help you choose the ideal HDTV for your cash. In our tests, Samsung HDTVs were the best bet for reliability, picture/sound quality and features.
If you’re buying a new HDTV, you are doing it at a great time. There’s an amazing number of options at a low price nowadays. You need to keep a few things in mind when you go shopping.
First, make sure you pick the right size for your room. Many people usually tend to purchase a TV that is too large for their room. For many typical family rooms, a 50-55” TV is plenty. Naturally, you do not want to get too small either, or you’ll wind up shopping again too soon!
Second, the black performance of your HDTV is essential if you want to get the best quality of picture. The truer the black images are on an HDTV, the better.
Third, try to test the TV in the store when possible. Bring a Blu-Ray disc along with you to test out each TV with the same program. In addition, you can get test discs that will run your HDTV through several tests to find out what’s good about the TV and not so good. Also, you should bring a program on disc with you with plenty of dark scenes. Additionally, check for how regular, non-HD programming shows on your TV. This is important, since not all channels are HD yet.
Fourth, don’t be concerned about Internet features too much on your HDTV. You can find a lot of video streaming options with Roku than you can find usually with the TV’s Internet line up. Save your money.
Fifth, make sure you have enough connections. A very good HDTV should have five or more HDMI connections as of 2011.
Sixth, do not buy high priced cables at the store. In our tests, a $15 cable bought online works as well as a $110 cable from the store.
Seventh, don’t get swept away by the first TV you look at. Nearly all HDTVs look amazing in the store, and it is easy to set your heart on one too quickly. Spend some time test driving your future set. Is the remote control simple to operate? Does it include illuminated buttons? Will it easily control your other electronic devices? Is the sound quality of the TV good (this is one area where manufacturers skimp).
In our personal tests, we have generally liked Samsung HDTVs the best of all the competition. For example, the Samsung LNT4642H 46” has very high image quality and great sound, and a lot of connections for all your devices. We find this TV to be possibly the best buys on the market. Another is the huge FPT6374 63” Flat Panel. This is a fantastic TV for your surround sound theater, and is a top performer in its price range.