How to Choose Which HDTV to Buy?

When in the market for buying a high definition TV what size screen size are you going to purchase? What are the factors that you base your decisions on? For most people it will probably be a case of buying the biggest and best value set that their budget allows. However a little more thought should be given to the subject in order to get the best value from your purchase and to make the most of your full HD TV viewing experience.

The primary thing that you should consider when making your purchase is your viewing position in relation to the television. Because the resolution of high definition sets are higher than old style standard definition 4:3 ratio televisions you can sit a lot closer to them. So if you are upgrading from an older standard definition television you may want to re-arrange you viewing area to be more suitable for a high definition television.

As recommended by the television industry, the guideline for ideal range of viewing distance from the television should be worked out by multiplying the screen size by 1.5 to 2.5. For example for a 42 inch hd tv the viewing distance works out at between 1.5 to 2.7 meters. Other factors to take into consideration are firstly the viewers eyes should by approximately at the same height with the centre of the screen and also the viewing angle should not exceed approx 45 degrees from viewing the television ‘square on’.

So taking all this into consideration, is a 42 inch hd TV suitable for the viewing scenario? Even if it fits the bill with the above guidelines there is one final thought, will the TV look aesthetically suitable in the room it will be situated. A large screen size can overwhelm a smaller room and rather than impress the viewer can be uncomfortable to watch for long periods of time.

After deciding upon screen size the next decision you will have to make is to decide what type of high definition television you require. What do i mean by this is - well you have a choice of technologies there is the full HD LCD TV, plasma HD TV or LED TV. Each type has different characteristics some of which may be more beneficial in certain circumstances than others.

The characteristics of these different type of televisions can be summarized.

LCD Full HD TVs are lightweight (compared to plasmas), they come in a large range of sizes and prices to suit most scenarios and budgets. They produce high contrast images. They are the most popular type and so there is a vast choice.

LED TVs are a variation of LCDs and have improved pictures quality (enhanced colours and contrast), they are also more energy efficient, price-wise they come at a slight premium.

Plasmas HD TVs are at the higher end of the market, they come in very large screen sizes and have better picture quality with better colour reproduction and saturation. This means they are generally speaking the most expensive option.

When it comes to buying a new HD Television there’s a lot more to consider than just size and price. When you’ve decided upon the most suitable size for the situation, it might be worthwhile reading reviews for models which fit these requirements and meet your budget. Then with a range of possible models in mind get down to the nearest television showroom and take a look at the possibilities with your own eyes before making the final decision of what Full HD TV to buy.