HOWTO: Buying an HDTV

Nice guide Bob,

One bit that may help protect those of us who have had Giant TVs displaying blured images at 'friends' houses is the resolution vs distance calculation.

The most simple I've found is on -

http://www.finluxdirect.com/customer-service/tv-buying-guide/page/tvbuyingguide

(I have no association with Finlux and they do seem to be more than a little ***ODD***)

The other thing to be alert for are 'weird' screen ratios. I once had the misfortune to buy a HannsG/Hannspree 28" that had a native resolution of 1920x1200 although a standard resolution for computer monitors the idiots had hardware converted it to 1920x1080 which meant that a 'native resolution' was impossible as a monitor and everything displayed was blurred. Great as a TV but useless as a monitor.

BUT what about 3D - my technophobe step-son has bought a giant 3D jobbie (double meaning intended) and swears by it - Is 3D still in the same state as 4k? Does it exist in the real world? Is it the betamax of the 21st century.

All the best and thanks for the info.

Jon

Another informative article Bob. Lots of great points.

OH Matt !! Excellent choice on the Samsung 3D. Samsung electronics are a hot buy currently. DO BUY the 3D glasses and be prepared to "GASP!" watching the Olympics.

You say "contrast ratio" is second importance. How is that listed on sales copy and what would be a high "contrast ratio"? Thanks

We replaced an older tv this summer with a 50" plasma tv because I was tired of having the sides of the picture cut off. But now my husband has a problem with the "full" size picture on the new tv because it widens images and makes faces and bodies look distorted. He prefers the "zoom" mode, which cuts off the picture at the top and bottom, or the 4:3 mode, which cuts off the sides. Our other choice is "Justify," which also stretches the image. Is there any way to see the whole picture without distortion?

Thanks so much, Bob! I am a widow, who always relied on my husband to know about electronics. I don't have an HDTV and since my TV is the old style, sometime the scores of ball games or other onscreen printings do not show completely, which is frustrating. I'm not ready to purchase a new TV while my old one is still working fine, but I found your article to be most helpful in guiding my thinking when I look to purchase a new one.

Great article Bob. Thanks for the info. It will make it easier for me in the near future when I go for my 65" model! However, could use your knowledge on one matter that I have noticed with the TV's. Sound!!! It seems that the many I have looked at have an issue with providing an audio out so you could use a soundbar or sound system. The tv's that I have observed have only one audio out. It is for headphones basically and in many cases of the ones I have tested...well they do not work. Have you noticed this issue or have an awesome solution??

Some stations are still using analog channels and some 3D Tv's don't get them very clear. And stores only show you bluray content on TV's. My Walmart 3D Vizio shows everything Crystal clear. I checked a friends lg and not worth looking at analog...blurry. Bought another vizio 3d 47" for my son.

I am still watching a picture tube and waiting for it to finally die. Still, considering that the flat screen will still go in the same place, the flat screen will not give me any size advantage. It will probably be the same size as the picture tube.

Good report Bob. I'm waiting and saving my dollars for an OLED. If I live long enough.
Have a look:

http://blog.sony.com/press/sony-adds-lightweight-slim-models-to-trimaster-el-professional-oled-line/

Seriously, our Sony 55" SXRD still has the best, sharpest picture of any that my friends or family have purchased. BUT....Sony dropped the technology after the failures of the LCD systems became epidemic. We've had ours for over 7 years and we're beginning to look over the current models. We try to hold down the electric bill so we'll go LED I'm sure. Just a matter of finding the one with the most natural color and best gray scale. No matter what model one buys....getting the best quality picture requires careful adjustments. Too many people just go with the factory default settings and THAT is a real mistake.

Great article & just the facts I needed. I'm in the market right now for another TV. This one will be a smart one. I wasn't sure about the who, what, where, & when's in this "new to me" TV market. Now I feel a bit more qualified to go in search.

Thanks.

We have three LCD sets, having purchased them serially, and usually as refurbs. The first one was new, a 28" Hannspree, that I got for my home office for $280. It's 1080p, 60 hz refresh rate. The second we bought as a MicroCenter return, a 40" Olevia, with a 120 Mhz refresh rate. It cost $240. The third was a Sceptre 32" 60 Mhz refresh rate, from Woot for $200.
The thing about the 120 Mhz refresh rate is everything looks glassy, like it's on videotape. Weird.
I have a mediapc, a blu ray dvd player, an old Panasonic DVR, and a VHS tape player that all hook into a Yamaha stereo receiver, which has HDMI and component inputs, and I only need one HDMI output ($3 cables from Newegg) to connect it to the Hannspree. Oh yes, and cable is FIOS, run through a HDHomerun Prime.

How about a follow up on screen size ans viewing distance? My current LED, and first flat screen, is only 32" and viewed at 8'. I wish I had thought this through and had gotten 36-39".

In looking for an upgrade and new TV, for my Hubby ... I went online at Walmart. Okay, I know ... Walmart??? Yes, Walmart. I had been looking all over online, for prices and found the one, that I knew he would like and feel comfortable with working the remote control.

We already had a 52" Sharp Aquos, for about 3 to 4 years and were exceedly pleased with it's performance and basically, no problems. No, this TV was not a Smart TV, which was just fine with the two of us. So, with that in mind, I started looking around for a "new" LCD HDTV 60". I finally, found a Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV 60", that was NOT a Smart TV ... Just what we both wanted, for $828, plus shipping. I couldn't find this particular model, anywhere else and I was so pleased. In looking at the "newer" Smart TV, in this size range ... I was saving between $400 to $700!!! Now, that is a bargain to me!

The shipping cost was a very reasonable $44.97 and the taxes were the same, had I purchased this in a retail store, for my area. So, for a goodly amount under $1000, I now have a Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV 60", sitting in my Hubby's Man Cave!!! It's a perfect TV size, for this room, the ratio to room size, is just right, so that everyone can see the TV clearly. He LOVES it and is so proud, that I wanted to do this for him.

I have put the older Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV 52", in my Living Room and it fits perfectly, just the "right size" room, for the size of the TV. The original 39" LCD TV in the Living Room, is now in our large Master Bedroom and replaced a 32" HDTV. The larger size TV screen is just right, for our Master Bedroom.

I am so pleased, that I went this route to purchase a new TV for my dear Hubby. The freight company, Pilot Air Freight that shipped this TV, was wonderful. They called us, to make sure what time we would be available, to have the TV delivered to our home. Then, the men actually, put the package inside our home, in the room it was going to be in. I was duly impressed. Of course, Hubby's Man Cave is the first room, off the carport, so the delivery was easy ... But, my point is ... They physically took the BIG package inside the house!!! I would certainly do this method of purchasing, all over again!!!

I have been a supporter of Online Purchasing for years now and still, support the concept. Purchasing Online saves me money, so many times over ... My time is just as valuable, as anyone else's and the savings in gas, is wonderful. As the old Yellow Pages ad use to say ... "Let your fingers, do the walking."

Thanks for the info. I wonder why you suggest not to buy off brands - I have been doing that all my life having the philosophy that they try harder and are often actually manufactured by one of the big companies., A 77 year old widow who will be purchasing a new TV soon. Thanks.

I don't understand why plasma is being phased out? I think it is the best format for viewing, especially sports. The only other one I would consider would be the UHD, but as you said no one is broadcasting anything in UHD yet. Do I have to start buying standby plasmas now or can I wait until they start broadcasting in UHD?

You forgot to mention the power consumption differences between the different types of TV's. LED is by far the cheapest to run Plasma uses as much power as the old CRTs.

EDITOR'S NOTE: UPDATE: When I first published this article, I decided not to dwell on the purported energy saving features of LEDs versus plasma. Here's why... you will probably spend MORE in the long run with LED! Plasma sets have advanced when it comes to lowering power consumption. And the extra cost of the LED set (an average of $300 - $350) will probably FAR outweigh the pennies you save in electricity costs.

See this excellent calculator, which shows the expected electrical usage for LED and plasma TVs. Bottom line, you'll save MAYBE $10/year in electricity, but it'll take at least 30 years to break even! (In my case, the savings would only be $4/year.)

http://www.rtings.com/info/lcd-vs-led-vs-plasma/power-consumption-and-electricity-cost

What about projection TV? Excellent specs and lowest cost in terms of $ per inch.

I heard on a radio tech program (Kim Komando) that it could be possible for smart tv's to get viruses or possibly (?)keep track of what you watch. Big Brother.

sometime ago i saw that the highest tv ever rated by the most competent tv reviewer in the industry (i think he represents cnet) was for a panasonic model..

I must make at least a few comments here, Mr. Rankin:
[I should preface my comments with the facts that I am a die-hard Plasma fan, I love audio, I also hate 3D TVs and detest complexities of proper surround sound]
1) You state "LCD was the standard in HD television sets for quite a few years, but it's starting to become obsolete": This may be confusing starting point of your initial paragraphs, as all non-Plasma TVs still rely on the LCD technology with the only difference being that the backlighting have changed from florescent lighting to LED lighting. So, this is another confusing point for the uninitiated consumer.
2) It should also be mentioned that there are different varieties and technologies that are used for LED backlighting of LCD TVs.
3) Another very reputable brand that you forgot to mention is Vizio LCD TVs that get very good reports and Costco has always made them available for sale, even when they were a small start-up out of SoCal.
4) Vizio and Philips are the first 2 companies that make LCD (yes, with LED Backlighting) TV models that are "Cinema View" format of 21:9 (rather than the current standard 16:9).
5) If I may make a prediction, the OLED technology TVs (coupled with 4K resolution) will probably reach "economy of scales" within the next 3 years and the OLED TV prices will be way below the current Samsung/LG models being advertised for $9k/$15k (respectively) [ 6) You mention 60Hz/120Hz/240Hz refresh rates for LCD TVs, yet you forgot to state that the inherent refresh rates for Plasma TVs are above 600Hz (no motion blur for fast moving sports and action movies).
7) The most forgotten variable during a TV purchase is NOT the size ("Bigger=Better") nor is the 2nd most important factor the contrast ratio. The MOST important part after Video quality is Audio. By stepping down one (or two) size level and w/these savings, purchasing proper stand-alone Speakers+Receiver (for SOUND quality) is a wiser investment. It is impossible to get the proper audio/sound characteristics (as intended) from metal/buzzy sounding small speakers that are in the rear of most all TVs. Just like you should not listen to a live symphony orchestra sitting with your back to the stage...
8) Caveat Emptor. Since the availability of non-CRT TVs, the manufacturers, the stores and even ConsumerReports fell for the hysteria and pushed LCD TVs with excuses of "power consumption" and "image retention" practically killing ALL of the advantages of Plasma TV. Finally about 3 years ago, ConsumerReports had a change of heart and now recommend plasma TVs, instead. And they are usually cheaper in price, hence the reason for Panasonic folding their Plasma manufacturing in April 2014(can't make a profit).
9) For years, the electronic stores (especially BestBuys) would intentionally set their LCD TV for super high intensity to fool consumers how great an LCD TV was (since they make more profit on LCDs). Just like 'bigger is NOT better'; color (gamut) accuracy and (dark) black levels (of Plasma TVs) cannot be achieved by LCDs.
10) Specifications and accuracy wise, the Panasonic ZT series of Plasma TVs cannot be technically achieved by another other manufacturer/brand nor model currently available (excluding very pricey OLEDs).
I must apologize for disagreeing with you on so many levels but I strongly feel these above points are important for us 'consumers'.