By Paul Gallen

KIND OF TVs

There are four main kinds of TVs on the market. The first is the traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) rear projection TV. These TVs are heavy and cumbersome and the picture quality is not great. However, if you are in the market for a bargain, you may be able to find a cheap TV if you settle on this type.

The second kind of TV is plasma. The picture quality of plasma TVs is top notch. They come in many different sizes and with different HD picture qualities (720p or 1080p). Plasma TVs are best for occasional viewing of movies and TV, especially in low lighting. This kind of TV can really give a cinematic experience. On the other hand, plasma TVs are not great for video games or any extended use. (They should not be left on for long periods of time.)

The third type is LCD (liquid crystal display). These also come in a wide variety of sizes and picture qualities. If you are in the market for a smaller TV, say around 20″, you will be looking for LCD TVs as there are few plasmas of this size. They are great for any kind of viewing, including video games and extended play. With this flexibility comes the sacrifice of the plasma TV’s extraordinary viewing experience. LCD TV DVD viewing may suffer here, but many people may not notice the difference anyway.

The final type is the rear project LCD/DLP (digital light processing). These TVs are larger in width and weight than other TVs, and usually only come in sizes larger than 38 inches. These TVs are basically in between CRT and flat-screen LCD TVs in their bulkiness; they cannot be hung on a wall. They are like regular LCD TVs in that they can be used constantly and in their picture quality.

MEASURING YOUR HOME Once you’ve decided what type of TV you want, you need to figure out where it will go in your house. Will you hang it on a wall or put it on a stand? How far away will people be sitting from your TV? You will need to sort out and record these details, with any appropriate measurements of viewing distance, before you go to the store.

QUALITY OF PICTURE What kind of viewing will you be doing on your TV? If you will be viewing HD TV or Blu-ray movies, you will want to maximize the quality of the picture. There are two main classes of HD picture quality: 720p and 1080p. If you want to truly get the most out of your HD, you will need to get a 1080p TV. If you don’t particularly care, or if you need a smaller TV, you may be able to get some great TV deals on a 720p.

SHOP AROUND Decide on a few brands that you like. Shop at different stores (and online) to find the best TV deals you can. Cheap televisions go on sale all the time, so sometimes timing is everything when buying a new TV.

About the Author

Paul can help you with all your TV and gadget needs, including where to find the best cheap TV, cheap televisions and TV deals and how to get the best out of your LCD TV DVD.

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