On Bestbuy.com, for example, there are dozens, if not hundreds of choices listed. It can definitely get confusing, no pun intended. The most confusing aspect to the consumer, is what exactly makes a high definition TV better than a regular TV?
Read on for a guide on how to make sense of it all.
The Basics
There are three factors in choosing an HDTV: what type, what size, and what are you going to watch on it.
The single best thing about an HDTV is that you don't have to shell out major bucks to have a viewing experience that is noticeably better than a regular television.
Without getting too technical, the difference between a High-Definition TV and a regular TV is like the first time you listened to your beloved album on a CD after you had listened to it on a cassette tape. It's all digital.
An HDTV can receive a much more dense and data-rich signal than a regular TV can. As a result, an HDTV will offer you a fuller and richer viewing experience than ever before.
The Three Flavors of HDTV
High Definition TV's come in three technology flavors: Plasma, LED, and LCD. Plasma TV's are the most expensive, while LCD's are the cheapest. All three offer a similar viewing experience.
Also factoring in is the resolution. HDTV's currently have two types of resolutions available, 1080p being the highest, and 720p. Again, without getting too technical, the resolution of an HDTV refers to how much detail you will see on the screen. However, it is important to note that consumers have not noted a discernable difference between a 720p and a 1080p TV in surveys, according to Cnet.com's reviewer David Carnoy. As a result, if you want to show off your new HD TV to your neighbors, only you will know if its a 720p or 1080. The difference is in price.
Size Doesn't Matter in HDTV
The second factor in deciding which TV to buy is size. High Definition TV's come in sizes ranging from 19 inches all the way up to 60". The size of a TV's screen is measured diagonally.
Of course, the bigger the screen, the more you are going to pay for it. But a bigger screen isnt always better. No matter what size your screen is, the image will fill the entire screen, corner to corner, unlike a regular TV. So no matter what size of screen you buy, you will still enjoy a high definition experience.
What To Watch
The third but less important choice than size and resolution is what to watch on your new HDTV. Fortunately there are more and more channels on cable that broadcast in HD, particularly the broadcast networks. Your favorite TV shows will look better than ever. Imagine being able to count a woman's eyelashes, for example, or see the fine lines on her lips.
You may also want to fork over a little extra to get an HD upgrade, if its available from your local cable company.
The Bottom Line
If you're new to HD, the choices available to you can be bewildering, if not confusing. But remembering these basics can help you navigate the waters.
Jon Bradbury - Hello! My name is Jon Bradbury. I am a 7-time electronically published writer, in the urban romance market, published with 3 different ...
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