A Flat Screen Best Buy - Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Screen

For sure, last year's models will be outperformed by the latest series for Plasma TVs and LCDs. The TV technology is improving incredibly fast and TV units are getting sleeker, more sophisticated, and further advanced.

The beauty of these new TV technologies is that they take less space and looks great at any home. Just recently, LCDs have made their screen size larger to compete with the Plasma TVs. And because sizes have increased, the prices increased as well. But the most common flat screen TV is still a 32 inch LCD.

So how do you know if the set you are eying on is the perfect TV for you? Here's how.

Tip 1. Identify the size you want and know if it will fit the TV area in your room. Measure the space where your TV will go. Would you like to place in on top of a cabinet or a stand or mount it on the wall? This is very important. Because for sure, when you see the biggest screen in the shop, you'll definitely want it.

Tip 2. Set and stick with your budget. Trust me, you will get carried away. So now that you know how easy it is to be tempted, set a budget and be firm with it. You wouldn't want a day ending with an extremely impressive and huge television, an empty pocket, and a regret right?

Tip 3. Remember to be patient when you shop around. You have all the time in the world. Take your time when shopping so you can be sure that what you're getting is what you truly desire. You may also want to wait for a while for discounts and bargain deals. Wait a little longer until the price drops according to your budget.

Tip 4. List down the things you need to look for. Create a checklist so you will not forget anything when you shop. List the key features that you want. You may also use the checklist in comparing different models and brands.

Tip 5. Trust your instincts. After you have set your budget, identified the size, and listed down the features you want your LCD to have, you may now trust your eyes, and your ears as well. Just go for the one that you like best. If you are using your own money, and you will use the TV personally, then you have all the power to decide which TV appeals most to you. The one with the best sound, best structure, and best picture, according to your taste, is the one that you like best.

Plasma, LCD, Or LED - Which Flat Screen Television is Right For You?

When shopping for a big screen television, the number of choices can be overwhelming at first. The three main types of televisions you will find when shopping are plasma, LCD, and LED. In this article I will go over the differences between these three main types, as well as the pros and cons of each.

Plasma Pros and Cons

A popular choice for video gamers and sports fans, plasma televisions have several advantages over their LCD and LED cousins. One major benefit of plasma televisions is their very high refresh rates and fast response times. This virtually eliminates motion blur, making it the better choice if you will be using the television to enjoy content with significant amounts of rapid motion (such as the aforementioned video games and sporting events).

Another advantage of plasma televisions is more accurate color reproduction and fidelity; on most LCD screens the color black looks closer to dark gray.

The third and final main advantage of plasma televisions is price. At sizes of 42 inches and above, plasma televisions are generally cheaper than LCD and LED sets.

Now for the cons: plasma sets are typically heavier than comparable LCD and LED televisions, use more power, and rarely come in sizes under 42 inches.

LCD Pros and Cons

LCD televisions do have some definite drawbacks, yet they are still an attractive option for many shoppers. They come in many different sizes and price ranges, with the sets under 42 inches being affordable for many people. The lighter weight and less power usage compared to plasma televisions are also desirable selling points for some shoppers.

The cons of LCD televisions, as mentioned earlier, can be deal-breakers for the more discerning shopper. The lower color accuracy and low refresh rate can seriously hamper one's enjoyment of many types of different media. If you are planning on using your television for predominantly fast moving media and are looking at purchasing an LCD set, make sure to buy one with a refresh rate higher than 60 Hz.

LED Pros and Cons

LED televisions are similar to LCD televisions except that they use an LED backlight instead of a fluorescent lamp. This eliminates most of the drawbacks of typical LCD televisions and allows the manufacturers to make the sets extremely slim. The major drawback is price - since it is a newer technology, LED televisions are very expensive.

The Bottom Line

When looking for the best combination of performance and value in a big screen television, plasma is the best choice. Once LED sets come down in price they will be a very viable alternative, but at this time plasma is king.