Best HDTV | How To Compare HDTV Televisions

With the advent of the High Definition television broadcast format, more and more people are now enjoying the wonderment of “high def” television. As with any technological advance, the consumer is left wondering what to buy and what to look for when buying. HDTV televisions are no different. To this end we have developed a guide to help you compare HDTV televisions so that you will be able to make the most informed choice possible when selecting your own HDTV television.

How To Compare HDTV Televisions

The first thing you need to be aware of is that not all HDTV televisions are the same. Each comes with a variety of different setups (more HDMI ports, etc…) but the biggest difference between the different HDTV models is the type of screen that is used. HDTV televisions come in the form of LCD HDTV (Liquid Crystal HDTV), Plasma HDTV and Rear Projection HDTV. There is a fourth type of HDTV which is CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). While CRT is the best picture of any of the others, the size of the television that is required to fit all of the components in order to make a large screen is ridiculously large. Coupled with that are the intense heat it produces as well as the increased energy costs associated with CRT technology. So when talking about HDTV televisions, CRT is usually an afterthought. We’ll go through each type and talk a bit about them to give you an overview.

Rear Projection HDTV

Rear projection HDTV technology offers some of the lowest cost HDTV models available. Sometimes the savings could be 1/3 to 1/2 of other manufacturers and models of the same screen size. But this cost savings comes at a price. Picture quality is about average and the lamps required to run the projection typically don’t last as long as the others. And additional drawback is that rear projection HDTV televisions also take up a lot of space relative to Plasma HDTV and LCD HDTV sets.

Plasma HDTV

Some of the largest screen s in the HDTV world belong to Plasma HDTV televisions. The plasma technology allows for larger screens than their counterparts. In addition to winning the size battle, Plasma HDTV also boasts the best color in the class. No other type of HDTV can come close in the amount of colors that is displayed on screen. The drawback to Plasma televisions is that they are fragile and that some of the largest screens are more expensive than their rear projection hdtv counterparts. The biggest drawback is that while they have the best color, the screens begin to dim as the Plasma gets older. So, this must be taken into account before purchasing.

LCD HDTV

Even though it is the most expensive, the most common HDTV on the market today is the LCD HDTV. This type of HDTV television appeals to consumers due to its good performance, coupled with its light weight. The LCD HDTV is the thinnest HDTV you can buy and is perfect if you want to mount your HD TV on a wall in your entertainment room. The screen sizes do not get as large as their Plasma HDTV cousin however so bear this in mind if you are looking for a very large screen size.

Now that we know what type of HDTV we’re looking for, lets look at the peripherals and the individual things that will compare HDTV models from another. This way we can be sure we get the best HDTV for us.

HDTV Resolution

We go into more detail about the resolution in other articles, but the only thing you need to know at the outset is that HDTV comes in only two (technically three) resolutions. 720 and 1080. The resolutions you will see are 720p or you will see 1080i or 1080p. HDTV models that are 720p or 1080i are the most common, but the best visuals come from the 1080p format.

HDMI Cables

One of the lesser known things about HDTV televisions is the HDMI interface. HDMI allows you to run both audio and video into your HDTV with one single HDMI cable. HDMI cables are usually sold separately (though most manufacturers throw in a free HDMI cable as a freebie).  With HDMI inputs, the more the merrier!

HDTV Screen Size

No other aspect of HDTV invokes more thought and deliberation than “how big of a screen do you want”? If your HDTV television is going to be more than 9 or 10 feet away from where you are sitting, then you will need to have a screen that is 42 inches or larger. For each few feet after that, and you will need to expand to the next size up. Remember that Plasma HDTV is the largest so if you have a large space between the HD TV and the couch, you will want to go plasma.

These are some of the things you need to consider when you compare hdtv televisions. Make sure you know what size room it will go in and whether you will mount it on a wall or leave it on a tv cabinet or on the floor. Once you have decided on the type of HDTV television to get, you best bet is to do some research online. Finding the right model will take a bit of doing, but usually you will find the best selection and best prices if you buy online vs. buying in a brick and mortar shop.

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