by Thomas C. Snide, President
TCS Software, Inc.

I recently discovered that several TCS staff members (including myself) are contemplating a new television purchase over the holidays.

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, I thought we’d share our research notes and tips with you – in the event that you're in the market too!

For starters, here are some general thoughts:

• New, flat panel TVs won’t look great without high definition (HD) channels running through them.
• HD, although it’s built into the new TV you may be purchasing, is not entirely free. Local HD channels are broadcast over the air for free.  But in order to receive HD channels from your cable or satellite service provider, you must pay a monthly fee to rent an electronic box needed to view the channels in HD. (There is no such thing as an “HD antenna.”)
• DVD movies will appear grainy unless you purchase a DVD (or Blu-ray™) player that can “upconvert” your standard definition DVDs to near-HD quality.
• Blu-ray™ discs are high-definition.
• As the price of Blu-ray™ players has come down, you may want to consider one with your new TV purchase. Blu-ray™ players will not only “upconvert” DVDs, but you will be amazed at the picture quality of Blu-ray™ discs!
• Sports broadcast in HD are extraordinarily crisp images. You will be able to see the dimples on a golf ball and the sweat flying from your favorite basketball players.
• Don’t forget about sound.  The saying ‘nothing kills a great video like poor audio’ applies to your new television purchase too.  I don’t cover sound options in this article, but don’t forget to factor in the audio quality of your set or of your external sound system.
• HDMI cables are needed between your new HDTV and the source (Blu-ray player, game console, etc.) for the best image quality.  They're designed to handle the high-def signal.  But note that the $89 HDMI isn't any better than the $29.95 one.
• There are posted warnings of health risks associated with watching 3D images.  More specifically, children under five should not watch 3D as studies have linked it to impairment of vision development.
  
  

What TV Technology Is Best – Plasma, LED, or LCD?

Here’s a quick summary of all three technologies:

• Plasma TV screens are made up of tiny gas plasma cells that are charged with electricity to create a picture. They are able to display bright and dark areas in the picture very accurately.  Plasma sets typically have a wider viewing angle compared to others.  This is something to keep in mind if you have a large room with viewers watching at a far left or right angle.  (Although check the specs carefully, because newer LCD/LED models also offer a wide viewing angle too.)
  
  Historically, plasma screens had two key drawbacks.  One was their huge energy requirement.  The other was that the pixels tended to burn out after 5-7 years. Recent innovations, however, have addressed those issues.  But the remaining question is: will plasma sets be around for much longer, now that LED and LCD screens are on the market? Recent price reductions may indicate otherwise. So, if plasma is your final choice, you should be able to find a great price.

• LCD (liquid crystal display) screen TVs are made up of liquid crystals sandwiched between two glass plates. LCD TVs used to be priced way below plasma sets.  But improvements in screen image and energy consumption have boosted demand and prices for these models. Older LCD models had a tendency to blur images, particularly during fast-moving scenes in movies or in sports. Newer generation LCDs have greatly reduced this effect. Viewing angles of some sets are another thing to watch for.  If you sit at too far to the left or right of the screen, you may begin to see brightness or color shift.

• LED (light-emitting diode) TVs are made of the similar technology found in the first electronic calculators of the 1970s.  The difference is that now those same LEDs can be made in nearly microscopic size.  Best of all, LEDs require very little energy to operate.  (Example: LED street lighting requires 1% of the energy used by traditional lights.)  There are two types of LED television sets: direct and edge-lit. Direct backlighting means that the lights are mounted behind the LCD panel, while edge-lighting uses a series of LEDs along the edge of the screen. Most thin LCDs on the market use edge-lighting, though direct lighting is arguably produces a better picture quality.  LED sets use the least amount of energy and are the thinnest and lightest you can find.

     
Which Should I Choose?

When it comes to purchasing a big-ticket item, if you’re like me, you prefer to do research before you set a foot in the store.  Check out the following websites to begin comparison shopping and to narrow down your selection.  Then head into the brick-and-mortar store armed with a basic understanding of the available models and features that are most important to you.

• Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com)

Tip:  After you choose the TV type (plasma, LED, LCD, 3D, Smart TV, etc.), and select the brand, you can choose up to four sets and click a “Compare” button that automatically lists a column of TV specification comparables for you! Read other consumer reviews, as listed. Best Buy is currently offering FREE delivery to your home on anything purchased, or free in-store pick-up if you need your TV the same day! BestBuy also has a handy 'Television Finder' utility on their website that helps you narrow down your selection and then compare specs.

• Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/)

Tip: Amazon has over 167,000 TV listings from TVs to TV accessories. You can buy new and used TVs. The great thing about Amazon is that they provide a multitude of vendors for the same item, so you can price shop using one website. Their search engine is extremely effective. There are often other education blogs about electronics. Amazon has many holiday delivery options as well.

• Wal-mart (http://www.walmart.com/)

Tip: Wal-mart has free shipping for orders over $45, during the holiday shopping period. Sometimes, Wal-mart carries their own store brand (often produced by a well-known vendor), at a price well below the comparable price of a TV found in a big box store. Also, watch for online specials at Wal-mart, as well as their “Value of the Day.”

• Sears  (www.sears.com)

Tip: Sears is a great stand-by for comparison shopping of any kind. You can click to read your “local ads” online, too. They also have a “TV MatchMaker” feature that permits you to key in the ‘features’ you are looking for in a TV, and Sears will sort and provide you with several to choose from, in essence, removing the time it takes to shop! Take advantage of their FREE shipping on orders of $99 or more, as well as in-store delivery.

The Fun Stuff… If You’ve Got Some Extra Cash:

• 3D TV versus buying a larger TV
  
  Consider that 3D TV for the general consumer is a relatively new technology, so it is costly as a first generation standing. There are awkward glasses required (some need batteries – another cost!), and 3D movies/broadcast shows are viewed at their best on very large TVs.  If you spend the money on 3D, be sure that you purchase one with a large screen so you can experience the full effect.
  
  To add even more costs, remember, even though you see that some sports channels, for example, are broadcast in 3D, you must pay (your cable or satellite provider) to “receive” this option . Further costs continue with movies: You will need to upgrade to a Blu-ray™ 3D player. At this point, you may want to consider that 3D TV is very new technology, and, as we’ve seen before, after the first round or so of any new technology is released, all the quirks must first be ironed out (and sometimes…the early-adopter “buyers” are the guinea pigs for this).

• What about a Smart TV?
  
  A Smart TV is also sometimes referred to as "Connected TV" or "Hybrid TV." Essentially a 'smart' device is one that connects to your home wireless network without any other device.  This allows you to have Internet-based services on your television set.  For example, you can stream shows on NetFlix directly to your set.

Good luck with your shopping.  We hope that these tips help out and that you're able to 'score' the Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal you're looking for!

• www.techradar.com
• www.cnet.com (2011 gift guide – see TV reviews)
• http://www.squidoo.com/lcd-televisions
• http://www.consumerreports.org (must have a subscription)