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HDTVs Which to buy…

by Retired: Community Builder Retired: Community Builder on 02-10-2010 04:19 PM - last edited on 02-10-2010 04:25 PM

 

 

If you are looking to buy a new TV you might have a lot of questions. The technology used in TVs is changing all the time. This has created some new questions that people have started asking. I am going to do my best to help answer these.

 

What type should I buy: LCD, Plasma, or LED?

This question does not have a clear answer because there are many things to take into consideration. The TV that will work best for you will depend on where you are going to put the TV and the environmental factors in your room.

 

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) –TVs work great in rooms with a lot of light. These TVs also come in the greatest range of sizes from little 7” portable models to 65” home theater giants. LCD TVs are also more energy efficient than comparable plasma models. 

 

Plasma – Unlike LCD TVs, plasmas work best in dark or dimly lit rooms. They are also known to produce the darkest and deepest blacks and the most vibrant colors. Plasma TVs are great for sports, action movies and video games due to the high refresh rate. 

 

LED (Light-Emitting Diode) – Sometimes referred to as LED-LCD, LED TVs are LCD TVs that have LED set up as the backlight for the TV. These TVs work well in any lighting and also have blacks and colors that are comparable to plasma TVs. Due to the fact that LEDs are so small many of these TVs are thinner than regular LCD models.

 

What size TV do I need?

First I would like to address the difference between tube TVs and new HDTVs. Tube TVs use a 4:3 aspect ratio and HDTVs use a 16:9 aspect ratio. Aspect ratio is the number of units of width vs. height, so a 16:9 screen is 16 units wide and 9 units tall.  For example, older TV programs that are in “standard format” are in 4:3 ratio.  Shows currently being broadcast in “widescreen” format are 16:9.

 

If you are switching from a tube TV to a new HDTV then you are in for a big and exciting change. If you were to take the same size HDTV as the tube TV you had it will seem much smaller. Since HDTVs are widescreen they are not as tall as a comparable sized tube TV. The general rule is that if you are replacing a tube TV then you can get an HDTV that is about 25% larger, e.g. if you’re replacing a 27” tube TV, a 37” HDTV would be the most comparable. 

 

If you are not sure what size TV you need for your room you can measure the distance from where you will be sitting to where you will have the TV. You can then take this number and divide it by 2 or 3. This is the approximate size of the TV that will be best for viewing in the space allowed. 

 

1080p or 720p?

These numbers refer to the number of vertical lines in the TV display. So a 720p TV has 720 vertical lines of resolution and a 1080p TV has 1,080. When trying to pick which is best for you think of what you will be using the TV for. If you are planning on watching content that is in 1080p like Blu-Ray movies then you might want to purchase a 1080p TV. If you are planning on just watching TV and regular DVDs then a 720p TV might work for you.

 

Refresh Rate

This refers to the number of times per second that a TV screen image is rebuilt. So, a TV with 60Hz refresh rate means that the picture will be rebuilt 60 times per second. TVs with a higher refresh rate generally have a smoother picture. This is best for Sports, action movies, and video games. 

 

Connections… So many options…

There are many options when it comes to connecting other devices to your TV. These are some of the most common ones and what they are used for.

 

• HDMI - Highest-quality all-digital A/V connections currently available. HDMI connections deliver audio and video signals using a single cable for simple home theater setup, and all HDMI connections support HDCP to allow the transmission of copy-protected high-definition content.

 

• DVI - All-digital connections that carry high-resolution video signals from a source (such as a set-top box or a DVD player) to an HDTV or HD monitor. Some DVI connections support HDCP to allow the transmission of copy-protected high-definition content.

 

• Component Video - Connections that deliver video signals in 3 separate parts for enhanced color purity, detail and clarity. Component video connections deliver better picture quality than any other type of analog connection (RF, composite video and S-video) and are the only analog connections that support high-definition signals.

 

• Composite Video - Standard video connections that deliver brightness and color information together. Composite video connections provide better picture quality than RF connections but not as good as S-video, component video, DVI and HDMI connections.

 

• VGA - Inputs that allow you to connect the TV to your PC for use as a computer monitor.

 

• Optical Audio – Transmits a digital audio signal through a fiber optic cable. 

 

In summary…

When purchasing a new TV you have a lot to think about. Make sure that you get the correct size for your room and the proper type for what you will be watching. Get the features that best suit your viewing and gaming needs. Also make sure that the TV you purchase has all of the connectors options that you will need to get your components connected. Do your research and think of your needs and you should get a TV that you will love. If you need more information about HDTVs visit the Best Buy® Home Theater Resource Center or consult the specialists at your local store.

 

 

 

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  • Computers, video games and TVs have always been fascinating to me. Not only are they wonderful ways to relax, but they’re also immensely useful as tools. Computers allow us to communicate instantly with family members across the country through e-mail, video games allow us to make friends with people across the globe we wouldn’t even meet otherwise, and TVs allow us to see what’s happening in our very own towns…all at the touch of a button. Sure, over time I’ve managed to assemble a collection of other electronic gadgets that would make most people do a double-take, but that just isn’t enough. I want to know how they work. I want to know why they work. I want to know that I can connect every electronic device in my home into a single, fully-functional network that I can access from over 1,000 miles away at the drop of a hat. Not because I have a reason to do so, but because I can. I am a geek, plain and simple.
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  • Social media fascinates me. We have all seen it evolve, and I for one have tried to be a part of it every step of the way. For more than eight years, I have had my own blog. It is a place to post what I am thinking and a place to interact with friends and family. In the more recent years, as social media has become more popular, I have seen the potential for it to be so much. How companies use social media to reach out to their audience is what specifically fascinates me today. This is why I am happy to be doing social media with Best Buy®. My technical strengths include photography, computer hardware and software, web development, networking and mobile phones. Many of these are also a hobby of mine as well as some outdoor activities such as biking, camping, boating and disk golf. I am known as a “super connected individual” by my friends and family. I am truly addicted to all things communication and I love it. At home I am supported by my lovely girlfriend. Together we enjoy finding new places to eat, movie and TV watching and the occasional video game. Our favorite TV shows include Chuck, Heroes, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and Supernatural. Let’s just say the DVR is always full.
  • I have been living and breathing music practically all of my life and that constitutes much of my passion for technology. I was in a rock band for many years and am still an active musician that dabbles in recording (with the support of a music technology degree) and pretty much every instrument I can get my hands on. I was drawn to Best Buy because, like music, much of what we carry is focused on entertainment. Video games have also undeniably consumed much of my time throughout life and, if you are a gamer, the word “consumed” does not necessarily have a bad connotation. On top of that, I love spending time with my young family. I am very intrigued with the ways new technology changes the way we interact and enjoy life so I seek to facilitate that as best I can!
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  • I tend to be the person my family calls with technology-related questions. I give my father home theater advice. I give my brother computer advice. If my mother wants a new camera, she calls me first. Now I work for Best Buy in a field where technology and connections are all around me. Information and ideas are always at my fingertips. I love to keep up with current events via news online and stay up-to-date with my friends via Facebook on my Android phone. I am a console gamer on my Xbox, computer enthusiast, and movie buff. When not at work, I’m usually spending time with my wife and children. Biking, hiking, and pretty much anything else outdoors are favorites in our household. Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to being a part of the conversation!
  • Technology is a way of life for me. I always want to have the latest and greatest. Being connected to social media at all times is how I roll. Whether I am on my iPhone or my notebook, I never stray far from the virtual world. Social media is awesome for the workplace. You can connect with your customers by talking with them, not at them. All business should be following their customers’ voices via social media. My areas of expertise are within appliances and home theater. However, I am also a huge Playstation 3 fan and a definite movie connoisseur. When I am not working I am usually at home hanging out with my girlfriend and our dog, Nevaeh. I am a huge sports fan and a fantasy football nut. I have an extreme passion for cooking and I am a vegetarian. When I am not relaxing at home, I like to go out with friends or hit up a rock concert.
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