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	TV Buying Guide
	Introduction
	1. The HDTV revolution
	2. Which TV technology is right for me
	3. Choosing the right screen size
	4. What features should I consider
	5. TV selection tools
	6. Putting it all together
	7. Your consumer rights

 

What features do I need?

There are certain basic features that we need to consider such as the number and type of connections. We also look at those optional extras such as internet connectivity and decide whether they are right for you.

We discuss some of the essential features you need, some nice to have additional extras and some things you can live without.

The Basics

Connections: when we talk about connections, we are referring to the differently shaped sockets that you will find at the back of an LCD or Plasma screen. The sockets we feature exist to connect a Visual or an Audio / Visual (i.e. a DVD player) source to your screen.

So why are there so many connections? Well, partly historical - Composite connections for example are now largely obsolete but remain on a new HDTV to provide backward compatibility. There are a lot of older products out there that you could not connect to your screen if older connection types were not maintained.

For now, all we need to worry about are HDMI connections. Make sure you get at least three of these on any new TV and more if you envisage hooking up a lot of peripherals. To find out more you might like to read our guide to TV Connections

Contrast Ratio: Essentially, the difference between the brightest white and the darkest black a TV is able to display. Figures such as 1,000,0000:1, or descriptions such as 'Infinite Black'  are used by manufacturers to indicate the level of contrast

In our experience, you can totally ignore such figures. Concentrate first and foremost on a TVs black level ability ie how deep do the darker colours appear. Black areas should appear deep black rather than grey. The better the TV, the more detail you will see in darker scenes.

Resolution: Flat panel TVs are composed of individual picture elements (pixels) arranged across and down the screen. You will come across terms such as 1080p and 720p. Don't be overly concerned with the differences.

1080p and 720p simply refer to the number of rows of pixels across the TV screen. There is actually very little discernable difference between the two and all you need to ensure is that your TV has the 'HD Ready' logo which indicates that it meets minimum resolution specification to enable it to receive High Definition images. 

Tuners: The vast majority of new flat panel TVs come with a built-in Freeview tuner. If your budget allows, it is worth considering a TV with a built in Freeview HD or Freesat tuner. Both give access to BBC1 HD, ITV HD and Channel 4 HD.

To find out more you might like to read our guide to Freeview HD or Freesat

Speakers: It is worth remembering that with the arrival of seductively slim flat panel TVs, sound quality has taken a backward step. As a concession to style, speakers are often small and hidden.

Manufacturers employ a range of acoustic enhancements such as surround sound, with mixed results. If your budget doesn't stretch to a separate surround sound system, look out for the following

- Bass: Ideally you will hear deep rumbles that don't overwhelm the rest of the soundstage or cause rattling.

- Vocals: Voices should come across as clear open and rich. A thin or nasally vocal will quickly compromise your viewing pleasure.

- Width / Depth: A capable TV will 'throw' sound away from the screen in all directions.

To find out more you might like to read our guide to Home Cinema

Optional Extras

Internet Connectivity: Internet connectivity on your TV could open up a world of home entertainment possibilities. If you have a wireless router setup you are already half way there.

The benefits of enabling your TV in this way include access to the likes of Facebook, Twitter or even Skype calling. Create an account with Love Film and stream movies directly to your TV or view photos from Picasa or Flickr.

Remember that you will need a TV with wireless capability (in some cases a wireless adapter is extra). Alternately, more and more wireless enabled Blu-ray players with internet connectivity are appearing.

Photos Music and Video: Internet connectivity also gives you the option of streaming music, video or photos from PC to TV. If funds don't stretch to this feature, there is an alternative. Lots of TVs now come with USB or SD card (the little card that records photos you take on many digital cameras).

Either of these media allow you to store photos etc (directly from your digital camera or transferred from your pc) to display in their full glory on your TV

100Hz, 200Hz, 600Hz: Increased refresh rate such as 100Hz is a technology designed primarily for LCD TVs to improve their perceived ability to handle fast on screen action.

With fast sporting on screen action such as a football game, lesser TVs will often leave a visible trail as the ball moves across the screen - the on board processing unable to keep up.

From our experience, an increased refresh rate is not necessarily an indication of better motion handling. An inherently good TV will demonstrate the ability to handle fast on screen sequences, increased refresh rate or not

LED TV: With LED, the bulky 'fluorescent tube' backlight found on a traditional LCD TV is replaced by hundreds or thousands of LEDs (light emitting diodes) arranged along the edge or the whole of the back screen.

The technology was designed primarily to achieve deeper black levels and also comes with the benefit of ultra slim screens. The jury is still out on the effectiveness of the technology.

Of course, the effectiveness of various implementations differs from manufacturer to manufacturer; but unless you are set on one of those ultra slim screens typical of LED then we wouldn't recommend the extra expense.

If you would like to find out more, you might like to read of LED Technology guide.

3D TV: Remember that you can enjoy the benefits of 3D on either an LCD or Plasma TV.

Although the technology in its present form requires the use of glasses, we think that it is a genuinely innovative home entertainment experience.

Our advice is to go for it if you can afford it. Get a demo first at your local electrical retailer and remember that you will probably have to pay for 3D material. Sky have launched a subscription based 3D TV channel. Virgin Media also make available a selection of material. Alternately you can buy a 3D Blu-ray player.

If you would like to find out more, you might like to read our guide to 3D TV