How to Buy a Flat-Screen HDTV?

Before you drop hundreds or thousands of dollars on the wrong flat-panel HDTV, read our comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know. Our advice might just help you save some money.

The supersizing of the American TV continues--but as screens grow ever bigger, tube sizes are going on crash diets. You can find the latest prices on both plasma and LCD TVs in PC World's Shop and Compare center.

Plasma

Essentially all current plasma displays offer HDTV resolution. The most expensive plasmas in a given screen size are typically 1080p models, which offer 1920 by 1080 resolution. You can find the latest prices on plasma TVs in PC World's Shop and Compare center.

Toshiba 52" Sharp 65"

LCD

LCD screens range from desktop-friendly 15-inch models up to 70-inch wide-screen wonders complete with speakers and TV tuners. At screen sizes smaller than 42 inches, HDTV LCDs still come at a premium price, but the category is falling into a much more reasonable range. A 32-inch high-definition LCD, for instance, could cost anywhere from about $600 to $2000 depending on its manufacturer and features. (A 32-inch wide-screen display has about the same screen height as a 27-inch TV with a conventional 4:3 aspect ratio.) LCD panels are light--way lighter than plasmas of the same size--and won't require a team of Clydesdales to haul between rooms.

Important: Contrast Ratio

Contrast ratio refers to the brightest and darkest light values a display can produce at the same time.

Important: Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio describes the relationship of screen width to screen height. Conventional sets have a 4:3 aspect ratio, whereas wide-screen models are 16:9. Wide screens are the future. HDTV is a wide-screen format, for one thing.

Sony 60" Samsung 67"

Important: Video Inputs

Composite video: This input type has the lowest quality but the broadest compatibility. them. S-Video: S-Video offers better quality than composite video does, and most video sources except standard VCRs now have S-Video outputs. Component video: This high-quality option is the minimum standard for connecting high-definition cable and satellite set-top boxes and progressive-scan DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and HD DVD players. VGA (Video Graphics Array): This high-quality analog RGB connection is used primarily for computer connections.

DVI (Digital Video Interface): One of the highest-quality types of inputs. Some displays with a DVI input may work only with computers, so watch out for that if you plan to connect an HDTV source, such as an HD digital cable box or a Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD player. Generally speaking, a display is considered high-definition if it is wide-screen and has a total pixel count approaching 1 million.

Somewhat Important: Screen Size

Most current flat-panel displays include a tuner for conventional analog broadcast and cable-TV reception and for broadcast HDTV. Many sets also have built-in tuners for digital cable TV. Cable pay-per-view and satellite TV currently require external set-top boxes.

Pioneer 60" Phillips 52"

Flat-Screen TV Shopping Tips

To learn about other big-screen TV options, check out "How to Buy a Rear-Projection TV."

Compare displays using a variety of material: Just about any flat-panel display will handle HDTV and DVD signals well, but mediocre cable and satellite signals will give some of them fits.

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