What do I need to know about buying a tv?

What do I need to know before buying a flat-screen TV?

• Never bought a flat-screen TV before. Below are my must haves. Please advise what I need to know and what I need to avoid when choosing. I'll probably shop first at Walmart and Costco and price is a definite consideration. - 50+" screen with hi def - Compatible with non-high def cable plan which uses a cable box - Need access to wreless internet/Youtube etc - Would like a Tivo-like recorder/DVR but without a monthly subscription cost - Need to be able to play old VHS home movies, and high def blurays - Decent stereo sound I also have wifi access for my computer and nexus tablet thru my cable provider, Mediacom.

• Answer:

  The first thing to consider when buying a flat-screen is the technology type you want. This is basically a function of two things: the type of programming you watch and the environment in which it will be used.  At the moment, there are three basic types of HDTV display technology: - Plasma - Fluorescent-backed LCD (aka "LCD TVs") - LED-backed LCD (aka "LED TVs") Plasma sets are capable of excellent color reproduction and dynamic range (display of deep blacks).  For this reason they have long been the set of choice for movie fans. They are also visible from a wide range of viewing angles without degradation of picture.  However plasma sets can be problematic in a bright room as they are easily washed out by the sun.  They are also power hogs compared to other technologies.     LCD sets work better in rooms that get a lot of sunlight.  They are lighter and use far less power than Plasma sets; there is also some evidence that they can last longer without picture degradation.  The two main disadvantages are that the picture quality, while very good, is not up to par with Plasma sets - blacks tend to be a dark grey and colors are not quite as accurate; and that the picture can degrade further as the viewing angle increases (that is, they look best viewed straight-on).  LED sets attempt to find the best of both technologies.  Because the LCD is backed by brighter, more color-consistent LEDs rather than fluorescent lights, color accuracy is better.  Advanced sets also directly control the brightness of the LCDs in localized regions of the screen, allowing better blacks and an overall better picture compared to traditional LCD sets.  The viewing-angle issue still applies (though is much improved in more recent sets), and LEDs are typically the most expensive choice.   So the usual summary is - if you are mostly watching movies in a darkened room, consider Plasma; if you are mostly watching sports or gaming during the day and casual sit-com viewing in the evening, go for LCD.  If your viewing encompasses both scenarios and you can afford it, look at the LED TVs. A few points related to your list of must-haves: - Compatible with non-high def cable: You'll need to make sure your cable box outputs match up with at least one set of inputs on the TV.   All TVs will allow this but once you have seen HDTV you are going to find it difficult to watch standard-def on a 50-inch screen.   The actual quality of the SD picture will depend a lot on the cable signal and type of cable box itself.    - Decent stereo sound: very few TVs of any technology are going to meet this requirement.  Since cost is an issue I don't think you want to go to the high-dollar Bose or B&W sets with good sound built in.  The way to handle this is to budget in a good soundbar or HTIB (Home Theater in a Box - typically a disc player, amplifier, and speaker set) as an additional purchase.  You can get to the "decent" level at around $200 in a soundbar with woofer.      - Wireless internet, YouTube and other Apps -- this is easily determined by reading product documentation and a growing number of sets do include this.  Note that sometimes you will have to spend extra $ for a wireless adapter.  Also note that you may be better off with getting this type of function through your blu-ray player or a separate unit -- like a Roku box (as cheap as $50) -- which will have a better user experience and be more upgradable vs. built-in apps. - DVR capability - no TV that I know of has this, however (again) using a Roku box or similar provides some aspects of a DVR (on-demand programming, pause/rewind, etc.) One other note about buying a TV: although it sounds counter-intuitive, try not to make judgements about picture quality by viewing at the store.  Find the features and technology you want then consult some reviews (I recommend CNET for this).  The reason for this is that in the store your eye will be drawn to the most extreme / bright / eye-popping picture, which is far from what you want in your every-day viewing.