How to Buy a Great Looking HDTV

A high definition TV can be a breathtaking improvement over a standard CRTV, but far too many consumers head to the store without knowing what they're getting into. Choosing the right HDTV can be tough, but here are a few basic things to know if you're ready to make the jump to high definition.

Screen Type - There are three main types of HDTV screens: LED, LCD and plasma.

LCD is the most common screen type and is usually physically thicker than the other two choices. It also has a narrower viewing range, meaning that in a big living room, seats to the side of the LCD TV might not see a clear, great-looking image. However, LCD is the least expensive option.

LED screens are becoming less expensive and offer tremendous image quality, with dark blacks and brilliant colors. Plasma screens are expensive and can burn in if left on the same image for too long or if their contrast and brightness settings aren't properly set.

If you've got a small budget, look to LCD TVs. LED TVs are a better middle-of-the-line choice, and you should only consider plasma screen TVs if you're willing to spend some serious money for quality.

Screen Quality - The first spec to look at is an HDTV's maximum resolution. Resolution ranges from 720i to 1080p, with 1080p being the highest possible resolution. Most new HDTVs are either 1080i or 1080p. The "p" stands for progressive image display, which supposedly adds some image stability and added clarity.

There are other specs that we could get into, including contrast ratio - a higher ratio is better - and refresh rates. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is how the screen actually looks. You should always look at an HDTV's screen before you buy it. Even if you're buying online to save money, you should find a local electronics store and check out a few popular sets in order to figure out which ones look the best. There are ways to fudge the numbers, but there's no substitute for a visual analysis. Look at a few TV sets and ask a salesperson to make sure that they're all set to the same contrast, brightness and color settings. You'll be far happier with the quality of your HDTV if you mainly use your eyes to judge quality.

Extra Features - The additional features on some newer HDTVs can be a nice addition to a home entertainment system, even if they're by no means essential. Internet capability, for example, allows a television to get extra content--including major movies and TV shows--from web services like Netflix and Hulu. Of course, it's possible to get Internet content via any newer video game console, so it's not a good idea to pay a big premium for Internet accessibility on a new HDTV if you already own a Nintendo Wii, PS3 or Xbox 360.

3D capability is the new big thing, but critics argue that the content's simply not there to make a 3DTV a worthwhile purchase. 3D HDTVs also require additional accessories like a special DVD player and 3D glasses to function.

When looking at add-on features for an HDTV player, know how much the extra features are adding to your budget and consider whether there's a cheaper way to get it done. Maybe you've found a TV with great speakers, but if it costs $500 more than a TV with an equivalent screen and worse audio, you could spend the extra cash to set yourself up with a nice home stereo. The quality of the screen should be your primary concern.

Look at the connections that your new HDTV can accept. For the best possible picture, get a TV with an HDMI connection. Digital component is another great connection type, with 1080i resolution capability, but avoid TVs that don't have one of these connection formats.

Have any tips or questions about buying an HDTV? Post below.