LCD TV - A Very Simple Buyers Guide

People tend to get caught up with the numbers game when shopping for electronic gadgets and appliances such as the television. Manufacturers use a lot of techno mumbo jumbo in presenting their products to the consumers. They ramp up the megapixels, the contrast ratio and any other product specification they can come up with because they know that the higher the numbers, the more people get interested. The funny thing, however, is that majority of shoppers probably do not even understand what those numbers mean and what they actually do for the product they are buying. The same techno mumbo jumbo usually gets lost in the translation and shoppers fall into the pit of analysis paralysis. Or worse, people end up spending more for a product that has been made to appear more advanced because it had more pixels on it.

Buying a flat screen television such as an LCD television should be one of the easiest thing to buy. This is especially true today as the lcd tv technology has advanced far enough that further enhancements in the features that count will not be as significant and perceivable as when the technology was still in its infancy.

There are only 4 things you should watch out for in buying a flat screen TV and they should not involve too much of the numbers.

PICTURE QUALITY. When buying an lcd tv, follow your eyes. Here is where most shoppers get too hung up on. They look at the specification sheet more than the LCD screen. But all you have to do to check on how good the specs are is look at the screen! Much of the numbers being thrown around by the manufacturers and dealers definitely would play into this but it should all boil down to how they look on your eyes. Megapixel count, contrast ratio and motion response should not matter if the picture already looks great.

POWER CONSUMPTION. Join the green movement and get the most energy efficient LCD TV that fits your wallet. This can be simply assessed by looking at the wattage requirement of the television. Go get the one with the lowest wattage. Again, many new models today are incorporating the environment-friendly principles into their features so finding units that are energy efficient should no longer be hard.

WARRANTY. This is pretty self explanatory. You should get one with the longest possible warranty coverage. I will advise against paying for an extended warranty but this is entirely up to you.

PRICE. With the speed the LCD TV technology is developing, and with so many players competing in the fray, you are likely to find units being sold at very good prices out there. Bargains are a usual sight in appliance stores and this benefits shoppers. Go take advantage!

The above list is probably the simplest LCD TV buying checklist you will see out there. Do not get too caught up with the technical aspect that manufacturers and dealers are trying to use to get you into buying that brand new flat screen. Buying a TV is simple--- follow your eyes, your wallet and your common sense and enjoy your new TV!

How to Buy the Perfect LCD TV in 5 Simple Steps!

So you're looking to buy a new lcd tv but want to be certain that you spend your hard earned cash on a set that really is exactly what you want and need? Well think of this as your simple step by step guide to ensuring a perfectly matched lcd tv for you. Whether you're looking for a new TV for your lounge, a portable for your bedroom or even a set to connect to your favourite game console, this guide will help you make the right choice.

1) The screen size is crucial!

Determining the right screen size for your requirements is a crucial decision that needs to be made right at the beginning. Until now, lcd tvs have been more common in smaller sizes, normally no bigger than 27 inches, but with the huge leaps forward in viewing technology, this is no longer the case. A larger screen does not necessarily means a poorer quality image, but it is important to match the size of the screen to the size of the room you intend it for. For example, a huge 40 inch LCD screen in a small bedroom would not only look out of proportion and take up a lot of room, but it would mean the user sitting so close to the screen that the images would look unclear and difficult to watch. To get the best experience out of your investment, remember what your parents used to tell you about sitting too close to the TV. Your mother was probably thinking about your health, but in this case we're thinking about your viewing pleasure. For the optimal viewing experience, you need to maintain the right distance between your viewing area and your television screen. So make a sensible choice when deciding the screen size you want and consider your room size.

2) But what about the Tuners?

Most current flat-panel displays include a tuner for the standard analog broadcast and cable-TV reception and also one for broadcast HDTV. However a few don't come with any tuner at all. These are more uncommon now but it is always worth considering which tuners your potential purchase has. Many sets also have built-in tuners for digital cable TV. Although such tuners have a standard for handling scrambled premium channels (for example, HBO), many sets do not support it, so be sure you know exactly what you are getting. If you want that capability, make sure the set you buy has a CableCard slot.

3) Do I need HDMI? Yes you do!

You may find that there are some great deals floating around for sets that do not have a HDMI input. You may even get a pushy sales rep telling you that it's not a requirement for you, but don't listen. If at all possible, you should certainly get an LCD TV that has a HDMI input. This will ensure your new TV is compatibility with HDTV sources like HD digital cable boxes, HD satellite, and Blu-ray and HD DVD players. High Definition is the way forward and all the major manufacturers are including this feature in their new models.

4) The remote is your best friend!

It's really useful and quite important to get to know the remote control before splashing out your cash. A good remote can be your best friend, but a bad remote can just as easily be your worst enemy. Just look at the main features such as the layout, the feel quality and the size. Make sure the buttons are large enough to find easily and comfortably. Make sure any text or signs printed on the remote are readable and make sure the size suits you. There's no point having an extremely small remote if it makes it difficult to find the buttons you want!

5) Get The Demonstration.

Like most of us, you probably hate pushy sales people and opt to skip the demonstration in store. Don't! Instead, ask them to demonstrate the features you will tend to use most, such as setting the timer or programme guide, switching to the DVD player or using the inbuilt tuner. You'll not only get a first hand demo of how to work your LCD TV but you'll also see how difficult or easy it is to use the features.

So there you have it, our 5 simple steps to buying the perfect LCD TV to suit your needs, your home and your pocket! Just remember each of the above points when your browsing the new ranges and you're sure to find a model that'll keep you happy for years to come. Why not take a look at the brand new Sony KDL 46W4500 Review [http://www.which-lcd-tv.co.uk/sony-kdl-46w4500-review.html]