Your HDTV Information Outlet

HDTV Checklist

Go through this list to make sure you have it all together before you buy

Consider the HDTV Characteristics:

Size
The size of the set that you choose should be right and look proportional to the size of your room. Industry standards of comfort dictate that you should have at least 10’ from the seating area to the screen for optimal sound and viewing for the larger sets. So if you have a small room than a 32" or 36" set is good. Be reminded that HDTV quality improves as size increases.
Widescreen
to get or not to get- if you choose to purchase a widescreen TV, you will have bars showing on the sides for any shows not broadcast in widescreen. If you don’t, you will have bars at the bottom and top when you switch to 1080 resolutions. I prefer widescreen but not everyone does.
Resolution
When you see 480 resolution is not HDTV. It is Digital TV (SDTV). It is important at this moment to know that HDTV sets offer 720 or 1080 lines of resolution. This affects the quality of the picture. The 'technical' options are "Progressive Scan" or "Interlaced Scan"; but you will have to decide what works for you. Picture quality is in the eye of the beholder.
Reception
To get the best reception you will need to purchase a new cable or satellite box that is made for HDTV when you get your HDTV. If you are ordering cable or satellite feeds you can get one from your supplier. Depending on the availability of local channels in HD and depending on where you live, you will need an antenna, and possibly a rotor and amplifier to watch local TV. Most local stations broadcast on at least two channels - one that will have the network feed and the other is news or weather.
Sound
To get more bang for your buck purchase extra speaker home theater sets. Your basic HDTV set up comes with speakers that simulate Dolby digital - so it is not great sound. You will want add an A/V Receiver and a DVD player with a surround system later.
Inputs
You want to get a set that has enough plug ins to put the HDTV set top box, audio receiver, DVD, VCR, TIVO, computer and game system. You don't want to come back later to find out you have to get another box to connect some of these.
Controllers
What can one say...there are alot of clickers. You can find a creative way to store the overwhelming number of controllers you get for each system. If you are spending this much then really you should just splurg on one of the convenient all-in-one controllers. They can be pricy, but hey you just spent a mint on your system, so what is another $50 or so bucks. These gizmos are worth every penny, will reduce the clutter and you are less likely to have to wated time looking for that lost remote or worse yet picking up the wrong one.

Consider your Room and Decor

Style
Well in this sector things have not evolved very much. Your color choices are either black or silver. But you can choose between a floor set, wall mounted flat panel, or tabletop set. While the CRT sets tend to be bulkier; DLP slightly less … unless you get a Front-Projection system. PLASMA and LCD have thinner profiles, offer flat screens and options for wall mounting, with swivel brackets to make furniture placement easier.
Cleaning
Light years beyond old TVs. Those were dust bunny collectors. But unlike a conventional TV, many of the screens on newer sets cannot be wiped with cleaning solutions. Many can only be wiped with a damp cloth. Be sure to read this portion of the manual.
Furniture
Since HDTVs are so different than your old TV new furniture will most likely be part of your purchase. You have lots of options in entertainment centers and the layouts have improved dramatically since you brought home that old CRT. Make sure that you have enough shelves to house everything. I have found that a good rule of thumb is one shelf for every input in the back of the set - you will eventually expand someday, so go for it now since new components cannot be stacked on top of each other.

You can find entertainment units that will house a 50” floor set and 4-6 components with space for storage. For flat screen sets there are base units with the component shelves underneath or credenzas with doors and drawers. There are many places to shop on line for "TV Furniture". with wide assortments from TV Stands to expansive Home Theater Entertainment Centers. Look at the slide show below to see some examples to consider. You will find selections to fit every size and type of TV; and the wide array of styles will make it easy to choose one that matches your room decor.

Happy Hunting for Your Home Theater....