Yes, they’re cheap, which is reason enough to celebrate the coming holidays with a new purchase unwrapped in your living room and are they worth the money and the trouble? You have to hand it to retailers and manufacturers – each time a new technology comes out, cheaper brands and models are always close behind. So should you consider buying cheap LCD televisions or should you think twice?

Here are some things you need to know:

Cheap ain’t always bad.

The reason why retailers and manufacturers are selling LCD televisions at cheap prices is competition. There are several major brands around competing soundly for consumer attention – Sony, Sharp, LG, Panasonic, Pioneer and Samsung, to name a few. Within that group alone, there is already stiff competition considering that LCD televisions are big ticket items.

Enter new players in the market. Less popular brands such as Bush, Daewoo, Telefunken, Maxent and Vizio are just some of the companies that want a piece of the pie. What this means to the consumer is a good thing. Competition keeps prices stable, allowing some brands to even lower theirs without sacrificing product quality.

There are reasons why an LCD television is being sold cheap.

Before you buy a cheap LCD television, consider the possible reasons why it’s being made available at such a low price. Are you getting it out of a clearance sale? Clearance sales mean that the unit you’re buying is going to be phased out and replaced with newer models. There are newer features and technologies that you can no longer expect on the cheap unit because it’s an older model.

Is it a seasonal sale? In most cases, the reason for retailers selling cheap LCD televisions on seasonal sales is the same for clearance sales. You could still get great value with the unit, though and seasonal sales are excellent opportunities to find an LCD television that fits your dream features and budget.

Is the product used? Buying something that has had a previous owner will assure you that you’ll get it at a cheap price. It could also be because the unit you’re buying is a demo unit, which means it’s been used before but within a store for display purposes or during a trade show.

Still another reason why you might be getting a cheap LCD television is that it might be refurbished. Refurbished electronics aren’t really a bad deal, although you’ll have to be extra careful in choosing a unit. Some refurbished LCD TVs may be brand new while others may be slightly used. There are some that may have been repackaged as brand new by the manufacturer while there are others that may have undergone parts replacement or minor repairs before being sold off.

In the end, it’s all about entertainment.

One thing you should remember about cheap LCD televisions is that ultimately, it all really boils down to how well the TV performs from your point of view. Look for a unit you’re comfortable with, something you really like, the kind of LCD television that has all the basic features you need and all the extras you could ever want. After all, you and you alone can decide if that LCD TV satisfies your viewing needs. It could be cheap but as long as you get along well, it might as well be the best priced LCD television in town.

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Admit it. Buying a television is a major decision. You really don’t feel the same about shelling out money for a TV as you would when buying a winter coat. Besides, you don’t treat a TV in the same manner either – especially not for LCD televisions. If you’re in the market to Buy an LCD TV, here are some tips you might want to keep in mind:

Understand the technology.

LCD means liquid crystal display. It’s the same stuff you see on calculators, hand held games, digital watches and computer monitors. The reason why they’re so popular is that they are easy on the eyes, don’t emit as much glare as older CRTs and are capable of producing sharp, clearer pictures with colours to match.

Find your size.

Bigger is not always better, although LCD TV screens are certainly not wimps in that department. If you want big, you can go as high as 52 inches for most brands or if you have something bigger in mind, Sharp offers a 65-inch living room wall filler.

However, before you get carried away with the promise of a spectacular home theatre show, remember that size is relative. You do need to consider the available space in the room where you intend to put the TV. That is why it’s prudent to measure the space first before you head out of the house.

LCD TVs that range in size from 15 to 19 inches will work well in smaller rooms such as bedrooms and kitchens. Mid-sized screens starting at 26 inches up to 37 inches are good choices for living rooms, dens and some bedrooms. If you go higher starting at 40 inches, you better have at least 5 feet of viewing space between you and the TV.

Remember, too, that size is relative to price. If you want to buy bigger LCD TVs, be prepared to pay premium, particularly for top brands. You could, however, save a lot if you opt for lesser-known brands or discounted sets.

What you’ll like: no matter how big you go, LCD TVs won’t be heavier than a supermodel. They’re as light as they are thin, which means you won’t have a lot of problems in case you want to move them around in your home in the name of good interior design. Watch your budget.

Budget is a huge deciding factor when buying an LCD TV so make sure to shop around for the best deal before you make your final pick. Better yet, read magazines or go on-line to manufacturers’ and retailers’ websites to find out which brands sell what with which features. This will help educate you on what specs to look for.

Look for information on resolution, picture quality, refresh rate and viewing angle, among others. Although these specs shouldn’t place an overwhelming influence on you, at least you’ll know what to expect when you’re out there facing a very enthusiastic salesperson. This will also help you maintain the budget you set.

Test the unit.

Unless you’ve made a decision based on specs alone or the recommendation of a friend, you might want to head off to the electronics store and check out the LCD TV before buying it. Look at the screen and determine if the image impresses you. Move forward and away from the screen, go to the sides to find how wide the viewing angle is and test the audio. Ultimately, an LCD TV is simply a large gadget – it should perform for your viewing pleasure and no one else’s.

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Even if you already have a brand in mind, you’ll probably find it difficult to choose plasma televisions without re-thinking your original choice. There is such a wide variety of brands and models to choose from that picking one becomes an all-out technological and mental excursion. But let’s take much of the confusing science away and get down on the nitty-gritty. Here are some practical tips for choosing the Best Plasma TV and a few brands you might want to take a look at.

Size

It’s hard not to fall in love at first sight with a plasma TV. They’re thin, sleek and smooth, capable of high quality picture display. They’re also not shy about size. In fact plasma TVs are often more impressive the larger they are. If you’re seeking the best TV option for you with a mind for size, then the plasma TV is your choice.

Picture quality

When viewing two or more brands side by side, it’s always easy to see the best plasma TV set because of its distinctive picture quality. These units are capable of producing real colours, so a display of a field of flowers won’t come out as a blur.

Speaking of blur, the best plasma TVs today are also excellent in displaying smoother images even with fast or high speed action scenes.

Burn-in issues?

This was a major concern with plasma TVs in the past. However, with new technologies that allow for minimizing the use of the screen, this risk is significantly reduced and should no longer be a problem.

Best Plasma TV brands

If you’re in the market for premium offers, then consider known brands and manufacturers of plasma TVs. A few you might consider:

Pioneer

Pioneer has always been known to produce high premium units, so if you prefer a slightly snobbish appeal for your newest toy, go for this brand. The Pro series is one of its best picks. Picture quality is tops, colour is explosive and intense (in a very good way) and images are sharp and true.

Where some plasma TVs have tried and failed, Pioneer has come out a winner. Black is deep and dark, so there’s no need for your eyes and brain to compensate because the TV will do it for you. Pioneer definitely offers some of the best plasma TVs around. Just be prepared to pay premium as well, since this brand does not allow you to skimp on price.

Panasonic

If you prefer a more affordable unit, consider some of the models currently being offered by Panasonic. This brand doesn’t have the snob appeal so much but it does deliver in terms of picture and audio quality. It’s actually one very good reason why having a home theatre system is not impossible any more. Furthermore, you don’t need to pay a lot just to bring a Panasonic plasma TV home – it costs about 50% less than a Pioneer.

Samsung

This Korean brand has gone a long way and is now one of the leading manufacturers of the best plasma TVs in the world. Side by side older brands such as Sony and Pioneer, Samsung is definitely a serious contender.

Other brands to check out:

Consider manufacturers such as Philips, LG and Hitachi. They have some of the best plasma TV models today, comparable in performance and quality to the top brands. If price is an issue, consider brands such as Vizio or Maxent. These brands may not have the same name recall as the others but they are slowly building a strong following, thanks to units featuring some excellent features.

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When it comes to size, resolution and picture quality, more and more people are opting for LCD televisions. These are currently the best selling flat and high-definition televisions today, preferred by more consumers because they come in a wide variety of sizes, fits just about anywhere and are light enough to be mounted on the wall just like an ordinary picture frame. But with so many choices today, how do you find the best LCD TV? Here are some factors to consider, along with a few recommendations.

LCDs explained

LCD is short for liquid crystal display. This refers to the type of technology used on the screen of the TV to produce images. Thanks to backlighting, LCD TVs are better than older CRT models using fluorescent lights to produce a wider variety of colours. This is also the technology that allows even distribution of light across the whole screen, so overall brightness is consistent.

Does size matter in TV?

Apparently, it does. The best LCD TVs today are those that offer a good range of sizes – from desktop computer-sized 15″ units to more home theatre-friendly 70″. Bigger units even come with tuners and surround sound speakers to better enhance the home theatre experience.

Picture quality

Admittedly, even the best LCD TVs have visual performance issues they have to contend with. Some of their main drawbacks are the low refresh rate (leading to relatively slower response time), low contrast ratio compared to plasma TVs and blurring during fast action sequences.

However, LCD TV manufacturers are promising better performance in the next generation LCD TVs. That means, we can expect significantly higher response rates and tweaks that will resolve blurs during high-speed car chases and fight scenes in future models.

How to choose the best LCD TV

Here are some factors to consider:

Size

Probably the major consideration you need to keep in mind is the LCD TV’s size. It has to fit the area where it will be placed and must be big enough to optimize your viewing experience and small enough not to overwhelm. Remember that the best LCD TVs are built for maximum viewing pleasure at a distance. So if you have a 40″ set, you should at have enough space in the room to allow you to sit at a distance of 5 feet or so. The larger the TV, the farther the area you should view it from.

Resolution

This is another gauge in which the best LCD TVs are measured. Resolution refers to the overall picture quality of the TV. The higher the number, the sharper and clearer the image. High definition formats generally range from about 720p to 1080p.

However, if budget is a major concern, there’s no need to pay extra for higher resolution. Even 720p LCDs can already produce excellent images and reliable picture quality. The difference between a 720 and a 1080 is almost negligible especially if you have access to shows with HD programming.

Brand

In some cases, brand loyalty matters when deciding which LCD TV is best. If you must consider the manufacturer, look for top names such as Samsung, Sony, LG, Philips or Vizio. These brands have some of the best models in the industry, with several premium offers available.

Price

If you stick by a particular brand and consider a larger-sized LCD TV, some of the best you’ll find can set you back at least $700 for a decent-sized 32″. Bigger sizes starting at 37″ can cost from about $1,500 to $3,000. However, you could still shave off a few hundred dollars by opting for lesser-known brands that are typically sold by distributors at stores like Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy. You’ll generally get the same picture quality at about 15% to 20% less.

Article by Alex Bradbury

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