What LCD Manufacturers Never Told You about Buying a Cheap LCD TV

Since when did finding a great cheap LCD TV become as difficult as buying a new car? Just like a car there are so many stats, specifications and styles that you have to choose from. You can find plenty of mixed reviews on LCD TV deals all over the internet - many of them catering to the newest technological buzz– making it hard to have a clear understanding of what is important for your needs when it comes to making your big decision. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you make the right choice on your next HDTV purchase.

Depending on the size, make, and model, LCD TVs can range greatly in price. LCD TVs broadcast both in wide screen and high definition format. These days, LCD TVs are gaining popularity over plasmas as they tend to be slimmer, lighter, and utilize less energy. For example, there are 55inch LCD TVs on the market that use almost half the energy than smaller plasma screens.

Most LCD TVs offer a 720p or a 1080p resolution, but there are many other features which cause differences in price. The most obvious is the screen size - the larger the screen, the higher the cost. You should take into account the size of the room and the viewing distance from the TV when choosing your LCD screen size. Research shows that a viewing distance of 4 feet requires a size between 19 and 32 inches for optimal viewing, whereas a distance of 10 feet is best seen on a screen size between 40 and 80 inches. Find what size is right for your room before you purchase (amazon/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000021501).

You’ve probably heard a lot of talk on whether or not an HDTV is 1080p or "full HD." However, depending on the size of the TV, you usually have to be sitting pretty close to a 1080p set to notice the full advantage over a 720p set. The average distance of between a person and a TV in America is 9 feet. To be able to notice the actual detail (with the human eye) in a 32 inch 1080p set, you would have to be sitting 4 ft 2 in (or closer) from the set. If you’re on a budget, a good rule of thumb is that if the TV is smaller than 42 inches, you might want to consider a 720p instead. Also keep in mind that channels broadcasting in HD don’t even use 1080p. So take into consideration what you will be using the TV for. Bluray and some video games use 1080p, not regular HD broadcasting.

These days, instead of contrast ratio being the big hype, refresh rate seems to be getting the most attention. The standard refresh rate is 60Hz, while the new LCDs are offering a 120Hz or even 240Hz. Even with a good LCD TV sale you will definitely see an extra cost for a 120Hz over a 60Hz, sometimes up to a few hundred dollars, but is it really worth it? Standard movies are shot at 24 frames per second. Since 60 is not divisible by 24 you end up losing a few frames out of a hundred, whereas 120 and 240 are divisible, so no frames are lost.

Manufacturers claim that these newer TVs have less blurring of the picture during quick movement scenes on the television, while many LCD TV reviews state that it produces an unnatural, artificial appearance. Before you go buying a 120Hz TV make sure you see it in action first. You might find that for the extra cost, it doesn’t offer much of an extra benefit. I personally own a large 120Hz LCD TV and I can honestly say I never use the 120Hz or "smooth motion" feature. TV shows can end up looking like cheap soap operas and gaming hardly offers any visible difference.

The brand name also accounts for larger costs; different brands can have variances in color intensity and image clarity even if they claim to offer the same stats for refresh rate and resolution. It might be tempting to buy a cheap LCD TV and save some money with a no name brand; on the other hand this could end up costing you even more in repairs or replacements once the factory warranty expires. Many of the no-namers don’t even offer a post warranty service or parts available. Not all HDTVs were made perfect; having that warranty could save you the cost of a replacement TV.

Now more than ever, you can find affordable HDTVs. As new technology is invented, prices on televisions have dropped dramatically. They can range from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars, but almost anyone can find a high quality, cheap LCD TV in their price range. Make sure you do your research to find a great Cheap LCD TV when discounts are offered. You can find a coupons and special sales for the best LCD TV Deals all the time when you buy online.