Tips for buying a digital TV

by Sarah Granger

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Buying a new piece of electronics can be exciting – it’s an opportunity to explore new features and update your home.  But sometimes it's daunting, particularly when there is a wide range of options.  And now for those who don’t already have TV sets that can show digital broadcasts, we have to convert or buy new ones.  As of February 17, 2009, all analog signals will cease from television stations across the nation, so we all have to get on board with digital technology (either via a converter or a new TV) in order to keep watching our favorite network TV shows.

Buying a new TV should be easy, right?

Yes, buying a new TV is easy if you know what equipment you need. A typical electronics store will offer four types: flat panel, projection, tube and front projection/screen systems. Most people will want one of the first three.  Projection TVs look like flat panel displays, but they are deeper in back, so for people who already have cases for their televisions or who are not mounting their sets to the wall, these are a better deal.  If you need a set that's as thin as possible, flat panel is the only option.

Now for the tough part.  Sets come in different sizes as well as different resolutions.  For a basic digital TV, 20" a tube set at 480i or 480p will work for you, but it will be converting a digital image.  To get a better picture, 720 is recommended, and anything with a 'p' will be "prettier."  (The biggest resolution, 1080, really only is necessary for people playing super high resolution video games on their televisions.)  For those with a little extra budget for a TV, HDTV (high definition television) capabilities are recommended -- that’s how all television in the future will be broadcast. If you purchase a model that provides HDTV now, you'll get more use from it than from a regular digital one.

Narrowing options while researching online will help immensely, but definitely check out your finalists in person.  See if you like it, and if it will fit in your home.  (Take a tape measure along.)  Once you've selected the type and size of TV you are in the market to purchase, still, there are a lot of options.  Look for customer recommendations and well-known brand names: Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi and Samsung all have good reputations and service programs.

Lastly, to ensure you are getting a digital set, businesses that sell TVs are required to put big warning labels on anything that does not provide digital service, so look for those, but most stores – on and offline – will be focused on selling the new sets.  And if you need a new DVD player, don't forget to look into TV/DVD combos. The drawback of those is that if there’s a problem with one part or the other, you have to take the whole set in for repair, but otherwise it’s an added convenience to have two in one and not have to deal with the in-between cables. You could also opt for a DV-R; check out Digital Landing's article on how to network your home theater to a DV-R.

How do cable companies fit into the picture?

Many cable plans will be changing over the next year.  Don't be caught off guard – check with your provider now to price out the digital plans they have available.  Some cable channels are still provided in analog, but that won't matter for those with digital TVs.  Just make sure you will receive digital programming.  Cable companies should be sending information out to customers about any transitions required.

Then what?

Buy your TV, take it home and turn it on.  You're ready to go.  What to do with your old TV?  Recycle it.  Goodwill takes TVs to recycle and many recycling centers now take electronics.  Check with your city and local environmental organizations for more information.