How To Buy a Big Screen Television

Plasma, LCD and DLP each have their advantages and disadvantages. Here are some things to think about:

DLP - DLP's biggest advantage is the price point, typically much lower than either Plasma or LCD. If your budget is tight, DLP might be an attractive option. DLP's are better than older rear projection models: they are thinner and produce more vibrant colors. On the downside, DLPs are still much bigger and bulkier than either plasma or LCD - of course, no wall mounting is possible. The biggest issue for DLPs is the viewing angle. I definitely notice loss in vibrancy and change in color depending on whether I am sitting or standing in front of the TV, for example. Viewing angle is better than in older rear-projection tvs, but it's still not great.

LCD - LCDs are light, thin, produce crisp pictures and allow fairly wide viewing angles. They are cost competitive with Plasma screens, especially at smaller screen sizes, and are probably better if you are planning to also use your TV as a computer monitor. They are also more energy efficient than plasma. For larger screen sizes, LCDs tend to be more expensive than plasmas. LCD screens also tend to offer lower contrast ratios than plasmas, which can lead to less vibrant images. My biggest issue with LCDs is they tend to suffer from image lag when showing quick action scenes, or quick camera pans. I have seen this effect across many models, and this was my primary reason for choosing plasma over LCD.

Plasma - my choice for a big screen. plasmas produce crisp, vibrant images. They are fast, meaning no image lag, and some new models even claim contrast ratios of 10,000:1. They are also light and extremely thin, allowing wall mounting. Note that plasmas can suffer from image burn if a static picture is shown for extended periods. However, improved technology has greatly reduced this risk. Plasma's biggest draw back is their price point, but you probably already knew that.

For a great article comparing Plasma and LCD screens, click here.

Here are a few tips about buying your big-screen:

Where to Buy - by buying my big screen online, I saved over one thousand dollars . However there are some risks involved. Regardless, make sure you personally see your chosen TV model in operation before you buy it online.

Choosing a Reputable Vendor - There are many, many "e-retailers" out there. Many of them, especially in the big-screen business, are either frauds or they don't know what they are talking about. Seriously. Before placing your order with any vendor, check them out on bizrate or on a similar website. However, be aware that a good rating is not proof enough that the vendor is a decent one. When purchasing my big screen I actually had to cancel my order twice, both times from 4-star rated bizrate vendors, because despite their promises to the contrary over the phone, they did not have the product I ordered in stock. When doing your bizrate search, make sure you read some of the negative comments left by previous shoppers. Be sure to check out Amazon's very competitive prices. With Amazon you always know what you are getting.

Talk to the Vendor - before you buy, talk to the vendor over the phone. Make sure you understand the return policy and shipping policy. Confirm, twice, that they have the product in stock (as I mentioned, this is not always sufficient). Make sure that the vendor is a BBB partner. Make sure that the vendor has a valid business address, and preferably a real world retail store front.

Manufacturer's Warranty - make sure that a full manufacturer's warranty is included in the price you are paying and that this is spelled out in writing. In my research I found that many did not offer such warranty.

Shipping - a big screen is a delicate and sophisticated piece of equipment. Consider spending a bit more for shipping to ensure a swift and gentle transit. Make sure that the shipping box has a rough handling indicator. This indicator will change colors if your big screen was mishandled or dropped.

Accepting the Package - when the big day arrives, be sure to open the box and inspect all the various pieces of equipment before you sign for receipt of the product. If you find dents, scratches or other damage, refuse to take possession of the product. All reputable vendors and shipping companies will allow (and indeed ask you) to do so.