How to Buy a HDTV Television

HDTV screens are measured diagonally.

Buying an HDTV can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Knowing the features of HDTV models before walking into a store can help a buyer understand the options available and get the best model and bargain for his home.

Screen Size and Resolution

HDTV screens are measured diagonally and use the "widescreen" aspect ratio---gone are the more square TV screens. HDTVs come in a variety of sizes and can fit in most spaces. HD sets come with two standard screen resolutions---1080p and 720p. The 1080p have a higher resolution, which means the screen renders more pixels per inch in higher detail than a 720p model.

Connectivity Features

Some HD sets on the market allow owners to stream movies and games directly to the set without additional boxes. For these features to work, an HDTV must connect to the Internet and may need to have extra input ports for HDMI cables and other components. Some models also have USB ports so that you can connect a flash drive to the television and view photos and video from a computer on the TV.

Price

The least expensive HDTVs have small screens and lower resolution. Models with a 1080p screen resolution will be more expensive than 720p models, and TVs with larger screens will cost more. The number of features on a TV will also drive up the price; in 2010, the connectivity features were popular and added to the price of an HDTV set.

References

• HDTV Solutions: HDTV Buying Guide
• "PC World" magazine, 10 Things You Need to Know Before Buying an HDTV, Yardena Arar, August 2010