How to Choose a TV Screen Type

Buying a TV can be complicated. There are many different factors to consider and screen type is just one of them. These steps can help guide you in choosing a TV screen type.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Computer

Instructions

1. Consider what size screen you want. Different size images look better on small or large screens. Use your desired size as a guideline for the best types of screens.

2. Take your budget, room size and style into consideration. Some screen types (HDTV for example) start at a higher price tier than others. You should also know what size TV will fit best in your room.

3. Determine how you feel about the picture itself. If you want a flawless picture all of the time, your best bet is a traditional cathode-ray tube (CRT) TV. While other types offer excellent quality also, technology (such as DLP) has yet to fully catch up.

4. Decide whether the TV will go in an entertainment center, be self-standing or hang on a wall. If you want to get trendy or just save yourself some space, many LCD (liquid crystal display) and plasma screen style TVs come in 3 to 4 inch deep screens made to hang on the wall. These slick-looking screens come in a variety of sizes that can fit in any room.

5. Know the difference between analog and digital TV. Your 10-year-old TV is most likely analog. If you're making the investment in a new TV, choose digital TV, preferably HDTV. Analog is on its way out (which is why it's the cheapest of TV screens out there) and will soon be extinct.

6. Consider image quality. Flat screens offer better image quality over shaped screens. While plasma and LCD images are high quality, the highest quality is HDTV. HD offers sharp images, even with non-HD signals.

Tips & Warnings

• Most new types of TV screens (HDTV, LCD or plasma) are the route you'll want to go. They each have different qualities that make them unique, but they all have one thing in common: newer technology. The technology of TV is a constantly evolving process. For example, the newest type of screen available, Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS), produces smooth, bright images and combines CRT and DLP technologies (making for a great screen). However it's still quite expensive.

• Most HDTV sets have screens that are 26 inches or larger. Most also have a 16:9 wide screen (rectangular and great for viewing movies), but a small portion have a 4:3 (square) screen (best for regular TV viewing).

• Screens get more expensive the bigger and more technologically advanced they are. If you are looking for a big screen HDTV, plan to pay upwards of $2000. Be sure your budget matches your choice in screen type and size.