How to Decide Whether You Need To Upgrade To A New LCD or Plasma Flat Screen TV

Today, flat screen tvs are more popular than ever. With a slim profile, detailed image, and light hanging weight, flat screen televisions, available in both LCD and plasma models, have many advantages over traditional televisions. Despite these advantages, you may be perfectly happy with your current television. And, in reality, you might not need to upgrade to a flat screen television. Here's how to decide whether you should buy a flat screen television.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine whether your current television set is meeting your needs.
   
   If you bought a large tube or DLP television in the last few years, it likely already has a "flat screen." However, the television is probably fairly large, heavy, and impossible to hang on the wall. However, your television may already be meeting your needs. If you feel satisfied with your current set, rarely watch television, or feel that buying a LCD or plasma television is just a status symbol, you probably don't need to get a new television. Have a discussion with your spouse or roommate about the pros and cons of buying a LCD or plama television. You might determine that the benefits don't outweigh the cost.
   
   If your current television is small, or more than a few years old, an upgrade to an LCD or plasma television will be a great leap forward, and more likely worth the additional expense.

2. Determine whether you really need the viewing advantages of an LCD or plasma flat screen television.
   
   Newer flat-screen LCD and plasma display televisions are HD. They can display high definition signals from HD DVD players like Blueray discs. They can also display HD content from a cable or satellite signal.
   
   If you don't watch television in the high definition format, the advantages in clarity and crispness of the newer LCD or plasma televisions are greatly reduced. However, in time, high definition signals will become more common.

3. Consider the space requirements of a slim, wall mountable television.
   
   If you own a small apartment or house, you might greatly appreciate the reduced amount of wall and floor space a plasma or LCD television takes up.
   
   However, if your television is located in a large family room or den, space probably isn't an issue.

4. Compare the price to size ratio of a new, flat panel LCD or plasma television to the price to size ratio of your current television set.
   
   To purchase a flat panel television the same size as your current set, you may have to make a considerable investment. Make sure you have enough money to buy a set the same size or larger as your current, non flat panel television before you upgrade. Otherwise, you may end up with a smaller screen on your new television.