How to Buy an LCD TV

Know What Size You Want :-
lthough not always possible, it works out better if you go into the store and know what size you want to buy. This will not only save a lot of your time but also give you more time to examine only those TVs that you want to buy and not waste time by going through the entire range of LCD TVs.

Mainly, two factors determine the size of the LCD TV you should buy; the first being your budget, and the second, the size of the room you want to put the TV in.

Budgets being subjective, I wouldn't want to say a lot about them. But I will say this, you should never go over the top unless you really want to one-up someone. Also, keep in mind that whichever TV you buy now will definitely lose a lot of its value after about 12 months or so.

So, the point I make here is, know your size - the size of your wallet AND your room.





There Is No Such Thing as Future Proof :-
Just like there is nothing "foolproof" in the world, there is no TV in the market that is "future proof." Most high-end models may be able to give you a lead for about 4-6 months or so, that's it. Paying a premium of about 15k+ on such TVs is a huge waste of money.

The attendant at the store might promise a lot of things about the TV being able to play movies at full HD, etc., but just stop for a moment and ask yourself if you're ready to spend another 20k+ on a Hi-def movie player or would you rather buy something cheaper that can upscale "up to" 1080p.

The best fix to this problem is to connect your computer to the TV via HDMI and fit a Blu-ray drive on the comp. This might cost you about 7-8k and should be a good deal overall. Even so, given the exorbitant prices and the dearth of the latest full HD movies, going for rental copies is the only sane choice we have as of now.

Bottom line, don't get caught in the "future proof" BS; go for the one that best suits your needs.


Now, in the first two points, we concentrated on selecting a budget, and the process will mostly take place before you step into the store. The following steps will help you select the best LCD TV from a wide range of products that will be kept on display in the store.




View It From All Sides:-
LCD TVs come in different sizes and styles, and it's not the screen that I am talking about. The build and finish of LCDs go a long way in defining the way your room will look. So, it's always prudent to view the LCD TV from all sides. I suggest you measure the space you plan to put the TV in, as it will help you select the right- sized TV (in case you won't be wall mounting the TV).

Always, always, always, check what type of devices you can connect to the television and how many of them. These days, most LCD TVs will come with at least 2 HDMI ports. Of course, more would be better, but make sure you have one at the side as well.

Also, one of the major drawbacks of a lot of LCD screens is that they don't have a good viewing angle, i.e., the picture appears distorted or colourless beyond a certain angle. This is especially true of entry level LCD TVs, most of them are outdated, but are still available in the market at a heavy discount.





Watch a Movie on It :-
Chances are, if you're going to stores like Chroma, e-Zone, etc., you will be able to watch a movie on the TV you like. Also, you should ask the store assistant to let you watch standard TV channels as well (regular cable or DTH channels). That should give you an idea of how good the TV is with both these connections. It is imperative that you are satisfied with both or at least the cable/DTH viewing experience, as that is what you'll mostly be watching.

How do I know which is good, you may ask. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Check the channel logo when watching any TV channel. The clearer it is, the better.
2. Check for noise on the screen. I mean grains that appear when watching any content. Ideally, it should be as low as possible. When playing full HD content via the HDMI port, noise should be almost non-existent.
3. Check for colours and brightness. Good thing is, the other TVs will be lined up there as well, so it will be easier for you to compare and choose the better model.





Ask for More :-
Once you're done selecting your TV, stop jumping up and down. Compose yourself and ask the assistant what more he has to offer in that price. At first he might have a shocked expression on his face, but when he knows you're calling his bluff, he might just go ahead and give a 4-5% discount which, depending on the time and place, might go to as high as 10%. In case they can't give you a cash discount, ask them whether they will give free/extra cables or free home installation (if you want to wall mount the TV). Don't think going into a big mall means you have to forfeit your right to bargain.