We discussed four things to consider when buying a plasma HDTV in our previous money saving tips. 1) Determining what size TV to buy depending on your viewing distance from the set. 2) Why you shouldn’t buy the 1080p hype? 3) Considerations for purchasing a plasma HDTV on a budget. 4) Plasma TV lifespan. Remember, the sharks are still swimming in a feeding frenzy for your money!

Accessorize yourself

Add-on features such as sound enhancements, universal remote, PIP, tuner extras can load up the price and may not be worth the cost difference.  If it has MTS stereo speakers with the usual 5 watts per channel your good to go. You’ll receive a much better sound from an external audio system with surround sound speakers than anything built in the TV. Universal remotes aren’t usually “universal” either, but buttons with a back light is a good feature to have in a dimly lit room. As for picture-in-picture (PIP), it doesn’t work with satellite or cable boxes. You need another program source such as DVD/VCR or antennae in order to get another picture.  Other built in tuner add-on features such as guides, favorites and such will not work with satellite or cable boxes either since these have their own features.

Make the connection

Available input and output connections are probably one of most important features to consider when buying a television. Think what you will be connecting to the TV now and in the future before buying your new HDTV. Front panel inputs are very handy for game console along with cameras and video recorders. Most TVs, standard and high definition, have an  RF connector which is used buy most satellite or cable boxes, antennas, DVD, and VCR players. Another common connection type is the composite A/V connector sometimes referred to as “RCA Jacks.”  These jacks are found on most all audio and video equipment. S-video provides a sharper image than composite video and are widely used on video players and receivers. For the best analog picture you should use a component video connection,  usually labeled as “Y-Pb-Pr,” if your systems are so equipped  Some models have an VGA/RGB connector for connecting to computers and video processors. A few sets even have a FireWire connection which is also available on some HDTV tuners. One of the newer video interfaces is the Digital Visual Interface (DVI) that carries uncompressed digital video data to the TV. Of course the best connection type is the new High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). HDMI was designed to be backwards compatible with DVI and carries digital audio and video signals though the use of one cable and is set to become the new standard for all consumer electronic products.

Extended warranties

According to Consumer Reports, “We have long advised against extended warranties. In fact, we feel so strongly that consumers are being misled about them that last year we took out a full-page ad in USA Today to warn shoppers.” One of the main reasons an extended warranty is a waste of money is most products do not fail during the warranty period. How many times have you needed an extended warranty in the past? Another thing to consider is the cost of the warranty as it can run 10 – 50 percent of the cost of the product. Plus, most warranties don’t cover accidents; Only manufacturers defects. Analysts estimate that up to 50 percent of a stores profits can come from extended warranty sales. If you feel you must have a longer warranty consider using a credit card for the purchase as many will extend the manufacturers warranty by one year. Also, check the terms and make certain that the warranty includes in-home repair or pick-up service. It is highly unlikely that a new HDTV will fail during the warranty time-frame, so you will just have to decide if the coverage cost is worth it.

Bottom line

Once you decide to move up to high definition television you’ll notice a big difference in color, contrast, and sharpness. Be sure to consider your room size and how far you will sit from the TV in order determine the best size. Unless viewing a set over 50 inches in size, 1080p resolution is too costly and hard to notice. With 720p HDTV you get an awesome picture and save several hundred dollars or more on the purchase price. Most add-on features will not enhance your viewing pleasure enough for the extra cost. Do consider what components you will be connecting to the television and make certain it will have the correct inputs and outputs. Skip the extended warranty as most HDTVs do not fail during the warranty coverage period. Following these tips will save you money and provide you with the most bang for your buck!

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