What to Look for When Buying an LCD TV

LCD TVs pack a lot of bang – for a lot of bucks. Their slim profile is the main attraction. Once available only with small screens, LCD (liquid-crystal display) TVs now come with screens as large as 50 inches (and climbing), which makes them suitable for a household's primary TV set. Regardless of screen size, these TVs are only a few inches thick, giving them a small footprint. They're also relatively lightweight, often as little as 30 pounds or less, so they can be wall-mounted.
Prices are heading downward, but inch for inch, LCD TVs are relatively expensive. In larger sizes, they cost more than comparably sized plasma sets, for instance. The picture quality on the best LCD TVs is very good. Recent improvements in LCDs are intended to address earlier weaknesses at displaying deep black levels, accurate colors, and fast motion.
Features

LCD TVs typically have all the usual features you expect on a TV. If you watch many movies, look for a film mode feature on HD sets – this feature is also called “3:2 pull-down compensation.” It’s designed to make moving images that were converted from film to video look less jerky and with less jaggedness around the edges.

On 16:9 sets, stretch and zoom modes will expand or compress an image to better fill the screen shape. This helps to reduce the dark bands that can appear around images if you watch content that isn't formatted for a wide-screen TV. (The picture may be distorted or cut off a bit in the process of stretching or zooming, though.)

Audio outputs let you direct a TV's audio signal to a receiver or self-powered speakers. Integrated digital TVs usually have a Dolby Digital output for surround sound (available from some broadcasts). An automatic volume leveler compensates for the jarring volume jumps that often accompany commercials or changes in channel. A headphone jack, if available, lets you watch (and listen) without disturbing others.

What to Keep in Mind

Think twice before buying an ED set. An ED set may cost a little less than an HD model, but the tradeoffs aren't worth it with LCD TVs. The picture quality almost certainly won't be as good as that you'll get with an HD set. Get an ED or standard-definition LCD TV only for uses such as casual viewing in the kitchen, where you wouldn't want the cable or satellite box you generally need to receive HD signals. For a main TV or one you'll watch often, get an HD set. The best are capable of very good picture quality, although deep blacks may not quite match those of a good tube-based set.

Check the viewing angle. Viewing angles have improved, so many new models display a better image from off-center than older sets did — a must if a TV will be watched by several people at once. Some sets have wider viewing angles than others. Before buying one, see how the picture looks if you step off to the side or move up and down. With some, you'll see a dimmer, somewhat washed-out image as your viewing position angles away, particularly in a vertical direction.

Look for easy-to-use inputs. On many LCD televisions the connections are on the side or rear of the panel and might be hard to reach. Some larger models have separate control units that connect to the LCD panel via cables. Devices such as a cable box or DVD player are connected to the control unit, so there are fewer cables running to the panel — a plus for wall-mounting — and the inputs may be easier to access. But it does give you another box to contend with.

Consider a set that doubles as a computer display. If you need a computer display as well as a TV, check out the connectivity options. Get an HD set since it's most suitable for computer use. A standard VGA connection will work with all computers; a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) input will be compatible with newer mid-range computers.

Weigh the merits of an extended warranty. While extended warranties aren't worthwhile for most products, they may be for high-priced devices using new technologies. Because LCD TVs are costly items that haven't yet established a track record for reliability, check into the cost of a service plan. Find out whether in-home service is covered and whether a replacement is provided if a set can't be repaired.

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