Cheap HDTVs

Buying a new HD TV is a big event for many people, especially if it’s the first one they get. They imagine how much better the experience will be compared to their old TV and they like to think about all the HD movies that they will watch. However, many times, their excitement makes them overlook two basic aspects.

• Measuring the space where the HD TV will be. When people think of a new HD TV, they think “bigger.” However, it’s surprising how many people just assume that they will place their new HD TV in the same place where they had their old TV. The result? Many times, it doesn’t fit. This is especially true if they want to place it in an entertainment center that has a place for a TV. Most likely the entertainment center was bought to accommodate their old TV, but with the years, people get so used to think of it as the “TV place” and just figure they will put their new TV there. A less frequent case is a supporting piece of furniture that for some reason can’t handle the new TV and has to be replaced.

So, in order to avoid last minute surprises, take a measuring tape and see how much space you really have before buying your HD TV.

• Taking into account the number and type of devices that will be connected to the HD TV. HD TVs are popular because you can connect to them some devices that you can’t connect to a regular TV, or because you get a much better experience with those that you can connect to a regular TV. If you plan to connect your Xbox, your Playstation 1, 2, and 3, your Nintendo Wii, your old VCR and your DVD player (in addition to your regular antenna, of course), then you might run out of connectors. You’ll be forced to connect and disconnect cables if you want to play a specific game. If you have your HD TV mounted on a wall, this makes it difficult and inconvenient. Alternatively, you can just avoid using some devices, which means the money you invested on them will be a waste.

The solution? Make a list of all the devices that you really plan to use, in order of priority. For example, most people will prefer to connect a DVD player before a VHS player. You can also reduce the number of connectors needed by seeing which devices can do more than one function. For example, the PS3 can play blu ray discs, and the Xbox 360 can play DVDs, so that’s two devices less to worry about. Finally, take note of what type of connectors you need and check that the HD TV you want has them or that you can get an adaptor.