| Getting ripped off on a Cheap LCD TV happens to | | | | make sure you see it in action first. You might find that |
| the best of us. Even the tech-savviest of us can’t | | | | for the extra cost, it doesn’t offer much of an |
| always keep up with changes and upgrades to the | | | | extra benefit. I personally own a large 120Hz LCD TV |
| new gadgets on the market. But are these new | | | | and I can honestly say I never use the 120Hz or |
| upgrades really worth the extra cost that | | | | “smooth motion” feature. TV shows can end up |
| manufacturers claim? Here are some things to keep in | | | | looking like cheap soap operas and gaming hardly |
| mind when purchasing your next HDTV. | | | | offers any visible difference. |
| The contrast ratio is a measure of the TV’s | | | | The response time of an HDTV is generally more |
| capability to display distinctive shades between the | | | | important if you’re a gamer. This is a measurement, |
| darkest blacks and whitest whites. “Native” and | | | | in milliseconds, of how quickly pixels change from black |
| “Dynamic” are the two most common methods | | | | to white and back again, with the lower number being |
| of measuring contrast ratio. Back in 2005, most decent | | | | better. Most new LCDs offer a 5 to 6 millisecond |
| HDTVs were running somewhere below a 1,000:1 | | | | response time; but some companies can be deceptive |
| native contrast ratio. It wasn’t until Samsung began | | | | by measuring with a “gray to gray” response |
| advertising up to 3,000:1 contrast ratios that the word | | | | time. Avoid these false stats by choosing a big name |
| “dynamic” became a common contrast ratio | | | | company. |
| measurement. Soon after, all the big LCD | | | | I know you’ve heard a lot of talk about whether or |
| manufacturers started to use the dynamic | | | | not an HDTV is 1080p or “full HD.” However, |
| measurement in self-defense. By 2008, a new | | | | depending on the size of the TV, you usually have to |
| measurement of dynamic contrast ratio came to the | | | | be sitting pretty close to a 1080p set to notice the full |
| HDTV market; the arrival of the 1,000,000:1 contrast | | | | advantage over a 720p set. The average distance of |
| ratio became the new hype. However, cheap LCD TV | | | | between a person and a TV in America is 9 feet. To |
| makers inflate their contrast ratios scores all the time. | | | | be able to notice the actual detail (with the human eye) |
| They do this by changing the absolute brightness of | | | | in a 32 inch 1080p set, you would have to be sitting 4 |
| the entire screen or darkening the entire screen on | | | | ft 2 in (or closer) from the set. If you’re on a |
| scenes that are already very bright or very dark. This | | | | budget, a good rule of thumb is that if the TV is smaller |
| new trick could inflate a native contrast ratio of 3,000:1 | | | | than 42 inches, you might want to consider a 720p |
| to a false ratio of 10,000:1. Realistically, you cannot get | | | | instead. Also keep in mind that channels broadcasting |
| that inflated dynamic contrast ratio without altering the | | | | in HD don’t even use 1080p. So take into |
| actual contrast ratio. When it comes to contrast ratio a | | | | consideration what you will be using the TV for. Bluray |
| higher number is usually better, but since companies | | | | and some video games use 1080p, not regular HD |
| differ in their measuring, there is no exact number for a | | | | broadcasting. |
| “good” contrast ratio, so don’t pay extra just | | | | When you're finding LCD TV deals, it might be |
| to get the model with the highest number. | | | | tempting to save some money by buying the cheaper |
| These days, instead of contrast ratio being the big | | | | no name brands; on the other hand this could end up |
| hype, refresh rate seems to be getting the most | | | | costing you even more in repairs or replacements |
| attention. The standard refresh rate is 60Hz, while the | | | | once the factory warranty expires. Many of the |
| new LCDs are offering a 120Hz or even 240Hz. Even | | | | no-namers don’t even offer a post warranty |
| with a good LCD TV sale you will definitely see an | | | | service or parts available. Not all HDTVs were made |
| extra cost for a 120Hz over a 60Hz, sometimes up to | | | | perfect; having that warranty could save you the cost |
| a few hundred dollars, but is it really worth it? Standard | | | | of a replacement TV. |
| movies are shot at 24 frames per second. Since 60 is | | | | Make sure you do your research to find a great |
| not divisible by 24 you end up losing a few frames out | | | | Cheap LCD TV when discounts are offered. You can |
| of a hundred, whereas 120 and 240 are divisible, so no | | | | find a coupons and special sales for the best LCD TV |
| frames are lost. Before you go buying a 120Hz TV | | | | prices all the time when you buy online. |