| A multitude of accessories are available to make your | | | | remotes under couches, chair cushions, and in the |
| flat panel viewing experience more enjoyable. | | | | garbage! |
| Antenna and Tuner | | | | Wall Mounting |
| The first thing you will need is a TV antenna, used to | | | | Some people choose to mount their flat panel TVs on |
| amplify, clarify, and optimize the signal for your TV. | | | | their wall. To do this, you need to have mounts and |
| After all, you want to view more than a TV signal, | | | | braces. An attractive feature of some of the mounts |
| right? If so, make sure to get a tuner. | | | | is that they allow your flat screen TV to turn or swivel. |
| Cables | | | | Now you can watch TV from any seat in the family |
| Cables are another necessity for your flat panel TV. | | | | room! Other people prefer to use special flat screen |
| Often, cables are not bundled with your components, | | | | furniture, such as TV stands, carts, trolleys, or shelves |
| which include a source for the TV/video signal, and an | | | | to set up their home viewing area. These types of |
| audio signal. This means you will need to buy the | | | | options do double-duty. The keep your home theater |
| cables separately. And please, spend the few extra | | | | neat and organized, and provide additional storage for |
| bucks to upgrade your cheaper cables. Your power | | | | the other devices that are hooked up to your TV, not |
| and signals going in and coming out of your | | | | to mention storage for DVDs, CDs, etc. |
| components will reward you by being stronger and | | | | Surge Protector |
| steadier. | | | | With such expensive and delicate equipment at the |
| Speakers | | | | mercy of any storms or power surges that may |
| Do you want to make viewing your flat panel TV | | | | come through your house, you will want to invest in a |
| more like a night out at the movie theater? If so, you | | | | good surge protector. The more expensive surge |
| should consider purchasing speakers and subwoofers | | | | protectors may even protect your dial-up connection, |
| to create stereo sound. What a way to boost your | | | | your DSL connection, or your cable connection. You |
| TV viewing experience! You will feel like you are right | | | | will be able to leave the house and not worry about |
| in the middle of the action! | | | | unexpected surges frying your electronic devices. |
| Universal Remote | | | | Screen Protector |
| Wow! With all the components hooked up to your flat | | | | While flat panel TVs provide an excellent viewing |
| panel TV, you are bound to have at least three | | | | experience, there are a few drawbacks. One is that |
| remote controls floating around. And honestly, can you | | | | the screens are delicate and pricy to replace. Another |
| keep straight which remote goes to which device? | | | | drawback is that the flat panel screens often cause |
| Investing in a Universal Remote Control would be an | | | | glare and eyestrain to people who sit in front of them |
| excellent idea. Universal Remote Controls allow you to | | | | for many hours at a time. Luckily, there is a fix for |
| program for several components on one remote. Now | | | | these problems. You can purchase a screen protector |
| your VCR, your DVD, your cable, your satellite, and | | | | to prevent damage to the screen and reduce |
| anything else you might have hooked up to your flat | | | | eyestrain. Some screen protectors will even blur the |
| screen TV will work from one remote. What is the | | | | screen from a certain angle to keep prying eyes from |
| best part of only having one remote? No more | | | | seeing whatever is on the screen. |
| fumbling around with remotes or searching for | | | | |