TV Buying Guide
Our TV Buying Guide
Let's face it - with so many different types of TV available, buying a new television can be confusing. Our buying guide aims to take you through some of the main things to consider when buying a new TV.
Are TVs Changing?
The short answer is, yes. Not very long ago, nearly all TVs were of one kind - Cathode Ray Tube (or CRT for short). While these traditional types are still available, there is a whole new generation of televisions on the horizon. The so-called "digital revolution" has made it possible to receive lots more channels and get much clearer images on your TV screen. Modern TVs are also more compact and stylish. Some new plasma and LCD TVs are so slim that they can hang on your wall like a painting.
Click here to read more about the digital switchover and digital TVs
The different kinds of TV
If your TV is more than five years old, the chances are it's a traditional CRT television. The new wave of TVs comes in three main types - Plasma TVs, LCD TVs and HD TV (which can include both of the other two). Our TV buying guide can help you understand the difference:
Plasma TVs
The most popular choice for large flat-panel TVs, plasma screens can be as little as three inches thick - easily thin enough to mount on a wall. The screen is totally flat, so you can view the image from a wider angle without losing sharpness. Plasma TVs use a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells to create a crystal clear picture.
Click here for more info and a Plasma TV buying guideBuy a Plasma TV from Tesco.com
LCD TVs
Like the plasma screens, LCD TVs are flat and stylish, taking up very little room. In many sizes, LCD TVs offer higher resolution images than plasma screens. LCD TVs can be viewed from wide angles, but unlike the plasma, there is some loss of clarity. LCD TVs work through a network of miniature liquid crystals sandwiched between a backlight and a plate of glass.
Click here for more info and an LCD TV buying guide
HD TV
First of all, let's clear something up - LCD and plasma TVs can be HD TV-ready, but not all of them are. HD TV stands for High Definition Television. Some people believe that HD TV is the most significant thing to happen to television since the invention of colour technology. HD TV offers an amazing quality picture, up to four times as sharp as traditional images.
Click here for an HD TV buying guide, and to find out if you're HD-ready.
What are the benefits of LCD and Plasma TVs?
For a more detailed look at plasma or LCD TVs, take a look at our LCD TV Buying Guide or our Plasma TV Buying Guide. But in general, here are the benefits of both types of television:
Films, as they were meant to be seen
LCD and plasma screens often come with a widescreen aspect ratio. Put simply, this means that you can watch movies and DVDs the way they were intended - and not "boxed" in to fit a CRT screen.
Slimline design
Hang your TV on the wall, or take up less floor space in your living room.
No scan lines
Look closely at your traditional CRT screen and you can see thin lines. LCD and plasma TVs do not have these.
Less reflection
This gives plasma and LCD screens a sharper picture than CRT televisions, and less glare from the sun.
Totally flat screen
Because the screen is flat, you can view it from a larger angle than a traditional TV. It also means that there is uniform brightness across the screen.
Freeview and the Digital Switchover
By 2012 the government is aiming to turn off analogue TV broadcasts and switch to a digital signal. You will only be able to receive television images with digital equipment, using - for example - Freeview. But don't worry - this is all going to happen gradually, with as little hassle and cost as possible! The switchover will enable you to get much clearer pictures, and loads more channels for free.
Click here for more on Freeview
Click here for more on the digital switchover
Home cinema
As screens get ever larger and audio technology improves, the home cinema is really taking off. Large plasma screens, the advent of HD TV and incredible Dolby surround sound systems mean that you can get the full cinema experience from the comfort of your own living room.
Click here for more info and a buying guide to Home Cinema
So, which TV is right for you?
Hopefully, our TV buying guide has helped you understand the difference between the various types of television. Which TV is right for you depends on what you want to use it for. A small LCD TV might be best mounted in the kitchen or bedroom. A large plasma TV is perfect for the living room. HD TV can help you get the total home cinema experience. Take a look at our buying guides for Plasma, HD and LCD TVs for more information.