What Should You Look For When Buying An HDTV?

By Leah Hope

January 10, 2007 - The key to getting the most out of our high definition broadcasts here on ABC7 is owning a high definition television set. What should you look for when take that next step?

The best picture of ABC7 will be on a high definition television set. If you have an HD television set with an HD signal you'll really notice the difference with more vivid colors crisp images with more to see on the edges of a wide screen.
It's easy to be overwhelmed by all of the terms and technical speak but his will help you navigate your next HDTV purchase.

To see ABC7 in HD start with an HD television set. There are lots of different brands and types of televisions that can receive the high definition signal. Here's what out there:

"Tube" televisions - have good pictures, are inexpensive, and known for the large, deep box.
"Rear projection" televisions - using d-l-p technology are not as deep and are less expensive.
"Flat panel" televisions - are more expensive but take up much less room. They can even be mounted on a wall with the right support.
Installers from Abt Electronics have noticed a big difference.

"We've gone from large TV's to TV's that weigh literally nothing...flat wall mount TV's are all the rage.. it's a big space saver," said Greg Bentz of Abt.

Among the flat panel televisions are "LCD's or liquid crystal display and "plasma"s.

At this year's consumer electronic show, televisions are getting bigger and thinner. But the flat screens available today offer some of the best television pictures.

If the details seem overwhelming, there are few simple ways to get the right TV. Experts say take a look at the price tag and the picture. "If you're talking about the difference between LCD, Plasma, Projection...all these different flavors depends on your pocketbook," said Michael Niederman, of Columbia College.

Niederman is the chairman of the television department at Columbia College and teaches a practical approach to television buying.

"The truth is if you have an HDTV that covers most of the formats.... your gonna be fine. It doesn't matter what kind of TV it," Niederman said. At Tweeter Michigan Avenue the sales manager says customers are often confused by the many types of television...he says if HD is what you want the rest is very subjective.

"How does it look...do you like the picture...good for what you use it for & aesthetically does the set look good and do you like the picture...that's what you should buy," said Josh McGinn of Tweeter.

Coming soon... Televisions as thin as credit cards: Organic Light Emitting Diode. For now HD is available with a high definition television set and a HD signal by cable... satellite... or over the air with an antenna.

For non HD viewers you will still receive abc7, but it will be clearer with the upgrades we've done to broadcast in HD.

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