Evaluate how well a LCD Television meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in an LCD television and you've learned about some of the features of LCD televisions. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of television - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will evaluate the LCD televisions available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed sets to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a LCD Television meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available LCD televisions in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any that clearly exceed your price limit.
Because of their slim nature, LCD units normally come standard with a television stand. If you prefer to hang it on the wall, separate mounting kits can be purchased to make this a safe and easy process.
Tip: Be sure to check the speaker configuration of the television you choose. Side-mounted speaker options take up a greater width than those with speakers mounted on the bottom. However, there are side-mounted choices available with detachable speakers.
LCD televisions can vary greatly between models with regard to picture quality. One aspect to consider is the number of pixels the LCD screen has. LCD TVs have a fixed number of pixels, so you will want to buy a LCD TV with the highest native pixel count. Look for a pixel count of at least 1280x720. The highest available is 1920x1080, however, you can expect to pay a lot more for this advanced picture quality.
While LCD TVs offer a brighter overall picture in rooms with a high light level, they can have difficulty when processing black colors. As a result, they may not offer a high degree of depth in color contrast. When looking at LCD screens, check their contrast ratios. This measures the contrast between the whitest and blackest parts of the picture display. A contrast ratio of 1,500:1 is considered a minimum optimum measurement for any LCD TVs greater than 32 inches (81cm). In addition, be aware that models without HD (High Definition) resolution can provide a less than optimum picture resolution.
The motion response time for an LCD TV needs to be about 8ms (milliseconds) if you want to watch fast action movies or sports shows. LCD TVs with slower response times may disappoint viewers, as the images tend to lag and create a blurred picture. In order to test these deficiencies, take along an action movie or sports recording to see how they perform at the store. In addition, take along a movie with dark scenes so you can test the contrast ratios.
Tip: If you are considering a non-HD set, be sure that it is not going to be used as your main viewing television. Smaller units used in kitchens or other casual viewing areas are fine in a standard definition format.
In addition to picture resolution, it is important to check the viewing angle of the LCD television you are considering. While many sets have a wide area of viewing clarity, others can dim or fade when watched from an off-center location. If you hang your LCD TV from the ceiling you may be able to take advantage of the viewing angle capability. This basically allows you to tilt the screen so you can watch it from different positions in the room to compensate for external conditions such as light shining in through a window.
Most new televisions offer a host of options for hooking up other electronic gadgets and devices. LCD formats are no exception to this rule. Most provide a variety of choices for audio and video input and output selections. The connectivity is not just in the rear of the unit, but can also be located on the front and side for easy access. It is important to inspect the ease of connection on the unit you are considering. This will go far to save frustration when setting it up in your home.
Tip: Some larger screen options come with a separate connection box. This box is hooked up to the back of the set and then offers the user a wide range of connectivity choices right at their fingertips.
Another thing to keep in mind with regard to LCD televisions is the unproven nature of their lifespan. Some manufacturers have made claims of their LCD TVs lasting up to 80,000 hours, though 60,000 hours seems to be more accepted. As the picture display on LCD TVs are generated by the powerful lamps at the rear of the screen, picture quality will fade over time as the lamp ages. These lamps also help maintain white balance, which affects the true colors of the image. If you want to ensure that your colors stay truer for longer, then it is best to buy well-known brands that offer good quality bulbs.
Tip: Check whether the bulb in the LCD TV is built in or can be removed and replaced. This could save you from replacing the whole unit in the event that you have problems with the bulb.
When you were considering your requirements in an LCD television it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as size, speaker position, picture quality, HD readiness, and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various LCD televisions meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Power
- Supply - AC 110 or 240V, 60 Hz
- Consumption 170W to 250W(<1W in stand-by)
- Internal power supply
Size / Weight
- 15 to 52 inches (38 to 132cm)
- >30lb. (13.6 to 40.5kg)
Cabinet Color
Input / Output Options
- Composite video - rear / front, 1 to 4
- S-video - rear / front, 1 to 2, 4-pin DIN
- Component video - rear / front, 1 to 4 (Y / Pb / Pr)
- Audio in - rear / front / side, up to 5, L / R
- Audio out - rear, up to 2, L / R
- Digital audio output - rear / front / side, 1to 2, Coaxial, PMC / Dolby digital
- Headphone output - front / side 1 to 2
- VGA PC input - rear / side / front, 1 to 3, S-Sub 15
- HDMI connections - rear / side, 1 to 4, L / R audio input
- USB / IEEE 1394 / Firewall input
Audio
- Speakers - 2, Output level, 10W x 2 (20W) 11W x 2 (22W), 15W x 2 (30W)
- Dolby digital, MTS, second audio program
- Preset modes (movie, standard, music, speech, custom)
- SRS TruSurround, XT audio effect
- Digital Amplifier, Dolby Digital
- A / V synch
- Automatic volume leveler
- Audio mute
Picture Quality / Video Features
- Pixel resolution - 1280 x 720, 1366 x 768, 1920 x 1080, Wide XGA
- Brightness - from 450 cd/m2
- Response time - <8 to 24 ms
- Color selection - vivid, standard, movie, custom
- Color temperature adjustments
- Video signal - ATSC, NTSC / QAM
- Viewing angles - 80 to 160 degrees
- Contrast ratio - 800:1 to 3000:1 static, up to 10,000:1 dynamic
- Aspect Ratio - 16:9
- Comb filter, 3D
- Backlight, 4 - wavelength, wide color gamut, CCFL
- Grayscale balance, black level enhancer
- Video processing
- DRC multifunction circuitry
- Wide screen mode - wide zoom, normal, full, zoom
- Light sensor
- Noise reduction
- Gaming mode
Remote
- Universal, backlight, DVD control
Additional features
- Picture freeze
- Built-in tuner
- Channel control - skip / fix / add / jump / favorite / speed surf / auto programming
- Timer - sleep / view (2 events)
- Picture in picture
- CC / caption vision
- Clock
- Video card
- Memory card
- Multiple language displays
- Tone control
- Energy star
- Parental v-chip control
Channel Coverage
- VHF / UHF / CATV
- 1 to 500 channels
Bulb Life
Warranty
- Limited - 1 year limited warranty
Included Accessories
- Remote control / batteries (2x AA)
- Instruction manual / quick set up guide
- HD-15 to HD15 cable
- Mounting brackets
- Television stand
Additional accessories
- Television stand / wall mount brackets
- Designer color bezels
- Input / output cables
- Auto switcher
- Game / video selector
- Power surge protection devices
- Remote upgrade
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your LCD television needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in an LCD television.
Once you have finished evaluating the LCD televisions available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the sets one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well an LCD Television compares with competing LCD Televisions
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of LCD televisions that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which LCD television on my short-list can give me the best value for money?
Which of these sets has the most features and benefits?
Which has the best picture/image quality?
Which is the easiest to set up and use?
Which LCD television seems of the highest quality?
Which of my short-listed LCD televisions do I like best?
Which best meets all of my overall personal needs?
Which LCD television do I like the best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating LCD televisions that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the LCD television, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the television is put together. Check the assembly is the television solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the television from the perspective of ease of use. How easily is it prepared for cleaning and maintenance? Are the controls easy to use? Make sure the television physically fits into the space available for it, and that it is user-friendly - some televisions look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Controls - visible, easy to use, accessible, clearly labeled
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and intuitive to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you use different batteries to those recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labor, Mechanical, Electrical
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other facilities are required - do you need internet access, for instance? What about a contract or service plan?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost
- Upgrades - will the product needs upgrades, what are the costs?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- Registration - what are the time frames and costs
- Internet access - is this necessary?
- Contracts or Service Plans - conditions, penalties, costs
- What else will you need to get the most out of your LCD TV?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of LCD televisions that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
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