Don’t Get Ripped Off On a Cheap LCD TV!

Getting ripped off on a Cheap LCD TV happens to the best of us. Even the tech-savviest of us can’t always keep up with changes and upgrades to the new gadgets on the market. But are these new upgrades really worth the extra cost that manufacturers claim? Here are some things to keep in mind when purchasing your next HDTV.

The contrast ratio is a measure of the TV’s capability to display distinctive shades between the darkest blacks and whitest whites. “Native” and “Dynamic” are the two most common methods of measuring contrast ratio. Back in 2005, most decent HDTVs were running somewhere below a 1,000:1 native contrast ratio. It wasn’t until Samsung began advertising up to 3,000:1 contrast ratios that the word “dynamic” became a common contrast ratio measurement. Soon after, all the big LCD manufacturers started to use the dynamic measurement in self-defense. By 2008, a new measurement of dynamic contrast ratio came to the HDTV market; the arrival of the 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio became the new hype. However, cheap LCD TV makers inflate their contrast ratios scores all the time. They do this by changing the absolute brightness of the entire screen or darkening the entire screen on scenes that are already very bright or very dark. This new trick could inflate a native contrast ratio of 3,000:1 to a false ratio of 10,000:1. Realistically, you cannot get that inflated dynamic contrast ratio without altering the actual contrast ratio. When it comes to contrast ratio a higher number is usually better, but since companies differ in their measuring, there is no exact number for a “good” contrast ratio, so don’t pay extra just to get the model with the highest number.

These days, instead of contrast ratio being the big hype, refresh rate seems to be getting the most attention. The standard refresh rate is 60Hz, while the new LCDs are offering a 120Hz or even 240Hz. Even with a good LCD TV sale you will definitely see an extra cost for a 120Hz over a 60Hz, sometimes up to a few hundred dollars, but is it really worth it? Standard movies are shot at 24 frames per second. Since 60 is not divisible by 24 you end up losing a few frames out of a hundred, whereas 120 and 240 are divisible, so no frames are lost. Before you go buying a 120Hz TV make sure you see it in action first. You might find that for the extra cost, it doesn’t offer much of an extra benefit. I personally own a large 120Hz LCD TV and I can honestly say I never use the 120Hz or “smooth motion” feature. TV shows can end up looking like cheap soap operas and gaming hardly offers any visible difference.

The response time of an HDTV is generally more important if you’re a gamer. This is a measurement, in milliseconds, of how quickly pixels change from black to white and back again, with the lower number being better. Most new LCDs offer a 5 to 6 millisecond response time; but some companies can be deceptive by measuring with a “gray to gray” response time. Avoid these false stats by choosing a big name company.

I know you’ve heard a lot of talk about whether or not an HDTV is 1080p or “full HD.” However, depending on the size of the TV, you usually have to be sitting pretty close to a 1080p set to notice the full advantage over a 720p set. The average distance of between a person and a TV in America is 9 feet. To be able to notice the actual detail (with the human eye) in a 32 inch 1080p set, you would have to be sitting 4 ft 2 in (or closer) from the set. If you’re on a budget, a good rule of thumb is that if the TV is smaller than 42 inches, you might want to consider a 720p instead. Also keep in mind that channels broadcasting in HD don’t even use 1080p. So take into consideration what you will be using the TV for. Bluray and some video games use 1080p, not regular HD broadcasting.

When you're finding LCD TV deals, it might be tempting to save some money by buying the cheaper no name brands; on the other hand this could end up costing you even more in repairs or replacements once the factory warranty expires. Many of the no-namers don’t even offer a post warranty service or parts available. Not all HDTVs were made perfect; having that warranty could save you the cost of a replacement TV.

Make sure you do your research to find a great Cheap LCD TV when discounts are offered. You can find a coupons and special sales for the best LCD TV prices all the time when you buy online.