Cheap Flat Screen TV provides information on what you can expect to get when you decide to buy a cheap flat screen TV. Prices can vary greatly between makers. So here are some tips to help you find a cheap flat panel TV.
The first thing you want to consider is the resolution. Most flat panel TVs will have a resolution of either 720 pixels or 1080 pixels. The best way to know which one you can afford and enjoy watching as well is to compare the two types side-by-side in a store. Is the difference really significant? If so do you really want to get the lower pixel flat panel TV now or can you wait and save for the higher pixel?
You actually may find a higher pixel resolution with one maker’s flat panel TV model that is the same price or a little higher than another maker’s flat panel TV with a lower pixel resolution. The message here is that it “pays” to shop around or to research on online.
Another difference with cheap LCD television is that a “refresh rate” that is around 120Hz compared to higher priced models that will have 240Hz. Refresh rate is the measurement of how fast the flat screen refreshes the images. If images are moving at a high speed, there’s lot’s of action going on in the movie, you may see a blur. However, most people may not even know the difference. Again, the best way to find out what you can live with is to do a comparison.
Watch a scene from a movie or TV show were there is a lot of fast moving screen action on both types of flat panel screens to see if you can notice any differences.
(a note: some companies will have their own names for this feature. Sony calls it “Motionflow; JVC calls it “Clear Motion Drive”)
What you want to do here is not have to pay for features that you are not going to use.
Whenever possible try to get a list of all the features of all the flat screen TVs that you are interested in then go through each feature. You will have some features that you are essential no mater what you decide to go with, for example “flat screen”. But other features that may not have any real affect on your viewing pleasure are the ones that you don’t want to pay for.
Here is a list of the features you want to look at:
Picture-in-picture (PIP) does exactly that, it let’s you see a small window of one channel in a large window of another channel. Great if you want to watch a program while keeping track of your favorite sport’s event. These types of flat screen TV’s are referred to as “dual-tuner”, where they can show two pictures at once.
Illuminated remotes will have either backlighted keys (think “pricey”) or glow-in-the-dark keys (thank “cheaper”). However, keep in mind that backlighted remote keys will last longer because the glow-in-the-dark keys will fade. Most illuminated remotes will have only the “high-use” keys illuminated.
Double display duty is where you use your TV as a computer display as well. If this is the case you need to get the “high resolution-1080 pixels” that would be best for computer use.
Inputs should be easy to get at. The more expensive flat screen TVs may have a lot more inputs but they may be hard to get at. Again, you need to consider where the inputs are and what inputs you need, if you want to connect to an external DVD player or cable box.
This last suggestion is more about saving time and frustration.
Setting up your flat screen TV may be easier if you hire a professional installer. If you do, make sure that the installation includes learning how to use and program the remote. This could be a real time saver, not to mention the amount of frustration you avoid, if you have many remotes. The installer can show you how to operate everything from ONE remote.