Technology is chaging fast in the world of HD TV, with Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and others launching new models onto the market for 2009, with LED, eco-friendly, ultra-thin, wireless and HCFL technology featuring prominently.
So where do you start? Here we've listed 5 issues to consider when you're buying a flat screen TV. For the entire feature, look for the new issue of PC Authority, on sale now in your local newsagency.
1 Screen sizes
If you want to see the benefits of high-def content, there's little point in looking at televisions under 37 inches. The big screen giants are now up past the 50 inch mark, but stop to think if such a monster is actually practical for your lounge room.
2 LCD vs Plasma
LCD makers might be winning the marketing war, but the fact is that plasma still generally offers a better picture and more screen real estate for your dollars. The new generation of high-end LCDs are starting to rival the quality of plasma, but they're not cheap.
3 LED blacklight
The use of an LED blacklight, rather than Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps, is helping the new generation of LCDs offer less blur and better contrast with more details in the shadows. It's also more energy efficient, as are the new Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (HCFL).
4 Refresh rate
If you're looking at LCD, it's certainly worth spending extra on a 100Hz screen. This will help reduce motion blur, which is important if you love your sport. The new 200Hz LCDs look even better again, in an attempt to match plasma, but they're expensive.
5 Ethernet and DLNA
New televisions from the likes of Sony and Samsung feature Ethernet ports which can play files stored on your computer or network drive, using the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) standard. While this is handy, don't spend extra just to get these features - let your set top boxes handle it instead.
