HDTV Shopping: No More Buyer's Remorse

Dazzled by rows of HDTVs at the local electronics store, consumers choose the brightest and biggest set they can afford. Then why are so many disappointed when that same TV doesn't look quite so fabulous at home? If you understand the differences between what you see in the store and what you'll see at home, you can eliminate buyer's remorse. Can you avoid disappointment? Yes, you can.

Know the store creates an optimal environment to sell TVs. The programming has been carefully selected. Most stores have a subscription to Comcast or DirectTV and display high definition programs, that means the resolution is four times that of standard programming. Are you paying for HD at home? Are your favorite shows even broadcast in HD?

The goal is to duplicate your home viewing experience at the store. Enlist the salesperson. Don’t be afraid to ask for standard definition content on the TV you’re considering. Big on Food Network? Ask for it.

TopTenREVIEWS TV expert Brian Thomas says, “Oprah or Martha Stewart Living won’t be in high definition. They’re analog sources and won’t look as good as what you’re seeing on most store displays.” He's worked the TV store floor and has this advice for salespeople, "If you don’t tell them, they’ll be disappointed and bring it back."

Stores will also have several displays connected to a Blu-ray player. You may see an unusual number of Disney Pixar Blu-ray movies on the screens. Does every store manager have a fondness for Disney films? No, Pixar films are digitally created in the most vivid colors imaginable. These are the movies that will awe shoppers with the HD difference.

Use the same matching strategy with movies. If you have a DVD player instead of a Blu-ray player, ask the salesperson to show you a movie on a DVD player. Better yet, bring your favorite DVD with you. You know how it looks on your current TV, so it will be easy to spot a difference on the new one.

The source and the equipment are not the only factors, lighting plays a big part in your perception of display brightness. In store TVs, the brightness and contrast are usually maxed out, not the best settings for home viewing. Ask to adjust the settings. Use the remote and switch between presets like gaming, theater, and sports. Focus on what you'd view most frequently at home.

If you're setting up a home theater, a room without natural light, shop in a store that has a comparable viewing room. Here you may be able to adjust the lighting to duplicate your room at home, and at least you'll be able to see the picture in simulated home lighting rather than harsh showroom lighting.

In the early days of flat panels technologies battled to post the highest contrast ratios, an important measurement in the industry. Plasma was the choice of movie buffs for its ability to produce the deepest blacks, but today there is little perceptible difference between plasma, LCD and LED powered pictures.

For my technical, most discriminating home theater buffs, Brian suggests you bring in your THX optimizer disc to compare different TVs’ display characteristics. You’re looking at the grayscale to calibrate contrast and the line tests. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, skip it!

Shop prepared, ask for what you need and set realistic expectations for your new HDTV. Once it's in place at home, adjust the settings for your lighting conditions and enjoy. Remember to get the most out of HDTV, you need a high definition source (HD programming from your cable or satellite company and Blu-ray player with Blu-ray discs for movies) and HDMI cables.