Choosing the Screen Size – Your ideal TV size might be restricted by your room size or layout before you even consider a budget. The image quality makes a difference based on how close or far you sit from the TV. The better the image quality the closer you can view it. Full HD or 1080P images are clearer up close than a Standard Definition image so when watching these you could sit closer. The problem is that you don’t want to sit so close you can’t see anything  but a screen, so some middle ground is required.

A basic guide is to sit 2 to 3 times the diagonal screen size of your TV back from the TV. So as an example a 50” TV (127cm) would put you around 2.5m to 3.8m from the TV. We suggest this as a guide though not as a strict rule as you might want your TV as big as you can get, we certainly do.

Choosing TV Tuner Type - We recommend choosing a TV with a High Definition Tuner. Standard definition TV Tuners will not allow you to view High Definition broadcasts.  A High Definition TV Tuner will show you both High Definition and Standard Definition channels. This applies also to Video Recorders (DVD/ Blu-ray recorders and PVR’s) with built in tuners.

Choosing the TV Technology - When choosing a TV it is more important to choose it based on what you will mostly use it for and where it will be viewed. All TV Technologies have Pro’s & Con’s based on what you watch and under what conditions you might watch them. Some of these are listed below.

Plasma TV

• Screen sizes from 42” and above (not made below 32”)
• Best for watching sports or fast moving images as it has fast response time. Has strong contrast ratio (black to white separation difference). Traditionally had the best viewing angle.
• Not best for viewing in well lit rooms. Power consumption is often higher than LCD/ LCD LED TV’s

LCD TV

• Screen sizes from 15”and above
• Best for viewing in well lit rooms and for those who are serious gamers. Has strong brightness and colours. Lower power consumption than Plasma.
• Not the best contrast ratio (blacks are not as good as Plasma). Response time not as good as Plasma.

LED LCD TV

• Screen Sizes from 19” and above
• Best for viewing in well lit rooms. Stronger contrasts than standard LCD and the lower power consumption than LCD. Are generally thinner than LCD & Plasma TV’s
• Sound is often the trade off for thinner TV’s. Often is the more expensive technology within the screen size.

3D TV

• All Screen Technologies have this. Screen sizes currently are from 40” and above
• Depending on TV can do 2D (standard images) to 3D conversion
• Still need glasses either Passive (non powered) or Active (powered) depending on the model. 3D uses HDMI 1.4v so you will need all devices to be HDMI 1.4v capable to get the full advantage.

 

Choosing the Definition/ Resolution –  When choosing your next TV you should consider buying a TV that will suit your viewing needs now and in the future. TV’s today are capable of SD (Standard Definition), HD (High Definition) as well Full HD (Full High Definition) images. A TV that can reproduce all of these formats will give you access to the latest technologies such as Blu-ray and of course Digital TV broadcasting.

 SD, HD & Full HD are also often mentioned as screen resolution or pixels. The greater the resolution the more detailed your picture will be when viewing Full HD images via Blu-ray. To understand what some of these terminologies mean we have the following.

Standard Definition

• 576i or 720 x 576 pixels (16:9) for wide-screen.
• All Digital TV’s have this as standard as well as most Video Recorders with Digital Tuners
• The quality of image is similar or equal to what you see on DVD.

High Definition

• 576p or 720 x 576 pixels, 720p or 1280 x 720 pixels, 1080i or 1920 x 1080 pixels.
• 1366 x 768 screens are classified as HD as they can display HD broadcasts.
• Is a better picture than Standard Definition but not available on all broadcast channels

Full High Definition

• 1080p or 1920 x 1080 pixels.
• You must have a 1920 x 1080 pixel panel to get the full benefit of Blu-ray
• Is the best image quality available and is the most future proof to date.

Choosing a Player/ Recorder - Your Video Tape playing VCR are now in a digital format and on a disc. As the technology has advanced the quality has improved both for picture and sound. Hard Drives are now as important as the disc for playing & recording. The three different types of devices to record and play your favourite programmes all have advantages.

DVD player & recorders

 

The Technology/ Format

• 4.7GB single sided disc, 576i Resolution with 5.1 surround sound
• Improved on VHS Tape in many ways offering double the picture resolution while including surround sound
• Offers additional information previously not available on VHS such as behind the scenes footage menu, making of the movie plus heaps more.

Devices

• Come in 3 basic forms - DVD Players, DVD Recorders & DVD Recorders with Hard drives built in
• DVD recorders can have Standard Definition, High Definition or both tuners.
• Some DVD Recorders have a built in Hard Drive which allows you to record directly to the Hard Drive instead of the DVD so you can edit it before transferring to DVD.
• A DVD Player can also play CD’s

Blu-ray (BD) player & recorders

The Technology/ Format

• Up to 50GB capacity disc, 1080p Resolution with 7.1 uncompressed surround sound
• Improved again from DVD with a single disc being able have a whole series in Blu-ray quality or have a whole box set on 1 disc in DVD quality. Hours of playback.
• Not only is the picture better than DVD it is better than HD images
• You have additional content available allowing you to go via the Internet to view.

Devices

• Most Players & Recorders will have a LAN port to connect to your network. Opening up other content on the Blu-ray Disc on the internet.
• Blu-ray Recorders often have a built in Hard Drive so you can edit before placing onto the Disc.
• You can also play your DVD’s and CD’s through a Blu-ray Player or Recorder so no need to throw out your collection.
• To play 3D Blu-ray movies you need a 3D Blu-ray player/ recorder as well as a 3D TV.

PVR (Personal Video Recorders)

The Technology/ Format

• PVR’s are Hard Drive recorders with 1 or more digital tuners for recording TV programmes.

Devices

• PVR’s don’t normally have a DVD or Blu-ray disc option but some brands have incorporated a playing option for Blu-ray or DVD only.
• Include SD & HD Digital Tuners

 

Do I need an Audio System? – Well yes you do. The most overlooked part of an entertainment area is the Audio/ Sound System or otherwise known as the Home Theatre System. The Home Theatre is now more important than ever.  Advancements in technology have made them so much easy to use. So why do you need a Home Theatre with your TV purchase? See some of the Q & A’s that might help you below understand.

 

Q. - Home Theatre is complicated to use and just too hard to consider at the moment.

A. - Home Theatre Systems has never been easier to use. Depending on the brand you can control your Home Theatre with your TV remote needing only to use one remote control (HDMI CEC). HDMI CEC is also referred to as, Viera Link (Panasonic), Anynet+ (Samsung), Bravia Sync (Sony), SimpLink (LG), REGZA-LINK (Toshiba), etc.

 

Q. - Home Theatre Systems are too expensive

A. - Home Theatre system can be expensive but they also can be very affordable. Depending on your needs, HTiB (Home Theatre in Box) are as low as $200.

 

Q. - Won’t the Home Theatre clutter the room with all the speakers.

A. - There are several types of Home Theatre Systems including 5.1 speaker packages & Soundbar’s. Soundbar’s can sit below the TV or wall mounted with no need to clutter the room. Some 5.1 Packages allow for all the speakers to be positioned at the front of the room and act in the same way as a Soundbar. Some Micro (Shelf type audio systems)

 

Q. - It is another box that I need to find a spot for.

A. - Well yes, but it also could replace & update a box you have. Home Theatre Systems often include Blu-ray or DVD playback in the main unit. The latest models have also 3D Movie playback & iPod playback.

 

Q. - Isn’t the sound on my TV OK anyway?

A. - TV’s are now thinner which allows less space to place speakers in the TV cabinet. The result is often is lower quality sound and volume. Some Free to Air broadcasts along with DVD & Blu-ray all include surround sound. Only a Home Theatre System can take full advantage of 5.1 Surround Sound.

 

Q. - Setting up a Home Theatre sound like a nightmare so why should I bother.

A. - Most Home Theatre Systems today have colour coded wires to connect the speakers. HDMI has minimised the wires needed to connect to other devices. The most important thing is that most offer an “Auto Setup” so it takes the pain out of the calibration. Still sounds too much................... Big Brown Box can install your total package for you.

The Home Theatre System can give you the following additional benefits over just the TV:

• Play Blu-ray
• Play DVD
• AM/ FM Radio
• Play CD
• Play iPod/ iPhone
• Play back Video/ Music/ Pictures via USB
• Auto setup/ calibration for optimum listening
• Connect TV sound to the Home Theatre for surround sound from TV broadcasts.
• True 5.1 Surround Sound