# Teach me what to look for in a new TV **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 21, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-what-to-look-for-in-a-new-tv/582717 "2011-05-21T20:50:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Captain\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-what-to-look-for-in-a-new-tv/582717/1 "2011-05-21T20:50:49Z")
Up to this point I’ve been using my 22" computer monitor as my viewing screen for DVDs, video games, etc. However, it’s time to finally buy a TV. The last time I owned a TV it was a Zenith from around 1994, so I’m out of the loop on what is and isn’t good. In terms of specs: [ol] [li]My price range is hopefully under $1,000. Once I know what to look for, I don’t mind sale shopping for several months.[/li][li]I assume I want it wide screen. [/li][li]Around 40", maybe a bit more, would be nice. [/li][li]I don’t intend to get cable or anything, and intend to set it as a second monitor on my computer. [/li][li]My video card has DVI and S-Video outputs, but I assume I could get an adapter of some sort if I have to use HDMI. [/li][li]The ability to hang it on the wall would be nice, but I rent so major installation of brackets and such would probably be a bad idea. [/li][li]I think 3D is a stupid gimmick, so not necessary. [/li][li]My couch is about 8 feet from the wall I would want to hang this on. Viewing angles are important, as one of the problems with my monitor is it looks too dark unless you sit exactly level with the screen (lay down on the couch and you can barely see anything).[/li][li]I still have all my older game systems like my SNES that take co-axial or RCA hookups. Would be nice to not have to buy adapters if possible.[/li][li]Sound will continue to be run through my 5.1 surround sound setup I have for the computer, so no worries there.[/li][/ol] Seems simple enough, right? But then I go to Newegg to look through TVs and find there are hundreds of options. LED, LCD, 3D, projection, etc etc. It’s too much! Can any of you lend some advice? ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-what-to-look-for-in-a-new-tv/582717/2 "2011-05-23T17:58:13Z")
My thoughts are interleaved in bold… > [@Captain\_C](#): > > [ol] > [li]My price range is hopefully under $1,000. Once I know what to look for, I don’t mind sale shopping for several months. \*\*No problem there. You can find real name brands for as low as $600 **[/li][li]I assume I want it wide screen. I don’t think any non-widescreen displays are being made, so it’s a moot point[/li][li]Around 40", maybe a bit more, would be nice. \*\* How’s 42" - that’s a very common size.**[/li][li]My video card has DVI and S-Video outputs, but I assume I could get an adapter of some sort if I have to use HDMI. **Yes, and almost all TVs can accept s-video directly. A lot of TVs can also take SVGA (the old-school multipin blue socket) directly.**.[/li][li]The ability to hang it on the wall would be nice, but I rent so major installation of brackets and such would probably be a bad idea. **Almost every TV sold now has what’s called a VESA mount capability - there will be four threaded holes on the back side just waiting to have a mounting bracket screwed on. It’s all pretty well standard - the hole spacing varies with screen size, but if you rent, then yes, you probably don’t want to be putting substantial holes in the wall to hang a TV.** [/li][li]I think 3D is a stupid gimmick, so not necessary. **Agreed**.[/li][li]My couch is about 8 feet from the wall I would want to hang this on. Viewing angles are important, as one of the problems with my monitor is it looks too dark unless you sit exactly level with the screen (lay down on the couch and you can barely see anything). **Today’s LCDs and plasmas get pretty darn close to 180-degree viewing.** [/li][li]I still have all my older game systems like my SNES that take co-axial or RCA hookups. Would be nice to not have to buy adapters if possible. \*\*They are disappearing, but I haven’t seen a TV yet that didn’t have at least one composite (the single yellow RCA jack) input. If you’re planning to use a surround receiver to handle the audio, almost all of those have more inputs that you might have imagined. The Onkyo receiver I have can take in three or four composite inputs and at least as many component and HDMI inputs and send out just one HDMI to the TV. \*\*[/li][/ol] Stick to major brands like Sony, Panasonic, LG, etc. Personally, I’m a fan of Panasonic for big plasmas and LG has some very nice LCDs. Far too often, the house brands are disposable and not practically repairable when they fail. ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teach-me-what-to-look-for-in-a-new-tv/582717/3 "2011-05-24T14:33:35Z")
My advice is not to overthink the decision. It will give you a headache. Buy a major brand with the connections you want and you will likely be happy. You will pay more for “LED” tvs. This has to do with how the tv is backlit, and there are a number of different variations. I forget what they are. I don’t have it and I am happy with mine (I have a Sony Bravia bought about two years ago). I also would not bother with a plasma tv. They suck up more energy and also run hot. People talk about “blacker blacks”, but my blacks are just fine, thank you. I spent a lot of time researching this when I bought mine. I wish I had that time back.