TV buying guide

TV types

This isn't as much of a decision as it used to be because almost all TVs now on the market are LCD TVs that use LEDs instead of fluorescent bulbs for backlighting the screen.  Most manufacturers and retailers refer to them as LED TVs. (When we refer to LCD TVs in this buying guide, that includes models using LED backlights.)


Plasma TVs are just about gone from the market, and manufacturers are no longer producing them.
There's a new type of TV available that uses another display technology—OLED, which stands for organic light emitting diode. At this point, there's only one brand (LG) making them, but we expect to see more in the future.


3D TVs and Ultra HD TVs aren't different types of TVs. They are LCD/LED or OLED sets that have these capabilities. Many new models can display 3D images as well as regular HD. Ultra HD TVs, or UHD TVs for short, are LCD/LED sets with have higer-resolution screen that are capable of displaying more detail. OLED displays with UHD resolution are expected to arrive soon.

Screen size

Deciding what size TV to buy is one of the more enjoyable aspects of purchasing a new set. Most consumers tend to go bigger when replacing their old TV, because it enables them to better appreciate the fine, sharp detail of HD content, making it more compelling and creating more of a theater-like experience. Also, most TVs these days are very thin—many two inches deep or less—so they're a less imposing presence in a room, especially when wall mounted.
TV screens range in size from less than 20 inches to 90 inches, although several manufacturers have shown and even offer very expensive UHD sets with screens 100 inches or more. The size of the TV you purchase will like be decided by room size, your seating distance from the TV, its screen resolution, and your budget.


We believe most consumers would be best served by at least a 40- to 42-inch screen for a primary TV.
A 46- or 50-inch set is often preferable in rooms where you'll be sitting 8 to 10 feet or so from the screen. Consider an even bigger set for spacious family rooms. You want the screen to be large enough that you can enjoy the impact of a large image and see the detail that makes HD look so lifelike. The higher resolution of Ultra HD TVs—which have four times the number of individual picture elements (or "pixels," see Screen resolution) as 1080p models—will let you opt for a larger set without having to moving your sofa or chairs further back from the TV. It will also allow you to sit closer if you're replacing your TV with one of the same size.
Screens of about 26 to 32 inches are good for casual viewing in bedrooms, and even smaller screen sizes suit kitchens and home offices.




source:http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/tvs/buying-guide.htm