So, when the wife turned to me recently and said: "We should get a big TV to hang on the wall" my first reaction (inside) was YES!!! (complete with fist pump). Then reality set in, and I realized the entire family was counting on me to actually figure out what to buy.
Have no fear - I'm right in the middle of it, and putting up an HDTV is not as bad as you might think. Yes, there's 1080i vs. 1080p, and Plasma vs. LCD vs. DLP. (Remember when it was Sony Trinitron vs. just about everything else?)
First thing for the Tech Confused Dad to think about: don't overthink it! There's so much information out there, and so much confusion, that going into BestBuy or Circuit City could throw you into anxiety shock. But a little research will help make some key decisions.
Size Matters
Don't buy too big (put your man-ego to the side for a bit). First rule of thumb is to make sure your screen size is appropriate for the size of the room. Don't buy a 60 plasma just to make a statement if you're putting it in a small family room.
Look at the size of your wall – and the space between your seating area and your TV. Be reasonable. Many websites have rules of thumb for size of screen to distance of viewing. For example, if you're looking at a 50 screen (wide format) your minimum viewing distance should be around 6 feet and maximum distance around 12.5 feet. If you're going to be closer than 6 feet, consider a 42 screen. If you have your heart set on that magical 60 screen, you should be a minimum of 7.5 feet from your screen.
1080i or 1080p?
Two things to think about – price, and the future. Right now 1080p is the future – most HD-DVD and Blue-Ray DVD players and the latest video games will be compatible with 1080p but future programming may not catch up for a while. However, I'm a fan of buying into the future. Your TV will be hanging on the wall for a long time. If you're investing now, it might be worth the extra bucks to go for the 1080p set. It might cost you $500 or more to make the jump so be prepared to have a few extra spaghetti dinners over the next few months to make back the money.
Wide Screen vs. 4:3?
Just go wide screen. It looks better, most programming is now offered in wide screen format, and if you don't do it, your kids will never forgive you.
What Brand?
In many ways, that's the most subjective part. Some TV's just look better than others. The Samsung sets are beautifully designed. Panasonic has a wide range of sleek large screens to fit many price ranges. LG also seems to know what they're doing. But it's hard to go wrong with a well-known brand. So go with what will look good to you on your wall.
Don't Hang It Yourself!
OK, I'll make a generalization here. If you're reading my Tech-Confused Dad column, then tools are about as familiar to you as taking down a grizzly bear. Many stores offer installation packages that will have your set hung on the wall, securely, with the wires hidden. Again, it will set you back around $500, but the price is worth every penny versus praying your set will stay on the wall through a sub-woofer bass explosion.
Bottom line. I went for a Panasonic 50 1080i Plasma HDTV. They're hanging it next week. I'll be eating spaghetti for a month. But wait till the kids walk in the room!