How to Buy a New HDTV - Step 2b

2) Nice-to-haves

- Integrated HD tuner
Also known as an integrated ATSC tuner, having one of these will make the setup of your new HDTV easier because you won’t have to worry about acquiring and setting up either an external HD tuner or getting a set-top box from your cable or satellite company. However, nearly every cable and satellite company offers HD packages that include an HD tuner as part of the set-top box package. A good idea is to call your cable or satellite company before you go shopping to find out what packages they can offer you and what additional monthly fees are associated with each package.

- Progressive scan
This will be an important feature for you if you plan to watch a lot of movies on your new HDTV. Progressive scanning and 3:2 pulldown are both used to smooth out and reduce jaggedness in images when watching DVD’s. You should understand, however, that this feature is only useful if you have a progressive scan DVD player.

- Picture-in-picture
Personally, I do not find PIP to be very useful. However, if you like to be able to watch another TV show or movie in a smaller window, while watching another TV show or movie in a larger window, this is a feature you should look for.

- Universal remote
These remotes allow you to program them to control all of your audio / video gear with only one remote. This is helpful if you have the time and patience to program the remote to control your other components (DVD player, VCR, set-top cable box, etc.)

- High quality sound
If you do not plan on using a separate home theater system, the quality of sound produced by the TV will be an important feature for you. Almost all new TV’s have MTS stereo and some type of simulated surround sound. The quality of speakers will vary from TV to TV, but I have found there to be only minor differences in the overall sound quality from various TV speakers.

- Support for 1080p
This is the highest resolution standard for HD content and only a handful of HDTV models are capable of displaying HD content in this format. It is a “latest and greatest” type of feature, and it offers the highest resolution along with progressive scanning to display the most detailed and accurate picture available today. Why, then, is it not a “must-have” feature? Primarily because there are VERY FEW sources of 1080p content today. None of the major broadcast networks (CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox) broadcast in 1080p and none of the major cable networks do either. Currently, the standard for HD content is 720p or 1080i and you will pay a hefty premium for HDTV models capable of displaying the 1080p format.

- SD (Secure Digital), CF (Compact Flash) or other digital camera card slot
This is useful if you want to view your digital photos on your TV without having to directly connect your digital camera to your TV. This saves the hassle of another connector cord and makes it easy to show digital pictures to your friends and family.

3) Fluff
- Anything having to do with “artificial intelligence” or “smart colors” or “screen enhancements” or “effect enhancements”
This is just marketing hype that will not translate into any real benefit for you.

My recommendation, after reading through this list of features, is to consider all of the features that are available and come up with your own list of “must-haves”, “nice-to-haves” and “fluff”. By categorizing your most important features, it will help you to narrow down your selection of TV choices.