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Overstock Television Purchasing Guide
Before we can dive into the television reviews however, there are several terms that you will have to become familiar with. They are as follows: Refresh Rate - How quickly the screen can refresh the image display. 60Hz = sixty times per second. Although a higher refresh rate was once preferable, the human eye can only adjust so fast and any modern refresh rate should be considered optimal (the human eye can rarely detect movement slower than 15Hz, so anything faster than 15Hz is fine). Resolution - Most modern televisions are available as either 720p, 1080p or 1080i, and each of these numbers relates to the resolution and scan type (720 stands for 720 horizontal scan lines of display resolution, and 1080 stands for 1080 lines). To put resolutions of 720 or 1080 lines into perspective, keep in mind that until recently, televisions had only 480 lines. Now we need to explain what the 'p' and 'i' in the 720p, 1080i and 1080p stand for. This letter is an abbreviation for the type of scan that the TV uses; 'p' = progressive and 'i' = interlaced. Progressive is a better scan type than interlaced because it processes images twice as fast. The faster scan rate produces higher clarity and color in the picture. As a general rule, 720p is fine on anything below a 32" screen, 1080p is recommended for larger sets. A 50" television with 720p technology still delivers a fantastic picture, however, so if the price is substantially lower then it should be considered as a viable option. Contrast Ratio - This number has to do with the television’s ability to discern between true black and white, so technically it refers to how many possible color combinations are available. However, this number is often heightened by manufacturers because it is such a difficult category to properly rate, so do not use it as a final purchase determination. Input Devices - HDMI is the new standard for electronics and can be found on everything from newer video cards to Blu-ray players and DVD players. DVI is also a popular input for computers and newer monitors, but it can also be fitted with a HDMI adapter if necessary. Other devices (like older electronics) will still use component video or standard definition inputs, so make sure the television you are looking at can handle your current load plus plenty of room to upgrade with technology. Now that the terms and definitions are out of the way, let’s look at some televisions. 3D TV The newest television set on the market can display three dimensional images with the help of specialized viewing lenses (3D glasses) and should become the viewing standard over the next several years. Already television stations are preparing 3D formats with many of their most popular shows, but for now the prices are still unreasonable for the average consumer since there is little to gain from the limited content designed for it. Since for now you’d be using it in similar ways as you would a LCD or Plasma television, it is probably best to wait on this purchase another year or two. Plasma TV Although plasma televisions have lost much of their momentum due to more popular technologies, they still offer great performance at a fair price. Their selling points are fantastic refresh rates and contrast ratios, but they also require darker rooms to display properly; in bright rooms there is simply too much glare from the glass screen. Plasma televisions also consume much more power than their main competitors, so think twice before making this your everyday entertainment set. For a bedroom television that will only be viewed a few hours in the evening though, do not hesitate to grab a plasma TV set if the price is right. LCD Televisions LCD technology has been hands down the top performer is sales over the past decade because their screens provide a bright, crisp picture and deliver fantastic contrast ratios. The downside is their limited viewing angles which have improved over recent years, but it still limits the viewing layout of the room. They also consume less power than plasma televisions. If you’re shopping for a primary television that will be watched throughout the day, LCD is a solid option. LED Televisions This technology is also a fairly new competitor when it comes to televisions, and consumers choose LED when they want an ultra-thin set that has requires very little power consumption and still display an excellent picture. The picture quality is generally slightly better than LCD televisions but the price is nearly double, so ultimately it is up to the consumer to decide if the extra money is justifiable. If you’re into conserving energy and do not mind paying a little bit extra for the technology, LED is the way to go. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Mark Minks is the founder of MoneyJibe.com, a website that has money saving tips, money making ideas, and online coupons and coupon codes for major retailers including Overstock.com. For exclusive money saving offers from Overstock, check out the Overstock Coupons & Promotions page for Overstock coupons and discounts for free shipping and limited daily or weekly sales promotions. |
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