November 20, 2008, 10:47 AM — Before you drop hundreds or thousands of dollars on the wrong flat-panel HDTV, read our comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know. Our advice might just help you save some money.
Introduction
The Big Picture
LCD and plasma screens may look similar, but the underlying technologies are quite different, as are, consequently, their strengths and weaknesses. more
The Specs Explained
Perplexed by pixels? We explain the significance of the most meaningful specifications. more
Flat-Screen TV Shopping Tips
The final word on picking the panel that's right for you. more
The Big Picture
HDTVs are available in a variety of flavors, including front- and rear-projection, but flat-panel sets have emerged as the most popular option by far. What's not to like? You can get a big, beautiful picture from a display thin and light enough to hang on a wall. And the picture isn't the only attractive thing: Prices have dropped over 20 percent in the past year alone.
If you decide that a flat-panel HDTV is the way to go, you still have to determine which kind to buy: plasma or LCD. For screens smaller than 42 inches diagonal, your only choice is LCD. But for screens of 42 inches or larger, it's a matter of assessing which technology better suits your viewing conditions and preferences--and your budget.
Almost all sets on the market now, both plasma and LCD, are wide-screen models. Translation: Such sets have a 16:9 ratio of screen width to screen height (aspect ratio), which is the standard for HDTV and very close to the ratio used for most modern movies. As a result, the displays are more rectangular than the traditional, almost-square 4:3 sets of the past.
You can find the latest prices on both plasma and LCD TVs in PC World's Shop & Compare center.
