A High-Def TV Buying Guide

WHEN THE BEARS AND Colts meet up in Miami on Feb. 4 for Super Bowl XLI, will you be ready?

For some 2.5 million football fans, preparing for the big day includes the purchase of a new TV, according to the National Retail Federation. And for those who want to be able to see every bead of sweat glistening from every player's pores, it's got to be HDTV. Especially if it's your team playing in this year's big game — sales have been most robust in the Midwest, says David Carnoy, executive editor of CNET, an electronics review web site.

That said, the thirst for HDTV has moved beyond just sports fans. "It's certainly become a lot more mainstream," Carnoy says. "As more people see HD programming on an HDTV, they just have to have it." It also certainly helps that prices are dropping considerably. In 2005, sets cost nearly 40% less than in 2004, according to PC World. (In 2004, Panasonic's 42-inch TH-42PX25 plasma was $6,000. In 2005, its successor, the TH-42PX50, was $3,000. The 2006 model, the TH-42PX60U, goes for $1,200.) CNET expects them to plummet another 25% to 30% this year. "We're getting fairly close to the point where you can get a good flat-panel for $500," says Carnoy.

Now is also the biggest sale period for TVs, says Jim Wilcox, an electronics expert with Consumer Reports. Best Buy has cut prices online for select HDTV models by up to $500 (print out the web price for in-store matching), while Circuit City is offering instant web coupons and free delivery on sets priced at $399 or more.

Also See Hung Up Buying that HDTV is only half the battle. Next step: Installation.

Here's what you need to know before you buy:

Screen Your Screens

Technically speaking, an HDTV is a widescreen set with a digital signal and twice the resolution of a standard set. To viewers, this equates to a picture that is more colorful, detailed and clear than watching on a standard set. The two most popular technologies are plasma and LCD, beloved by consumers for their flat-panel design. Both types have their devotees. LCD has the most advanced technology, with price tags to match. But plasma still has an edge in popularity, says Wilcox, because it makes for a better home theater experience. A cheaper — albeit less sexy option — is a rear-projection set, which has a slim screen, but is not flat-panel. (These sets can't be wall-mounted; you'll need a stand.)

Which of the options is your best bet will depend on the screen size you want, as well as what you plan to watch. Here's a breakdown:

Bigger Is Better

Finally — justification to get that room-dominating set. "The one complaint we always hear is that people wish they had gone bigger," says Carnoy. In stores, consumers may be prompted to downsize because a particular TV looks huge. But when they get it home, he says, they notice the smaller model looks too tiny mounted on the wall.

Be sure to pick the right size based on viewing distance. A too-small TV for the distance means you're missing the detail (which is, of course, why you'd buy HDTV in the first place). Too big, and the picture will seem too pixilated. Check the optimal set size for your space here.

Explore the Unknown

Don't be afraid to buy a brand you haven't heard of. Popular manufacturers Sony, Sharp and Panasonic all make excellent HDTV sets — but so do lesser-known brands, such as Vizio, Westinghouse and Olevia, says Wilcox. "From a performance standpoint, they represent a good value," he says. One caveat: Because these manufacturers are relatively new players on the TV market, there is no long-term repair record to look at as there is with big-name manufacturers. It's a small risk — one that's generally worth it, he says. (No matter its manufacturer, you'll usually find out your new TV is a lemon well within the one-year warranty period.)

Get Connected

If you want an HDTV that will keep up with technology, look for a set that has at least one High-Definition Multimedia Interface, or HDMI, port. These ports deliver all-digital video and audio via a single cable — a technology that's expected to become increasingly common over the next several years. If your set has at least one HDMI port, you'll save yourself the cost of the adaptation later as more DVD players, speakers and other home-theater components switch to this new technology.

Do Your Research

Look to reviews online. For advice from the pros, we like both HDTV Magazine, which only reviews HDTV, and ConsumerSearch, which picks the best of the best from reviews in 20 different sources, including CNET, Consumer Reports and Sound & Vision Magazine. Want to know what your fellow consumer thought once he got the set home? Check the user reviews on CNET and Epinions.com.

Supplement Your Service

Owning an HDTV doesn't mean everything you watch is in turn high-definition. "Right away, make sure you have some HD content," advises Carnoy. "You'll be disappointed if you're watching standard content on an HD set" — it often looks fuzzy. To get the full HDTV experience, you'll need to sign up for HD service from your cable or satellite provider, connect a special HD box or antennae and then tune in to an HD channel. But that's not as easy as it sounds — the number of HD channels you have access to will depend on your service provider, as well as your region. Even on a designated HD channel, not every show will be high-def, though most major sports events and prime-time shows are. Be sure to call around and determine your options before you buy your HDTV.