8 Things to Think About Before Buying a New TV

In an ideal situation, a retailer will ask all the right questions, and make sure that a new purchase fits your needs. But there might be that odd situation where the salesperson doesn't know the right questions to asks, or misses an important question that could alter your choice.

One spot where this is particularly important is with big ticket items for which you'll be forking over tons of cash, like flat panel TVs. So consider these parameters, and make sure a salesperson addresses them before you buy a fancy, new display:

Size: Where will you be placing the TV? The size of the room and where the couch, bed, or seating area is respective to where the TV will go, will play an important role in determining the size of the TV that would best suit you. For example, while Little Bobby might love a 65-incher for his tiny bedroom, the reality of the situation is that such a big display might be way too big there. Likewise, despite the fact that you'd like to save money by buying a 42" model for the gigantic living room instead of the 52", realizing the benefits of opting for the larger screen might convince you to "go big" instead for reasons other than one-upping the neighbour.

Type of TV & Lighting: You also need to address lighting in the room in question; as this will help determine whether a plasma or an LCD might make the best sense. If the TV is for the bright kitchen, for example, LCD would be the better route to go. (Although some would argue that with the latest displays, you could almost get away with either technology for various applications.) Still, especially if you're purchasing an older-model TV, it's worth understanding what the limitations are in terms of ambient lighting.

Energy Efficiency: Energy efficient products are important to any consumer, but if you live in an area where electricity costs tend to be very high, the money savings in investing in a potentially more expensive eco-friendly TV might be worth your while over the long run. In other words, if the LED backlit model is $1,000 more than the older, but energy-hogging, TV, you might find that it's actually a good idea to fork over the extra grand and save on exponential electricity bills later.

Future-Proofing: If you don't want to have to upgrade to another model in a few years, consider paying a few extra bucks to "future-proof" yourself. Every manufacturer, for example, touts its 3D-ready TVs as the best 2D models in their line up. Sure, you might not watch 3D content now. But what if, like HD, 3D becomes the de facto standard in TV viewing five years from now? At least you'll be able to enjoy the content on the display you already have, thus taking your time in upgrading to a new model. Ditto for features like network connectivity: snagging a TV with an Ethernet port, or a USB port for connecting an optional wireless dongle, is an added benefit that might be more useful than you think; even if it only collects dust for now.

What Are You Watching?: Consider what kinds of content you're watching. Do you have a teenager that plays a lot of video games? 3D might actually come in handy now, then. (The PlayStation 3 by default supports 3D gaming, and most 3D-ready TVs come with at least one pair of glasses, which means the only added investment would be the 3D-capable games, which are likely to be on the teen's radar anyway.) Is your kid or partner, or even yourself, an Internet freak who's always online? As mentioned in the previous point, a networked TV allows you to access online content wirelessly; whether it's YouTube videos, social networking sites, or even family photos from a connected home computer. Do you watch a lot of TV? Then look into more reputable brands that will be able to withstand your ample viewing, versus saving a few bucks on the model that might be a few hundred dollars cheaper.

Sound: Do you have speakers at home? A receiver? Keep in mind aesthetics: will the new TV match your funky speakers? It might sound like a silly consideration, but for some, it could be the deciding factor between one model or another.

How Will You Mount It?: In line with the sound considerations is mounting options: if you're mounting the TV on a wall, you'll want to ensure you have all the gear to do so. And chances are you'll need someone to do it for you. So discuss shipping, installation, and service costs up front. If you're going to be placing the TV on a lowboy stand or within a piece of furniture, ask about devices to ensure the TV remains secure to the stand. This will become increasingly important when you consider how light and thin new TVs are, and thus how easy it is for a small child to knock one over or, worse, be hurt by one toppling down.

Picture Quality: Many will advise that you buy a display that produces the best blacks if you tend to watch a lot of movies or dramas with dark scenes; or that boast quick refresh rates if you watch a lot of sporting events where there's lots of fast moving action. The important part is to research your purchase decision through reputable publications and Websites, and by talking to knowledgeable friends, family, and salespersons to get an overall viewpoint. This is especially essential if you're buying a TV from a big box retailer that's displaying the TV in torch mode. I'll guarantee the picture won't look the same once you bring it home! If you're buying the display from an independent retailer who can demo the TV in a vignette or special theatre room, you'll get a more accurate picture (pun intended.) Otherwise, do your research, and choose the display that you find will give you the overall best picture for your preferences. Most people, of course, will watch a combination of movies, TV shows, comedies, and even video games. So looking for the best overall picture makes the most sense versus focusing on a TV that excels in one specific function or another.

Take this check list to the store, and you're bound to come home with a TV that meets your needs.