Buying a television is no longer a simple affair. The sheer variety not just in terms of brands but also in terms of the different types of television means that you have to be prepared for a long stint at the dealer outlets looking through a couple of dozen models before, hopefully, finding the one that suits you the best.
However, you could save yourself some time by knowing what components you need to look out for when you choose a television. Some of the important elements of a Television that need to be taken into consideration are:
SCREEN SIZE
This is one thing you need to be very clear about. The screen size is largely dependent on the size of your room. The screen size of a TV is always measured diagonally, and ranges from 14 up to 71 inches. To know the exact size of the display screen, remove another inch or so from the published screen size.
The screen size is also one of the most important determinants of the price of the television. See table below for an approximate price range in relation to the screen size.
Screen size
Range (inches)
Viewing Distance
Minimum Price (Rs)
Maximum Price (Rs)
Small
14 to 20
4 to 6 feet
3,500
31,900
Medium
21 to 25
6 to 8 feet
5,800
22,500
Large
26 or more
Above 8 feet
10,000
31,99,990
SCREEN FLATNESS
With so many variants in the market, you can choose from Regular, which is the old style curved screen, semi flat, truly flat, plasma or projection and LCD. Each of these have a certain range of screen sizes and it is the combination of the flatness of the screen and the screen size that determines how high or low your TV is priced.
Regular
The standard TV screen is curved. The picture tube, here is conventional, without any special modifications to it. . It has all the normal features like adjustable colour, contrast and brightness. Other features include auto programming, super and hyper band tuner, timer, DVD/LD/VCD compatibility, child lock and a host of others features. However, a drawback of the regular screens is that the natural curve of the screen will pick up light sources throughout the room. The prices of these models range from about Rs 3,500 to Rs 16,300. If you are looking at absolute budget buying then these are ideal. These also have the charm of being old world, as most of has grown up watching these.
Semi flat
Typically, flatter the screen better the view. A Semi Flat TV includes the FST (Flat Square Tube) and the FFST (Full Flat Square Tube). FST is flatter compared to the conventional picture tube and the FFST is even flatter than FST. However, neither are absolutely flat. Flatness of the picture tube is good because it considerably reduces reflections and glare from light sources in the room resulting in consistent and easy to watch pictures. Although, try not to place lamps and highly reflective objects close by. Nearby windows should also be blocked for better viewing. The prices of these models range from about Rs 5,000 to Rs 12,500. This is a healthy compromise. It gives you an almost flat feel at very affordable prices.
Truly flat
The Truly flat tubes have a completely flat screen. A truly flat TV is of three types – Flat, Super Flat and True Flat televisions. The Truly Flat TVs reduce the glare and give a wider viewing angle, without any distortions and thus provide a better viewing experience. The price for these start at Rs 4,400 and could be as high as Rs 35,700. This is the kind of television that could even double up as an accessory in your living room. Stylish looking, with a host of features, this for those obsessed with quality and don't mind spending the extra few bucks for it.
