1. We Don’t Make Our Money From the TVs
The prices are designed to get you in the store, and then we try to sell you the expensive cords, accessories, and, of course, the extended warranty. Don’t buy it.
Problems are rare, and most repairs happen in the first year, when the standard manufacturer’s warranty still covers you.
(Photo: altrendo images/Stockbyte/Thinkstock)
2. What’s the Question Customers Most Often Ask?
What should I get – LED, LCD, or plasma?
LEDs and LCDs use the same technology, but LEDs are thinner and more expensive. LEDs can also be too reflective in a bright room.
Plasmas offer the best picture for your money, especially if you’re watching at an angle, but they’re thicker than the others, and ghost images can be an issue.
(Photo: Jochen Sand/Digital Vision/Thinkstock)
3. Which Brands Do I Recommend?
For LCDs, LG, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony have consistently been among the best in rankings by Consumer Reports. Among plasmas, Panasonic tops the list.
(Photo: Jochen Sand/Digital Vision/Thinkstock)
6. Save Your Money for External Speakers
Flat screens have beautiful pictures, but the sound from most is pretty awful. If you can’t afford an expensive audio system, get external speakers.
(Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Thinkstock)
7. Don’t Take the Risk
We’ve had customers put a tilt mount for a 50-inch television on the wall, miss a stud or two, and then have the thing come crashing down. Come on!
These TVs weigh more than 100 pounds. Unless you’re a licensed contractor, pay for the professional install.
(Photo: Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Thinkstock)
9. Adjust Your Picture Immediately After Purchase
Televisions in the store are set at their brightest levels to attract your eye. Adjust yours when you get home or the colours will be distorted.
(Photo: Hemera/Thinkstock)
13. Don’t Overfocus on Getting the Best Resolution
Unless you’re watching a lot of Blu-rays, you don’t need a resolution of ultrafine 1080p.
Most people can’t tell the difference between 1080p and 1080i, and even if you could, there are very few stations broadcasting in a resolution that high.
(Photo: Hemera/Thinkstock)
15. Want a Great Deal?
Buy a refurbished set, a TV previously opened or returned. Check the warranty, though.
(Photo: Hemera/Thinkstock)
16. Yes, We Mounted Your TV at the Right Height
The centre of the screen should be 45 to 50 inches from the floor, putting it right at eye level. And don’t put it over your fireplace. It’s a TV, not artwork.
(Photo: Hemera/Thinkstock)
17. Even if You’re Hanging Your TV on the Wall, Keep the Stand
You never know when you might decide to redecorate and place the TV on a piece of furniture. At least once a month, we get a call from someone looking for a particular stand, but TV technology changes so quickly that it’s a challenge for us to find the one you need.
(Photo: Jupiterimages/Creatas/Thinkstock)
18. Always Have Your TV Delivered and Installed the Same Day
If it’s out of our possession and it doesn’t work when you turn it on, we may try to say that you caused the problem.
(Photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock)
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