Step 5: DLP TV Purchasing Considerations

What do you need to consider before you buy your flat screen DLP TV?

Determine the right screen size based on your budget and your floor plan. The big story in the rear-projection TV category has to do with the newer lines of widescreen DLPs with cabinet depths of less than 7 inches. Manufacturers claim these models can be hung on the wall. And DLPs are getting bigger all the time. You can expect to see 70-inch versions of flat-panel DLPs in stores by 2005.

To get the most out of your investment, remember what your mother always said about sitting too close to the TV-that it's no good for you. Well, she might have been thinking about your health, but we're thinking about your viewing pleasure. For the optimal viewing experience, you need to keep a comfortable distance between your viewing area and your television screen. You can certainly watch your DLP up close, but one of the great joys of owning a widescreen TV is that you can sit back and watch it!

Note: Some audio-visual critics have observed that fixed-pixel displays tend to show their pixel structures at closer viewing distances, so one might notice a sandy texture to the screen when the set is viewed too close. The high fill factor of DLP TVs does a lot to minimize this effect.

Choose a comfortable viewing distance based on the screen size of your DLP TV:

For 42 to 46-inch DLP TVs, might consider putting 10 to 14 feet between you and the screen.
50-inch DLP displays will look good from as far as 12 to 16 feet away, though you can certainly sit closer to the screen.
You can sit up to 15 feet away from a DLP screen that's larger than 60 inches. Again, the high fill factor inherent to DLP technology enables you to sit much closer to the screen without being annoyed by pixelated images.

Get the lowdown on HD compatibility. If you're one of the 55+ million households sitting astride cable systems that can carry HDTV signals, your LCD TV will enable you to take advantage of the slightly better (10-15%) picture you can get from a higher resolution unit displaying HDTV broadcasts. Most LCD units come with built-in ATSC tuners, which enable them to pick up over-air HD broadcasts using antennas. In addition, manufacturers have begun packaging ATSC and cable tuners in LCD TV sets, making them optimal for watching HDTV-on local as well as national broadcasts.

Tip: To learn more about the availability of HDTV broadcasts in your area, or for a lineup of programs shown in hi-def, consult the Consumer Electronic Association's website: http://www.ce.org/publications/books_references/dtv_guide/default.asp


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Step 5: DLP TV Purchasing Considerations

8 Steps to Buy a DLP TV