Which TV to buy? Here's help

Just ask anyone who has recently bought a television how arduous the task of selection can be. Visit a hundred shops and listen carefully to lengthy sales pitches from salespeople, and even then you may end up buying a product that does not match your requirements or, worse, your budget.

Everyone wants a quality and affordable LCD high-definition (HD) television, but how do you decide which manufacturer is better or which flat panel is of superior quality?

Here's our simple guide to getting yourself the flat panel TV you have been lusting after, without cleaning out your savings account.

Rs 50,000 and above

A 50-inch flat panel plasma display may dominate your nightly dreams, but it's hardly worth the financial peril. It's an accepted fact that LCD TVs consume less power than plasma TVs; the energy-use difference is about 25 per cent.

Then again, the price difference between plasma TVs and LCDs cannot be ignored. LCDs are affordable in small screen sizes, making them perfect for the average household, while plasma screens are affordable in larger screen sizes, above 42 inches, restricting their uptake.

But if you do have a generous budget, LED LCD TVs are your best bet, technology, as well as price-wise. LED panels are usual liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions with the addition of the cutting-edge light-emitting diode or LED backlighting technology.

The main difference between the two lies in different backlighting techniques that change picture quality dramatically. In simple terms, it's the next generation of LCD TVs.

But, of course, new technologies also mean a big introductory price. Samsung takes the lead in LED TVs, with three LED series in the Indian market across the 32-inch, 40-inch, 46-inch and 55-inch screen size segments, priced from Rs 69,900 to Rs 3,50,000.

"In addition to this, the consumers buying a 32-inch LED TV or any Samsung plasma or any LCD TV in the screen size of 37 inches and above will also get a Samsung DVD player as an assured gift," says R Zutshi, deputy MD of Samsung India.

Samsung expects that consumers will warm to its premium range of LED TVs, and this explains its aggressive marketing campaign to woo buyers.

Not happy with just a high-end flat-panel TV? Then head to a Vu showroom to see the LCD TV that combines everything you enjoyed on your small computer monitor -- complete with the Microsoft Windows operating system -- with the TV.

Vu calls it the Intelligent TV, because it doubles up as your home computer. So, surf the Net while you wait for your favourite movie or show to start on TV.

Available in 40-inch and 46-inch sizes for Rs 69,990 and Rs 89,990, respectively, you will have to get intelligent about balancing your budget if this is what you want to buy.

If you have been a fan of LG products, then you have more reason to cheer.

The company has launched sound-focused LCD panels, the Jazz Theatre (LH60 series) and Jazz Atom (LU10/LU11 series). Features that impress us are the USB 2.0 that allows users to just plug in any USB device to enjoy movies, music and photographs.

Available in 42-inch and 32-inch screen sizes, priced at Rs 85,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively, the Jazz Theatre is equipped with a nine-speaker and 10-speaker system, respectively.

LG's confidence in its Jazz series stands out when Moon B Shin, managing director of LGEIL, claims, "With the Jazz range in the market we are targeting a total market share of 30 per cent by 2009-end." The company also believes that smart technology will play a major role in capturing customer loyalty.

Under Rs 50,000

When you are in the market for a LCD TV, do keep in mind that prices can vary widely between retailers. Choices are many in this segment.

Sony, during this festival time, has for the first time launched a 22-inch and a 32-inch LCD TV to draw in those interested in buying a CRT TV.

Along with these new models, the company's Bravia LCD range now offers 24 models across screen sizes ranging from 19 inches to 52 inches, starting at Rs 14,900 (under exchange schemes).

The hot-selling 32-inch Sony panel has been priced at Rs 45,900, while Sony's slimmest LCD, the 40-inch Bravia ZX, is priced at Rs 199,900.

The good thing about Sony panels is that they come with built-in HDTV compatibility and can display images that are significantly sharper and more realistic than regular TVs (as long as the source is high definition).

Moving beyond the top three brands, Panasonic makes an impressive pitch with its Viera series. The Viera S1 has two versions, the 32-inch and the 37-inch panels, priced above Rs 44,000.

The Viera line is in direct competition with the Aquos line from Sharp. Panasonic's highly styled LCDs look like TVs out of the future. Both manufacturers' lines are excellent for consumers looking for a high-end HDTV built on LCD technology.

A handy tip: While choosing an LCD screen, remember that every television on the sales floor in a store is set to the brightest picture settings. When you want to check out the real image quality, just ask the salesperson to dim the settings and then compare picture results with other TVs.

Three other things you should keep your eye on while buying LCD or LED TVs are the maximum resolution, colour depth and refresh rates. In each case, the higher the number, the better the result will be.

Now go get your flat panel TV. Once you have hooked up a flat panel display in your office or home, you will wonder how you ever got along without it.