It was not long ago that big-screen televisions were bulky, heavy and unattractive. In addition, they offered poor picture quality, and they often broke. Thanks to its advances in video technology, large, attractive televisions are now available in a broad price range. Further, digital television has greatly expanded the capabilities of these devices. Here are five features to look for when purchasing a new television.

Great picture quality

Too often, those who are buying a new television spend too much time looking at acronyms and certain buzzwords. Unfortunately, this often leads buyers to purchase a TV with poor picture quality. Instead of spending time looking for the latest in technology, spend some time actually looking at the screens and choose the one that looks best to you.

Interchangeability

Previously, DVDs and cable installations where the only way to find content outside of broadcast channels. Today, there are more options available than ever before. Google and Apple will soon be releasing devices designed to deliver content to televisions, and Netflix is already serving as an affordable cable alternative for many people. When purchasing a new television, look to ensure that it has a sufficient number of inputs and can support the latest in connections.

3-D?

While some people think that 3-D television will take over the industry, others are less optimistic. It is important to remember that 3-D movies were popular in the 1960s before falling out of favour for decades. If you believe that 3-D is the future of television, it may be wise to invest a bit more in a 3-D television. If not, you can save a tremendous amount of money or purchase a better television by avoiding television sets that offer 3-D functionality.

Efficiency

Many people who upgrade to big-screen televisions are shocked to see how much their electricity bill increases. Indeed, televisions can use a significant amount of electricity, but there are new technologies that can reduce how much energy a television uses. By determining how efficient a particular television is before purchasing it, you may be able to save a significant amount of money over months and years.

Latency? Sound?

For those who play fast-action video games, latency is an important term. Latency refers to how long it takes for an image to appear on the television, so those who play games where reaction time is important will want to ensure that their television responds quickly. In addition, some people want to use their televisions as their sound drivers. If this is the case, it is important to take extra time to ensure that the television sound is as clear and accurate as possible. Those who are less concerned about video games and those who will use an external device for sound can save money by making these features low priorities.

Televisions are constantly changing, and it can be difficult to keep up with the new terminology. By narrowing down your requirements and making a list of priorities, you can make the best purchase possible for you and your family.

Brendan is a self-confessed Tech Geek from Brisbane, Australia. He says that quality TV’s are at cheaper prices than ever before and he recommends checking out the latest JB HiFi catalogue for some great bargains.