January 26, 2006

How to buy a big TV

There's just ten days left till the Steelers get womped in the Super Bowl (unfortunately, I say that without much confidence). If you're ever going to buy that big screen TV, this is the time. Before you head off to the electronics store with a small suitcase full of crisp $100 bills, check out this decent article about buying a big TV from the StarTribune.com:

Q: How big should I go?

A: Experts say 42 is the new 27. In other words, the ubiquitous 27-inch model used to be the main TV in the home; now the main set is 42 to 50 inches. Before you buy: Tape an outline of the set's outside dimensions on the wall where it will be hung or placed. Then sit down at a distance that is two to three times that of the diagonal width of your screen. For example, if you're considering a 50-inch TV, you'll want to sit 8 to 12 feet away -- closer for the crisp, high-definition programming and farther away for grainy, analog broadcasts.

More at StarTribune.com