Advice if you're shopping for a new TV
It's a strange time to be shopping for a television, says Consumer Reports. The technology is halfway through its evolution from high-definition to ultra high-definition.
For some shoppers, the best strategy may be to wait and see how it all shakes out. But there are also plenty of good reasons to spring for a new set now. Consumer Reports' advice is to focus on finding something that truly fits your needs.
Go big
Sometimes the widely hyped "next big thing" in TV tech turns out to be a painful waste of money, which is why a lot of 3-D glasses are hibernating in drawers right now. But you rarely regret investing in screen size. If you have the room for it, a mega-television inspires maximum awe for your dollar and showcases your favorite movies, TV shows and games in all of their high-def glory.
As you'd expect, bigger TVs take a bigger bite out of your budget, especially when the screen gets into the stratosphere of 65 inches and larger. But prices have, in fact, been falling. You can still spend upward of $3,000 for a loaded flagship model from a major brand, but you'll also find 60-inch sets with top-notch picture quality starting at about $900.
Go small
Giant-screen TVs are great for a living room or basement home theater, but you probably don't want to shoehorn a 65-inch set into a bedroom or tiny apartment. You can find plenty of TVs at 32 inches and smaller without skimping on features or picture quality.
Start by thinking about what content you'll be watching. If you're looking for a bedroom TV for talk shows, a basic set may do. But if you plan to stream movies and TV shows from Amazon Prime or Netflix, a smart TV with built-in Internet access may be a better choice. Don't pay too much more for that access, though, because you can add a streaming media player for as little as $35 if your TV has an extra HDMI input.
Go frugal
The secret to choosing a budget TV isn't deciding what you want, but what you're willing to give up. Here are a few suggestions:
• Stay in the second dimension. Three years ago, 3-D was the rage. Now? Not so much. In fact, some manufacturers, including Vizio, don't even offer 3-D-capable sets. Unless you're a die-hard 3-D-movie fan, skip that feature -- and the 3-D Blu-ray player.
• Be fine with flat. Curved screens are another specious trend. But Consumer Reports' testing shows they do little to enhance picture quality.
• Don't pay a premium for pixels. Prices for UHD sets continue to drop, but most budget-conscious buyers would be just as happy with a 1080p TV. For one thing, viewers often have a hard time seeing the greater picture detail, which UHD sets provide, from normal distances.
• Skip the "smart" set. If you want to keep your spending in check, prioritize picture quality over Internet connectivity. Consumer Reports likes smart TVs that can stream video, but that can add $100 or more to the price. By contrast, a streaming media player provides similar functionality at a cost of about $35 to $100.
• Save on speed. Some sets have refresh rates of 120Hz to 240Hz, which can help reduce blurring motion during fast scenes. But for many viewers, especially those who don't watch a lot of sports, a regular 60Hz set is good enough.
• Count your inputs. Many budget TVs have only one or two HDMI inputs, which can be a major drawback if you have a lot of gear to connect, such as a cable box, Blu-ray player, streaming media player and game console. Consumer Reports recommends choosing a model with at least three HDMI inputs unless you'll be connecting your devices to a home-theater receiver.