HDTV Buyer's Guidelines: How to Choose Between LCD or Plasma

If you're wondering whether Plasmas and LCDs are really that different, the answer is yes. In order to make your purchase a well-informed one, read on for information on both screen types...

LCD: Known longhand as Liquid Crystal Display, LCD is the same technology used in your flat-screen computer monitor. Light streams through liquid crystal-filled cells to form images that have good color saturation levels and can be easily viewed even in rooms with high levels of ambient light. Great for gamers, LCD screens are wall-mountable, and available in sizes up to 46".

Plasma: Plasma display technology uses charged neon and xenon-filled gas cells to form bright, color-saturated images with excellent black levels. Excellent for home theater buffs who want to get the most out of their TV or movie-viewing experience, Plasma screens can be on the pricier side, but are available in screen sizes of up to 60".

Screen Resolutions: The Difference Between 720p, 1080i, and 1080p

Resolution describes the sharpness and clarity of a TV's picture, and while you're shopping for a high definition television, you'll come across three different formats: 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. Here's how each resolution format can contribute to your HD experience.

• 720p: As the lowest resolution within the HDTV standard, 720p delivers impressive pictures on screens that are less than 40" in size. The "p" stands for progressive scan, a format that's ideal for viewing fast-action movies, sporting events and video games.
• 1080i: It may not have as fast a frame rate, but since 1080i offers more lines and pixels than 720p, it's a terrific option for people who enjoy watching slower-moving programming with lots of close-ups – think documentaries, non-action movies, and prime-time dramas.
• 1080p: Otherwise known as "True HD," 1080p combines a rapid frame rate with high pixel density for the best high-definition pictures available. Just keep in mind that while they're backward-compatible with the lower resolutions, 1080p screens can't live up to their full potential unless they're displaying true high definition content.

HDMI Cable Cost Control

While some will try to convince you that investing in an HDTV justifies shelling out for the best HDMI cable that money can buy, the truth is that a steep price tag isn't always a reliable sign of a high-quality HDMI connection.

The only true indicator of a cable's performance is whether or not it's HDMI-certified. So why waste your hard-earned cash? While some A/V retailers would have you pay over $130 for a 6-foot HDMI cable, others like CableOrganizer.com offer a comparable HDMI cable for as low as $6.99 – complete with the same HDMI 1.3 certification and gold-plated connectors.

Wire Management: How to Hide Unsightly HDTV Cables

Ensure that your high-def screen looks as impressive as possible by hiding its cables from view and preventing them from becoming tangled and disorganized. We recommend the Wiring Solution – an HDTV cable manager that covers equipment-to-TV cable runs and can be easily painted to disappear into your décor.

You can order a wide selection of HDMI, DVI and related HDTV products online at http://CableOrganizer.com or via toll-free telephone at 1-866-222-0030.

These tips were provided by CableOrganizer.com – an industry leading eTailer of cable, wire and equipment management solutions.