Get the right picture

So, look at the following parameters before buying a TV:

While smaller TVs give crisp and sharp pictures, TVs above the size of 25" need the new-generation technology of 100hz scanning. Without such a facility, the pictures on big screens will look coarse. The catch - this feature doubles the price of the set.

It is also important to observe the type of screen on the TV. Though rounded cornered tubes have been phased out, a few manufacturers still fit these screens in their cheap models. These tubes emit high doses of radiation, which is quite stressful on the eyes. More importantly, you will never be able to get the full picture on such screens.

While buying a square tube TV, ensure that it is of the full and flat square tube (FFST) variety rather than just a simple flat square tube (FST). The FST set will have a comparatively lesser corner-to-corner stretch of picture content.

Although the size is specified, we never bother to crosscheck it. The external screen size is always smaller than specified. Check how small it is; if there is a big difference, the set is not worth the extra money paid for the extra size.

The ideal screen size depends on the size of the room and the planned usage of the TV. If it is being bought as a second TV for the bedroom or the children's room, it is good to look at 14-inch models. If the TV is meant for a normal size living room, you could opt for a 20 or 21-inch screen. If you have a larger living room or if you plan to hook up a home theatre system, you should go for a bigger size TV (25 or 29 inch). The bigger-sized TVs are very expensive, especially if they are pure flat screens.

This is the most important aspect, and all the advancements without lively colours are futile exercises. Although there are test discs that generate different colour patterns and teaches the user to set them, it is not possible to do the tests for each TV in the showroom. If you’re buying a TV set worth above Rs 1 lakh, it is wise to invest in such a disc.

So, take the remote from the sales personnel and set the colours yourself. Pay attention to skin tones as they are the only recognisable colours that can be used for reference. Though this is not a foolproof method, it works fairly well for the usual models. See the warmth, temperature, naturalness and liveliness of the colours. If the showroom is too brightly lit, demand that the lights be toned down. See the TV in operation under conditions that are as near to life-like situations as possible.

Good-quality picture should be the first and foremost qualification of any TV. Any cheap music system can beat the best sound from any state-of-the-art TV. Though this is true till now, we may opt for TV sound in the future when we start receiving digital sound via the cable. (And that day is not too far away). For now, give more weightage to the picture than the sound.

Many TVs have cumbersome channel tuning and set-up menus. Although it needs to be set only once in most of the TVs, they take a heavy toll if the process has not been well thought out by the manufacturer. The biggest problem begins when you try to change channels and keep them in the order of your preference. Some channels need perpetual fine-tuning. Check out whether the TV you want to buy is capable of storing these fine-tuning adjustments. Also, don't forget to make a note whether the TV has S and Hyper band tuners as they offer extra channel frequencies for receiving more channels.

The bottomline here is simple - more the merrier.

RF input: The local cable operator supplies the signal through a simple co-axial cable and feeds the TV through this port. It may be the simplest but is also the most inferior since both audio and video signals travel through one core and interfere a lot with each other.

Audio-video: Here the signal is split into the audio and video components. Most of the TVs made in the early 1990s have at least one pair of these ins and outs. See that the audio ins are stereo (left and right). Most of the modern TVs have at least three ins and an out.

S-video input: This is more advanced than AV inputs in terms of the video signal input. Here, the video signal is split into two parts - chrominance and luminance. Splitting them further reduces a lot of interference and gives a much cleaner image.

Component video input: Currently the best input mode, the chrominance is further split here into the extreme spectrum shades of red and blue. All the colours in-between are interpolated through intensity variations of these two basic shades. This input must be your top priority if you’re going for a home theatre with a DVD player.

RGB inputs: The video signal is split into red, green and blue (RGB) shades. Although this is also another format that is very sophisticated, it is not as popular as the component inputs.

Headphone output: This is important not only for the privacy factor but also for some advance uses. Many TVs are equipped with NICAM stereo circuitry, and a handful of them also have a bi-lingual facility. When direct to home (DTH) broadcast starts in India (which will happen soon) and we start receiving high quality, digital signals, we may also receive bilingual signals. This will save a lot of airtime as signals in two languages (Hindi and English, for example) can be broadcast together. Check out if the TV has the facility to play one language through the speakers and the other through the headphone. This will make a lot of sense in the future.

The remote control is the most important device since we hardly operate the TV from the front panel. The buttons should have a good feel, should be well segregated, grouped and of appropriate sizes. It should be moderately heavy to give the feeling of a firm grip. Batteries should be so placed that the remote remains well balanced. The bottomline - a remote control should cover all the essential (and advanced features) for costlier TV sets) functions like volume control, picture quality control, component control, and, if possible, even your audio system which can be connected to the TV.

How much are you willing to spend on buying your TV? Though small models are available for less than Rs 10,000, you will have to spend closer to Rs 25-30,000 to get a decent enough TV with some advanced features. If you are the type who enjoys advanced features, be ready to shell out anything between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh for a future-ready TV.

If you’re confused between two or three models, don't decide in a hurry. Take your time and go back to the dealer after a couple of days. Try to get a demo at your residence. Assure the vendor by paying him some token amount that you’re a serious buyer and would definitely purchase one of the short-listed models.

Try to involve your friends in the decision-making process. The best way is to mask the brand names in order to eliminate any reservations or biases.

The final decision, however, cannot be based on just the product. Look for the reputation of the company, its after-sales services and services during the warranty period. And last but not the least, look closely at the price and value for money.