How to Spot the Signs of a Quality LCD TV: Part One

There aren't the days of your father's boob tube, the cube-shaped television set that's difficult to carry and provides only one option for picture:  color.  These days, LCD televisions are all the rage, having eclipsed the traditional sets in sales in 2007.  But with new choices and fresh technology comes uncertainty:  how can you be sure that you buy a quality LCD TV, not to mention one that can actually fit in the spot you have picked out?

You'll need to see the signs of a quality LCD TV, both in picture quality and how the TV fits your specific needs.  Here are some of the tell-tale issues to see if you're on the right track.

Location, location, location...

Does the LCD television you're thinking of have a good spot in your house, or is it simply "cool"?  Small LCD panel television sets can be great for the kitchen or sun room in your home, but they don't exactly make a great selection for the centerpiece of your living room.  It's important to remember where you'll be placing your LCD set, and what kind of television set works well in that room.  The corner of your living room might have plenty of space for a 47" LCD TV; your bedroom might not.

Does size matter?

Absolutely.  One rule of thumb to follow says that the bigger your screen is, the deeper your pockets need to be.  Be ready to shell out more cash if you plan on buying a larger LCD TV; it comes with the territory.  It helps that LCD television sets are flat, but they still take up quite a bit of space, and they'll need a good place to be displayed.

Native resolution

Huh?  "Native resolution" doesn't necessarily sound like something you'd hear about a television's features, but it can be important when considering an LCD.  Most LCD TVs should come in a resolution of 1280x720 or 1366x768, with respective pixel counts of 720 and 768.  Keep track of these pixel counts – these should be your minimums.