Flat Screen Tvs

The Guide Buying a Flat Screen TV

As well as looking good on or off, they're also better for viewing digital channels (you don't need a digital box), or terrestrial channels (which will be turned off from next year as the digital switchover commences). And then there's the picture quality, which experts say is far superior to the old CRT telly. With high definition technology, the screen delivers an image with more depth and less 'visual noise'. This allows you to sit closer without your eyes straining.

Add to this the fact that LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs have lower power consumption and a wider viewing angle, and you viewing experience has just gone from pre-historic to space age. Ready to slim down?

Get with the programme

There are two main categories of flat screens - plasma or LCD. On the eco-side, LCD screens use less power than plasma, but if it's a larger, brighter 'cinema' style screen you're after, opt for plasma (they range from about 42 to 100 inches).

Size matters

Flat screens are real attention-grabbers. Great if you want to make it a feature, but not if you prefer more discreet appliances, or have a snugger living space (or bedroom/kitchen). For smaller models, John Kempner from John Lewis recommends Grundig. 'Their new range of 15" & 19" models each have an integrated DVD player: excellent value with prices starting from 249. For mid size (26"), the most popular include the Samsung 26R87 (549) and the Panasonic 26LMD70 (549).'

Celebrate the silver screen

If you have the space and enough mates to hold regular viewings, go large (32"+) and try Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Philips or Toshiba. A recent Which? survey found Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD600the best LCD TV by virtue of its great picture quality, wide viewing angles and extra features (such as memory cards for downloading pictures, from 1170). And Which? also commended the Sony Bravia KDL 40X2000U- 40 inch screen (about 2, 300) as 'a fantastic all-rounder' with great high definition pictures, impressive sound, and a light sensor to help save power consumption at night.

Optimise the clarity

Where will the flatscreen live? Avoid the glare from unwanted daylight or overhead lights by placing it thoughtfully. Overly-busy wallpaper may also distract viewers from the screen. _Which?_experts also recommend checking the clarity of pictures by bringing your own DVD to the shop and asking to try one on screen before you buy. Flat panel TVs use digital-processing software to put the picture on the screen, which may not be spot on, so look out for tell-tale signs of poor quality, such as jagged edges, colour fade and smearing.

Celebrate your screen

Think of a new, sleek flatscreen as a blank canvas on which to display artwork. John Kempner at John Lewis says, 'Examples of TVs with built in photo card reader include the Panasonic 32LXD700 and the Panasonic 42PZ70. Many TVs from major brands have a USB socket which is a convenient way of connecting devices such as digital cameras to the TV or the PlayStation 3, from which you're able to view slide shows or images of your choice.'

Remember the extras

Although the majority of flatscreens are HD ready (showing sharper, more detailed, high definition pictures than those on your regular telly), you may still need to sign up (and pay for) certain packages such as Sky or Virgin to get HDTV broadcasts. It's also worth checking if you're in a Freeview reception area.

Choose the eco option

Sadly, plasma TVs consume about four times more energy than traditional cathode ray tube models. However, the best of a bad bunch include the Philips 42PF7621D42 inch LCD television, which won European green TV of the year (still, it's a hefty 210W output, compared to the old style telly - a portable uses only 39W).

Get someone else to rig it up

Hey, there's only so much you can expect of your average Luddite. Marks and Spencer offer a full delivery, set up and tune in service on models over 26 inches, (and they'll also recycle the packaging). }

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these wipe clean eyeglasses, sunglasses, and electronics

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Should I report this or just mind my own business?
I've recently had a roommate move in with me and while she had no trouble paying her rent and all... she also had no trouble at all bragging to her visiting friends that her current job pays her off the books, and that not only does the welfare office not know about this, they are also unaware that her two small children that they're sending her money for are actually in the care of her parents. Apparently (to my understanding) they agreed to care for them so that she could focus on school and getting back on her feet. All the while, I'm watching her bringing in a big flat screen tv, a new iphone, planning a trip to Cancun for spring break, saving up money for a Mustang car ($50 says it's in a savings acct the welfare office doesn't know about)....and I'm working my @$$ off in a warehouse 45-50 hours a week and watching a good 20% of my paycheck go to her new tattoo and blu-ray dvd player. I know it doesn't have anything to do with me...but it really f'ing pisses me off!!! Should I anonymously report this, or just mind my own business?

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Are my cousins spoiled?
Okay, So, I was at my uncle's house in Georgia (great state) and he is a doctor. He has 2 kids named Quinn and Allehah. They are 15 and 12. Quinn has an ipad, iphone, ipod touch, a mac (laptop), a mac (desktop) a ps3, an xbox, wears Abercrombie, Hollister, and expensive clothes I haven't even heard of. He has a huge room with a bathroom attached to it. He also has tons of other cool stuff. Allehah doesn't have a phone (because she's too young), wears abercrombie kids, hollister, has an apple laptop, ipad, ipod touch, and a lot more. They both have huge flat screen tvs in their rooms with cable boxes in their rooms with almost all of the packages (excluding adult rated stuff). They live in a huge house, they have 3 cars and beautiful furniture. They both also get money to do what they want. The thing is, they are very respectful people. Allehah and Quinn help out around the house, they are nice to "weird" kids in school, they tell their friends to stop being rude when their friends are being mean at school to "losers", and they do other nice things. They both also volunteer with their mom and dad at homeless shelters and animal shelters. They are not losers in school, they are not ugly, and they are both athletically fit. I don't get it because I feel like it's not fair if I call them spoiled because they are both really nice and caring people. Usually people who would have all those things would be the most snotty people on earth. So, in your opinion, are they spoiled? By the way, when I say they are nice, I don't mean that they don't ever get mad at people and say something about them. I'm just saying that they don't ever judge people and they never care who they are hanging out with, as long as they're having a good time. They have people that they dislike, but they are just never mean to someone for no reason and they never talk about someone who never did them wrong. Plus, when they dislike someone, it's because that person is a tool or something. They never dislike someone or talk bad about someone because they're poor or ugly.

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