37 Inch LCD TV

37 inch LCD TVs are one of the more popular sizes on the market: they’re large enough to provide a home theater experience, but small enough in overall size to fit into most living rooms, dens, or entertainment rooms. (They’re even small enough for most bedrooms, especially if you’re considering mounting one on the wall or placing it atop a dresser or other piece of furniture.)

Because of the popularity of 37 inch LCD TVs, a number of manufacturers make a wide range of models with different specifications and features. Choosing the right set (and at a price you can afford) isn’t difficult, but it will require some homework. Here are some basic steps that will help you make your purchase of a 37 inch LCD TV fun and hassle-free:

Measure the room you’ll put the TV in. Make sure you can create a comfortable viewing distance: around 8 feet is optimum for a 37 inch LCD TV.

Decide how important picture quality is to you. In general, the sharper and more vibrant the colors, the more expensive the set will be.

Determine how your room will be lit when you’re watching the LCD TV. The darker the room, the brighter the picture will appear. If the TV will be playing in a brightly lit room (especially sunlit), make sure the 37 inch LCD TV you purchase can compensate for high ambient light levels.

Determine what viewing angle you’ll need. The viewing angle is a measurement of how far to the side a person can watch the TV without experiencing a loss of picture quality. The farther to the side they’ll sit, the greater the viewing angle needs to be. A viewing angle of 160 to 170 degrees is best.
Listen to the sound quality of the TV. If you plan to connect it to a home theater audio system (which is an ideal setup for a 37 inch LCD TV), make sure it has the right connections for the device you have (or plan to buy).

Think about features that are important to you: picture-in-picture, TV Guide capability, a universal remote, user-adjustability, connection options, etc. If you’re unsure, talk to the salesperson or seek an audio-visual expert for advice.

If you can afford it, buy a 37 inch LCD TV that’s HDTV compatible. Your TV will probably last you 15 years or more, so make sure it grows with the technology.

Once you’ve chosen your 37 inch LCD TV, there are a few other considerations. If you’re buying it from a local retailer, make sure you have a vehicle suitable for transporting the TV – it will be bulky and fairly heavy. Or ask the retailer if they have delivery options available; many will deliver the TV for free.

If you’re concerned about setting up the TV, or connecting all your home entertainment devices to it, ask about home setup as well. Many smaller electronics stores will offer home setup for a small fee. Delivery and setup are great items to negotiate over – it won’t hurt to try to save money and get improved service. Even if you plan to pick up and install your 37 inch LCD TV yourself, make sure you talk to the retailer about technical support options in case you need help.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2006