| Shopping for a Big Screen TV means avoiding lots of | | | | Your neighbor Fred says he's an expert on Big Screen |
| people trying to dazzle you with new technology. | | | | TVs, and volunteers to help you buy one. Fred may be |
| You have to side-step slick TV salesmen talking about | | | | a good guy. . . he may even know the difference |
| "DLP", "EDTV" or "1080i". You have to outsmart | | | | between DTV and DLP. But Fred may also be a Boob |
| internet con artists selling "gray market" Plasmas. And | | | | blowing smoke out the rear of his shorts. How can |
| you have to ignore bone-headed advice from Fred, | | | | you tell? Rely on the only person you can trust to look |
| the neighborhood know-it-all. | | | | out for your interests . . . you! Listen to Fred, but take |
| Mistake #1: Don't Buy A "No-Name" Plasma TV! | | | | him with a grain of salt . . . and do your own research! |
| The most important decision you can make when | | | | Mistake #7: Don't Try To Bring Home A Plasma TV |
| buying a big screen TV is to decide not to buy a | | | | By Yourself! |
| "No-Name". A device as complex as a LCD, Plasma | | | | There was a time you could go to Circuit City, buy a |
| or DLP TV must be manufactured with the finest | | | | 19-inch color TV, throw it in the back seat and take it |
| components by dozens of expert technicians working | | | | home . . . those days are over! Shipping a Plasma TV |
| in multi-million dollar plants. "No-name" companies use | | | | to your home is the only sensible way to get it there; |
| none of those. | | | | it's too big, expensive, heavy and delicate to be |
| Mistake #2: Never Trust A "Seeing Eye" TV | | | | shoved in the trunk of a car. Your retailer will arrange |
| Salesman! | | | | shipping for you; make sure that insurance and order |
| If you walk into a TV showroom and don't know | | | | tracking are included in the deal. Don't sign for delivery |
| EDTV from HDTV, some slick salesman will smile and | | | | until you've inspected your TV for damage. |
| eat you for lunch! Don't let salesmen make choices for | | | | Mistake #8: Don't Install A Plasma TV Without Help! |
| you, or you'll end up with some outdated TV his boss | | | | A Plasma TV, although thin, is actually very heavy. A |
| wants to get rid of. Or you'll end up with screen burn-in | | | | 50-inch Plasma TV can weigh over 160 pounds. |
| on your new Plasma when your son hooks up his | | | | Mounting a Plasma TV on it's table stand is a three |
| Playstation 3; or suffer with a dim display in your | | | | person job; call some strong friends over. The delivery |
| brightly lit living room. Do a little research before you | | | | people will put your TV on the curb, or in your living |
| make a purchase; it's not difficult. | | | | room, depending on what you paid for. They won't |
| (If you're not familiar with some of the terms used | | | | install your TV on a wall mount, that service costs |
| above - DLP, EDTV, LCD - Google the "123 Guide To | | | | $200-$300. |
| Plasma TV.com") | | | | Mistake #9: Don't Fail To Connect A Dolby Sound |
| Mistake #3: Don't Buy From A "No-Name" Retailer! | | | | System! |
| It's important to buy your Plasma TV from a reputable | | | | You shouldn't settle for the sound coming from your |
| dealer selling brand name merchandise. The return of a | | | | TV speakers. Attached to your TV, a Dolby 5.1 |
| faulty $2000 Plasma TV won't bankrupt Wal-Mart or | | | | Surround Sound amplifier sends six separate channels |
| Sony; but could devastate a Mom and Pop electronics | | | | of sound through speakers in front of, on both sides of |
| store. Try to make major purchases from a major | | | | and behind the viewer. Home Theater Systems start |
| retailer's website; make sure they offer a good return | | | | as low as $250 and go into the thousands; they include |
| policy and have brand name Plasmas at a discount | | | | an amplifier, five speakers, wire and a sub woofer. |
| price. | | | | Dolby 7.1 is even more advanced with eight sound |
| Mistake #4: Don't Fall For Plasma Internet Scams! | | | | channels. |
| We've all seen what look like great deals on Plasma | | | | Mistake #10: Don't Forget To Budget For Peripherals! |
| TVs online. But exactly what is a great deal? It means | | | | For full enjoyment of your new Plasma TV, you'll need |
| getting GREAT MERCHANDISE at a GREAT PRICE. | | | | lots of other stuff: HDMI cables for each peripheral, |
| It's not a great deal if you get CRAPPY | | | | surge protectors, a TV stand or wall mount, a HDTV |
| MERCHANDISE at a GREAT PRICE! You don't want | | | | DVD player and digital cable for High Def broadcasts. |
| your "new" Plasma to be a returned or refurbished | | | | You'll also need a Home Theater System with at least |
| item. Avoid "gray market" or "B stock" merchandise, | | | | Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound and a comfortable viewing |
| and avoid sellers who aren't authorized retailers. | | | | area. I'm not trying to scare you . . . a modest system |
| Mistake #5: Don't Play Video Games On A Plasma | | | | can cost less than $300, A good system between |
| Television! | | | | $800-$1000 and a Top-of-the-Line system $1500 and |
| The chance of screen burn-in on a Plasma TV has | | | | up. |
| been greatly reduced by improved technology, but not | | | | Well, there you have it . . . the 10 Biggest Bone-Headed |
| eliminated. Computer programs, video games, stock | | | | Mistakes you could make when shopping for the |
| tickers and station logos can burn permanently into the | | | | perfect Plasma TV! Avoid them like the plague! |
| screen, ruining your expensive TV. LCD and DLP TV | | | | Good luck . . . I hope you find the Plasma TV that will |
| screens cannot suffer screen burn-in, ever. | | | | thrill your family for years to come! |
| Mistake #6: Don't Let A Know-It-All Pick Your TV! | | | | It's as easy as 123! |