One of the most stressful big-ticket items you can buy for your house is a new television. Technology changes at such a fast pace that it can be difficult to stay on top of the current trends, and walking into your local electronics store can be a very intimidating experience. Your typical store will have a whole wall full of mounted televisions -- often three televisions high and up to 20 across. While it is an impressive sight to behold, it can be very overwhelming to say the least. This is especially true when you're in a crunch to pick up a new TV and accompanying entertainment systems before the start of this year's March Madness.

There are so many different types of televisions, with each type available in several different models, that before you know it, your head is on the verge of exploding from all of the choices before you. Yes, buying a new television can be scary, but with a little homework before you go shopping, your experience can be much smoother, and much more enjoyable. View our gallery of top picks for each type of high-definition television on the market today. We've chosen these based on value -- taking into consideration quality and price. Below our gallery, you'll find additional tips on how to nail down the best HDTV for you and your needs.

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Jan 25th 2012 at 10:40AM by Michael Fowlkes
One of the most stressful big-ticket items you can buy for your house is a new television. Technology changes at such a fast pace that it can be difficult to stay on top of the current trends, and walking into your local electronics store can be a very intimidating experience. Your typical store will have a whole wall full of mounted televisions -- often three televisions high and up to 20 across. While it is an impressive sight to behold, it can be very overwhelming to say the least. This is especially true when you're in a crunch to pick up a new TV and accompanying entertainment systems before the start of this year's March Madness.

Check out: March Madness Must-Haves

There are so many different types of televisions, with each type available in several different models, that before you know it, your head is on the verge of exploding from all of the choices before you. Yes, buying a new television can be scary, but with a little homework before you go shopping, your experience can be much smoother, and much more enjoyable. View our gallery of top picks for each type of high-definition television on the market today. We've chosen these based on value -- taking into consideration quality and price. Below our gallery, you'll find additional tips on how to nail down the best HDTV for you and your needs.

LCD vs. Plasma Televisions

LCD vs. Plasma Televisions

Plasma televisions have better viewing angles, but are heavier than LCD televisions and are not as good at power consumption. Where plasmas really set themselves apart from LCDs is in video motion. If you watch a lot of sports, or play fast action video games plasma televisions will definitely deliver better picture quality. If you mostly watch television shows, or news, then an LCD is probably your better option. Let's take a look at some options...

Size Matters
The first thing you will notice when you look at the wall of televisions in front of you is the various sizes. Some people get caught-up in the moment and decide that they will buy the biggest television that their budget can handle. Bigger is not always better, and finding the right size television is more important than finding the biggest television. Although, it is important to get the biggest television your room (and budget) can handle.

You first need to measure the distance from where you will place your new television to where you will be sitting. A general rule of thumb is that you do not want to sit closer than 1.5 times the screen's diagonal measure, and no more than three times beyond than that measurement. Let's assume that your seating distance is 10 feet. 10 feet x 12 inches = 120 inches. Take your 120 inches and divide by 3 and your minimum screen size would be 40 inches. To determine your maximum screen size, you simply divide 120 inches by 1.5 and you get a maximum screen size of 80 inches. Generally speaking, somewhere in the middle is fine and offers a good viewing experience.

720p vs. 1080p
The two types you resolutions will have to chose from are 720p and 1080p. The main thing to remember is that in order to take full advantage of current high-definition devices, you need to consider buying a 1080p television. If most of the television programming you watch is standard definition cable, then a 720p television will be just fine. But, this is not the case for most people. If you watch high0definition television channels, then it is important to understand that in order to get full high definition you need a 1080p television.

Where the real difference really comes into play is when you want to start watching Blu-ray discs, or if you are a gamer. Blu-ray players send their pictures in 1080p resolution, and you will not get the most out of your Blu-ray player unless you are watching on a 1080p television. For gamers, Sony's Playstation plays in 1080p, and your gaming experience will be much more enjoyable on a 1080p television.

What Type of Television Should You Buy?
So now that you have determined what size range and resolution you should be looking for, you need to start thinking about the different types of televisions on the market. There are four main types of high-definition televisions that are currently being sold, and they are: LCD, Plasma, LED and 3D televisions. Each has its own pros and cons, and while they are all very nice televisions, there are some differences to keep in mind. Scroll through our above gallery for the basic differences and for our top-value TV picks for each type.

In conclusion, buying a new TV can be a daunting experience. You have a lot to think about, but if you have read through this buying guide, that means that you are doing your homework. Give yourself kudos because that is the first and most important part of the buying process. Consider making a trip to your local Best Buy or hhgregg for some hands-on research to make sure you are getting what you expect. While there, don't be afraid to ask questions! Their salesmen will be more than happy to talk to you. Once you have seen the televisions with your own eyes, go back home and do some research for the best prices online. When you finally get it shipped to your home, enjoy!

It's a daunting experience, but it can be a very rewarding one with a little homework.

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