Choosing a new television is a snap for a lot of folks. Size and price generally rule, and when that 60 inch LED is on sale buyers tend to jump all over the deal. When the unit arrives at the house however, the new owners are sometimes surprised on two fronts. Number one, the television looked a lot smaller in the store. That moment of surprise is usually followed closely by number two, which is when the number of ports and connections becomes realized and all those fancy gadgets can not be connected simultaneously.
High definition televisions are the pinnacle of technology, they offer a great home entertainment option. While most folks know what the 720p, 1080p, and all those 120Hz figures mean, sometimes the actual size of the unit gets lost in the shuffle. To alleviate realizing the unit is too big for the ten foot by ten foot room, potential buyers should head to the store and take a tape measure with them. Delaying the purchase by a day and measuring the unit at the store is a great idea. Technology stores like Best Buy, Costco, and even Wal-Mart are cavernous places and a 55 inch screen looks pretty small, especially in the company of the bigger brothers and sisters.
Once the dimensions have been obtained, simply grab a roll of masking tape and head back to the house. Transfer the dimensions of the unit to the wall using the masking tape (blue painters tape works just as well for anyone concerned about damage) to outline the television. If it still looks great, the purchase is a good one. However, if it is blocking windows and doors (which I have seen), a smaller unit or another location should probably be considered.
Folks fortunate enough to have a few gadgets connected to the television need to pay close attention to the number of HDMI ports on the television. However, where they are located is just as important. That new HDTV might have three ports, but one is on the side or the front. Homes with a Blu-Ray player, X-Box 360, Playstation 3, cable box, and maybe even a Roku, will want to double check the connections available. Wii owners should also be sure there is a composite connection (red, yellow, and white) or else they might be looking for creative connecting.
Fortunately, for anyone needing a spare HDMI port, an HDMI switch can offer a quick and easy solution. The units basically, allow three or more devices to be plugged into a single HDMI port. However, there are several different models, and some require a remote or a button to be pressed to toggle between inputs. Technology buyers are always looking to add another remote to their arsenal.
Shoppers should know there is a lot more that needs to go into choosing a new television than size or price. In addition, taking a few moments to evaluate future needs is probably a good idea as well. Making sure that expensive piece of tech will still be relevant should the home theater expand will help anyone avoid having to go through the shopping process all over again.