Buying your perfect low-cost, high definition TV

In the picture
Picture quality can vary wildly from set to set. This is often down to the image-processing techniques used, which makes it quite hard to discern one set’s picture quality from another without actually watching them to compare.

Poor image processing is often particularly evident when viewing standard-definition sources, such as Freeview, DVDs or VHS. In fact, an HD-ready TV set has to work quite hard to stretch low-resolution sources such as these to fit its high-resolution screen.

In the worst cases, this can result in a terribly smeary picture with blurred motion and heavy grain or odd, pixellated artefacts.

Another picture problem that still plagues high-def LCD TVs – particularly cheap ones – is a narrow viewing angle. On some sets you’ll find that the picture becomes washed out and, sometimes, completely unwatchable unless you’re sitting right in front of it.

It’s hard to say whether one manufacturer is better than another in these respects. Nothing beats going down to your local electrical showroom and looking at the picture yourself.

Many stores have their screens set to outrageous contrast and brightness levels, however, so ask to borrow a remote to see if you can tweak the picture to your liking.

A lot of picture quality issues are largely down to personal taste and we strongly advise against buying a set without first seeing it.

Where to save
One obvious way to keep the cost of your shiny new HD-TV set down is to go for a smaller screen size. It’s tempting to splash out on a socking great 42-incher, but this might not be the most sensible of routes to go down.

Apart from anything, if you don't have much in the way of cat-swinging space in your living room, you might find a large-screen TV overpowering.

For the average living room, 26in, 28in and 32in screens should be more than big enough, representing a good balance between picture quality and price.

Where you buy can also have a big effect on how much you spend. While we suggested visiting a showroom to test out the screens, we wouldn’t always suggest that you buy from one.

Check out the competitive prices at online stores such as Amazon and Play, or visit our own Active Prices site for the best bargains.

Shop around and there’s no reason you won’t be able to pick up an excellent quality HD-ready TV from a big-name manufacturer like Samsung, Sony, Panasonic or Philips for less than £500.

HD shapes and sizes
Go into an electronics store these days and virtually all the TVs on show will be flat-panel displays – either based on LCD or plasma technology.

Old tube-based (CRT) TV sets are pretty thin on the ground and only Samsung has produced one that’s technically HD-ready, with other manufacturers showing little desire to follow suit.

High-definition plasma screens are only manufactured at large sizes (37in and above) and are generally quite costly, which counts them out for budget buyers.

DLP (or ‘rear projection’) TVs also only inhabit the larger end of the screen-size spectrum and are a little bulkier than true flat panels.

All of which means that – with mass production, lower prices and advanced high-resolution screen technology behind it – LCD is the best type of television to go for if you’re looking for a tasty high-def.