Thread: How to Test HDTVs in the Store

PCWorld has just published a series of "articles" on "How To Test XXX In The Store," and HDTVs is one of the areas covered.

Put "articles" in quotes above because these are Slideshows - a set of photographs with a bit of text attached - which I generally do not care for: would much rather have the information presented in a single page, instead of having to repeatedly click though to the next slide. (Or be forced to read at THEIR Predetermined speed.)

ANYWAY - off the soapbox & on to the Slideshow: "How to Test HDTVs in the Store"

"You need a new TV. In the store, you see three different sets that might work, but you don’t know how to decide on the best one for you (not the best one for the salesperson). These quick and simple in-store performance tests will separate the winners from the posers, and lead you to a decision you can feel good about."

The handful of tests they suggest range from the simple, such as trying to judge Glare, and Viewing Angles, to the inventive: using your smartphone as a Light Meter to compare the ambient light level in you viewing room to that in the showroom.

Had to chuckle at the advice here, that "If your TV room is brighter than the showroom, a plasma screen may not look as good once you get it home." This is a true statement in itself, but it leaves out the Inverse possibility ("If your viewing room is DIMMER than showroom a plasma screen is likely to look better once you get it home") - and thus will tend to leave a Negative Impression upon many readers.


In any event, found the article useful overall, and would have found it even more useful a few years ago when we were trying to decide upon our FIRST HDTV!


Still, given the wide range of knowledge & experience to be found cruising around these boards, can't help but wonder what the Typical HDJ Reader thinks of the PCWorld advice?

What "in store tests" would you add to the list?

And how likely do you think it is that any given store would allow someone to try ALL of the tests suggested - whether those on your list, or on the PCWorld list??

The Sound & Vision article provided a nice chuckle by referring to Circuit City, but all-in-all the Tune For Grandma piece seemed more useful - particularly liked the rationale they provided behind the suggestions!