Ultimate HDTV buying guide

Accessories and warranties

With any large purchase, the urge to accessorize can be overwhelming. Here are a few add-ons to consider, as well as some words on warranty and shipping concerns.

Accessories

• Cable requirements. In the store, you'll probably hear a salesperson tell you to get extra cables. That's because overpriced cables are one of the few areas where electronics stores can turn a big profit. In reality, cable quality matters very little, especially with digital cables such as HDMI. Since many stores don't even carry lower-priced cable alternatives, we recommend shopping for cables online and buying based on price from a vendor with a good return policy.
  
  

• Surge protector. We definitely recommend shielding your TV investment with some sort of surge protector. Don't believe the hype that a better protector will somehow improve video quality, but do choose a model with coaxial inputs and outputs for your cable or antenna.
  
  
• Furniture. We definitely recommend shielding your TV investment with some sort of surge protector. Don't believe the hype that a better protector will somehow improve video quality, but do choose a model with coaxial inputs and outputs for your cable or antenna.
  
  
• Other room treatments. Watching TV in broad daylight will result in a washed-out picture. We recommend that any viewing room be equipped with curtains or other window treatments that can block out some light during the day and that the TV screen face away from the window. Try to keep room lighting from reflecting onto the screen. A low-wattage light placed behind the TV in an otherwise dark room can make an ideal viewing environment.
  
  

Extended warranties
The final question you'll be asked when buying a TV is generally, "Would you like an extended warranty with that?" Most savvy electronics shoppers will answer with a knee-jerk no. TVs are an exception however. With the numerous newer TV technologies becoming available and the high prices of HDTVs, it often makes perfect sense to spend a few hundred dollars extending the protection on your investment. You should still read the terms of the agreement carefully--the extended warranty should at least cover everything that the manufacturer's warranty does, just for a longer period, and may offer additional benefits such as preventative maintenance and free or low-cost repairs. Most extended warranties begin from the date of purchase and so may overlap the manufacturer's warranty. When deciding whether or not to purchase an extended warranty, the ultimate decision is whether the cost (usually $200 to $600 or more for a TV) is worth the coverage the warranty provides against whatever risk you expect the TV to be subjected to. That's a decision only you can make.

Manufacturer warranties
The standard warranty covers parts for one year and labor for 90 days. Some manufacturer warranties have separate time frames for the picture element--such as the tube, which is often covered for two years--and the rest of the TV. High-end TVs, especially plasmas, often have a one-year labor warranty. Some manufacturers also offer in-home service on more expensive and larger models that are difficult to ship.

Buying online
An increasing number of TV makers are cracking down on "unauthorized" retailers of their sets, especially online, and some will not honor warranties on products purchased from such dealers. See the Web site of your set's manufacturer before you purchase a TV online for its policy on unauthorized retailers.

If you decide to buy your TV online, make sure you choose a vendor with a solid return policy. There are many cut-rate vendors out there that don't allow any returns on televisions--an exception to their standard return policies. Also, be prepared for a significant shipping fee. Consider how to get it through the door and set it up in your room or on a stand; big TVs often require more than one strong person to lift them. Some online and many brick-and-mortar dealers will move the TV into your house and even set it up for you, but it usually costs extra.