Dollars & Sense: How to buy a big TV

Just when you thought the holiday rush to buy a new TV had died down, the Super Bowl brings in a new wave of buyers -- and we assume that you're a serious buyer, not the bozo who buys a TV for the big game and then returns it Monday.

Bad fan! Maybe you want a new TV with a picture so detailed that it allows you to count the number of stitches on Jerome Bettis' chin on Sunday. Or maybe not. I asked Gary Uecke, owner of Lifestyle Electronics in Chanhassen, for an assist in choosing LCDs, DLPs, HD and plasma screens.

Q When will my old boob tube go black?

A The conversion from the analog signal to digital is slated for Feb. 17, 2009. Your older set will still show "Everybody Loves Raymond" reruns if you get a converter. The cost is unknown, but the government plans to give households two vouchers, each worth $40, to help pay for the converter boxes.

Q How big should I go?

A Experts say 42 is the new 27. In other words, the ubiquitous 27-inch model used to be the main TV in the home; now the main set is 42 to 50 inches. Before you buy: Tape an outline of the set's outside dimensions on the wall where it will be hung or placed. Then sit down at a distance that is two to three times that of the diagonal width of your screen. For example, if you're considering a 50-inch TV, you'll want to sit 8 to 12 feet away -- closer for the crisp, high-definition programming and farther away for grainy, analog broadcasts.

Q Should I go with LCD [liquid crystal display], plasma or DLP [digital light processing]?

A Most people will choose an LCD for secondary or sets under 37 inches. For screens over 40 inches, sports and movie fanatics will want plasma or rear-projection. Those who want larger screens but don't want to spend $3,000-plus and don't want to wall-mount a plasma TV should consider the cheaper DLP.

Q Should my new TV have high-definition?

A Yes, especially for your main TV, but the set doesn't have to be an integrated HDTV. If you have cable or satellite, an HD-ready set will work fine, too, and cost a little less. TVs under 26 inches in the bedroom or kitchen probably won't need HD. If you're a casual viewer who watches mostly news, you'll be wasting your money on HD. But video games look a lot cooler on HD. To find out which programming is available in HD, go to www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5119938-1.html.

Q Will I pay more for HD on my cable or satellite bill?

A Yes, HD adds $5 to $10 per month. Each TV outlet with HD will cost extra.

Q Is it true that I can get HD with an ordinary TV antenna?

A Yes, but you'll need an HD-integrated TV (not HD-ready). Antenna placement is critical and is affected by obstructions such as trees and buildings. An outdoor antenna works best, but you don't need to spend big bucks on a high-tech antenna. For alignment help, go to www.antennaweb.org.

Q I've heard reports of people returning their HDTV's because the picture quality isn't as good at home as it was in the store. What kind of a bait-and-switch is that?

A Some salespeople mislead customers by only showing them high-definition programming on the TV being considered. Customers need to keep in mind that there isn't a lot of programming in HD outside of prime time. Have the salesperson show you standard, not just HD programming.

Q What's this new set going to cost me?

A Non-HD 15-inch LCDs start under $300. A 37-inch HD-LCD costs about $2,500. HD plasmas start at $3,000 for a 42-inch unit. DLPs start at about $1,400 for a 42-inch set.

Q Some of the TVs called "monitors" are cheaper. Are they a better buy?

A Probably not. A monitor has no internal tuner or system for generating sound. You'll need a separate source for sound, such as speakers.

Q What else should I do before buying?

A Ask the retailer about a money-back home trial. Ask if that includes free pickup, too. Of course, save all packaging just in case. Ask about restocking fees.

Q Should I buy an extended warranty?

A The jury is still out on repair rates for LCDs and plasmas, said Consumer Reports. If the price is right, don't rule it out. The magazine recommends a warranty on DLPs.

Q Will I have trouble getting rid of my old set?

A Probably not, but you may have to pay disposal fees. Just as appliance retailers charge to dispose of old appliances, electronics retailers are starting to charge. The Legislature has banned television sets and monitors with cathode ray tubes from landfills effective July 1. Hennepin County residents can dispose of TVs free at its public recycling centers. Minneapolis residents can still have TVs and appliances picked up free at their garbage site if labeled as trash. Asset Recovery in St. Paul (651-602-0789) charges 35 cents per pound for disposal (a 25-inch TV is usually $26).

Q Any other tips for pumping up my offensive strategy before I start this high-tech adventure?

A Don't deck the salesman when you have trouble finding popular, highly reviewed models. It's been difficult getting a Panasonic 42- or 50-inch plasma or the Sony Bravia LCDs, which have gotten good reviews. If you're hoping to get your set up and running before the Super Bowl, your first question should be "Can you have this installed in my home before game day?" And don't wait until the Saturday before the Super Bowl for the install.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633.

SUPER BOWL XL

What: Seattle vs. Pittsburgh.

When: Feb. 5, 5 p.m.

Where: Ford Field, Detroit.

On TV: Pregame show begins at 1:30 p.m. on KSTP, Ch. 5.

BIG-TV 101: Definitions

Flat panel: LCD or plasma TV 3 to 4 inches thick that can be wall-mounted or placed on a stand. Not the same as a flat screen, new within the past 10 years and now standard on most TVs, including the tube TVs still being made.

High-definition television (HDTV): The highest-quality digital TV standard, with more lifelike images than regular analog TV and better sound.

HD-ready: TV without a built-in high-definition tuner that can still deliver a high-defintion signal if hooked up through cable or satellite.

Enhanced-definition television (EDTV): An ED set cannot receive the HD signal, unlike an HDTV or an HD-ready set. Plasma flat panel screens usually are larger than LCD, typically 32 to 65 inches wide. Prices range from $3,000 to $10,000 for most sets. Many find the lifelike quality better than LCD.

LCD (liquid crystal display): A flat panel TV that's offered in smaller sizes (15- to 42-inch) than plasma and at more reasonable prices. Some models cost under $400, good bedroom or office TVs.

DLP (digital light processing): A mirror projection system. It's a good choice for those who want a big-screen TV at a lower price than plasma. It's not as thin as plasma but is lightweight, and no more than 12 inches deep.

JOHN EWOLDT