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Additional specifications you will be interested in when purchasing your HDTV are things such as the Energy Star Logo which denotes sets that consume less power than ones without.

Automatic brightness control will adjust image brightness depending on amount of light in the room.

An LED backlight consumes less power than fluorescent and produces better color response than the traditional. Some are dynamic with local dimming which can increase the image contrast while saving energy.

Refresh rates are 120Hz which takes 60 images per second from the video signal and creates an intermediate between pairs to create 120 per second and 240Hz which doubles up the 120Hz creating three intermediate images per frame pair.

Automatic volume leveling which reduces that spike in volume television commercials are so found of using.

VESA mount holes for wall mounts designed to match the standard VESA hole patterns.

Internet connectivity which offers the ability to connect your home network’s router so you can view content on your computer network or access the internet. Newer sets allow you to connect wireless as well as traditionally.

3D display is something that’s been in rear projection models, but is now appearing in flat panel HDTV’s. The near future promises to produce enough content to make 3D a possible worthwhile choice.

Since there are so many video connections on new model HDTV’s I thought I would take some time and go over each one briefly.

Lets start with HDMI which is a digital connection that delivers image data exactly as the player, cable box, gaming console, etc. intends. It can carry sound and thus reduce cable clutter. It may also let you control multiple devices with single clicks of the remote control. It also translates copy protection features without distortion.

Component video relies on those three RCA connectors red, green and blue. It’s an analog connection that can handle 1080p signals but at times has problems with copy protection. It’s not as good as a digital connection but unless there’s a long distance involved, you’re unlikely to notice.

VGA is that d-Sub 15 connector computers use to connect to a display. It’s similar to component in that it’s analog and can also handle up to 1080p. It’s commonly the easiest way to hook your computer to your HDTV.

In addition to these three main and most important connectors, there will also likely be an S-Video and composite video connector. These carry standard definition video images, typically from older devices like pre-blue ray DVD players, camcorders, and/or VCR’s. You can scale these images up to HD depending on your HDTV settings.

Your biggest concern should be with your HDMI connectors and you’ll probably want at least three. Get as many as you can. You’ll probably want to connect a DVR, Blu ray, camcorder, cable/satellite box and possibly even your computer. If you have to few HDMI connections on your set, you may want to purchase a switch that will multiply your connections and allow you to connect more devices, but it does complicate things by giving you one more remote control to keep track of.

When deciding to buy an HDTV there are various specifications to consider so that you don’t waste your money on an inferior product or on one that performs below your expectations. After deciding on either a plasma or LCD, important specifications that apply to both are resolution, contrast, video connections, HDMI, Component video, VGA, S-Video, Composite video, Energy Star Logo, Automatic brightness control, Automatic volume leveling, VESA mount holes, Internet Connectivity, 3D Display, LED backlight, Dynamic backlight or local dimming, 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz refresh rate.

All HDTV sets 40 inches or larger worth purchasing have a resolution of 1080p. Smaller sets with lower resolutions scale images down to match it’s native resolution. The interpolation may result in images not as sharp as the pictures on the 1080p set. Due to the advancements in video technology and the current type of content you now receive from broadcast, streaming and satellite as well as the resolution of blue ray disc player, it is almost pointless to purchase any HDTV set with a resolution lower than 1080p.

Contrast is also an important specification in determining image quality of an HDTV set. Contrast is the difference between the darkest and lightest images, the blacks and the whites, that a screen can produce. Washed out or grey blacks make an image look weak and flat. Deep dark blacks make the image pop out and look sharper. Don’t be taken in by manufacturers methods of measuring contrast. Use your own eyes, under conditions most likely to resemble your living conditions. In fact make certain you can return your purchase if the equipment does not perform visually to your satisfaction when moved from the lighting conditions of the showroom to the actual lighting of the room you plan on using the equipment in.

Video Connections are another consideration and because there are so many of them, I will visit them in the next post.