How to Buy Your First Plasma TV

Take a deep breath. Now relax. Buying a plasma TV may seem like a frightening task, but it really doesn't have to be. There are a few things you should know and understand before heading to the store. With the proper knowledge, you'll be fully armed to make the right decisions. Soon you'll be sitting back, enjoying the show.

Choose the Right Size
Plasma TVs come in every size making them fit many different rooms and situations. The small 32" models are good for a bedroom or office. The 32" is ideal for the common family sized living room. The 50" model is great for a home theater setting. There will always be a size available to fit your need exactly.

Nothing is worse than a TV too big or too small for the room size. Be careful to consider the space of your room before making your purchase. You may be tempted to buy the largest TV for your money, but you should consider more moderate sizes if your room is smaller. There are some general viewing distances you should consider. For TVs ranging from 32" - 37", the seating should be between 6 - 10 feet away. If you have 10 - 14 feet to work with, then a 42" TV would be perfect for your area. If the viewing distance is around 12 - 16 feet, you can go as big as a 50" unit. Any area over 15' away you could fit sizes above 61".

Take the time to ensure you are buying the proper sized television for your room. For the best viewing experience you really don't want anything too big or too small.

Brands and Models
As with any purchase you make in life, you need to consider what brand you are purchasing. As with any other purchase, there isn't always a brand that fits everyones needs exactly. Consider the features you would like. Finding a unit with just the right size, style, features, reputation and price that fits your needs will be the key.

There are always a few brands that are more reliable than others. The Japanese brands have a good reputation such as Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Pioneer, Toshiba and Hitachi. None of these are one size fits all, so you do need to do your research as far as which brands offer which features. If you need to give up a feature or two in order to get a better brand, it may be worth it to do so.