32 Inch Plasma & HD TV's - A Buying Guide

Televisions today are like cars - every household has to have one, and in most cases, every household has several. In addition, the high definition televisions can cost as much as a used car. Consider that most homes have a TV in the living room, each bedroom, and perhaps the kitchen and family room; add all that up and it is bound to equal the purchase of an inexpensive new vehicle. We cannot do without our televisions, though. We not only use them to view shows, we also use them for our DVD players and gaming units, such as the ever so popular Wii. Growing even more popular are plasma TV's. If you happen to be in the market for a 32 inch TV, more specifically an HD, plasma one, this guide aims to provide you with some helpful tips.

History

Plasma TV's were reserved for only the larger size televisions in the beginning of their existence on the market. In late 2007, however, the company LG introduced the first 32 inch plasma TV and it turned out that there was such a high demand for the smaller version that other companies started to make them as well. Now the choices out there are more than abundant. Major companies like Sony, Samsung, JVC, Panasonic, and Vizio have joined the 32 inch plasma TV manufacturing. Many smaller and lesser known electronic companies make them as well.

Features To Look Out For

Buying a television is a very personal thing. No one answer is right for every individual. You need to know what is most important to you in order to make your best choice. With that said, here is a general guideline of 9 features that are good to research or ask about before making a final decision. You want to know a TV's resolution, if it has built in tuners, how many inputs it is equipped with, how wide the viewing angle is, its contrast ratio, if it is PC compatible, what its reliability rating is, if there is a warranty, and whether or not it is compatible with Blu-ray, cable, or satellite dishes. It is a lot to think about, but any sales representative or website listing should supply you with these details. Again, some of these features will be more important to you than others, but knowing about them is a good idea.

It might help you to know more about resolution before you start looking at specific 32 inch TV models. Typical numbers for resolution are 720p and 1080p. The "p" stands for pixels. The 720p televisions will cost considerably less than the 1080p versions. Some brands difference in pricing between the two resolutions is as low as $200 while others can run closer to $1000. The 720p reference is not exact and actually refers to 3 different resolution options, but all are incredibly similar when viewing. Most experts agree that at the 32 inch TV size, 720p resolution works just fine and is worth the hundreds you can save. It is also important to realize that the resolution a television offers its viewer is only as good as the input it is receiving. For example, any 32 inch HD TV will not perform at its best level unless it is receiving an HD signal.

Pricing And Places To Buy From

As far as pricing, you can get a 32 inch plasma TV for around $400. You can also, not surprisingly, find them for several thousand dollars. Most models come with a basic kit that includes necessary cables and supplies for cleaning. Some come with an advanced kit that will also include a surge protector and a wall mount. The LG and Vizio brands tend to have options on the cheaper end, but out of these two, only the Vizio models have received strong reviews (more than 3 out of 5 stars). Samsung seems to be the best reviewed of all 32 inch plasma TV's, but they are also the priciest of the brands, with $850 being around their cheapest option. Most other major brands have models with strong reviews.

Finding these televisions is quite easy. You can shop locally at Sears, Best Buy, Wal Mart, or Lowes or you can of course shop online. When shopping online it is important to know if you have to pay shipping. Most sites offer free shipping on orders that are larger amounts like TV purchases, but make sure this is so. Shipping costs are based on weight and televisions can be pretty heavy. Popular websites for electronics are Amazon and Nextag, but you can also shop your favorite store online, such as Best Buy, for a wider selection than the store might have.

When purchasing a 32 inch plasma TV the most important thing to know is that you have many choices. With the economy needing a boost, more and more shoppers are opting for the smaller and cheaper televisions. We cannot seem to live without our TV's, so if you are in the market for a new one, shop smart!