If someone you know has a new TV on their gift list and you haven't looked into the market yet, you could be in for quite a shock. Purchasing a new TV can be overwhelming.

Not that long ago, the choices were pretty simple, however today's TVs offer a wide-range of screen and cabinet sizes, display technologies, and connectivity options. Things like high definition television (HDTV), plasma, or LCD flat screens can seem ridiculously costly when compared to our old sets. Prices, which have dropped dramatically in the last year, can still exceed $1,000, which means a new TV could be the most expensive electronics purchase you've ever made for your home. Add in the ocean of technical terms, sales jargon, and media hype and you might consider going with new slippers instead.

The truth is it doesn't have to be that hard. The right questions can help quickly narrow your choices, and there are plenty of resources available to help you pick the perfect picture.

Do You Need HDTV?
HDTV is sharper than standard television, hands down. The clarity is impressive. Before committing to HD however, you must ask if the person you're buying for is unhappy with the TV picture they currently own. If they aren't, they may simply want something bigger, brighter, or flatter.

There are a lot of great non-HD options available to consumers that won't devour your entire Christmas club account. Curved and flat non-HDTV screens as large as 36" can be had for less than $500. You can buy a 46" non-HDTV rear-projection television for less than $750. Getting a regular TV now will allow you to save money for the next few years while HDTV prices continue to fall into a more palatable price range.

But won't a standard TV be obsolete in a year? Not a chance. You may have heard that all TVs have to be HDTVs by a certain date. That's not completely correct. The FCC has mandated that certain televisions are required to have built-in HDTV tuners, but the TVs don't necessarily have to be able to display HDTV resolutions. Also, In December 2005, the Senate passed a budget bill that calls for over-the-air television stations to cease their analog broadcasts by February 17, 2009. After that date, TVs and other gear with old-style NTSC tuners would be unable to receive over-the-air broadcasts.

This switch-off would cause millions of TVs to go dark, depriving many lower-income viewers of their only source of television. TV advertisers, desperately losing their grip on the masses because of innovations like "commercial skip" on video recorders, can't afford to let those old sets go dark. Lawmakers are already proposing to subsidize converter boxes that would allow people to watch the new digital broadcasts on their old analog TVs. In a nutshell, regular TV is going to be around for a long time.

HDTV Programming
Another oft-overlooked consideration prior to buying an HDTV concerns the availability of HD programming. If you bring home your HDTV and plug it into a standard cable box, you'll be disappointed. To actually watch high-def, you need an HDTV source, an HDTV channel, and an HDTV show. While all the major networks are now offering HD programming, many of the programs aired were not shot in HD, so you could end up paying a lot of cash to watch standard television anyway. Non-HD shows on HD channels won't look nearly as sharp as the high-def shows do and usually don't fill the wide screen properly.

If you're a cable or satellite subscriber, you'll have to buy or lease HD equipment and sign up for HD services. Premium services like pro sports packages and movie channels usually carry added costs. Contact your cable or satellite provider about availability of HD channels and programming in your area. You'll also need "HDMI" or component cables to connect the cable or satellite box to an HDTV. Standard composite video or S-Video cables don't carry HD signals.

If the individual you are buying for watches the majority of their programming on DVD, or is a devoted game-player, an HDTV won't disappoint them. DVD discs (technically standard-definition) look very good on an HDTV. The new gaming systems that incorporate HD technology look especially impressive on the big HDTV screens.

Purchasing Tips:
Regardless of whether you buy an HDTV, or a regular TV, here are some tips for making the right purchase.

First, never buy a set the first time you see it. Write down the make and model and then leave and go do your homework. Check it out online at Websites like ConsumerReports.org and CNET.com. Search Google for customer reviews, consumer complaints, pricing, and recalls. Also, go to the manufacturer's Website. Reading the manufacturer's notes will allow you to skip the sales pitch when you return to the store.

Remember that most stores show their TVs on a big wall, fed by the same video signal split several times. Don't get enamored with a bright picture. What looks good and bright on the showroom floor might appear washed out in your living room. Ask for the remote, and bounce through the set's preset picture modes to see what changes and what looks best.

Bring your own DVD to the store. Pick one that has some stark contrasts in scene setting, color, action, and lighting that you are familiar with from your current TV. This will give you a truer idea of what these new TVs look like. If you don't have one that fits this description, I recommend Joe Kane's Digital Video Essential DVD. This interactive step-by-step guide for properly adjusting the video brightness, contrast, color, tint, sharpness and audio controls is simple to use, and will come in handy once the new TV arrives at your house.

Don't get a set loaded with extra connections or features. Two HDMI inputs might be nice, but you'll probably never use the second one. "1080p" is the hot buzzword with new HDTVs, but it costs a lot more than the 720p sets and studies have shown that few consumers can actually see the improved resolution. You can save a lot of cash by getting the basics on your TV, and then using a good home stereo receiver to route your various sources to the TV.

Say no to the extended warranty. The added cost rarely is worth it, and unless you're buying an off-brand, these sets all have solid reliability ratings.
Always ask about trade in for your old set. Some stores offer trade-in value for old sets, and this can save having to pay for recycling and disposal. If the store doesn't offer some sort of trade or drop off for your old set, call your city office for answers on safe disposal of these hazardous materials.

Finally, always negotiate. Few stores won't negotiate, especially this time of year when they are banking on your business. On the rare occasion that they do say no, be polite about it. After all, a little politeness during the holiday rush can bring joy to everyone.

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