What You Need to Know Before Buying a TV

Upgrading your TV is exciting and you probably can’t wait to watch sports, movies or play games on the television. Athough people buy TVs every single day, this isn’t a purchase to rush into. Buying the right TV can have a tremendous impact on your viewing experience for many, many years. So whether you’re getting a new TV for the family room, your bedroom or a theater room, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Measure your TV console.

If you don’t plan on mounting your TV, make sure you choose a console that’s big enough to support the television. Putting the TV on a small console could result in the television’s legs being too close to the edge of the console, affecting stability and making the TV more susceptible to tipping or shifting. When buying a console, you’ll see recommendations for TV size. Pay attention to this information to avoid purchasing a console that’s too small for your television.

2. Get the right sized TV for your room.

It’s also important to purchase the right sized TV for your room. As a rule of thumb, you don’t want the TV to be too large or too small. If the TV is too small, it can be difficult to see the picture from a distance; and if the TV is too large, it can feel as if you’re sitting too close to the screen.

There are no hard or fast rules regarding the size of a TV for a room. If you’re looking for a general guide, you should sit about four or five feet away from a TV that’s around 29 inches; about six feet from a TV that’s 46 inches; and about eight feet from a TV that’s 50 or 60 inches.

3. You might need to purchase a sound bar.

Some electronic retailers hook up sound systems to TVs on display, resulting in amazing sound. Don’t expect this type of sound at home unless you have a sound system or a sound bar. Even if the television’s built-in sound is of higher quality, it might not provide the sound you need to fully enjoy movies or sporting events.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money for better sound. If you don’t want to invest in an expensive sound system right now, you can spend a couple hundred dollars on a quality budget model and upgrade later.

4. Bring the right-sized vehicle.

If you’re buying a large TV, don’t assume that the TV will slide into the backseat with no problem. TV boxes are bulkier than they look and you could find yourself with a new TV and no way to get it home.

To avoid after-purchase surprises, ask to borrow someone’s SUV, which might have enough space to transport the box. If this isn’t an option, ask the retailer about delivery options.

5. Purchase the TV with a credit card.

There’s nothing wrong with using a debit card for a TV purchase. Since you’re using funds tied to your bank account, you don’t have to worry about debt. However, there is a benefit of using a credit card for this purchase.

When you make an electronic purchase with a credit card, you may receive a free one-year extended warranty as a cardholder perk, which kicks in after your manufacturer’s warranty expires.

The Takeaway: buying a new TV is exciting and your opportunity to take advantage of the newest technologies and features available. But you shouldn’t walk into a store and purchase a TV on a whim. Do your homework and make sure you’re prepared for the purchase.