Get The Best Flatscreen TV

Confused about which slimline design to buy? Read our comprehensive guide that makes choosing the perfect TV simple.

By Emily Peck

Over the last 10 years we've seen a flat screen revolution - the latest designs are good value for money, sleeker and offer a better picture quality than ever before. The ability to access internet content and the promise of 3D capability make them exciting additions to the home. Here's what to consider.

What Size Is Best?

It stands to reason you wouldn't put a 65 inch TV screen in your average sized bedroom - not only would it be uncomfortable to watch, but it would look out of place too. If the screen is too large and you're sitting to close, your eye will pick out the pixels in the screen. Work out the ideal viewing distance by comparing the screen size to the viewing ratio. As a rough equation, the width of screen x 3 gives you your ideal seating position, any closer and you'll feel out of place.

Which Is Better - LCD Or Plasma?

Both of these screen technologies have developed hugely over the last few years - plasmas are more efficient, slimmer and lighter than previously, while LCDs offer a much better picture quality than when they first launched.

Although the latest LCD screens are very good indeed, in general, plasma gives a cleaner image on fast moving pictures such as sport as it offers faster refresh rates compared to LCD. It also gives a wider viewing angle than LCD, which is ideal if you're watching off centre or have a lot of guests gathered round the TV.

However, if you're buying a smaller television below 37 inches, for the kitchen for example, you'll only have the choice of choosing LCD technology. If you buy a large LCD screen, you will have to choose from traditional CCFL backlights or the new and better-quality edge lit or full back lit LED LCD technology. Edge lit is ultra slim, but at the expense of off-axis quality, whereas full back lit gives a superb picture that is challenging plasma, but is more expensive.

Is HD Essential?

All the latest flat screens are now 'HD Ready', with a minimum of 720p resolution. This means they are able to display high-definition broadcasts, from Sky HD for example, which is broadcast in 720p. However, the bigger the screen the more resolution you need to create the best picture, so for 32 inch TVs and above it's best to go for a 'Full HD' screen, which can display native 1080p resolution - this future proofs you for advancements too, in case Sky HD suddenly starts broadcasting high def content in 1080p, for example. You need a Full HD TV to make the most of Blu-ray films, which are played back at 1080p, too.

What About Extra Channels?

Most screens now come with freeview as standard, with Panasonic leading the way in supplying screens with built-in freesat tuners. Freeview set-top boxes allows even the oldest TV to be made capable of receiving digital signals, and you can now buy Freeview HD set-top boxes and actual TVs with built-in Freeview HD.