Bargain Hook-Ups And Accessories
So you've found the perfect HDTV. Before you start feeling too good, though, remember that the TV is only the beginning. You're going to need cables, maybe a wall mounting unit and a nice calibration set to ensure the picture is as good as it can be. Don't cry, though. With a good eye and some common sense, this won't dent your bank account nearly as much as the TV purchase.
Cables are where you have the best chance of getting ripped off. It's really kind of criminal the prices that some companies charge. Although you might think a $150 Monster HDMI cable is better than a cheap $20 one, you'd be surprised to hear there's not much difference. Wake up, everyone. A cable is just a cable. An official HDMI cable has to have certain specifications, and yes, even the cheap $20 ones follow these.
Cables Unlimited offers some of the least-expensive HDMI cables, starting at $20 for one that measures six feet. Buy a couple of these and you're ready to start experiencing the real high-def life.
This $20 cable from Cables Unlimited sure looks just like any other HDMI cable. Why pay more?
Also, since I only talked about flat-panel sets, I have to mention wall-mounting kits. They're perfect for adding the extra touch of class to your living room. They also help in reminding you why you didn't go into professional fixture installation for a living. However, before the headache of deciphering the installation instructions that look like they came out of a chemical engineering plant, there is the headache of deciding which unit to buy.
There are mounts that will run you more than $300, but these are usually more suited for really big sets, and they're also usually overpriced. A nice wall mount requires looking no further than Sanus' VM1B unit. It supports up to 50 lbs, which would support all the TVs mentioned in this article. It also swivels and tilts 15 degrees in all directions so you can alter the viewing angle instead of forcing it into one permanent spot. This unit is priced at around $70.
Sanus' VM1B wall mount unit
Finally, to unlock your inner videophile, I suggest getting the "Avia Guide To Home Theater DVD." Feature filled and highly regarded by HD techies, this DVD has calibration tests, information on HDTV and handy guides on how to plug in your TV to a surround-sound system, stereo or any other external audio source. We all know that when "The Weather Channel HD" goes live later this year you're going to want to make sure your TV is set up just perfectly for those local forecasts, and Avia's DVD can make that possible. It retails for around $40 and is worth keeping for when you upgrade your home theater set-up.
The Avia home theater DVD is a great tool for anyone with an HDTV.
So, $700-$800 for the TV, $40 for a couple HDMI cables, $70 for a wall mounting unit and $40 for a home theater calibration DVD. That brings the total package to $850-$950, and is basically everything you need to make your HD dreams a reality.
Conclusion
When it comes to buying your first HDTV, just relax. This technology is still on the evolution train, and when it's time to upgrade from a basic set in a few years, high-end stuff will be more affordable and will actually be more practical. Instead of just waiting two or three years for this evolution to happen, you may as well pick up an entry-level HD set and take it on a test run over the latter part of this decade. It doesn't take a 60" model to see the high-def difference, and hey, HD is the way of the future so you really should come on board.
Join our discussion on this topic
