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BUYING
GUIDES
Here you will find brief explanations of the various checklist
parameters found in the sample and print scorecards. They
are provided as an explanation of the various features
and facilities you're rating and to help you more accurately
fill in relevant information on those scorecards ... thus
making searching for the right products even more informative.
Scoring Tips for Televisions
Use
these tips to as a guide when filling out the buying scorecards
in Sofa. These let you when assess the merits of the products
you are contemplating buying and will help you shortlist
a range of suitable products, thus making investing in
home entertainment equipment a whole lot more enjoyable
and rewarding.
 PRINT
VERSION
[right click to download]
Brand
This is the name of what's usually the full range of equipment
from the relevant manufacturer. It's often trademarked.
Model
This is the number or word that references the relevant
product within a range.
Features
The function or performance parameter under which the
product under scrutiny is being judged.
Warranty
The extent that the manufacturer, distributor or retailer
(or, some, or all parties) guarantee a product from failure
in operation under normal conditions.
Cosmetic
Design
How the products look and how they will integrate with
your system and into your home environment.
Construction
quality
Does it look and feel well made?
Magnetic
shielding
It can be a good design feature to have.
Television
system
How many regional systems can be replayed and under what
conditions?
Screen
size
What are the 'viewable' dimensions, not the picture tube
size.
Flat
screen technology
How flat and does it make the picture better?
Picture
tube technology
The systems that go into generating the images you see.
Anti-flicker
technology
Usually called 100Hz technology - do you want or need
it?
Picture
enhancements
Technologies used to enhance image quality.
Teletext
onboard
An on-screen, text-based information service.
Programming
capability
For example, can multiple remote actions be grouped into
one command.
Special
effects functions
How useful are digital still picture and zoom (to mention
two) to your viewing?
Picture-in-picture
Useful if you there are two programmes and you want to
eyeball both of them.
Timer
facility
Auto on and off and channel selection can be very useful.
Special
features
These vary between sets so play with them to assess their
value.
Broadcast
image quality
Performance using local television broadcasts.
DVD
disc image quality
The medium you should use because it's image quality is
simply the best.
Tape
image quality
Old technology but why not …you get the complete
picture then!
Automatic
functions
These too, vary between machine so play and assess again.
Sound
system
If you don't have a home theatre system this will be important.
Audio
quality
Listen and evaluate but be cynical of pseudo surround
performance.
Input/output
options
The closer they match your DVD player facilities the better.
Learning
remote control?
It can remove coffee table clutter, but how smart is it?
Remote
Control Facilities
How easy is it to use both in daylight and in limited
light conditions.
Dimensions
Do the measurements match existing components and will
they fit cupboards, shelving and other storage options?
Weight
Can the player the be stacked safely with other components?
Total
Points Awarded
The tally of all scores awarded which gives you a numerical
value of the relevant product's worth.
Comments
Where you place notes of your personal experiences when
auditioning the relevant products.
Copyright
1996-2002. Virtual Magazines. All rights reserved.
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