Screen size

• Measure the distance between where the TV will be mounted and where you intend to watch so you can determine the ideal screen size. Then use the distance calculator from DTV City, whose link is under Resources. For example, a screen size of 46 inches yields a viewing distance of about 11.5 feet. Note that if you can't afford the ideal size for your room, you can always move the sofa closer to a smaller screen or vice versa.
  
  

Inputs

• An LCD TV has several input ports for connecting cable boxes, home theater systems and video games. These ports must match the plugs of the devices you have at home or they won't work with your equipment. Write down the types and number of connections you have, and make sure they match the plugs available on the TV.
  Some of the more common connectors include HDMI for modern, high-resolution machines such as Blu-Ray players; ethernet and USB for computers, networking and video games; and component jacks for older amplifiers and speakers. If you plan on getting additional equipment for your new TV, make sure you have all the cables, which are not always included. Despite the seller's attempts to foist expensive HDMI cables on you, cheap $10 versions work just as well.
  
  

Picture

• The best way to judge picture quality is to view the screens at the retailer. Ask a salesperson to run the same type of images that you expect to use at home such as sporting events, Blu-Ray movies, websites and video games. Ask him to simulate lighting in a typical living room and stand the same distance away from the screen that you expect to be at home.
  Watch out for motion blur, which can produce an unfocused or jagged image during fast action. This is less of a problem with sets running above 60 Hertz. But even then, many manufacturers include technologies to minimize the problem. For example, the Sony Bravia series includes Motionflow technology to produce smoother and sharper movement.