What is a VESA Wall Mount?

VESA is a set of standards for manufacturing flat screen TV and PC monitors. The standard includes the hole-patterns on the back of the TV or monitor for adding a mounting device.

Before you buy a VESA wall mount, be sure that your Television or monitor is VESA compliant. The specific VESA mounting details should be included in your TV’s manual and/or in the specifications. However, if you’re unsure you can just contact us and we’ll run through it with you.

Checking Your TV’s Mounting Hole-Patterns

There are four mounting holes on the back of your TV that you need to check. The distance between these holes determines the VESA compatibility of your TV and tells you which mount will fit. Any Wall Mounts that are VESA compliant will fit the majority of LCD, flat screen and plasma TVs.

How to Measure Your Television’s VESA standard

Look for the four mounting holes on the back of your TV. Measure the horizontal and vertical distance between them in millimeters. This forms the VESA standard. A “VESA 100 X 200″ means the mounting holes are 100mm apart horizontally and 200mm apart vertically. Larger hole-patterns are generally used on larger and heavier TVs that need the wider support.

In addition to specifying mounting hole-patterns, VESA standards also specify the where the cable exits will be located. This should allow you to run cables as to your TV as needed, concealing them wherever possible within the constraints of the mounting bracket.

Different Types of VESA Wall Mounts

Fixed Mount - The fixed mount is the most simple and least expensive of any wall mounts. The major characteristic of the fixed mount is that it is secure in place and much closer to the wall. This is because there is no tilting mechanism between the TV and the wall. This is best used for plasma TVs which have the widest viewing angles of any TV (less likely to require any movement) and for small rooms where space is at a premium and seating is directly in front of the TV.

Slimline Fixed Mount – The Slimline fixed mount is made for newer TVs that have an ultra slim design. Generally, these are the newer LED TVs, which can be as little as 1cm thick. If mounting a TV that is that slim to the wall, it is ideal to have a slimline mount that allows the screen to be hung as close to the wall as possible. Samsung’s LED TVs are the ultimate example of the slim TV design we mean, and to compliment this, Samsung have their own Slimline Fixed Wall Mount. This is an expensive version of this style of mount however, and more affordable options are available as well.

Tilting Wall Mount – The tilting wall mount has vertical angle adjustments that let you tilt the TV up or down several inches. This is ideal in situations where the TV is mounted higher than the optimal viewing height, like above a fireplace for example.

Tilt and Swivel Wall Mounts - Tilt and swivel wall mounts allow for movement both up and down (tilt) and left and right (swivel), allowing you to move the TV into any position for the best viewing angle. Some tilt and swivel mounts even let you move the TV out from the wall over 70 centimetres (see articulated arm mounts below)! When the TV is pushed up against the wall there is some space behind the TV to accommodate for the tilt and swivel mechanism. This can be 3 to 4 inches.

Articulated Arm Mount – The mount with the greatest tilt and swivel flexibility is the articulated arm mount. This mount lets you move the TV into virtually any position and then folds up when you push the TV back against the wall. The TV can be pulled away from the wall on the mount, by up to 70cm or more!

Remember, it’s not a good idea to skimp on your TV wall mount and buy a cheep mount. You want something that will give you the positioning features you want and be a strong solid reliable mount that will hold up. All the wall mounts offered by Eljo will give you all this and more.

Check out our full range of TV Wall Mounts here.

1. How big should I go?
2. Plasma, LCD, LED… What type of TV should I buy?
3. What do all these features and specifications actually mean?
4. What connections do I need to look for?
5. What is digital TV and how will “Freeview” impact upon the TV I buy?
6. 3D TV – Do i want it at home?

It is important to remember though that being a guide, many of the statements in here are based on opinion and do not necessarily represent facts. At the end of the day, the decision is a personal one and preferences will very from person to person.

1. How Big Should I Go?

The first thing to consider is your budget. It goes without say that the larger the TV, the more expensive it is likely to be, at least when compared to a TV of the same features and quality. Budget will therefore have a large impact on the size of TV that you can look to purchase. Having said that, there are other things to conider.

A major consideration should be the size of the room in which you will be putting the TV. Even more specifically, how far from the screen will you be when watching the TV? As a general rule, the viewing distance should be at least twice that of the diagonal size of the screen. For example, if you will be sitting 2 metres from the screen, a 40-46″ TV is the size for you. a TV 50″ and bigger would be appropriate for those sitting 2.5 metres from the screen.

2. Plasma, LCD, LED… What Type of TV Should I Consider?

We’ve broken this section into 3 easy to read and understand sections, with explanations as well as the pros and cons of each type of big screen TV. We’ve limited the descriptions to the 3 mainstream, popular types of TV. If you would like us to add a section about projectors, CRT or any other type pf screen, let us know and we’ll happily work on it for you.

A. Plasma
Plasma screens contain a series of very small gaseous cells, called sub-pixels, which produce ultraviolet light when electricity is applied. These cells are bunded in groups of three, with each cell in a group being red, blue or green. These groups of three are called pixels. The different coloured cells glow differently depending on the signal they receive. The large number of pixels, combined with the particularly small size, is what allows a plasma screen to produce such a clear picture.

For:

• Normally very good picture quality
• Considering their size, they are relatively very thin.
• They won’t distort at the edges due to the flat screen
• Assuming you take care of it, the screen’s brightness will remain consistent throughout it’s life.
• It is usually possible to wall mount them
• The 16:9 aspect ratio common to the format is well suited to both DVDs or Blurays and digital TV broadcasts.
• A plasma screen is unaffected by strong magnetic fields, like those you can find in some powerful speakers.
• The clarity of vision is not adversely affected by large screen sizes.
• Plasma screens are known to have the sharpest display of the colour black, perhaps the most important color when viewing a TV.
• They can accept a wide range of input signals, including most TV signals (PAL, NTSC and SECAM) and have a number of input types, such as standard RCA jacks, S-video, component video and increasingly HDMI. Also, most will accept output from a computer via RGB inputs.

Against:

• Servicing them down the track can be problematic, and will usually be expensive if possible at all. Extended warranties are recommended.
• Difficult to find in small-medium sizes. The majority of models start at 40″ and increase from there.
• Plasma screens can be effected by “burn-in” which can happen when one constant image is left on the screen for a long time. This may happen, for example, if a DVD menu is left on for too long.
• Some Plasma screens are only a display without any TV tuner. In this instance you will need to purchase a set-top box or PVR in order to watch TV.
• Compared to other types of TVs in comparable sizes, Plasma screens are quite heavy. Be aware of this before setting one up or trying to move it. You may need a hand.
• Each pixel has to be lit individually so the screen as a whole uses far more power, making them more expensive to run and worse for the environment.
• Due to their capacity to produce more heat than other screen types, Plasma’s will often have a fan in them to keep them from overheating. Usually they are very quiet, but they can be a little distracting without sound. This particularly so in older models.

Recommendation:

• Panasonic G10 Full HD Plasma, available in three sizes; 42 inches, 46 inches and 50 inches. The top of the range plasma from the best plasma makers. Panasonic’s G10 plasma won the recently awarded Editor’s Choice Award from CNET, which is a big deal in this industry. Enough said.

Value choice:

• Vivo PDP Plasma range, available in 42 or 50 inches. Both the  picture quality and aesthetic design on these units is superb considering the price range.

B. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCD Screens are effectively made up of two sheets of glass with an thin layer of liquefied crystal cells squeezed between them. These cells act as flaps which allow varying amounts of backlight through them when an electric current is applied. Backlight is provided by fluorescent light tubes. These cells are filtered with either Red, Green or Blue colouring to allow the screen to display the correct image as required. LCD screens are the most widely produced TVs on the market today.

For:

• LCD technology has advanced a long way due to their wide range of applications. LCDs are common-place in TVs, computer screens and portable media players.
• LCD Televisions are available in a great range of sizes, starting at 22 inches and going right up to 55 inches.
• The brightness of LCD TVs make them appropriate even in rooms that have a lot of light.
• The picture quality is extremely good on an LCD TV, particularly on high definition units with the capacity to show higher resolutions.
• LCDs are very thin, allowing for relatively easy wall mounting.
• The LCD TV market in Australia, and indeed elsewhere, is highly competitive. This means there are plenty of options available and ensures that prices continue to fall.
• Cheaper to run and better for the environment as the consume less power.

Against:

• Blacks are not as sharp on LCDs as they are in other TV types.
• Fast motion can leave a blurry trail on some LCDs. This problem has largely been fixed now though and is more an issue in older model LCDs.
• LCD pixels are known to get stuck on a given display from time to time. This is referred to as a “dead pixel”. Whilst a single dead pixel will not be visible from a regular viewing distance, a clump of them together in one area would be very annoying. This is generally covered by warranty. As such it is definitely worth considering an extended warranty when purchasing your TV.

Recommendation:

Samsung Series 7 200Hz LCD TV, available in 40, 46 and 52 inch sizes. This is the most expensive of the Samsung LCD family, but the added price is worth it. Full network and USB connectivity combined with fantastic picture quality and a stunning design makes it unbeatable. The only problem is Samsung are discontinuing them in favour of their LED range, which is making them increasingly difficult to get ahold of.

Value Choice:

Anything branded Hisense is the best value choice. The quality of the picture is very good for their price, and the build is solid. So much so in fact that Hisense throw their we

C. LED (Light Emitting Diode)
LED Screen TVs operate in much the same way as LCD Screens. They have the same Liquid Crystal sandwiched in between two sheets of glass. The crystal behaves in the same way, allowing varying levels of light through each of the coloured sub-pixels. The difference is that the backlighting used in an LED TV comes from powerful Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). This allows the lights to be more widely dispersed, enabling for the ultra slim designs common in most of the LED TVs today.

For:

• Sharp picture resolution, particularly in the higher end models.
• Ultra slim design for easy wall mounting.
• Same levels of brightness as in LCDs, making them appropriate for high lighting situations.
• Top end models have fantastic connectivity options, including built in network streaming, internet connectivity and USB ports.

Against:

• Still relatively expensive.
• Blacks are not as sharp as on other TV types.
• As they operate in the same way as LCDs, pixels are liable to get “stuck”, which will not impact viewing in isolated cases, but may do so if you have a few stuck pixels clumped together.

Recommendation:

Samsung Series 7 3D LED, available in 40 – 55 inch models. 2010 is the year of the 3D TV, and this one is hot! Whilst the price is still somewhat prohibitive, the array of features set it apart from it’s competition. This is the top of the range model from Samsung, the leaders in LCD and LED production. Honorary mention goes out to the LG 90QD Borderless LED range – purely for levels of cool. It’s frame has no borders!

Value Choice:

See LCD suggestion above. LED and value don’t really go hand in hand at this point in time. If you must have a value choice though, the cheapest LED currently available from any of the mainstream brands is the Samsung Series 5 LED, starting at a manageable size of 32″.

3. What do all these features and specifications actually mean?

In order to understand everything there is to know about a TVs features and specifications, you’d need some sort of diploma. The following pages are meant as an introduction. They will hopefully give you a reasonable appreciation of what is important to look for when buying your new TV.

Screen Size - Usually given in inches, and often converted across to centimetres, a television’s screen size is literally a diagonal measurement of the size of the actual screen. It is important to remember that if you need your TV to fit into a confined space, the screen size is different to the size of the TV including the frame. The total dimensions of a unit are usually listed in that model’s specifications.

Contrast Ratio – A Contrast ratio is a measure of a screens ability to maintain levels of detail in particularly bright or dark parts of the screen. Generally it is understood that Plasma screens have better contrast ratios than LCD panels because plasmas can completely deactivate the light source in partiular areas of the screen, whilst LCDs just cover it up. This means that entire sections of the screen can be dark whilst other parts display bright colours at the same time. In terms of what to look for – the higher the better. Many new model TVs quote extremely high contrast ratios of 1,000,000:1 or more. These are  mean that the contrast ratio is dynamic and should not always be taken at face value.

Colour Saturation - A determinant of how vibrant the colours are when they are displayed on screen. Good colour saturation will enable a TV to accurately display even the most subtle changes in colour so that the human eye can distinguish between them.

Viewing Angle - The quoted angle on which the TV can be viewed whilst still seeing a ‘perfect’ image. Once again, the higher the better for viewing angle as it means it can be viewed from more parts of the room. It is important to note that most manufacturers quote overly high viewing angles, approaching a full 180 degrees. This is a theoretical measure only as it is impossible to see a perfect picture at such angles. What you do see will be ‘perfect’, it’s just that you won’t see all of it. LEDs generally have superior viewing angles as their backlighting is not centrally located in the TV panel, but rather evenly distributed around the sides.

Response Time – This important specification represents the amount of time it takes for one pixel to go from ‘active’ (black) to ‘inactive’ (white) and back to black again. It’s quite similar to a camera’s shutter speed. What it actually measures is the speed at which an LCD panel’s crystals ‘twist’ to block and/or allow light to pass. It is measured in milliseconds (ms) with a lower number meaning faster change between active and inactive pixels and resulting in less image blur, particularly in faster moving images. The lower the response time the better.

Smooth Picture Motion - A measure of the screen’s ability to quickly refresh, measured in hertz (Hz) – frames per second. This reduces an effect called ‘ghosting’, whereby an image seems to trail behind, usually in fast motion pictures like sport and action movies. Most newer model televsions avoid this ghosting issue. Top of the range LCD screens are available up to 200Hz, whilst Plasmas are available up to 600Hz. This does not mean a Plasma is three times better in this area, rather it is because Plasma’s display ‘sub-frames’, which means more frames per second will be counted.

Resolution – Since the advent of HDTV (High-def TV), resolution has become all the rage. It is what controls the crispness and level of detail which is displayed. Full high definition is a resolution of 1920 x 1080, with ’1080i’ being the highest level of digital TV broadcast whereas ’1080p’ is the highest level of television output. The reason is is good to get a 1080p capable TV is because many digital media players and Bluray players display 1080p high definition.

4. What connections do I need to look for?

There are many different types of connections in use in today’s televisions. Some of them are more important than others. There is two types of screens available, display monitors and TVs. The difference is that televisions have inbuilt tuners whilst display monitors do not. Many of the inputs on both TVs and regular display screens are the same. Some of the more common and important connection points, as far as TVs are concerned, are listed below, along with a brief description of what it is they are for.

HDMI - HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. In terms of the widely used cables, an HDMI is the most practical high quality cable available today. That is why it’s so popular. It is important that you TV has HDMI inputs as most modern DVD players, Bluray players, Digital Media Players, Gaming consoles and even computers and video cameras transmit both audio and video signals via this cable. It is a high definition input, capable of producing the best picture quality on your TV. The more HDMI inputs a TV has, the better, as it will allow for media player, bluray player, pay-tv and other video sources to be directly plugged in together. Of course, if your TV only has 1 HDMI input, that’s OK too as it is easy to get an HDMI splitter these days.

Composite - A partcularly old form of cabling, composite cables are analog signal tramsitters, made up of three different heads, A Yellow one for video, and then Red and White ones for right and left audio respectively. Older TV sets relied on these cables to relay signals from VCRs, DVD Players, Gaming consoles, Camcorders and other video sources to the screen. Most new TVs still incorporate these inputs in recognition of the number of older products still relying on them to send their output. All modern TVs however also have HDMI inputs (see above), for higher quality signal transmission.

Component - Also known as YPbPr, component inputs allow for a higher resolution signal to be tramsitted compared to Composite cables. The video signal within Component cabling is transmitted via the Red, Green and Blue headed cables. Component is an analog form of video, which still allows for high definition viewing, generally up to 1080 interlaced resolution (1080i). Component audio is also still an analog signal, transmitted via the same audio inputs used in composite transmission.

S-Video – Yet another form of analog cabling, S-Video cables and their respective inputs are not widely used in modern home entertainment equipment, even though many of the major TVs and external video sources still provide S-Video inputs. Like Composite and Component, HDMI has largely usurped S-Video cabling, the inputs still being available for people wishing to connect older devices.

USB Input - A USB input will allow you to plug in just about any device which is USB connected. This includes HD Video Cameras, Digital Cameras, USB Flash Keys and USB Hard Drives. Such TVs generally have some ability to play back multimedia directly through the TV, without needing a computer nearby. For example, the Samsung Series 7 LCD TV, our recommended LCD model, allows viewers to plug in a USB device and playback a whole slide show of photos. This is a really good feature to have and will only become more useful as time goes by and multimedia is integrated further into our living room.

Ethernet Port - Some of the higher end TVs have an ethernet port which allows you to connect your TV to a home (or other) network. This may seem unnecessary, but in actual fact it is quite a brilliant feature to have on your TV. It effectively turns your TV into a fully functional Network Media Player, capable of streaming a variety of multimedia content which may be stored on a computer elsewhere in the house. In addition, many of these newer, high-end TVs have at least some capacity to connect to the internet. An example of this is the Series 8 LED from Samsung, which allows you to view Youtube content from the comfort of your living room.

5. What is digital TV and how will “Freeview” impact upon the TV I buy?

Without going into too much detail, digital TV is quite simply a new, improved means of delivering a television signal. Currently, Australian TV is broadcast using both digital and analog signals. the benefit of digital TV is that most viewers will enjoy greatly improved picture and sound quality. The broadcast is also set to be more consistent, meaning less signal dropouts for the majority of people.

Over the next few years, starting in 2010 and to be completed by 2013, the analog signals will be gradually phased out across Australia. This phasing out will effect different regions at different times during this period. To see the Governments official regional timeframe map for when analog broadcasts will be switched off in your area, click here.

With the new, higher quality, digital signals comes an increased number of channels. This improved channel package has been labelled “Freeview”. The term Freeview is actually a brand name given to the group of free-to-air channels, representing a collective marketing effort to compete with PayTV, and Foxtel in particular. Freeview will increase the freely available channels to 15, with each of the major networks controlling 3 seperate digital channels.

This digital switchover will require one of two courses of actions; purchase a digital set-top box or Personal Video Recorder which can be added to your older analog TV to pick up the digital signal, or purchase a brand new TV with a digital tuner already integrated into it. Naturally, the cost of this upgrade varies depending on your preferences. It is possible to pick up an entry level digital set-top box for around $100. At the other end of the scale, a high-end digital ready television can cost as much as $5000 or more. There is of course an array of options in between these two extremes, too many in fact to go through here. To explore these options more extensively, either browse our product range or contact one of our staff members who will be able to help you through any questions you may have.

6. 3D TV – Do i want it at home?

Without any doubt 2010 has been cast as the year of the 3D TV. The question is though, do you really need it at home? Firstly it should be noted that 3D TV will not be accessible to everyone. It is only available on the top of the line 2010 model TVs, making it a fairly expensive option. What’s more, to make it work, a special 3D enabled Blu-Ray player is required, along with special 3D glasses, on special 3D Blu-Ray discs. All of this comes at an expense, and considering the rarity of 3D content, it’s value for money must be questioned. On the other hand, when making a large investment like a new flat screen TV, it is always good to be future proofed. If you believe the TV manufacturers, the future of TV is in 3D, so a 3D TV purchase now should keep in good stead for years to come. For a more detailed look at 3D TV, check out our 3D TV Buying Guide.

What do i need to make 3D TV work?

3D TV requires more than just a 3D compatible television. Your 3D Home Entertainment System is just that, a full home entertainment system. As well as the centre piece that is your 3D TV, you’ll also need a 3D enabled Media Player, along with special 3D compatible glasses and 3D content. The 3D enabled media players available to begin with are pretty much only consisting of 3D capable Blu-Ray Players, but down the track certain gaming consoles (think PS3), and perhaps digital media players as well, will also be able to output your 3D content.

The actual 3D Television is not a new category of TV, rather, 3D TV is a feature within existing screen types. Screen types are still limited to Plasma, LCD and LED back lit LCD. For a full rundown of these, check out out Buying Guide: Televisions article.

Can i still watch normal programming and what’s the quality like?

Two words… Yes and Great. The 3D TV sets that are being released this year are the top of the line models, with features to match. As a point of reference, the new Samsung Series 7 3D LED (the first 3D set to land in the country), is a Full HD 1080p panel, with 200Hz MotionPlus refresh rate. Image quality, even on plain old 2D pictures, is superb. You won’t need to wear the 3D glasses when watching normal programming either, as it functions just like you would expect a regular top of the range TV would.

When do i have to wear the 3D glasses?

Simple really – put on the glasses when you’re watching 3D content. All other times you can leave them in the drawer, or on the coffee table, or wherever else it is you leave them (somewhere safe preferably – they’re not cheap). If you are watching 3D content though, make sure it’s with the glasses. Without, it’ll be rather fuzzy looking.

So how does 3D TV work?

We’ll try and keep it as simple as possible, but this is quite technical information, so if you don’t quite understand something and want to know more, feel free to contact us and we’ll see if we can’t help you understand.

3D TV works by tricking your eyes into thinking there is real depth in the image portrayed. The technology achieves this ‘third dimension’ does this by sending a slightly different picture to each eye. The new 3D technology has 2 ways of doing this. The first involves ‘polarised 3D’, whereby two slightly different images are polarised and superimposed on the screen simultaneously. Viewers then wear ‘polarised 3D glasses’, restricting polarised light and convincing the brain that there is a 3D image in front of you.

The other 3D technology currently in use is that which requires ‘active shutter glasses’. Images are originally captured using side-by-side cameras and the TV controls the ‘active shutter glasses’ you are wearing, and sends the different images alternately to each eye. Your brain then ‘stitches’ the images together if you like, which results in a 3D image. This form of 3D, requiring the shutter glasses, is the one the major brands have decided is the best way forward.

Check out the full range of 3D Televisions here.

On the whole, there are a few important variations to consider in different fridges. Temperature uniformity, energy efficiency, noise and running costs all play their part. There are different types of Fridges to choose from, including Top Mounted Fridges, Bottom Mounted Fridges, Side By Side Fridges, French Door Fridges, Standalone Fridges & Freezers (Pigeon Pair) and Bar Fridges. All of these are explored below…

Top Mount Fridges
This is the traditional fridge that you would be very familiar with. The Freezer compartment takes up roughly a third of the unit, and sits above the fridge section at eye level. This is still the widest produced type of fridge and is generally the most affordable compared to other types.

Price Range: approx. $300 – $1,200

Capacity Range: approx. 210L – 450L.

Pro’s:

• Affordably priced.
• Fits into smaller spaces. Particularly good for apartment living.
• More energy efficient.
• More economical to run.
• Larger capacity than bottom mount, due to position (and size) of the motor.

Con’s:

• The most used area, i.e. the fridge compartment, is at the bottom, often requiring bending to access.
• Generally lacking in features compared to more expensive, bigger models.
• Size limitation prohibits large family use.

Bottom Mount Fridges
Similarly designed to Top Mount Fridges, Bottom Mount Fridges are all about convenience. Rather than having the freezer up top, Bottom Mounted Fridges conveniently position the most used compartment – the fresh food fridge compartment – at eye level, within easy reach. This style of fridge often includes freezer drawers rather than shelves.

Price Range: approx. $700 – $1,600

Capacity Range: approx. 300L – 520L.

Pro’s:

• Logical design with the most used compartment at eye level.
• Less bending to the fridge (good for the back).
• Usually includes a relatively larger freezer compartment.

Con’s:

• Less choice as fewer brands make this style of fridge.
• More expensive.
• Crispers can be too cold as they are so close to the freezer.
• Less energy efficient, therefore less economical to run (and worse for the planet).
• Slower to chill, particularly in freezer compartment.

Side By Side Fridges
If you’ve got a large family (or a lot of house mates), or perhaps you like entertaining a lot, then the larger side by side fridges are for you. Generally these fridges don’t require as much door clearance, so they’re good for galley style kitchens. The top of the range offerings from most brands usually fall into this category, and therefore the added features are usually greater in a side by side than other types. They can be expensive though.

Price Range: approx. $1,100 – $5,000+

Capacity Range: approx. 540L – 750L.

Pro’s:

• Larger fridge and freezer compartments (greater capacity) allows you to store more food and drink.
• Better range of features, including large number with ice and water dispensers.
• Smaller door clearance allows better walkway clearance in tight spaces.

Con’s:

• Generally inefficient use of fridge space.
• Ice and Water dispenser takes up a lot of the Freezer capacity.
• Temperature fluctuation can differ greatly between bottom and top of the fridge.
• Require a lot of kitchen space.
• Narrow freezer can make it awkward to access the back of the fridge.

French Door Fridges
French Door Fridges are usually reserved for the high end of the market and is a merging of the side by side and bottom mount fridges. The French Door Fridge consists of top fridge compartment which has two side by side doors and a bottom mounted freezer compartment. This may sound confusing, but it means you only have to open a small part of the fridge to access what you need, thus conserving energy. It also retains the convenience of the bottom mount fridge, with the most used refrigerator compartment at the top.

Price Range: approx. $1,800 – $5,000+

Capacity Range: approx. 580L – 750L.

Pro’s:

• Greater width for larger dishes.
• Larger capacity allows greater storage space.
• Often top of the range models, which are fully optioned up (think electronic controls, water and ice dispensers, multiple different shelves, etc)

Con’s:

• Usually very expensive.
• Requires a wide area in the kitchen.

Bar Fridges
As you are probably aware, Bar Fridges are smaller refrigerators, designed for use in a personal bar to store a range of drinks and some snacks. They are however also widely used in hotels and in many single person households, like a studio apartment for example. Many of them come equipped with an ice box style freezer compartment to allow ice to be made, or smaller items to be frozen. Prices and capacities are always significantly lower than the bigger domestic fridges covered above.

Price Range: approx. $150 – $450

Capacity Range: approx. 50L – 150L.

Pro’s:

• Compact size doesn’t require much kitchen or bar space.
• Inbuilt freezer box still allows cross functionality
• Usually designed to fit under a standard sized bench.
• Cheaper than larger alternatives

Con’s:

• Small size restricts storage space.

What Size to Consider
There is no set rule to determine which size will suite you, as the food and drink storage requirements of every household differ enormously. As a general rule though, a 2 person household is likely to require around 250-300L of Fridge space, not including the freezer capacity. Then for each additional person, around 30L should be added. Therefor a 4 person household will require roughly 360L of Fridge space (plus freezer). This will decrease, for example, if it is a family of four that comprises two toddlers. On the other hand, it will increase if the household is made up of 4 adults. Further, if you tend to eat out a lot, this will decrease. The number of full-time workers may have an impact, as would the number and frequency of white wine drinkers. Also, when you cook, if you tend to cook larger batches for next time as well, freezing requirements may increase. Due to all these variables (and more), the below should be a rough guide only (capacities listed include freezer compartment).

• 1-2 people - 200-350L
• 3-4 people - 340-500
• 5+ pople - 450+

Is an Water and Ice Dispenser Really Necessary?
It has to be questioned weather or not this is really the best way to go. Whilst there is no doubt about the convenience of the water and ice feature, it takes up a lot of room in the freezer, that could otherwise be used to store next week’s casserole. On top of the space aspect, ideally the water and ice filter in your fridge should be changed every 6 months, at $50-100 per filter (naturally the time frame depends on the amount you use the dispenser). Finally, without the ice and water dispenser, you don’t have to connect your fridge up to any plumbing. Having said all of this, the feature does add (a lot of) convenience.

If you entertain a lot, then an ice maker in your freezer is extremely handy. And if the plumbing is already there, then why not! If on the other hand you don’t mind tap water and tend not to use ice all that often, then perhaps a basic water filter jug and ice trays will suffice?

1. How big should I go?
2. Plasma, LCD, LED… What type of TV should I buy?
3. What do all these features and specifications actually mean?
4. What connections do I need to look for?
5. What is digital TV and how will “Freeview” impact upon the TV I buy?

It is important to remember though that being a guide, many of the statements in here are based on opinion and do not necessarily represent facts. At the end of the day, the decision is a personal one and preferences will very from person to person.

1. How Big Should I Go?

The first thing to consider is your budget. It goes without say that the larger the TV, the more expensive it is likely to be, at least when compared to a TV of the same features and quality. Budget will therefore have a large impact on the size of TV that you can look to purchase. Having said that, there are other things to conider.

A major consideration should be the size of the room in which you will be putting the TV. Even more specifically, how far from the screen will you be when watching the TV? As a general rule, the viewing distance should be at least twice that of the diagonal size of the screen. For example, if you will be sitting 2 metres from the screen, a 40-46″ TV is the size for you. a TV 50″ and bigger would be appropriate for those sitting 2.5 metres from the screen.

2. Plasma, LCD, LED… What Type of TV Should I Consider?

We’ve broken this section into 3 easy to read and understand sections, with explanations as well as the pros and cons of each type of big screen TV. We’ve limited the descriptions to the 3 mainstream, popular types of TV. If you would like us to add a section about projectors, CRT or any other type pf screen, let us know and we’ll happily work on it for you.

A. Plasma
Plasma screens contain a series of very small gaseous cells, called sub-pixels, which produce ultraviolet light when electricity is applied. These cells are bunded in groups of three, with each cell in a group being red, blue or green. These groups of three are called pixels. The different coloured cells glow differently depending on the signal they receive. The large number of pixels, combined with the particularly small size, is what allows a plasma screen to produce such a clear picture.

For:

• Normally very good picture quality
• Considering their size, they are relatively very thin.
• They won’t distort at the edges due to the flat screen
• Assuming you take care of it, the screen’s brightness will remain consistent throughout it’s life.
• It is usually possible to wall mount them
• The 16:9 aspect ratio common to the format is well suited to both DVDs or Blurays and digital TV broadcasts.
• A plasma screen is unaffected by strong magnetic fields, like those you can find in some powerful speakers.
• The clarity of vision is not adversely affected by large screen sizes.
• Plasma screens are known to have the sharpest display of the colour black, perhaps the most important color when viewing a TV.
• They can accept a wide range of input signals, including most TV signals (PAL, NTSC and SECAM) and have a number of input types, such as standard RCA jacks, S-video, component video and increasingly HDMI. Also, most will accept output from a computer via RGB inputs.

Against:

• Servicing them down the track can be problematic, and will usually be expensive if possible at all. Extended warranties are recommended.
• Difficult to find in small-medium sizes. The majority of models start at 40″ and increase from there.
• Plasma screens can be effected by “burn-in” which can happen when one constant image is left on the screen for a long time. This may happen, for example, if a DVD menu is left on for too long.
• Some Plasma screens are only a display without any TV tuner. In this instance you will need to purchase a set-top box or PVR in order to watch TV.
• Compared to other types of TVs in comparable sizes, Plasma screens are quite heavy. Be aware of this before setting one up or trying to move it. You may need a hand.
• Each pixel has to be lit individually so the screen as a whole uses far more power, making them more expensive to run and worse for the environment.
• Due to their capacity to produce more heat than other screen types, Plasma’s will often have a fan in them to keep them from overheating. Usually they are very quiet, but they can be a little distracting without sound. This particularly so in older models.

Recommendation:

• Panasonic G10 Full HD Plasma, available in three sizes; 42 inches, 46 inches and 50 inches. The top of the range plasma from the best plasma makers. Panasonic’s G10 plasma won the recently awarded Editor’s Choice Award from CNET, which is a big deal in this industry. Enough said.

Value choice:

• Panasonic X10 Plasma range, available in 42 or 50 inches. Panasonic are the best at making plasmas and this one represents excellent value for your hard earned.

B. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCD Screens are effectively made up of two sheets of glass with an thin layer of liquefied crystal cells squeezed between them. These cells act as flaps which allow varying amounts of backlight through them when an electric current is applied. Backlight is provided by fluorescent light tubes. These cells are filtered with either Red, Green or Blue colouring to allow the screen to display the correct image as required. LCD screens are the most widely produced TVs on the market today.

For:

• LCD technology has advanced a long way due to their wide range of applications. LCDs are common-place in TVs, computer screens and portable media players.
• LCD Televisions are available in a great range of sizes, starting at 22 inches and going right up to 55 inches.
• The brightness of LCD TVs make them appropriate even in rooms that have a lot of light.
• The picture quality is extremely good on an LCD TV, particularly on high definition units with the capacity to show higher resolutions.
• LCDs are very thin, allowing for relatively easy wall mounting.
• The LCD TV market in Australia, and indeed elsewhere, is highly competitive. This means there are plenty of options available and ensures that prices continue to fall.
• Cheaper to run and better for the environment as the consume less power.

Against:

• Blacks are not as sharp on LCDs as they are in other TV types.
• Fast motion can leave a blurry trail on some LCDs. This problem has largely been fixed now though and is more an issue in older model LCDs.
• LCD pixels are known to get stuck on a given display from time to time. This is referred to as a “dead pixel”. Whilst a single dead pixel will not be visible from a regular viewing distance, a clump of them together in one area would be very annoying. This is generally covered by warranty. As such it is definitely worth considering an extended warranty when purchasing your TV.

Recommendation:

Samsung Series 7 200Hz LCD TV, available in 40, 46 and 52 inch sizes. This is the most expensive of the Samsung LCD family, but the added price is worth it. Full network and USB connectivity combined with fantastic picture quality and a stunning design makes it unbeatable. The only problem is Samsung are discontinuing them in favour of their LED range, which is making them increasingly difficult to get ahold of.

Value Choice:

Anything branded Hisense is the best value choice. The quality of the picture is very good for their price, and the build is solid. So much so in fact that Hisense throw their we

C. LED (Light Emitting Diode)
LED Screen TVs operate in much the same way as LCD Screens. They have the same Liquid Crystal sandwiched in between two sheets of glass. The crystal behaves in the same way, allowing varying levels of light through each of the coloured sub-pixels. The difference is that the backlighting used in an LED TV comes from powerful Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). This allows the lights to be more widely dispersed, enabling for the ultra slim designs common in most of the LED TVs today.

For:

• Sharp picture resolution, particularly in the higher end models.
• Ultra slim design for easy wall mounting.
• Same levels of brightness as in LCDs, making them appropriate for high lighting situations.
• Top end models have fantastic connectivity options, including built in network streaming, internet connectivity and USB ports.

Against:

• Still relatively expensive.
• Blacks are not as sharp as on other TV types.
• As they operate in the same way as LCDs, pixels are liable to get “stuck”, which will not impact viewing in isolated cases, but may do so if you have a few stuck pixels clumped together.

Recommendation:

Samsung Series 8 Full HD LED, available in 46 and 55 inch models. Whilst the price is still quite prohibitive, the array of features set it apart from it’s competition. This is the top of the range model from Samsung, the leaders in LCD and LED production. Honorary mention goes out to the LG 90QD Borderless LED range – purely for levels of cool. It’s frame has no borders!

Value Choice:

See LCD suggestion above. LED and value don’t really go hand in hand at this point in time.

3. What do all these features and specifications actually mean?

In order to understand everything there is to know about a TVs features and specifications, you’d need some sort of diploma. The following pages are meant as an introduction. They will hopefully give you a reasonable appreciation of what is important to look for when buying your new TV.

Screen Size - Usually given in inches, and often converted across to centimetres, a television’s screen size is literally a diagonal measurement of the size of the actual screen. It is important to remember that if you need your TV to fit into a confined space, the screen size is different to the size of the TV including the frame. The total dimensions of a unit are usually listed in that model’s specifications.

Contrast Ratio – A Contrast ratio is a measure of a screens ability to maintain levels of detail in particularly bright or dark parts of the screen. Generally it is understood that Plasma screens have better contrast ratios than LCD panels because plasmas can completely deactivate the light source in partiular areas of the screen, whilst LCDs just cover it up. This means that entire sections of the screen can be dark whilst other parts display bright colours at the same time. In terms of what to look for – the higher the better. Many new model TVs quote extremely high contrast ratios of 1,000,000:1 or more. These are  mean that the contrast ratio is dynamic and should not always be taken at face value.

Colour Saturation - A determinant of how vibrant the colours are when they are displayed on screen. Good colour saturation will enable a TV to accurately display even the most subtle changes in colour so that the human eye can distinguish between them.

Viewing Angle - The quoted angle on which the TV can be viewed whilst still seeing a ‘perfect’ image. Once again, the higher the better for viewing angle as it means it can be viewed from more parts of the room. It is important to note that most manufacturers quote overly high viewing angles, approaching a full 180 degrees. This is a theoretical measure only as it is impossible to see a perfect picture at such angles. What you do see will be ‘perfect’, it’s just that you won’t see all of it. LEDs generally have superior viewing angles as their backlighting is not centrally located in the TV panel, but rather evenly distributed around the sides.

Response Time – This important specification represents the amount of time it takes for one pixel to go from ‘active’ (black) to ‘inactive’ (white) and back to black again. It’s quite similar to a camera’s shutter speed. What it actually measures is the speed at which an LCD panel’s crystals ‘twist’ to block and/or allow light to pass. It is measured in milliseconds (ms) with a lower number meaning faster change between active and inactive pixels and resulting in less image blur, particularly in faster moving images. The lower the response time the better.

Smooth Picture Motion - A measure of the screen’s ability to quickly refresh, measured in hertz (Hz) – frames per second. This reduces an effect called ‘ghosting’, whereby an image seems to trail behind, usually in fast motion pictures like sport and action movies. Most newer model televsions avoid this ghosting issue. Top of the range LCD screens are available up to 200Hz, whilst Plasmas are available up to 600Hz. This does not mean a Plasma is three times better in this area, rather it is because Plasma’s display ‘sub-frames’, which means more frames per second will be counted.

Resolution – Since the advent of HDTV (High-def TV), resolution has become all the rage. It is what controls the crispness and level of detail which is displayed. Full high definition is a resolution of 1920 x 1080, with ’1080i’ being the highest level of digital TV broadcast whereas ’1080p’ is the highest level of television output. The reason is is good to get a 1080p capable TV is because many digital media players and Bluray players display 1080p high definition.

4. What connections do I need to look for?

There are many different types of connections in use in today’s televisions. Some of them are more important than others. There is two types of screens available, display monitors and TVs. The difference is that televisions have inbuilt tuners whilst display monitors do not. Many of the inputs on both TVs and regular display screens are the same. Some of the more common and important connection points, as far as TVs are concerned, are listed below, along with a brief description of what it is they are for.

HDMI - HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. In terms of the widely used cables, an HDMI is the most practical high quality cable available today. That is why it’s so popular. It is important that you TV has HDMI inputs as most modern DVD players, Bluray players, Digital Media Players, Gaming consoles and even computers and video cameras transmit both audio and video signals via this cable. It is a high definition input, capable of producing the best picture quality on your TV. The more HDMI inputs a TV has, the better, as it will allow for media player, bluray player, pay-tv and other video sources to be directly plugged in together. Of course, if your TV only has 1 HDMI input, that’s OK too as it is easy to get an HDMI splitter these days.

Composite - A partcularly old form of cabling, composite cables are analog signal tramsitters, made up of three different heads, A Yellow one for video, and then Red and White ones for right and left audio respectively. Older TV sets relied on these cables to relay signals from VCRs, DVD Players, Gaming consoles, Camcorders and other video sources to the screen. Most new TVs still incorporate these inputs in recognition of the number of older products still relying on them to send their output. All modern TVs however also have HDMI inputs (see above), for higher quality signal transmission.

Component - Also known as YPbPr, component inputs allow for a higher resolution signal to be tramsitted compared to Composite cables. The video signal within Component cabling is transmitted via the Red, Green and Blue headed cables. Component is an analog form of video, which still allows for high definition viewing, generally up to 1080 interlaced resolution (1080i). Component audio is also still an analog signal, transmitted via the same audio inputs used in composite transmission.

S-Video – Yet another form of analog cabling, S-Video cables and their respective inputs are not widely used in modern home entertainment equipment, even though many of the major TVs and external video sources still provide S-Video inputs. Like Composite and Component, HDMI has largely usurped S-Video cabling, the inputs still being available for people wishing to connect older devices.

USB Input - A USB input will allow you to plug in just about any device which is USB connected. This includes HD Video Cameras, Digital Cameras, USB Flash Keys and USB Hard Drives. Such TVs generally have some ability to play back multimedia directly through the TV, without needing a computer nearby. For example, the Samsung Series 7 LCD TV, our recommended LCD model, allows viewers to plug in a USB device and playback a whole slide show of photos. This is a really good feature to have and will only become more useful as time goes by and multimedia is integrated further into our living room.

Ethernet Port - Some of the higher end TVs have an ethernet port which allows you to connect your TV to a home (or other) network. This may seem unnecessary, but in actual fact it is quite a brilliant feature to have on your TV. It effectively turns your TV into a fully functional Network Media Player, capable of streaming a variety of multimedia content which may be stored on a computer elsewhere in the house. In addition, many of these newer, high-end TVs have at least some capacity to connect to the internet. An example of this is the Series 8 LED from Samsung, which allows you to view Youtube content from the comfort of your living room.

5. What is digital TV and how will “Freeview” impact upon the TV I buy?

Without going into too much detail, digital TV is quite simply a new, improved means of delivering a television signal. Currently, Australian TV is broadcast using both digital and analog signals. the benefit of digital TV is that most viewers will enjoy greatly improved picture and sound quality. The broadcast is also set to be more consistent, meaning less signal dropouts for the majority of people.

Over the next few years, starting in 2010 and to be completed by 2013, the analog signals will be gradually phased out across Australia. This phasing out will effect different regions at different times during this period. To see the Governments official regional timeframe map for when analog broadcasts will be switched off in your area, click here.

With the new, higher quality, digital signals comes an increased number of channels. This improved channel package has been labelled “Freeview”. The term Freeview is actually a brand name given to the group of free-to-air channels, representing a collective marketing effort to compete with PayTV, and Foxtel in particular. Freeview will increase the freely available channels to 15, with each of the major networks controlling 3 seperate digital channels.

This digital switchover will require one of two courses of actions; purchase a digital set-top box or Personal Video Recorder which can be added to your older analog TV to pick up the digital signal, or purchase a brand new TV with a digital tuner already integrated into it. Naturally, the cost of this upgrade varies depending on your preferences. It is possible to pick up an entry level digital set-top box for around $100. At the other end of the scale, a high-end digital ready television can cost as much as $5000 or more. There is of course an array of options in between these two extremes, too many in fact to go through here. To explore these options more extensively, either browse our product range or contact one of our staff members who will be able to help you through any questions you may have.