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All you need to know before buying a TV set

TV prices are going crazy in shops all around Mauritius - which is the most natural effect of the government's budget announcement to have duties removed on TV sets of up to 32 inches and halved to 15% on sets above 32 inches. There could be no better time for retailers to battle among themselves to offer the best deals on TV sets, given that the new tax reduction policy coincides merrily with the new year season and the forthcoming World Cup 2010. But do not be hasty in buying your TV set - instead, read our top guide on buying a TV set.

Do you need a new TV set?

The chances are that you already have at least one TV set in your house. If you are considering buying a new set for another room, then now is the opportunity to do so.

But also, TV sets now come with unprecedented features and technology that make a huge difference in terms of audio and video quality. The simple phasing out of standard CRT TVs in preference for LCD screen speaks for itself. The important features that you are advised to look for in modern TV sets are presented in the next section of this article.

Important specifications and features in modern TV sets

• Aspect ratio: Aspect ratio refers to the relationship of screen width to screen height. Most modern TV sets now come with an aspect ratio 16:9 (called wide-screen models), but some models have kept the older 4:3 aspect ratio. Widescreen is deemed to be the future of television screens, given that most TV shows and movies are now formatted for a 16:9 aspect ratio screen. For best picture quality when playing those movies, our advice is that you make sure that you get a 16:9 aspect ratio screen.

• Resolution: Resolution is specified as the number of pixel columns by the number of pixel rows--640 by 480. High-definition TVs (HDTV) come in two different resolutions, called 1080i and 720p. One is not necessarily better than the other; 1080i has more lines and pixels, but 720p is a progressive-scan format that should deliver a smoother image that stays sharper during motion. Another format is also becoming better known: 1080p, which combines the superior resolution of 1080i with the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p.

• Connections: It is very important to check that the TV set is compatible with other sources which you will want to use with your display (e.g. DVD player). Check for the following input compatibilities:

• Composite video (AV) - used for cable and satellite boxes, VCRs, DVD players and game consoles (low quality).

• S-Video - used for cable and satellite boxes, S-VHS VCRs, DVD players, game consoles (medium quality).

• Component video (HDTV) - used for cable and satellite boxes, DVD players, HDTV tuners, Blu-ray and HD DVD players, game consoles, other HD sources (high quality).

• RGB - used for computers and video processors (high quality).

• HMDI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) - used for cable and satellite boxes, DVD players, HDTV tuners, Blu-ray and HD DVD players, game consoles, computers, other HD sources (highest quality - digital).

• Sound: TV sets normally come with stereo reception or speakers, which provide a better sound quality than a single mono speaker. You may choose to buy a separate home theatre sound system and connect it to your TV set for the best audio experience. However, if you do not want to incur this additional expenditure but still wish to have a rather decent sound quality, it is worth checking the sound system that comes with the TV, e.g. the number of watts.

An overview of the Mauritian market

32-inch LCD sets range from Rs.14,835 to Rs.20,000 (VAT-inclusive), the cheapest of all being less known brands like Quest and Zenware Technology (offered by Cash & Carry and Sheridan Mobility). A good bargain seems to be the Hitachi HD Ready LCD TV offered by Courts Ltd. for Rs.14,949 (VAT-inclusive): the picture quality is expected to be of a good standard, given its 1,366px x 768px resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, 500cd/m2 contrast ratio, and the fact that Hitachi is known for its exclusive focus on flat-panel high definition televisions.

Cash & Carry also has a range of brands to offer in the 32" LCD category, Hisense being the cheapest one at Rs.15,985 (VAT-inclusive). Towards the upper-end of the price range are the Samsung and Toshiba sets, both priced at Rs.18,285 (VAT-inclusive) and carrying a one-year warranty; while Cash & Carry does not price-differentiate between these two top-tier brands, it is noted that the Toshiba 32" LCD set comes with an integrated TNT decoder. Also, the JVC 32" LCD is relatively highly priced at Rs.19,434 (VAT-inclusive) but comes with cinema surround to ensure a better audio experience.

An interesting line of LCD television sets is offered by Happy World with several series of the Sony Bravia brand with varying levels of features and quality. They generally come with full HD 1080 resolution, great connectivity options and sound quality. They combine top features and a reasonable price range (Rs.15,985 - Rs. 21,045 for a 32" screen), and they no doubt win our recommendation.

Other larger-sized LCD screens are also becoming more and more popular. More information about these can be found on compareprices.mu. At the moment, their prices range from Rs. 32,085 for a 42" LCD screen to Rs. 103,500 for the more sophisticated 52" LCD screen.