TV Answer Man, my family went shopping this weekend and we noticed that the TVs in the store looked sensational, much better than we have at home. The picture was incredibly bright and just popped out of the screen. Is that because the set is so much better or did they have a professional do the calibration so the picture is perfect? What am I doing wrong? — Gene, Dunkirk, Maryland.
Gene, you are not wrong, and you are not doing anything wrong. Let me explain.
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Many retail stores purposely tune some sets on the floor to look as bright as possible to get your attention. (I won’t say every store does this, but the number is significantly high. Just do a random visit to a few; you’ll soon see what I mean.)
It’s easy to do. Just raise the Brightness level of the set and set the picture mode to Vivid. At a glance, the TV’s picture will then look so bright and sharp that you will want to grab it and bring it home.
But here’s the problem: If you look at the in-store set more than a minute or so, you will start to notice that the detail is a little fuzzy. That’s what happens when you turn up the Brightness level too high. (Some argue that the Vivid setting can also reduce detail.)
You may also notice that excessive brightness starts to wear on your eyes, making them tired or worse. It’s like staring at a bright lamp. At first, you appreciate the added light that the lamp provides, but stare too long and you start to see spots before your eyes.
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Retailers understand this, of course, but they have concluded that the Brightness/Vivid trick works quite well. Few consumers spend more than a few minutes looking at the in-store set. If they are in the buying mood — and they are attracted to the picture — they will go to the salesman to make a deal.
(Some retailers are even crafty enough to raise the Brightness level only on the sets that produce the highest profit margin; have you ever noticed that some sets in the store look brighter than others? It’s rarely a coincidence.)
So what can you do to avoid this little tomfoolery?
Do your research before you go to the store. Check out some solid TV review sites, such as CNET.com, and find out what they say about a particular set you might be interested in. If CNET or Consumer Reports (or another reputable site) gives the set the thumbs-up, then go to the store.
Then, when you go to the store, don’t be swayed by how the set’s picture looks. Just keep in mind what the reviewers said and keep your eye on the set’s price. Make sure you get a good deal.
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Of course, you could just buy the TV online and not worry about the salesman trying to sell you how Bright the set looks — or an extended warranty, for that matter. (Extended warranties and expensive cables are two more store tricks; don’t get either.) But that’s your call.
Gene, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!
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— Phillip Swann
@tvanswerman
Just do your homework and research a good TV. You can get online access to Consumer Reports for a nominal cost ($20-$30 Annual). If you want the magazine it’s a bit more, but they’ve never steered me wrong. Just keep in mind the best set for your needs may not be their top pick. Don’t buy the cheapest set on their list either. I’d also stick with Samsung (my personal preference), Sony (a close second) followed by LG. But like I said do some research. It’s good to know the exact model you want to buy before you even set foot in a store. Don’t let them talk you into getting a “similar” model. If they do, its either last year’s model, or a newer model — that will cost more. Don’t let them pressure you into buying because “the price will go up next week”. You can also buy online to pickup in-store and avoid the sales people altogether. When you arrive at the store check the box carefully. Confirm that it’s the model you ordered. You new TV will likely be a long term “member” of your family so choose carefully.