KEY FEATURES AND CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS

Convenience features, inputs, and even the sound system are all factors to consider in your next TV purchase. Many TV makers differentiate their baseline models from step-up versions by including all kinds of add-ons, so check our list to help determine whether that "loaded" set you're considering really has the features that matter.

Picture-in-Picture (PIP)

What it is: Found primarily on more-expensive televisions, PIP lets you watch a second program in a little window. More-elaborate versions can resize the window, move it around the screen, create still or multiple still images, or simply divide the screen into two same-size pictures, often called picture-outside-picture (POP).

What it isn't: PIP has a dirty little secret, though: if you use an external tuner such as a cable box or a satellite receiver, you can watch only one program at once. If some of your channels are unscrambled, you can watch those on the second window, and you can usually watch other sources such as VHS or DVD on it, as well. But even with two-tuner PIP, a single cable/satellite box will prevent you from watching two live scrambled channels simultaneously, unless the box itself has PIP.

Universal remote

What it is: Plenty of TVs now come with universal remotes that can control other A/V gear. Usually, they work with a cable or satellite box, and many can also command DVD players, VCRs, or even A/V receivers. If you like watching movies in the dark, you should look for a remote with backlit or glowing buttons.

What it isn't: Not every universal remote can control everything. Some, known as unibrand remotes, can control only the same brand of equipment as the TV itself. Most are preprogrammed with a set list of codes, and if the codes don't match your older or off-brand gear, you're out of luck. A few are learning models that can accept the IR codes from your other remotes and, thus, control any kind of gear.

TV sound

What it is: Almost every TV sold today has MTS stereo reception and stereo speakers, which provide much better sound than a single mono speaker. When TV makers list readings of 5 watts per channel or higher, it means the set has a respectable audio system for a TV. Some sets with simulated surround provide a semblance of the effect of rear speakers.

What it isn't: No TV can compete with a dedicated audio system, so even if your set has lots of watts and simulated surround sound, you should consider a home-theater audio system for maximum impact. If you have such a system, the TV's sound becomes a moot point.

Tuner extras

What it is: Channel-surfing modes, favorite-channel lists, and other features that rely on your TV's built-in tuner can make switching channels a lot more efficient--as long as you use that tuner.

What it isn't: The problem is, many people use external tuners such as a cable or satellite box to change channels. If you're one of those people, tuner extras are all but useless to you.

Inputs and outputs

Perhaps the single most confusing item on a TV spec sheet is the forest of inputs and outputs used to hook up the set to other equipment. The following trail of breadcrumbs, arranged in order of video quality, should help put you on the right connectivity path.

Jack	Cable	Name	Typical use	Level of video quality
		RF a.k.a. radio frequency; antenna; cable; screw type; F-pin	Antennae, VCRs, cable and satellite boxes	Lowest
		Composite video a.k.a. yellow video; video; A/V (when combined with audio jacks)	Cable and satellite boxes, VCRs, DVD players, game consoles	Low
		S-Video a.k.a. DIN 4	Cable and satellite boxes, S-VHS VCRs, DVD players, game consoles	Medium
		Interlaced component a.k.a. component; Y, Pb, Pr; Y, Cb, Cr; 480i	Standard DVD players	High
		Progressive component a.k.a. component; Y, Pb, Pr; Y, Cb, Cr; 480p	Progressive-scan DVD players, 480p digital television (EDTV)	Very high
		Broadband component a.k.a. component; Y, Pb, Pr; Y, Cb, Cr; wideband component; 1080i; 720p; HDTV	Regular and progressive-scan DVD players, HDTV receivers	Very high
		RGB Connections can also be made through RCA or BNC-type connectors, and adapters are available between all of them a.k.a. VGA; 15-pin D-sub; RGB-HV	Computers, some HDTV receivers, video processors and projectors	Very high
		FireWire a.k.a. IEEE 1394; iLink	HDTV receivers, D-VHS VCRs	Highest (digital)
		DVI-D with HDCP a.k.a. DVI-D; Digital Visual Interface; High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection	HDTV receivers and DVD players	Highest (digital)
		HDMI FAQ a.k.a. High-Definition Multimedia Interface	HDTV receivers and DVD players	Highest (digital)

A quick note about switching: : If you have multiple sources going into your TV, an A/V receiver with switching capabilities can really ease the hassle. The most convenient option is to leave your TV set to one input and have the receiver switch all other sources into that input. Many receivers have a feature called video upconversion, which often allows them to send every source, whether it's composite, S-Video, or component-video, through higher-quality component-video or HDMI outputs. If you have a lot of gear, they can make switching between sources much more convenient. Receivers with HDMI switching or upconversion are still rare, however.