Buying TVs for others:

It’s time for the parents to come into the digital age. Their old TV may be on the fritz or maybe with aging eyesight, you want them to have a bigger screen. Whoever you are buying for, here’s some tips to make it great.

Consider:
What source of programming do they have? (Cable, Satellite, antenna?) Do they know about HDTV and what it takes to get it?
For HDTV, they'll need:

• a source for programs (cable, satellite, a uhf antenna---see antennaweb.com to see if you/they can receive an over the air sigal)

• a HDTV tuner (built in tuner for over the air signals, or a High Definition cable or satellite receiver--not just digital cable)
• Subscribing to, or tuning to a High Definition Channel. While there are more High Definition channels added monthly, non-high definition channels will have an inferior picture.

If it’s an HDTV, will you make the calls for them to receive the programming from their current company or get another provider?

Who will hook it up, set it up, and show them how to use it?

IF YOU ARE “GOING IN” ON BUYING A TV WITH OTHERS:
Someone can buy the cables.
Someone can buy installation (particularly for wall mounted flat screens).
Someone can buy a TV/media stand.
Someone can buy a universal remote (see section on remote controls at end of guide).
Someone can buy an extended warranty (for in home service--you don’t want them to have to deal with problems in the future!
Someone can buy THE HOME ELECTRONICS SURVIVAL GUIDE (so you won’t be on the phone helping them all the time!)