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A 27' LCD TV provides a much better picture than the old CRT televisions ' and they come in much more attractive styles. In many homes an LCD TV has become an integral feature in the entertainment room's decorating scheme. They're versatile, too. A flat screen 27' LCD TV can be mounted on a wall, under a cabinet, on the ceiling, or it can sit on a stand or on top of furniture. A 27' LCD TV comes in a size that is big enough to comfortably watch from a reasonable distance, but it's also small enough to fit in even the smallest viewing rooms.

The 27' LCD market is also highly competitive ' almost every television manufacturer makes at least one 27' model. Choosing the right model for your needs can be time-consuming; to get you started, take these steps as you search for the right TV for you.

First consider your room's d'cor, and think about how you'll sit relative to the TV. Because a 27' LCD TV has significantly higher resolution than a conventional TV, you'll be able to sit closer than you normally would and view a larger screen much more comfortably. The optimum viewing distance for a 27' LCD TV is approximately 6 feet, so plan your furniture arrangement accordingly.

Then make a decision about whether you want or need HDTV. A 27' LCD TV with EDTV is less expensive to purchase but it won't display high-definition signals. The price difference between a smaller HD-ready 27' LCD TV and an ED-ready 27' LCD TV is relatively small, so you're better off buying an HD-ready set. Many experts indicate there's little reason to buy a non-HD 27' LCD TV. A lower resolution LCD TV won't be able to accept high-definition signals, so the picture won't look any better than regular analog TV. In the next few years more and more TV signals will be in HD; since your 27' LCD TV should last for more than fifteen years, make sure it will grow with the technology.

Now try to purchase a set with an HDMI input. This port keeps the signal all-digital, avoiding degradation that can occur as the signal passes through other components (like your cable box). HMDI carries high-definition audio as well as video. Some satellite receivers and DVD players also connect through this port.

Narrow your choice of 27' LCD TV down further by determining if you want or need picture-in-picture functionality. Picture-in-picture allows you to view two video sources at once, with one appearing as a small window on the screen. If you do want picture-in-picture capability on your 27' LCD TV, remember that single-tuner picture-in-picture lets you watch television in one window and another source (like a DVD) in the second window. A 27' LCD TV with two tuners lets you watch two television sources at once. It's a cool feature and once you have it you'll find you don't want to do without it, especially if you're a sports or news junkie.

You're almost done, but now you'll want to check to see if the different models of 27' LCD TV you're still considering are sold with a stand or mounting hardware included. Most 27' LCD TVs will come with a table stand wall mounting hardware costs an additional $100 to $200. If you do purchase a stand or mounting hardware separately, make sure it's appropriate for the size and weight of your TV. The average 27' LCD TV is pretty heavy, so it pays to make sure your stand or hardware will safely support it.

Last, but certainly not least, inspect the manufacturer's return and warranty policy before buying online. Some manufacturers have strict policies regarding authorized dealers. If you buy a 27' LCD TV from an unauthorized dealer, the manufacturer may not offer warranty coverage. The retailer may offer a substitute warranty that sufficiently covers you ' the only way to know for sure is to ask. The price difference for a 27' LCD TV from an authorized dealer and from a discounter can be hundreds of dollars ' and sometimes that's the sole reason for the price difference - so make sure you're comfortable with the risk of not having a warranty, or make sure you ask the discounter for information about warranty terms for the 27' LCD TV you've narrowed your choice down to.