For those who want to get the most out of the time that they spend relaxing and enjoying all that the modern world of entertainment has to offer there is a new toy on the media playground that provides a TV viewing experience like no other. Of course buying an HDTV is a bit more complicated than when you bought your traditional set. There is a lot more technology knowledge involved in the purchase of an HDTV. So here are some tips on some of the newest features and things to look for that can serve as a “How to Buy a HDTV” guide.

The first thing that you will need to do is figure out that kind of HDTV that is the best fit for your home, your viewing habits and you wallet. There are several kinds of HD TVs on the market. The first is the traditional plasma TV. These models provide a great quality picture at an economical price. LCD units and LED units provide a great picture but they also have a higher price. The good news is that the main features of a HDTV do not depend on the “light engine” that is used to create the image.

There are of course a great many features that these new TVs provide but most of them are in the form of the on board software that they offer. Back in the old days you only had to choose the color of the cabinet and the size of the screen the set had (there were a whopping 6 to choose from); these days you have to decide what is more important to you, the ability to connect to video and music sites, send and receive video chats and email, or update your social networking status between commercials with the on screen keyboard and wireless mouse pad.

The software that the TV has determines the type of features that you will be able to enjoy in addition to the regular TV viewing that you will be doing. Some of the more popular models include software to browse the internet, connection with social networking sites, update your personal news feeds, read email, share pictures and videos and much more. Some TVs have a high definition webcam built into the front of the TV and on board instant messaging, email and VOIP software so that you can video conference with friends and family and send “facemail” without a computer.

Some HDTVs have built in DVRs as well. These TVs allow you to not only pause and rewind live TV but also access streaming TV shows and movies from major services. The DVR hard drive can also be used to store music and pictures so that when your TV is not being used to watch your favorite programs it can be used as a huge constantly changing digital photo frame complete with its own soundtrack.

Of course not all of the technologies that are associated with modern HDTVs have to do with built in software. Two of the biggest advancements in television history have recently occurred. The first is the invention of TVs (namely LED HDTVs) that have the capacity to create true yellow light. This is an ability that TVs have never had. Sets had previously relied on the filtering out of blue light from the green that they were then able to create the appearance of yellow light.

The advent of “true 3D” means that you can now enjoy 3D images and hyper realistic picture without the use of the classic blue and red cardboard glasses. Attractive and comfortable viewing glasses that work with the TV screen in an active way give you a breathtaking image like never before. There are some companies that are claiming to be only a couple of years away from HDTV units that will offer 3D “glasses-free”.

Do when you are looking for your next TV and are wondering how to buy a HDTV, keep in mind that while they look (and for the most part are) all the same there are key features that you need to bear in mind. These features include the type of “light engine” that the TV uses, the features of the software on board and the advanced technology for realistic graphics rendering that the TV has.