Purchasing a new TV today is an important decision. The idea of parting with what could be a couple of hundred notes does tend to concentrate the mind somewhat.

Ensuring that any purchase you make is to all intent and purposes future-proof has to be the most major of all criteria when deciding which TV to buy.

The latest telecommunication system for broadcasting moving pictures and sound is known as Digital television (DTT) and as the name implies this relies upon the transmission and reception of digital signals as opposed to the more conventional analogue formats. DTV uses digital modulation data, which is digitally compressed and requires decoding by a specially designed television set, or a standard receiver with a set-top box, or a PC fitted with a television card.

The purpose of this article is to take a look at what is on offer with the new generation of Flat Screen Televisions available and in this case the television in particular is the Phillips 42PF5421/10.

The 42PF5421/10 is a 42in LCD TV and the prices for these would be in the region of 1200 pounds sterling or 2400 US dollars. The screen resolution is 1366 X 768 and with regards to being HD Ready the answer is yes. The Phillips has 2 scarts and the type and number of Multimedia interfaces the 42PF5421/10 uses is HDMI and 2. The type of Tuner for this TV is Analogue and the Phillips is available from a wide variety of outlets.

All these points being taken into consideration, how would we view the Phillips 42PF5421/10?

Well to start with our score for the picture quality is 10 out of 10, and closely tied in to the picture quality is the sound quality and our score for this would be 8 out of 10. Taking a look at the number of relevant connections and their availability, our score would be 8 out of 10. With regards to the overall level of features, our view would be 6 out 8 out if we then take a look at the ease of use and overall value for money then our scores would be, 8 out of 10 and 8 out of 10 respectively.

Finally our overall opinion would be This is an excellent value for money flat screen TV. OK it might lack some of the top end features that you get with some other Phillips TV’s  such as a Digital tuner but makes up for it in the value-for-money stakes. The sound is good if perhaps lacking a little at the bottom end and the visuals are nice and clear.

It is extremely unlikely given the variety and range of makes and models available that you will not be able to find something to match your tastes or budget. You could be completely avant-garde and stay in the forefront of fashion and design or you could decide to take perhaps the safer option and go for one of the established makes and models available. We hope that after reading this article you will find yourself better informed and as such it will mean that really it will not matter which rout you take.

Please bear in mind the prices that are quoted in this article and take note that they are there purely for illustration and though valid at the time of the writing of the article may vary from time to time and also depending on the time of year when you make your purchase.