This past week has been a very frustrating one for me – and I place the blame plainly and simply on technology.

Now this might be an interesting opening statement in a blog by a self confessed techno-junkie.

The root cause was a common, house hold device – the television.

After months of watching an ever darkening TV (the cathode ray tube variety), I gave in to temptation and went shopping for a new flat screen TV.

A TV is a TV. Right? Hah!

Problem 1: LCD or Plasma

What’s the difference? Price seems to be the main difference when you first walk into a shop – in fact, about $1000 difference within leading brands’ own offerings. You have to decide if the technical differences are worth this differential.

Then there is what we used to call “screen burn” – where your old television / computer screen would potentially have a set image burned into it from leaving a still or constant image on for a long period of time. Plasma screens can suffer from this condition – especially as all stations now broadcast an identification watermark so you know who you are watching. LCD screens do not have this problem. To overcome this, use the screen saver provided with your television.

Longevity is also a concern. I still get very good service from an old television that was purchased over 10 years ago. When flat screens hit the market a couple of years ago, LCD had the lead over Plasma. Now they all claim around 60,000 hours – equivalent to a lot of viewing! Check the number of ports at the back of the set. Connecting your existing equipment may have an additional challenge if there are not enough holes to plug things into! Then there is the High Definition vs Full High Definition option. The major difference between LCD and Plasma screens was the offering of Full High Definition on the LCD models (hence the price difference). I am not sure what this brings me today, but I went for it.

Problem 2: What size?

Don’t be fooled – bigger is not always better. Make sure your room can cope with the size of screen you are buying. The 42 inch / 106cm screen is probably more than I need. Although tempted by the 50" versions, sanity prevailed. When you are too close, you get to see too many details that ruin the big screen experience.

Problem 3: What to stand it on – and where do I put everything from the old cabinet?

This is a serious issue. My old cabinet (currently listed on ebay...) was perfect – it held my 80cm television, the Foxtel, DVD player, and surround sound amplifier and front three speakers, not to mention 120 CD’s, about 100 videos (remember them?), 70 plus DVDs, as well as a dinner set hidden in the cupboard below. Then of course there were the family photos and indoor plant... and the list goes on. Currently most of these items have been dispersed around the house, awaiting a new, low rise (and hopefully TARDIS-like) new home.

Problem 4: What do I do with the old TV? How do I get rid of it?

Why retailers or manufacturers do not offer a free pickup / disposal service is beyond me. Any suggestions gratefully accepted. With recycling all the rage, there must be a home for pre-loved televisions.

Problem 5: How to connect it?

The salesperson assured me it was as simple. “Just take the plug out of your old TV and plug it into the new one. Simple”. Sure. I know I explained I had Foxtel going into the DVD recorder into the surround sound system into the TV. Just one problem (well one of many)... the old TV had a Monitor-In plug. The new screen did not. Then of course, the HD Digital channels had to be programmed. I knew there were 29, but I only got 1 – and it was not HD. I checked the box to see if I had missed something. The user manual was great – on disc – so I powered up the PC and tried to find out what I was doing wrong. It had to be me, as the salesperson said it was simple. The schematics were great – except they did not cater for MY configuration.

I had carefully numbered every cable and the related port it plugged into before starting this exercise, as I knew I could always put it back the way it was if I got stuck. Believe me, I was not about to give up on this.

So what to do? Unplug it all again and have a cup of coffee, then attack it from a different angle. Sounds good – and it sort of worked.

I ran an old coaxial cable (antenna) into an external plug, and luckily it still was attached to the antenna on top of the house. Then I tuned in all the stations. Then I put in the Foxtel – and guess what? It recognised it. See, it was simple! Then the DVD. My faith in the salesperson was restored... almost.

Ever see the comic when the surgeon was putting a patient back together and ended up with a piece or two extra? Well that was me. The surround sound had me beat. Still has. But not to worry. The new screen had an offer of a free surround sound, DVD player and tuner – redeemable by voucher. So when that arrives, I will be able to remove two items and replace them with one. Simple...

Problem 6: Who do you call?

As with all of these projects we undertake, by the time you have purchased the item, taken it home, unpacked it and carefully moved the old one out of the way, its after 5pm. Who can you call for assistance? I tried several friends who had been through similar exercises. All laughed, and suggested I find a 16 year old computer geek – as they can understand it - but we can’t. Some companies do offer a full installation service. Most don’t. My recommendation is chose a screen from an outlet that does provide this service. If it costs you a few extra dollars – its money well spent.

When I eventually get the final bits and pieces, and the new cabinet, I know it will be worth the hassles.

My main message out of all of this is – plan it well. Ask advice, find the right solution for you, shop around and then have someone help you put it all together.

The true test of the power of the screen and new sound system will be when I put on my well work copy of Top Gun, followed by a DVD of my favourite KISS concert. I can hear my neighbours cursing me already.

Til next time, thanks for reading.