• Get to Know HDTV Must-Haves

• Evaluate HDTV Features

• Find Accessories for HDTVs

• Find HDTVs on eBay

• Buy HDTVs With Confidence

Get to Know HDTV Must-Haves

Get to Know HDTV Must-Haves

You need three things to enjoy high-definition (HD) music, movies, and TV shows: an HD-capable television, HD receiver, and HD program source.

Pick your HDTV style

HDTVs come in a variety of sizes and styles. You can win thin and easy-to-mount flat-panel plasma HDTVs and LCD HDTVs as well as big-screen rear-projection DLP HDTVs and flat-screen CRT HDTVs on eBay. When deciding which type of HDTV you want, factor shipping costs into your final purchase decision. You may get a better deal on lighter flat-panels than on heavier CRT or DLP TVs. For more advice about choosing a TV, go to eBay’s Televisions (TV) Buying Guide.

Compare HDTVs and HD-ready TVs

When you shop eBay for an HDTV, you’ll need to decide if you want a true HDTV with a built-in HD receiver or a TV that's "HD-ready." HD-ready TVs, also called HD monitors, can display HD programming with help from an external HD receiver.

Watch in high definition Standard-definition broadcasts look similar on HDTVs and standard TVs. The HDTV “wow factor” comes when you’re watching HD programming.

• Cable TV: Most cable TV service providers will supply you with an HD receiver when you subscribe to high-definition digital program packages. If you want to watch your cable company’s digital channel offerings without using an external box, look for an HDTV that is digital-cable-ready (DCR). You’ll also need a special access CableCARD from your cable company to enable the digital channels. Using a CableCARD may mean that you won’t be able to use features such as video on demand.

• Satellite TV: Most satellite TV service providers will supply you with an HD receiver when you subscribe to high-definition digital program packages. For more information about satellite TV services, check out eBay’s Satellite TV Buying Guide.

• Broadcast TV: Use a HD antenna to watch HD broadcast programs on your HDTV—no cable or satellite subscription required. For HD-ready TVs, you'll also need an external HD receiver.

• HD movies: Although most DVDs will look good on your HDTV, you can get great picture quality with a high-definition DVD player. Both Blu-ray DVD players and HD DVD players are capable of delivering top-quality images in high definition.

Evaluate HDTV Features

Evaluate HDTV Features

When selecting your HDTV, make sure it has all the features you want.

• Resolution: Resolution is what sets HDTV apart from regular television. On standard-definition TVs, the resolution tops out at 480 lines. HDTV can support up to 1080 lines of detail. There are two resolution formats: interlaced (i) and progressive scan (p). Many HDTVs on the market now come with definition of either 1080i or 740p. A resolution of 1080i supports more detail, but the progressive scan capabilities of 740p resolution means that fast-moving action may look sharper. A resolution of 1080p combines the detail of 1080i with the progressive scan smoothness of 740p.

• Picture-in-picture: An HDTV with picture-in-picture capabilities allows you to watch two shows at once. However, if you’re using a cable box or a satellite receiver to tune in, you may only be able to watch one show at a time.

• Inputs and outputs: The cables you use to connect your HDTV to your cable box, satellite receiver, or DVD player can make a difference in picture quality. HDMI cables offer the highest picture quality, so look for an HDTV with at least one HDMI input. You may also want to look for additional inputs and outputs to connect additional devices to your TV.

Find Accessories for HDTVs

Find Accessories for HDTVs

There are a few additional accessories and devices you can buy to help you get top performance from your HDTV.

• Cables: Be sure to get the right cables for your HDTV. You might find inputs for HDMI cable, broadband component cable, progressive component cable, or DVI-D cable, all of which offer very high picture quality. Look for brands such as Monster Cable and Belkin.

• A/V switcher: If you have a lot of devices that you want to plug into your television, such as a DVD player and a gaming console, an A/V switcher can ensure that you have plenty of inputs to connect everything together. Find one from Philips, Clarion, GE, or RCA.

• Home theater setup DVD: A home theater setup DVD can help make sure your HDTV is perfectly calibrated for optimum picture quality.

Find HDTVs on eBay

Find HDTVs on eBay

Once you know what type of HDTV you want, go to the Consumer Electronics portal, click Televisions, and start searching for items on eBay.

• Product Finder: Use the drop-down menus on the Televisions finder to quickly narrow down item listings by screen size, brand, and definition.

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a Sony HDTV, type "Sony HDTV" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy HDTVs With Confidence

Buy HDTVs With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $2,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.