High-definition television (HDTV) has replaced "standard-definition" TV in many homes today. However, the pace of progress continues, and technologies keep improving. As such, your HDTV might be obsolete, or it may no longer meet your particular needs. Here are some tips for buying an HDTV:

Screen size: How big do you want or need? TVs are available in almost any size from a screen that fits in your palm to one that covers almost an entire wall. Before you buy, think about where in your house you'll put the TV, how much space you'll have to work with, and how much screen size you'll need given the size of the room and where you will be sitting most often. Actually measure the space so you'll know what size TV to look for when you're in the store. Most retailers advise you to buy as big a screen as will fit in your room, that you can afford or you might be back in a year, shopping for a bigger one.

Colors and Resolution: How do you like your colors? Different people prefer varying levels of brightness and contrast in their colors. Some sets produce unnaturally bright colors but some viewers like that. One test of a TV's picture quality is its "black-level performance." Generally, those that show the blackest blacks are best.

Test the remote. Some are more user-friendly than others.

Sound quality. Is the sound sufficient for your needs without hooking it up to a discrete, external sound system? Or were you planning to do that anyway?

Extra features. Don't pay extra for "bells and whistles" that you think you may never use. If you're satisfied with a basic TV, spend your money on size and picture quality rather than extra features. Even plain TVs sometimes have nifty features.