Given the way technology changes it is essential to try and make sure that your purchase is relatively future-proof.

Digital television (DTT) is a telecommunication system for broadcasting and receiving moving pictures and sound by means of digital signals, in contrast to analogue signals used by analogue (traditional) TV. Introduced in the late 1990s, this technology appealed to the television broadcasting business and consumer electronics industries as offering new financial opportunities.

For the purposes of this article we want to take a look at purchasing a new Flat Screen Television and in this case the television in question is the NEC 42XR4.

The 42XR4 is a 42in Plasma Monitor and the prices for these would be in the region of 1800 pounds sterling or 3600 US dollars. The screen resolution is 1024 x 768 and with regards to being HD Ready the answer is yes. The NEC has no scart connections scarts and the type and number of Multimedia interfaces the 42XR4 uses is HDMI and 2. The type of Tuner for this TV is not required and the NEC is available from limited outlets only.

So how would we rate the NEC 42XR4?

First up, we would look at the picture quality and our score here would be 6 out of 10, and for the sound quality we would rate it at zero as there are no speakers - this is just a monitor. With regards to the availability and number of relevant connections, our score would be 8 out of 10. With regards to the overall level of features, our view would be 8 out of 10 if we then take a look at the ease of use and overall value for money then our scores would be, 6 out of 10 and 6 out of 10 respectively.

The overall verdict would be that for a 42in Monitor this is not quite the bargain that you would first imagine once you get over the WOW factor of seeing all those images in almost cinematic like size. This Monitor seems to need all the resources of Hi-Def material to really get over its main selling points.

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. Either way we hope that by reading this short article you should have a slightly more informed view of the options available to you

We ask all readers to remember that the information in this article regarding the price of the TV's are there for illustrative purposes and are meant as a guideline rather than an absolute quote and should be considered thus.