Top tips for picking the ultimate gaming TV

Not all TVs are made equal, and if you’re choosing a brand new screen with gaming in mind, there’re a few specialist features you should look out for.

Don’t be bamboozled by the terminology though, follow our simple guide and you’ll have picked the perfect purchase and be plugging in your console in no time.

Step 1: Pixel matching and refresh rates
When picking a TV for gaming, keep your eyes peeled for models with a special “game mode” or 1:1 pixel matching. It’ll make sure that the image sent from your games console fits onto the screen perfectly, with each pixel in exactly the right place.

Some TVs shift or scale the image, and that can mean vital slivers of the display are outside the TV’s reach. It’s especially important in multi-player games, or titles with head to head features. After all, if you’re playing FIFA 08, your players might have the same colour shorts as the opposition. If a player’s at the top of the screen, but you can only see the lower half, there’s no way of knowing which side he’s on. That’s not a problem with pixel matching.

If you’ve got the cash to spare, you should also splash out on an ultra-modern 100Hz TV. That number refers to its refresh rate, meaning it’ll flash pictures onto the screen more frequently, making for smoother movement and less jerky graphics.

Step 2: Connection questions
Bear in mind the cables you’ll use to connect your console to a TV when picking the perfect screen. Microsoft’s top-end Premium and Elite Xbox 360 consoles use HDMI, as does the Sony PlayStation 3. While the Nintendo Wii can only be connected through a composite cable.

If you have other kit to plug into the TV, you could end up with too few sockets. Help is at hand, however, with Wii conversion cables for SCART, and the option to use composite cables with the Xbox instead of HDMI.

The PlayStation 3 should always be connected to a TV with HDMI rather than composite, however, since its Blu-Ray player can only show off its top quality pictures through HDMI. It’s a security and anti-piracy measure, and one you’ll need to abide by if you want the best from it.

Step 3: Sounds important
Plugging your console into a top-notch TV is only half the story when it comes to building the ultimate console experience. You shouldn’t forget that the latest games machines boast surround sound for the most immersive gameplay ever.

Both the Xbox and PS3 can kick out sound in 5.1 channels, but if you don’t have room for a proper multi-speaker set-up, you could always use virtual surround. Lots of TVs come with virtual surround sound built in, so you’ll get as close as possible to a cinematic gaming experience, without adding extra speakers to your living room.

Must have accessories
Stand – There’s no point having a jaw-dropping telly if you’re going to prop it up on some crumbly old furniture. Grab a swanky stand and show off your new screen, as well as having a dedicated shelf for your console.

Surround sound – If you’ve got the cash, and the space, then nothing beats a proper surround sound gaming system. Luckily, they’re not as expensive as they used to be, and will even beef up your TV and movie experiences too.

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