Is it worth it to shop at a specialty store versus a big-box chain or discount warehouse?
It depends on how much technical knowledge you have, both in terms of the TV purchase and the setup process. An enthusiast who has done a ton of research and model comparison – and who understands HD cables and setup – probably doesn’t need the more advanced help you can find in a specialty store. If you’re really not interested in doing a lot of research and would prefer to get accurate answers and setup assistance from a trained sales staff, then you should consider shopping in a specialty store and maybe paying a little more for it. In general, you can spend more quality hands-on demo time with a TV in a specialty store; the staff is more open to letting you change the room’s lighting and even try out your own DVDs or Blu-ray discs to check out video quality. Of course, there is the chance you will run into the commission-oriented salesperson who does not want to waste time on someone who’s just buying a mid-level TV (versus a complete high-end theater); if that happens, just leave
