Super Bowl fans ready to look at the big picture

It's Super Bowl time again. And before the party starts and the chip bowls are filled, you might want to think about the one thing guaranteed to make the game much more interesting: the size and clarity of your television.

But be prepared if you do choose to buy an impressive set, as those with better models often host an unanticipated number of extra guests.

Many people have been choosing plasma TVs because of the high quality, not to mention the light weight due to the efficiency of the technology. Others are skittish about the life span of the product, which is about seven to eight years.

Richard Hollingsworth, director of sales and marketing for Abbott's Audio & Video on West Sahara Avenue, says that's mostly just a scare tactic.

"Other than the traditional tube TVs, almost all have a seven- to 10-year life span," he said. "But I've seen plasmas that haven't shown any problems yet.

"The advantage of a big screen is it's still the best value. It's the largest picture you can get for the least amount of money."

Experts at Abbott's, which specializes in installing entire home theater systems, don't just suggest what kind of television to purchase, although that's part of the deal. The design and engineering firm custom tailors your home-entertainment system according to your specifications.

"The quality is better than it's ever been, but it's the customization of it that's becoming important," Hollingsworth said. "There are lighting conditions, or concerns about one being hooked to the computer. I still have people that come in and say, 'I need you to help me to analyze my space and help me pick the right television.' "

As far as economics, a standard big-screen TV is the best value for your dollar and is available anywhere from $900 on sale to $3,000, depending on the size. And size does matter. People usually want to pick a television that suits the dimensions of the viewing room.

Electronics stores anticipate the post-Christmas customer influx for big screens as the day of the big game approaches and have placed many televisions on sale. Best Buy stores have a policy that they'll match any price listed at other sales.

For those who don't necessarily want to spend over $1,000 on a television, there are options such as Rent-A-Center. A person wanting a big-screen for a short period would pay $190.60 monthly for a 55-inch integrated High Definition television, or $155.94 per month for a 51-inch Toshiba.

Renters have the option of returning the merchandise after their needs are met. But after being mesmerized by such a set for the span of a month, who wants to do that?

Jarick Cordill, sales associate for Best Buy in the Best in the West shopping center on Lake Mead and Rainbow boulevards, said as far as big-screens, LCDs and DLPs are quickly taking the place of the traditional tube.One customer who declined to provide his name said he looked forward to the high-definition channels on which he'll be able to view movies and games, specifically the Super Bowl.

"My cousin has one of these and I got hooked on the picture quality when I was over there at Christmas," he said as he walked out of Best Buy accompanied by a sales associate and a 44-inch Zenith High Definition TV, which retailed for $1,999 after a $549 rebate. "So I had to go out and buy one. My house will be the hot spot for the Super Bowl this year. I'm looking forward to having a lot more friends."