TV-buying tips from a high-definition cable guy.

• Author: Peterson, Eric
• Position: Attitude at Altitude - Brief Article

HDNet General Manager Phil Garvin knows high-definition (HD) TV:

The network he co-founded with Mark Cuban is the world's first all-HD cable network. (See story in HighTech ColoradoBiz, page 62).

"One of the things people always ask me is, "What TV should I buy?'" said Garvin. "And I spend a lot of time in stores to make sure we're tailoring our programming to the kinds of TVs people have."

His advice and hints for would-be HDTV buyers:

* One of the most important factors to consider is the amount of ambient light in your TV room. For dark rooms, "The cheapest set is the best," said Garvin. "It's a little paradoxical."

* Plasma screens, which are...