So, you're looking at making the leap into the world of High Definition Television, but you've decided you don't just want a new HDTV; you want the entire HD Bundle! If you're going to upgrade your home entertainment system, upgrade everything across the board. Sweet! Here are some tips on what you'll need to know to make the right decision about which HD Bundle to purchase.

HD Bundle: Know the Parts

Before you start shopping for an HD Bundle, make a list of what home entertainment pieces you'd like to purchase. The list may include all or a portion of:

• HDTV
• HDTV Wall Mount
• HDTV Stand
  
• Blu-Ray Player
• Upconverting DVD Player
• Playstation 3 (which includes a Blu-Ray player!)
• Home Theater System
• Cables

Once you have identified the core components you'd like to have as a part of your new HD Bundle, plan the details of each component; how big is your new HDTV? What model(s) do you prefer? How many speaks for your new Home Theater System? What about the Blu-Ray player?

Start with the ideal, then you can dig into what each HD Bundle available contains. If you can't find an HD Bundle pre-assembled the way you want it, you may have to create your own.

HD Bundle: Know the Costs

When you begin exploring HD Bundles, evalute the purchase price of the HD Bundle by adding the value of each component individually to get a sum total retail value.

Then compare that full retail value (what you'd pay if you bought each component separately) with the HD Bundle price.

Are you getting a deal? Or would it be cheaper to just buy each component separately?

HD Bundle: Know the Manufacturer

Make sure the HD Bundle you decide to purchase is made by a name you know and trust. Avoid cheap knock-off brands you've never heard of, or you and your friends have never used or purchased.

Make sure all components of the HD Bundle are covered under the manufacturer's warranty for at least one year. Studies have shown there is no need to purchase an additional extended warranty from the store where you purchased the HD Bundle.

Make sure the manufacturer will provide warranty service either free of charge or at a reasonable rate. Do you really want to have to mail your HDTV to a repair facility if it fails while under warranty?

HD Bundle: An Example

An example of an HD Bundle you may encouter is the Sony BRAVIA 46-Inch HDTV, Blu-ray, and Home Theater Bundle (see link near the bottom of this page). This particular HD Bundle includes a Sony 46" HDTV (Sony BRAVIA V-Series KDL-46V4100), a Blu-Ray player (Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player), and a Home Theater System (Sony HT-SS2300 Component Home Theater System). This system is made by Sony, a trusted, well-known brand for home entertainment. Each component of this HD Bundle comes with a one year warranty. The cost of the HD Bundle compared with the sum of the individual components will depend on the store you're buying from. To get an idea, search the web for each model number (i.e., "KDL-46V4100", "BDP-S350", and "HT-SS2300"), and note the costs at web retailers.

This takes a little work, but knowing the retail value of what you are buying will help you judge the asking price at a given retailer.

HD Bundle: The Summary

• Know what components you want
• Know the full retail value of each component and the sum total
  
• Know the manufacturer of each component
• Know the warranty details of each component

And there's your starting point for getting an HD Bundle you can thoroughly enjoy.

Start now; the experience of High Definition Television is waiting for you.