With the switch from analog to digital broadcasting in February of 2009, people are flocking to the electronics store to pick up digital or high def TV's. But which is the best to buy when you're looking at the big picture? In the latest round of testing by Consumer Reports, Panasonics dominated the Plasma TV rankings. With the TH-50 model coming in as the best flat panel set that consumer reports has ever tested. Another top flat screen is the Pioneer Curio. One local expert tells us why.

"You'll notice when you look at the picture it is extremely black," says Greg Roberts of Primetime Audio/Video. "Black areas on a plasma TV didn't used to be very black. These sets now are extremely black, so they have a wide dynamic range and a lot of contrast."

A few things you might want to consider: the first is that if you think the TV you are looking at is big enough, get it even bigger because there is often buyers’ remorse when you put that TV on the wall. Greg Roberts from Primetime offers another bit of advice. "You know there are a lot of televisions out there that are considered "disposable televisions" that basically have no warranty. There is no service center around to repair them. So you want to watch out what brand you re buying. It is not always a good idea to buy the lowest priced television."

Currently plasma and LCDs are the two main variations of flat screen high definition TVs. LCDs (liquid crystal displays) are generally better for very bright rooms, for heavy use with video games, or for lower electric bills. Conversely the plasma TV offers a little more screen for the money. Its deep black levels provide for a better movie theater experience and also, it provides a wide viewing angle. "A lot of people are getting educated on the differences between plasma TVs and LCD TVs. They are both flat televisions, they just operate a little bit differently. The outcome is pretty much the same on both of them.

In February of 2009 all broadcasting switches from analog to digital and that means some older televisions will no longer broadcast signals, but according to some local experts there are ways around that and it really only has a huge effect on one segment of the viewing public. "People that rely on television solely off an antenna, they’re the ones that are either going to have to buy a new television or converter box that they have to put on their old TV to convert it. People that have satellite or cable usually don’t have to worry about the conversion. The conversion will be done by the satellite company or by the cable company." Roberts says that the government plans on providing two vouchers for all analog users, if you have more than two analog TVs you are out of luck.