HELP!!! I'm going to be buying a new flat-screen TV (my first TV in DECADES!!!)

[SlipperySlope]

1. Cables and connectors

Whether your computer has HDMI out depends on how new it is. Older ones will have VGA or DVI. If your computer has DVI out then a simple cable with DVI on one end and HDMI on the other will work. If your computer has VGA out then you need a more expensive convertor, or a TV that accepts VGA in.

HDMI is really the new standard for connecting just about everything, but having legacy connectors is good if you have older electronics you want to hook up.

Try to buy a LCD TV with LED backlight (sometimes just called a LED TV). This will be less expensive to operate in the long run.

Don't buy fancy cables. Don't overpay for cables at a place like Best Buy. If you can wait for them in the mail, monoprice.com is a great source of cables.