Q. I was reading your buying guide for flat-screen TVs. I noticed there are some TV specifications you don't cover. But those are the specifications that salesman like to quote. Why don't you mention them?
-Floyd from Denver listens to my national radio show on KHOW 630 AM

A. That's a keen observation, Floyd. I have dealt with those specifications in the past. However, some of them aren't relevant anymore. And others are just plain deceptive.

That's because manufacturers need marketing material. They want their product to stand out. So they find creative ways to make them look better.

Let's examine some common specifications you'll see. And then I'll tell you why you can ignore them. It will make your buying decision easier.

Contrast ratio is a popular specification, and it is important. It's the difference between a display's blackest black and brightest white. A higher ratio translates to a clearer and crisper image.

The contrast ratio is presented as a number like 1000:1. The best contrast ratio is between 1,500:1 and 2,000:1. Anything higher is most likely overinflated.

Unfortunately, contrast ratio numbers can't be trusted. That's because there is no single standardized test. Manufacturers are free to test however they like.