NFL, NHL, NCAA, NASCAR. They all look better on a big screen home theater system and sound better on a multi-channel surround system. If you buy the right equipment - that is!

The Super Bowl has become one of the biggest motivators for buying a big screen TV. On the Saturday before the big game, visit your local Best Buy or Costco and look at all the guys roaming the floor looking at plasma screens, LCD tv's, and giant rear projection systems. The sales people are busy explaining to them why they need to buy a whole host of expensive add-ons to 'really' make the system work at its full potential and wives and girlfriends are asking them to explain again why it's a good idea to spend the money they were saving for a downpayment on a house to buy a TV.

The really sad thing is, by waiting until the last minute and not doing a little research, most of them will end up buying a home theater system that isn't what they expected. Marketing people throw around terms like 'High Definition' as though it has one meaning, but not all 'High Definition Televisions' are the same. The word 'Digital' is even worse. And then comes the jumble of letters like DVI, HDMI, and HDCP. Choosing the wrong system components can cost you a lot of money and waiting until the last minute is the best way to make a mistake. Buying a TV is a little more complicated than it used to be.

If you want to feel like you're on the field as the shoulder pads crunch or experience the rush of being inside a stock car burning up the track at the Brickyard, get started early with a little research and planning and you'll get the home theater system you've been dreaming about.

Here's a few tips to get you started:

• Make sure you can get an HDTV signal - You may have to upgrade your cable or satellite service and hardware before you can even receive High Definition. DTV (Digital Television) does not equal HDTV. A standard definition picture blown up usually looks pretty lame and some TV's don't do a very good job with this.
• Check for a Tuner - Not all HDTV TV's have a channel tuner built in. This may not be a big deal if you have cable or satellite, but it is if you plan to receive signals over the air.
• Check your Connectors - Make sure you know what type of connectors are needed to hook-up your Tivo, Media Center PC, cable or satellite box to the TV.
• Plan for Other Upgrades - You may need to consider upgrading your Tivo, Media Center PC or DVD player.
• Plan for New Furniture - This may not occur to you right away, but the entertainment center you have probably won't fit with a widescreen TV. Also, if you intend to hang a flatscreen on the wall, you'll need a hanging bracket and the tools and skills to firmly attach it to the studs. Plasma TV's are heavy!

Gentlemen, Start Your Shopping!