Voltage regulator

[hitthebricks]

I bought a large TV and was told by my son that I need to get a line conditioner for it. What is it, what is the difference between a voltage regulator and a line conditioner and how important are they?

Thanks

HTB

[Drail1313]

A line conditioner will clean up the power that feeds the TV. (Like a noise filter.) Helps keep the picture clearer and also proctects the electronics in your TV.

You can get both surge and conditioning powerstrip at any place you by TVs. Don't skimp on price...you pay for what you get. (had tv go out due to power spikes.)

Hope this helps.

[hydro]

Drail hit that one right. From my experience, the most important thing you can do for any expensive piece of electronic equipment is get a good surge suppressor. Without a suppressor, one zap on the line and the TV is toast.

[hitthebricks]

Is the line conditioner the same as a voltage regulator?

[PierBridge]

No... but they do make devices that does both.

[Whoaru99]

What sort of TV is it?

A plasma, LCD, projection, standard CRT, etc?

[hitthebricks]

52" LCD, it seems to be a great TV so far but don't want to have a problem due to bad voltage spike. I never had a problem with my last TV (32" tube)using the same outlet, are the new ones that sensitive?

[Whoaru99]

No more or no less sensitive in my opinion.

Power conditioners have been the rage for the last couple years.

They're often promoted as a must have item to clean up "dirty power", supported with all sorts of anecdotal evidence of big performance improvements. They make nice add-on sales for all those new TVs and Home Theater/stereo systems.

After all, who would be silly enough to spend a big pile of money and not be "protected" against "dirty power", right?

I'm not against surge protectors, but a decent surge protector can be had pretty inexpensively compared power conditioners.

IMO, if you don't perceive any problems with what you have, you probably don't have a problem needing a power conditioner.