HDTV information resource - HD TV plasma television

The technical answer to this question is that HDTV is the broadcast of digital television signals that have a higher resolution than standard television signals. The higher resolution results in programming that is noticeably sharper, brighter and more vivid than standard television. Movies, sports, documentaries and other HDTV content are broadcast in HDTV. The HDTV viewing experience is impressive: you can see the faces of the fans in the stands; buildings seem to be three-dimensional; animals in nature specials appear in stunning detail. The HDTV viewing experience is like removing a veil and seeing clearly for the first time.

HDTV sets are ideal for those individuals who watch television regularly and are looking for an enhanced viewing experience, sharper picture, and greater detail. Sports fans, news junkies, movie buffs and others who enjoy watching television are ideal candidates for an HDTV. However, if you spend little time watching TV at home (for example, if you travel a lot or only watch an occasional movie) then an HDTV is probably not a wise investment, due to the relatively high costs. A standard television will suffice for such consumers - HDTV would be overkill.

Before buying an HDTV, it is important to realize that the number of channels currently available in high-definition is limited. For example, in the New York Metropolitan area market, one of the biggest markets in the country, Cablevision's Gold package (the best package available) offers 17 channels in high-definition. Direct TV offers 10 channels in the same market. These numbers are likely to be lower in smaller markets. As part of your decision-making process, it would be wise to contact your cable provider to determine how many high-definition channels would be available to you. Also ask what these channels are they may not interest you.

Over the last few years, HDTV prices have dropped dramatically, and now a good HDTV can be bought for as low as $700 - $800. This is usually the case with new consumer electronics technologies - for example, DVD players used to cost over $1,000 when they first came out, and now can be purchased for about $50. Any consumer who delays their purchase of an HDTV will benefit from cheaper prices in the future. If there is not a sufficient amount of HDTV programming available in your area, it makes economic sense to delay your HDTV purchase. This will allow HDTV prices to come down further while you wait until more programming becomes available in the future.

Now that you have decided that an HDTV is right for you, we will examine various technical aspects of HDTV technology to assist you in selecting an HDTV that suits your needs.

There are currently four major types of HDTVs available, and understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each will help you purchase an HDTV that best suits your needs and budget.

CRT (Cathode Ray Tube): CRT technology (sometimes called Direct View&) is the basic television technology that has been in use for about the last fifty years. CRT displays use tubes to produce images. CRT technology is not available in a flat screen format.

DLP (Digital Light Processing): DLP technology has been around since the 1980s. To produce images, DLP uses small mirrors that refract light onto the screen. DLP technology is available in a flat screen format.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): LCD technology has been used since the late 1960's. To produce images, LCD displays use small electrical charges which pass through liquid crystal molecules. LCD technology is available in a flat screen format.

Plasma: Plasma technology has been around for about 15 years. Plasma screens use gas discharges to produce images. Plasma technology is available in a flat screen format.

While picture quality is a very subjective matter, it is generally accepted that CRT (the most mature technology) still provides the best picture quality, brightness, and overall best viewing experience. DLP technology ranks second, and LCD technology is a close third. Plasma screens are not as bright as any of the other three technologies, and also have some problems with images being "burnt into" the screen.

HDTVs with CRT screens are the most affordable option for a consumer. HDTVs with plasma screens are the most expensive. HDTVs with LCD and DLP screens usually fall somewhere in the middle.

While an HDTV with a CRT screen provides the best picture quality at the most affordable price, some consumers avoid CRT HDTVs because they are not available in a flat screen format. They are bulky and heavy, and are not currently available in sizes larger than 34 inches. Plasma screens have a very thin profile, making them ideal for mounting on a wall. LCD screens also have a thin profile and are also good for mounting on a wall. Plasma, LCD and DLP are all available in very large sizes (for example, 60 inches is not an uncommon size for these types of HDTVs).

If wall mounting is not important to you, you do not mind a bulky television, and you do not need a screen that is bigger than 34 inches, then an HDTV with a CRT screen is the absolute best choice you can make. You will have an HDTV with incredible picture quality and you will save hundreds of dollars.

If a larger screen is important for you, then you should rule out CRT HDTVs and focus on LCD, DLP or plasma technology. If wall mounting your HDTV is a priority for you, then it would be wise to consider an LCD or DLP HDTV. If the thinnest possible profile is very important to you, and you do not mind a slightly darker picture for a higher price than the other technologies, than a plasma HDTV would be for you however, the higher prices and burn-in problems associated with plasma HDTVs drive many consumers to choose an LCD or DLP HDTV if they want to a flat screen HDTV.

When deciding which HDTV is right for you, an extremely important aspect to consider is the resolution of a particular HDTV. The resolution is a number that tells you how well an HDTV can reproduce images. Common resolutions for HDTVs are 720p or 1080i (this stands for 720 "progressive" or 1080 "interlaced"). A 720p resolution is about equal to a 1080i resolution in terms of picture quality. Similarly, a 720p resolution is significantly better than a 720i resolution. When purchasing your HDTV, you should ensure that the resolution is at least 720p or 1080i. Lower resolutions than these will result in a less impressive HDTV viewing experience.

Some of the more technologically advanced HDTVs have the ability to display at resolutions of 1080p. This is a very impressive resolution, and purchasing a 1080p HDTV would ensure that you are on the cutting edge of HDTV technology. However, there is currently no content available at such a high resolution the best HDTV programming currently available is 720p. Therefore, the additional capabilities of a 1080p HDTV will not immediately be put to use. While 1080p HDTV programming will eventually be available, it is difficult to determine with any certainty when this will occur. It depends on when networks decide to invest in the technology necessary to produce 1080p HDTV programming. This will not likely occur in the near future. Consumers considering a 1080p HDTV should take into account the additional cost of this technology and bear in mind that no content currently exists at this resolution.

Bottom line

A 720p or 1080i HDTV is sufficient for most consumers and will provide a fantastic picture at a competitive price. Users purchasing a 1080p HDTV will not currently be able to enjoy the additional capabilities of the improved resolution and will pay more for this technology, but will own an HDTV capable of producing an astounding picture when 1080p programming does become available. If owning the latest technology available is a priority (and is secondary to cost), then an HDTV with a 1080p resolution is the right choice. Otherwise, an HDTV with a resolution of 720p or 1080i is a smart buy for most consumers it will allow viewers to enjoy all of the most advanced HDTV programming currently available at a more affordable price. Consumers would be wise to avoid resolutions less than 720p or 1080i.

In order for an HDTV to be able to produce a high-definition picture, a tuner is required. Some HDTVs have these tuners already built in. This is simply called an HDTV and the product description will usually indicate that there is a built-in HDTV tuner. HDTVs that do not contain a built-in HDTV tuner are called HDTV-ready. In order to see HDTV programming with an HDTV-ready unit, you will need a high-definition cable box from your cable television provider.

Bottom line

While HDTVs with built-in HDTV tuners are convenient, they are more expensive than HDTV-ready units. This is due to the additional cost for a manufacturer to pre-install an HDTV tuner. Another consideration is that as of July 2005, larger HDTVs were mandated by the government to include HDTV tuners. This means that you may be forced to pay the additional cost for an HDTV with a built-in tuner if you are focusing on larger screen sizes. If you have the option, you should purchase an HDTV-ready model - this will save you some money and you will simply need to obtain an HDTV tuner/cable box from your cable provider to begin enjoying HDTV programming.

All HDTVs have inputs, which allow you to connect your cable signal as well as DVD players and other electronic devices. When reviewing the specifications of a particular HDTV, you should look for models that have HDMI and/or DVI inputs, preferably more than one. These inputs will allow you to connect your favorite components using a purely digital signal. Other important and useful inputs are IEEE 1394 (for displaying photos from a digital camera), PC inputs (for using your HDTV as a computer monitor) and S-Video inputs (for connecting analog camcorders).

Bottom line

Determine what type of input options are important for you and ensure that the HDTV you are considering has these inputs. As noted above, HDMI and DVI are among the most useful inputs on an HDTV.

After you have identified the various specifications that you want from your HDTV (type, resolution, built-in tuner, inputs, etc), you should now identify various models that meet your requirements. After identifying various models, you should evaluate various design aspects of the models. This includes the overall appearance of the TV, workmanship, fit and finish, quality of materials, button placement, and general intuitiveness of the design. Simplicity is very important - menus should be designed in a way that makes sense to you and buttons and inputs should be easily identifiable, even in low light conditions. You want to spend your time enjoying HDTV programming, not using poorly designed menus.

One frequently overlooked but very important design consideration is the remote control. The remote should have a clean design that is easily understandable. Many modern remote controls are loaded with small buttons that are almost never used and are so poorly labeled that it would be necessary to refer to the user manual to determine their function. These difficulties become more pronounced under the low lighting conditions usually used for viewing movies. You will spend a lot of time using the remote, and a poorly designed one will cause you to focus an inordinate amount of time on the remote control rather than the HDTV programs you really want to focus on.

Bottom line

The design of an HDTV, like any other electronic device, is an important consideration. It dictates the way you will interact with your HDTV, and poor design elements (such as a difficult remote control, or confusing menus) can leave you frustrated, wishing the designers had done it differently. A smartly designed unit will leave you with a satisfying feeling every time you use it. A useful technique is to use the HDTV in your local electronics store and pay attention to the particular design aspects discussed above. If this is not an option for you, then check user reviews online. A little time spent up front paying attention to design details will help you buy an HDTV that will not only provide great picture quality, but will also be a pleasure to use.

An old Czech proverb says "When you go to buy, use your eyes, not your ears. Do not depend on what you have heard from friends, or what reviewers write." Go into your local electronics store and take a look at the models you like. A good way to do a side by side comparision of the models you like is to bring in a DVD with lots of colors for example, The Incredibles or Finding Nemo. Watch a few minutes of a particular scene on each of the models you are considering and just use your eyes. Which looks best? Are any of the models noticeably dimmer than the others? Does one particular model seem to be sharper and more brilliant than the others? Does the picture look good from different angles? These are all questions that you will easily be able to answer by heeding the old Czech proverb.

One great way to save hundreds of dollars is to purchase a floor model (the model currently on display). While this model may have a few nicks and scratches, it might be in perfect working order and can help you save your hard earned money. If you do buy the floor model, make sure that you get the box, remote, manuals, and most importantly, the standard warranty that comes with a new model.

Another savvy technique is to shop at stores that do price matching. If you find a great deal on the internet HDTV model you are considering, print out the page and take it to your local electronics store. Many reputable retailers will be happy to match the advertised price.

It has become commonplace for retailers to avoid extended warranties that go above and beyond the manufacturer warranties. Avoid these extended warranties they are very expensive and, in the vast majority of cases, the manufacturer warranty will provide you with sufficient protection in the event of defects or damage. Salespeople will tell you many things to get you to buy one of these extended warranties, but you must stand your ground and say no. It is simply not worth the extra price.

Be sure that what you are buying is an HDTV. Some televisions are SDTV or EDTV. Although they rhyme with HDTV, they are inferior to HDTV. You should focus only on HDTV monitors to ensure that you will get the best picture quality available.