Home > HDTV Buying Guide

HDTV Buying Guide

When buying a high definition TV (see below for in-depth explanations):

• You want HD not ED
• One or more DVI or HDMI connectors
• Built in Tuner or CableCard (if applicable)
• Resolution: 720p or 1080p
• Contrast Ratio 3000:1 or geater
• Brightness 600 cd/m² or greater
• Look before you buy
• Read Reviews

Overview:

Once you’ve seen high definition TV, you want high definition TV-it’s really that simple. The picture on a HDTV set is awesome. In fact, it is 5+ times sharper than a standard TV screen. After watching an HDTV set and then going back and watching a standard set, the first thing you notice is how grainy and dark a standard TV is compared to a HDTV. It is analogous to watching a VHS tape after getting used to DVDs. With an HDTV you can see every strand of hair and even glistening beads of sweat on your favorite sports personality. HDTV programs also include 5.1 channel surround sound, providing the superb audio you get with a DVD but a much better picture.

Most major networks now broadcast their primetime programming in HD, plus key sporting events and late-night shows. HDTV is even broadcast over-the-air and with the proper antenna you can receive the signal (to find out what kind of antenna, visit antennaweb.org). Even nature shows are broadcast in HDTV. Once you have seen Discovery Channel in HD you never want to leave; it’s like being in an IMAX.

There are many different types of high-def sets on the market today, and none of them are exactly cheap. However, consider the fact that you’ll probably be watching the HDTV you buy today for the next 10 years. ChooseYourTV.com explores each display technology. Regardless of which technology you choose, there are a few points to keep in mind.

You want HD, not ED:

Some sets sold today offer what is called Enhanced Definitions (ED), which is great for DVD playback but can’t handle true HD resolution. Just say no to ED. To briefly explain, a standard TV is 480i (interlaced) lines of resolution. Interlaced means half the image is showing while the other half is changing. The change is so fast that are eyes are tricked. ED uses 480p (progressive) lines of resolution. This means that the whole picture changes, so it’s much clearer. ED is what standard DVD is displayed at. However, HDTV is displayed at 720p or 1080i lines and HD-DVD and Blue-ray discs are at 720p and 1080p resolutions.

For more information on TV resolutions Click Here


You want one or more HDMI or DVI connectors (more is good)

You want one or more HDMI or DVI connectors (more is good)
DVI or HDMI will be a must have soon, as the new high-definition disc players and recorders coming out won’t work with the older component video connectors. Of course right now most have 1 HDMI connector you can be assured in the near future there will be an abundance of them.
See Article on HDMI
See Article on DVI

Tuners and CableCard

Some sets have built-in tuners for receiving HD programs (called ATSC tuners), others don’t. If you’re going to use a cable or satellite system for your signal you don’t need the ATSC tuners (though it won’t hurt to have one). As for CableCard, this is a slot that lets you insert an electronic card provided by your cable company and decode their scrambled signal without a separate set-top box. Pretty neat feature, with a few serious limitations: if you like pay-per-view, on-demand services, or the interactive program guide, you’ll still need a set-top box. Additionally, there’s no CableCard for satellite TV.

720p or 1080p

There is plenty of room for confusion when talking about these three resolutions. Earlier in the “You want HD not ED” section of this article, we briefly touched on this. The “p” on the end of the number stands for Progressive while the “i” on the end of the number stands for Interlaced. Interlaced is an old technology and basically means that every other line is changing while the other half of the lines is showing you a picture. It’s so fast that your eyes are fooled – but the quality still suffers. Progressive means that the whole picture is shown and then all the lines change. Progressive is a lot clearer than Interlaced TV’s. Actually, 720p is better than 1080i. Why? At any given moment the 720p is showing you 720 lines of a picture. The 1080i is just showing you 540 lines and the other 540 is somewhere else. To get a true 1080i picture you need to have a 1080 horizontal line TV. If the TV is only 720 horizontal lines, then the 1080i signal is down converted. So in reality your picture is only showing 360 interlaced lines. Even though 1080i sounds like more you are getting less for more money. However 1080p is the latest-and-greatest video display feature. Unfortunately there is not much media that uses 1080p lines yet. You will enjoy better resolutions with a 1080p tv on 1080i HD channels. HDTV displays 720p lines or 1080i, HD-DVD and Blue-ray display at 720p or 1080p, DVD 480p lines, and Digital TV 480p lines. As a given rule of thumb stay way from Interlaced Technology.

For more information on TV resolutions Click Here

Contrast Ratio:

Contrast Ratio is the difference between the whitest white and the darkest black colors the display can show. The greater the contrast, the better the screen and the subtlety of colors it can display.

Brightness:

Look before you buy:

This can be tricky for a number of reasons. Your local electronics superstore is likely to pump up the brightness and color saturation on the sets they’re promoting this week, making them look better than other sets that are actually superior. Additionally, all too often you’ll find the high-def sets on the showroom floor displaying DVD’s instead of a true high-definition signal. Take your time; ask what is actually being showed. Ask to play with the remote and adjust the color settings to your liking. Ask to see the HD channel on the set, then a DVD, and finally a standard channel. You want to be comfortable with the TV before you lay out the dough.

Read Reviews:

Take a little time to become familiar with each of the technologies so you will know which technology fits your lifestyle or preference. DLP, LCD, and Plasma HDTV’s are all great; each technology has its strong points and low points. Look for trustworthy places to read reviews on the product. My favorites include Consumer Reports and CNET.com. In the near future ChooseYourTV.com will be featuring product reviews and the Editor’s pick.