SolveYourProblem
HDTV Article Series
Buying
a High Definition Television (HDTV)
How
To Choose Which HDTV To Buy
Choosing an HDTV television doesn’t have to
be a difficult chore, but it is more difficult than buying
a traditional analog television. To make the purchase selection
a little more bearable, it is helpful to keep a few things
in mind when making the purchase.
Understand the differences between Analog, DTV, and HDTV
Analog television is the traditional television everyone is
familiar with. With analog television, we sometimes get snowy
pictures, distortion or “ghosts.” All of these are caused by
an interruption of some sort between the television and the
transmitting tower.
DTV is digital television. Digital television eliminates the
problems experienced by analog television because it codes
instructions that it receives from the signal. HDTV, or High
Definition Television, takes television to the next level.
Some televisions are also classified as SDTV, DTV, and EDTV.
None of these are the same as HDTV.
Different Systems
With in the HDTV family, there are three main systems: There
is integrated, HDTV-Capable, and HDTV-Ready.
HDTV integrated systems have the HD receiver built directly
into the television. All that is required to receive HDTV programming
with an HDTV integrated television is to simply plug the television
in. It can also be connected to cable or to a satellite dish.
An HDTV-Capable television is also called an HDTV Monitor.
These televisions need and external HDTV receiver. These can
be purchased separately, or they can often be rented or provided
for free by the cable or satellite provider. If an HDTV-Capable
television does not have a receiver, it functions like an analog
television. It is important to be sure an HDTV receiver is
compatible with an HDTV-Compatible television before making
a purchase.
An HDTV-Ready television is not necessarily the same as one
that is HDTV-Capable. It is important to verify that an HDTV-Ready
television is truly capable of displaying actual HDTV before
purchasing this model.
Display Type
HDTV’s can come in a variety of display types. The direct
view display is the traditional television display. Sizes in
this category can range from 30 to 40 inch.
Projection rear HDTV televisions project the image and reflect
it onto the screen from behind. They can range in size from
30 to 70 inches. Projection front HDTV televisions, on the
other hand, are two piece systems that have a projector and
a screen. Many consider this display type to be the ultimate
in the home theatre entertainment system.
A true HDTV television, however, is in the widescreen format
and has a 16:9 aspect ration. An aspect ration is the horizontal
width in comparison to the vertical height of the television
screen. Traditional analog television sets have an aspect ration
of 4:3. The HDTV aspect ratio of 16:9 is what gives it its
widescreen capabilities.
Surround Sound
Since HDTV programming integrates digital sound, the sound
quality of HDTV programming is far superior to analog programming.
In addition, many HDTV programs are broadcasted in Dolby Digital
5.1 surround sound. It is important to keep this in mind when
purchasing an HDTV television.
The HDTV television purchased should have enough connector
ports to take full advantage of the surround sound capabilities
of HDTV. For the ultimate experience, the more connector ports
on the television, the better. In addition, connector ports
located in the front of the television are the more convenient
than those in the back. The most common connector ports are
A/V, RF, Component Video, Composite Video, S-Video, RCA, HDMI,
and VGA. These ports can be used to set up DVD players, video
game consoles, and surround sound equipment to the HDTV television.
It also might be necessary to purchase extra audio/video cables
in order to set up the surround sound system.
Extras
When purchasing an HDTV, it is also a good idea to buy a surge
protector. It is likely that a great deal of additional electronics
will be plugged in along with the HDTV television system. A
surge protector will help protect all of this equipment from
becoming damaged from an electrical surge, either by a storm
or by an electrical shortage. With the relatively high cost
of this equipment, it is a good idea to keep it safe.
If purchasing an HDTV-Compatible television, it will also
be necessary to buy an HDTV set-top-box. This box will be able
to retrieve the HDTV signal and send it to the television.
Without it, the HDTV-Compatible television will still be able
to show programs, but they will not have HDTV quality in sound
or in picture.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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