One of the biggest and fastest growing trends in electronics is High-Definition (HD) Television. Since the advent of color TV, there haven’t been many revolutionary advances when it comes to televisions. TV’s are one of the most popular and commonly used electronic devices in most households but we’ve been subjected to low quality TV signals for years now. Poor quality signals and old tube TV’s are slowly dying and HDTV is the hot new trend. But if you’ve ever been shopping for a new TV or HD service you’ll know there are many confusing high tech terms and features. Before you go shopping and possibly spend thousands of dollars on a new high-tech TV, learn some of the basics of HDTV so you know what you’re shopping for.
What is HDTV?
HDTV stands for High-Definition Television and is received through a digital connection instead of the traditional analog signal. It’s kind of like a DVD (digital) versus a VHS tape (analog). HDTV’s provide a clearer picture, richer colors and smoother motion when there is action on the screen.
How does HDTV work?
The big difference between HDTV and a standard signal (SDTV) is resolution. HDTV’s can display a much higher resolution than standard signals so you receive a much clearer picture. Some common resolutions that you’ll find being produced by TV manufacturers are 1080p, 1080i, 720p and 720i. Don’t worry, we’ll explain the p’s and I’s later. HD also typically allows you to receive a widescreen picture.
What’s the difference between HD ready/capable TV’s and normal HDTV’s?
Finding out the HD capabilities of a potential new TV is very important. Selecting the wrong option can end up costing you quite a bit in the long run. There are two basic options when buying a new TV: HD Ready/Capable or HDTV. HD Ready/Capable TV’s have the potential to display an HD signal but further equipment is required to produce the signal. You’ll need a separate HD tuner to receive HD quality stations. As HDTV is becoming more popular, many new televisions have a built in HD tuner. If you’re looking for a TV to display an HD signal, finding one with a built in tuner is going to be your best option.
How do I get HD signals or service?
You’ve bought your brand new shiny HDTV but where are you actually going to get the high-definition signal? There are a few options.
- Many large cities broadcast HD signals over the air.To receive these signals, your TV will need an antenna that picks up HD.
- One of the most common options is to sign up for HD channels through your cable or satellite TV provider.Plans with HD channels are typically a little more expensive and may require some upgrades to your cable box or satellite dish.
- Some of the latest gaming systems like XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3 can output an HD signal.
- High definition disc players like Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are available.These types of disc players are still quite a bit more expensive than DVD players but are expected to drop in price as they become more standard.They can play your old DVD’s but to watch movies in high-definition, you’ll have to buy or rent high definition discs.
What TV channels can I get in High-Definition?
Most of the large networks have made their shows available in HD. Because of the popularity of HD, more and more networks are producing their channels in HD. Here is a list of some networks that have HD channels. You will want to check with your cable or satellite provider for a complete list of what they offer. HD Channels: ABC, NBC, CBS, UPN, PBS, TNT, USA, HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, ESPN, Discovery, TBS and many others.
What is 16:9 and 4:3?
These numbers represent the aspect ratio. 4:3 is the standard, nearly square mode and 16:9 is the new, movie-like widescreen mode. Most HDTV’s are widescreens but can display both modes. When you watch a 4:3 television show or movie, you will see bars on the left and right side that fill up the screen. Many TV’s give you an option to stretch the image across the whole screen. HD movies and television shows are typically displayed in 16:9 (widescreen) mode.
What’s the difference between 1080p and 1080i (or 720p and 720i)?
When researching HDTV’s on the Internet, you’ll notice that they display one of these numbers as a selling point. The first number (1080 or 720) is the number of lines that run across the screen. The more lines you have running across the screen, the clearer and more accurate your picture will be. Standard TV’s don’t display nearly this many lines which can be noticeable at times when you see the screen look pixilated. The letter that follows the number (p or i) explains how the screen refreshes, progressive (p) or interlaced (i). With interlaced (i) the number of lines on the screen are split into two and alternate being refreshed. With progressive (p), all the lines on the screen refresh and produce a better image.
What else do I need to know about HDTV?
Making the decision to upgrade to a HDTV is a great move! In fact, the FCC required United States television broadcasters to transmit their signal in digital mode instead of analog. TV users who received their analog signal over-the-air had to upgrade to a digital television or buy additional equipment to get a signal.
Picking out the perfect HDTV takes some time and research but once you’ve found the right one, you’ll never go back to a standard signal again. HDTV is definitely here to stay so find the right TV, HD service provider and start enjoying your favorite programs and movies in high-definition!
Trying to decide between a LCD and Plasma HDTV? Check out our LCD vs. Plasma Guide and Reviews to find the right one for you.
High-definition question not covered by this guide? Please contact us. We’d love to help answer any question and improve this guide.