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HDTV Buyer's Guide

Before you buy anything you need to make three choices:

• What will be the source of your HD programming?
• Do you want an HDTV-Capable monitor or HDTV-Ready television?
• What type of display technology is best for your viewing habits and your home?

Selecting the source for your HD programming will directly impact whether you go with an HD-capable monitor or a HD-ready television. There are multiple things to take into consideration before you select the display technology that's most affordable and best suited for your home.

First, you need some background information to help you make the best HDTV choice.

HDTV-Ready or HDTV-Capable?

As you scan the advertisements in the newspaper from your local consumer electronics retailers, you may notice a variance of $300-500 for HD products with the same sized screens. Some of that may be attributable to the display technology the units use but more likely it is the result of what an HDTV-ready television includes that is not available from an HDTV-capable monitor.

HDTV-Ready Television

• Aspect ratio of 16:9 or 4:3 with scanning rates supported of 720p and 1080i, or higher.
• Requires an external HDTV tuner (i.e., HD cable box) to receive HD programs. For off-air broadcasts, requires an HDTV receiver and antenna.
• To hear Dolby audio, you will need a dedicated audio system connected to whichever HDTV receiver you use.

HDTV-Capable Monitor

• Aspect ratio of 16:9 or 4:3 with scanning rates supported of 720p and 1080i, or higher.
• Built-in HDTV tuner is ready for off-air HD signals from a special antenna. To view HDTV programming, a cable box is required.
• To hear Dolby audio, you will need a dedicated audio system connected to the HDTV-ready television for off-air audio or to the HD cable box for audio.

Digital Cable-Ready Televisions: Another Option

As you shop for an HDTV, you may see some digital cable-ready televisions (DTV) that can receive digital cable service (including HD programming) using a small plug-in card instead of a cable box. Please note that current versions of these cards do not support two-way, on-demand cable service or an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). You’ll have to use a telephone connection to receive downloaded EPG information. Development is underway to provide cards that support two-way services.

Use this matrix to help match your HD programming source with the best display.

HDTV-Capable Monitor

HDTV-Ready Television

Which Type of Display?

HDTVs are available in several types of displays, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the method used for displaying the on-screen image, you may notice differences in picture brightness or clarity based on the viewing angle or for other reasons. Be sure you have a location in your home that is big enough to accommodate the HDTV. Some of the projection models may require a fair amount of floor space. You don’t want to end up putting nose prints on your HDTV because you’re sitting three feet from the screen in a room that is undersized for the set you buy. Also, be aware of where the windows are in the room where you’ll use your new HDTV. The room’s brightness can have an impact on the display type you choose.

These are the primary display technologies you’ll see in stores today:

Direct View CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)

This is the familiar TV tube found in most “regular” television sets. It is one of the lower-cost technologies available for displaying today’s HDTV programs. However, because of the weight of the glass tube, these HD television sets are limited to a maximum size of 32 to 40 inches.

Rear Projection TV

This is another type of CRT system. In rear projection televisions, the image is projected onto a mirror or series of mirrors that reflect the image onto the screen at the front of the set. Rear projection technology is often the least expensive way to get a larger screen compared with a regular CRT. However, rear projection sets get deeper as screen size increases, so large screen models require a lot of space. Viewing angle may affect the perceived clarity of the on-screen image.

Front Projection TV

This system has an image source that projects the HDTV signals onto a screen pretty much the same way a projector does in a movie theater. The only factors that limit size in these systems are the amount of light the system outputs, the distance from the projector to the screen and the size of the screen onto which the HDTV images are to be projected.

DLP (Digital Light Processing)

This projection display technology is more expensive than CRT projection systems, but not as costly as LCD or plasma screens. Using a digital micromirror device, DLP images are produced by hundreds of thousands of microscopic mirrors, one for each pixel on the screen. This results in razor sharp picture quality and the ability to display very subtle color changes to support over 16 million hues on the HDTV screen. The DLP light engine delivers a bright picture to the screen making this display a good choice for use in a bright room. Pixels are tightly packed to deliver good color and resolution. DLP is popular choice for a projection display that combines value with performance.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) (This technology has been used for some time in laptop computer screens.)

LCDs are flat screens/panels filled with liquid. Each pixel on the screen is lighted individually to produce a display. One strength of LCDs is the picture quality is very consistent even when you are not viewing images directly in front of the display.

LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)

LCoS is the next step in LCD technology and offers remarkable resolution because several million pixels are etched into each of the silicon chips that make up the display. This superior, concentrated pixel count delivers a great image and enables LCoS displays to be manufactured in much smaller versions for use in portable devices.

Plasma Displays

Some larger flat screens/panels use a conductive plasma instead of liquid crystal. These are commonly called plasma displays. Plasma displays are very sleek and thin, making them a hot choice among consumers who say this technology delivers the best color saturation, accuracy and vibrancy.

Screen Size - How Big is "Too Big?"

For optimum viewing you need to match the size of the screen with the dimensions of the room it will occupy and the distance you will need to sit from it. For HD screens, one manufacturer recommends a “rule of three” for how far to sit from a screen for the best view. Multiply the height of the 16:9 HD screen by three for the best viewing distance. Surprisingly, with HDTVs, you’ll discover that you actually need to sit closer than you think for the best view.

Use these general guidelines for 16:9 aspect ratio screens:

Use a combination of these optimum viewing distances, the type of HD display you have decided upon and the size of the room you plan to use as helpful guidelines for selecting an HD display that is best suited for your home.

More Screen Considerations

Another factor in your decision on display technology is the way you will be using your television set. If you play a lot of video games or spend a lot of time watching channels where text and graphics stay in the same location on the screen for quite a long time, you may want to choose an LCD, DLP or LCoS display. Static images may be “burned in” on plasma and CRT-driven rear-projection screens, leaving a faint, but permanent impression of the image on the screen. Many manufacturers have developed technology to overcome this problem so be sure to ask before you buy to see if this has been addressed in the model you select.

A Few Words About HDTV Connectors

You’ll need to become familiar with the three most common inputs for HDTV that you will come across in your search for the display best suited to fit your needs.

These HDTV connectors maximize your viewing experience:

 
Using a three plug video connector, component video delivers the best viewing experience by supporting superior color details, improved color purity, and a reduction in the impact that interference or other poor signal quality issues may have.

Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

DVI connectors transfer video signals in pure digital form, which is especially beneficial if you're using a plasma, LCD, or DLP TV. Signals are encrypted with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to prevent recording. There are two types of DVI connectors: DVI-D carries digital-only signals and DVI-I passes both digital and analog video signals. Some TVs feature DVI-I inputs for greater hookup flexibility.

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

An HDMI connector supports an all-digital link between an HD cable box and HDTV that combines digital video and digital audio on one connection rather than using separate connectors for each function. This delivers extremely high-quality digital video and audio. HDMI is fully backwards compatible with DVI.

Wrapping It All Up

How will you receive HD service?

Broadcast-only HD will limit you to whatever programs the networks choose to transmit over the air in HD. Cable service will deliver the networks’ broadcast HD programs, plus any cable HD programming available. You'll need to lease an HD converter box.

Do you want an HDTV-capable monitor with its built-in HD receiver or an HDTV-ready television and an HD cable box?

The HDTV-capable monitor will probably cost more than the HDTV-ready television. If your HD service is going to come via cable, you’ll still need the HD cable box to get HD programming on your HDTV. So, you may be able to save some money by buying an HDTV-ready television and accessing HD programming via an HD cable hookup.

Does the HDTV-capable monitor or the HDTV-ready television support 720p or 1080i (or higher) scanning?

Both scan rates support HD programming. Your TV must support one or the other.

How do I choose the right screen/display for HDTV?

Shop around a lot. Do some research at the HDTV manufacturers’ Websites BEFORE you go into the stores. Seeing the unit in action is probably the best way to make your choice. Stand in front of the unit and note the picture clarity. Then, walk to the left and right to see if the image clarity changes. Your budget will also play a big role in the product you buy.

You’re Ready for the Final Step

Now that this overview has taken much of the mystery out of HDTV, you’re ready to make your choices. Think about how much more you know now about HDTV than you did before you read the preceding information. Because you’re better informed, the jargon of HDTV will make more sense when you visit a consumer electronics store. And, most of all, remember that you’re in charge when it comes time to make your final choice. Weigh all the factors and rely on what you know. Then, sit back, relax, and get ready for the thrill of the most realistic, enjoyable video and audio home entertainment experience you’ve ever had.