Got questions about HDTVs?
We've got some answers
Buying an HDTV can be a daunting task below is a question answer forum to help answer some of that eye glazing techno babble.
Don't let it scare you.
Q. What do I need to get hi-def?
A. 1. First off a high-definition ready TV.
2. Hi-def programming can come from either a cable, satellite provider, or your local TV networks.
3. With a cable or satellite box, you'll need a digital audio-video connector called HDMI or an analog-video connector called component video. Some cable boxes require a digital video-only cable called DVI. You can buy a single cable with a DVI connector at one end and an HDMI connector at the other end.
4. An HD DVD or Blu-ray Disc player. Almost all of these expensive ($400 and up) movie players deliver the highest-quality HDTV signal, 1080p.
Q. How do I know if I'm watching hi-def?
A. If you have an HDTV tuned to a hi-def channel that's showing a hi-def program, then you're watching hi-def. (Once you've seen hi-def, you'll always know the difference.)
Q. What's the best HDTV for me?
A. The one that looks best to you. Some basic guidelines:
* Under 42 inches: LCD.
* Over 42 inches: Plasma, LCD and DLP sets.
DLP sets offer the biggest screen at the lowest price, but beware of their hidden cost -- they use a lamp that lasts 2,500 to 3,000 hours. Replacements cost $250 to $500 for the lamp.
DLP rear projection sets are slowly fading out of the industry being replaced by the thinner flat panels.
Q. What are the benefits of LCD over Plasma or vice versa??
A. In the Denver area, we are close to the recommended altitude for most plasmas. Many Plasmas will only go up to about 5500-6200 feet before they start making a buzzing noise. Since Denver is in low lying bowl, many of the suburbs are at or above the recommended altitude. There are High Altitude sets that are recommended for 5000 feet up to 9200 feet, but these tend to be rare and a bit more difficult to get. The Buzzing can be quite loud and can affect individual TVs, same make and model, while not affecting others. This is the main down fall of Plasmas.
LCD's vs Plasma. The detail in the black areas of Plasmas seems to be better and the viewing angle is 180 degrees for Plasmas versus about 178 degrees for LCD's such as LG sets that have True Wide Viewing Angle (a technology developed by LG). Colors can be more vivarant on LCDs, but most other features are very similar between Plasma and LCD.
Q. What size TV should I get?
A. There are a lot of opinions on this, but figure the minimum viewing distance for a 720p set should be about 1 1/2 times the screen's width. So if you're thinking of buying a 42-inch plasma, you should sit no closer than about 5 feet and up to 8 feet from the set. If a set is 1080p, you'll have to sit closer to see the extra detail -- a maximum of about 5 1/2 feet from a 42-inch screen, further back you will want a larger screen to see the extra detail a 1080p set gives you.
Q. What's so good about a hi-def picture?
A. For those who haven't seen hi-def, let's toss out some numbers comparing lines of resolution (the more lines, the sharper the picture):
* VCR: 240
* Analog TV: about 330
* DVD: 480
* HD: 720p or 1,080p.
Q. What is an upconverting DVD player?
A. A DVD player that, through digital manipulation, attempts to make the DVD's 480 lines look more like an HDTV's 720 or 1,080. This is called 720i or 1080i. Basically you are still watching a 480 line DVD, but every frame is shown twice at a very high speed, and slightly shifted to appear to give more lines.
Q. Why did they stop selling analog TVs last month?
A. They didn't. The Federal Communications Commission mandated that all televisions with screens 13 inches or bigger sold after March 1 must also include a digital tuner. Sets also will have analog tuners. (NTSC/ATSC)
Q. Why two tuners?
A. One (digital) for high-definition reception and the other (analog) for old-fashioned TV reception. It's all part of the transition to all-digital TV. All television signals will be digital signals no later than Feb. 17, 2009.
Q. Then what?
A. The government will distribute some of the analog spectrum to homeland security, police and various first-responders. It will then auction off the rest to wireless providers.
Q. What happens to all those millions of analog TVs still in homes?
A. They'll still work, but they'll need a set-top box to convert the digital signal back to analog. Cable subscribers and satellite customers have nothing to worry about -- they'll get those boxes from their cable company. Subscribers who don't use a box now might not have to worry about adding one if their cable company sends out both analog and digital signals.