How to compare HDTVs and find the best buy

by editor@text4price.com @ 05 May 2006 - 11:57:26

What you really know about High Definition TV

Trying to hold out until the summer when HDTV or High-Definition broadcasts should be available in the UK, but just can’t resist it? The purpose of this guide is to let you know how you can be ready for the next television revolution and what you need to consider if you’re investing in HDTV.

High-Definition Television (HDTV) already popular in the US and Japan, is set to make the true ‘home cinema’ experience a reality for all of us during 2006.

HDTV delivers a breathtaking quality of image and sound that is, quite simply, incomparable to anything you’ve ever experienced.

Programmes take on a brilliance and definition that needs to be seen to be believed. Imagine being able to see every blade of grass on the centre court at Wimbledon or the texture of the food in your favourite cookery programme.

Regardless of whether a digital television set is LCD or Plasma screen, it may not offer true high definition picture quality. Even some of those referred to as ‘HD-compatible’, which may be capable of displaying standard definition pictures from HDTV broadcasts via an additional set top box, won’t provide anything like the stunning quality of a truly HD ready set.

For the very best results, you need a true HDTV ready Plasma screen or (LCD). A European body known as ECITA (European Industry Association for Information Systems, Communication Technologies & Consumer Electronics Industries) has set out the minimum standards that today’s display equipment must conform to, if it is to be considered ‘HD Ready’. So before you part with your hard earned cash, make sure the TV set you are buying carries the HD ready logo.

However you also need to remember that for true HDTV, your TV set must have HDMI or a DVI input that that is compliant with HDCP content protection. High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection means that the digital signal is encrypted between the source and the television. It’s also likely that, in the future, certain devices will refuse to send the signal to your television without HDCP.

So which screen is best for you?

Plasma tvs can generate quite a bit of heat inside, enough to warrant most manufacturers making use of a fan to cool them down as they run. This is not a noticeable problem unless the fan makes noise that can be distracting. So when you are looking at the plasma see if the fan noise is a problem.

Whilst LCD TVs may not produce the richness of contrast in images like plasma screens, they can be a better choice for brightly lit rooms since their display is not as susceptible to ambient light influences. However, for the really big screens, above 40 inches in size, they do start to get a bit more pricey.

All in all though, either type of TV screen technology will do a great job for you. The best recommendation is before you buy, visit a local electronics retailer and compare the screens side by side. Bring along your own DVD movie that you are familiar with and look for the differences. Then you can choose the one that makes the most sense to you.

By doing your homework you can make a more informed buying decision and protect your investment in this new technology. So now you have no need to wait and you can get ready for the HDTV revolution

Looking for a HDTV check out the best UK prices at text4price.com

Filed under: TV and Video

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