KILLER TIP--THE WEEKLY QUESTION SENT IN FROM PEOPLE LIKE YOU!I want to purchase a high-definition television set. But each time I go to the store, I get confused by all the choices. Can you tell me what I should look for?Ron in Nashville, TN, listening on WWTN 99.7 FMBuying a television used to be fairly simple. But these days, it helps to have a degree in rocket science.
First, let me explain HDTV. High definition television simply refers to the resolution of an image. HDTV resolution is either 1920x1080 (1080i and 1080p) or 1280x720 (720p).
The second number (1080 or 720) refers to the number of rows of pixels. Theoretically, the more pixels, the clearer the picture. But you won’t notice a difference between 1080 and 720. (Standard televisions can show 330 rows of pixels. You will notice a difference from that!)
P stands for progressive; i is interlaced. In progressive resolutions, the rows of pixels are refreshed electronically in a series (1,2,3,4, etc.) Interlaced screens skip lines when they refresh (1,3,5,7, etc., then 2,4,6,8, etc.) Either way works. Don’t worry about it. Some signals are broadcast in 720p, others in 1080i. (There are no 1080p signals, yet.) The type of broadcast is immaterial. Televisions convert signals to the proper resolution. Again, you need not worry about it.
Televisions are measured diagonally. HDTVs range from about 15 inches to over 100 inches. Additionally, most HDTVs are 16:9s—they measure 16 units (inches, if you like) horizontally to every 9 vertically. Standard TVs are 4:3—4 units horizontally to every 3 vertically.
The majority of high-definition broadcasts are 16:9. They are still in the minority; most broadcasts are standard 4:3. You can watch standard broadcasts on 16:9 HDTVs. They will leave bars on the sides. You can zoom the picture to fill the 16:9 opening. That slices off the bottom and top of the picture. But that usually isn’t a problem.
Now, in order for a television to pick up stations, it requires a tuner. To pick up high-def stations, it requires an HDTV tuner. Most HDTV sets include tuners. Some, called monitors, do not.
A tuner is necessary to receive over-the-air signals. You usually grab them with a roof antenna. If you have cable or satellite, a monitor will suffice. You’ll rent a cable or satellite box with the HD tuner. Sets without HDTV tuners are significantly cheaper. But you may have trouble finding monitors in stores. They’re available on the Internet, though.
Now, let’s look at the types of HD sets. They’re all good, but they all have their drawbacks. They fall into four categories: Projection, plasma, LCD and CRT.
Projection TVs are large and relatively inexpensive. They are also bulkier than plasma and LCD, so you can’t hang them on the wall. There are several types: DLP (digital light processing), LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon), LCD (liquid crystal display) and CRT (cathode ray tube).
DLP is probably the most common. These sets use mirrors mounted on a chip, along with a light, to create the picture. You may also see a rainbow effect. This is when you see the colors separate on the screen. Check the TV carefully in the store before buying.
Personally, I prefer plasma or LCD. They are much less bulky, and can be mounted on a wall. Both historically have had drawbacks, but makers have solved or mitigated them.
LCD sets are rapidly growing in popularity. They’re lighter than plasmas and use less power. Until recently, though, they had a problem with smearing. Motion would appear blurry on the screen. Newer sets don’t suffer this.
If you go with an LCD set, look at the response time carefully. This is the time it takes for the pixels to go on and off. I would aim for 8ms (milliseconds) or less. You’re much less likely to get smearing with a fast set.
LCDs also have a problem with black levels. If a show is dimly lit, gradations of black can be difficult to see.
You can pick up a smaller LCD for well under $1,000. But larger models are more expensive than plasma sets.
Plasmas have lovely pictures, although some experts consider LCDs superior. You won’t find plasmas under 37 inches. If you need something smaller, look at LCDs.
Plasma displays have a problem with reflections. So they work better in a dark room. Plasmas also have suffered from burn in, historically. A static image displayed too long would become permanently visible on the screen. Newer models are less likely to have this problem.
The fourth type of set is the CRT. These are similar to traditional televisions. They range up to 34 inches. Many consider CRT pictures the best of all. But this technology is dying.
Why? The sets are massive. Typically, the tube is about two feet deep on large sets. And the weight will approach 200 pounds. So, think carefully about where you will put such a set before buying.
HDTV prices are coming down rapidly. Lesser known brands are cutting prices deeply to gain market share. Everybody is suffering but the consumer! If you were put off by HDTV prices in the past, check again. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
For more pricing information for HDTVs, visit my Buying Guide. I've got more tips on my site that will interest you:
• Make sure your TV is HDCP-compliant• Play your games in high-def• Want a big screen but don’t have the room? Try a projector
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