FAQs:HDTV
What’s the difference between HDTV, flat panel TVs and plasma TVs?
HDTV provides the home theatre viewing experience, with wider screens and sharper images.
Flat panel TVs do not use traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) technology, but instead use either liquid crystal or plasma technology.
Plasma, one of the newer types of flat panel technology, uses millions of small gas bubbles to create a spectrum of color. The result is a sharper picture with fewer distortions.
TV manufacturers are exploring new digital display technologies, including Liquid Crystal and Digital Light Processing. While many flat panel TVs are able to display HD pictures, this is not true for all of them. In fact, many plasma televisions sold todayare Enhanced Definition models, meaning they display everything in the 480p format.So before any purchase, be sure to check with your retailer to confirm that your TV of choice is HDTV-capable. Most outlets selling HDTV monitors will display information about their capabilities to show 720p or 1080i picture resolution.
Can I get HDTV now?
Yes – to get HDTV, you simply need to be sure you have the right HD monitor along with an HD tuner. Currently, broadband operators across the country are introducing HD services with digital cable set-tops that have built-in HD tuners. You can also purchase an HD tuner in certain retail stores.
Where can I buy an HDTV?
You can buy an HDTV monitor at major electronics stores, CEDIA (Custom Electronic Designer Installer Association) outlets and specialty boutiques. Examples include Circuit City, Best Buy, and Tweeter, to name a few. Like the mobile phone model, you can purchase the hardware (the set) at a store and the service through your service operator.
What do I need to experience HDTV?
You need an HD monitor along with an HD tuner. An HD monitor will only display a high-definition picture if it’s working with the HD tuner to receive and decode the broadcast signal. One option, if you don’t have a tuner built into your HDTV monitor, is to purchase or rent an HD set-top from your cable operator along with an HDTV service package.
Why do I need a separate set-top?
The set-top contains the HD tuner you need to receive and decode the broadcast signal. Without this tuner, the HDTV monitor cannot display a high-definition picture. By integrating the tuner inside the set-top, you can get the high-definition picture along with the benefits of digital cable – which include hundreds of channels and interactive services like video-on-demand (VOD) / everything-on-demand (EOD) and digital video recording (DVR). And you can get it all with one box, instead of two.
What kind of HDTV should I purchase?
Currently, electronics stores sell integrated HDTVs and “HD-Ready” monitors.Integrated HDTVs are built with an HD receiver/decoder inside. HD-Ready monitors require an external receiver/decoder to receive high-definition signals but can be a more cost-effective alternative.
