Recently, our 40" conventional tube TV went out on us after approximately 15 years of which it decorated our living room. As such, the wife and I decided to shop for a new HDTV model. Not been up to speed on the new HDTV technology we decided to research as best we could before purchasing. Our research, for the most part, was done online, including speaking with some experts at Crutchfield.com in order to make an informed decision regarding our purchase of a plasma TV. We thought we would share this information with you as well as our experience to date with operationg our new set. First, as you may or may not know, there is a government mandate requiring that all analog TV broadcasts in the U.S. end on February 17, 2009. This mandate prompted our decision not to buy another anolog TV at this time, although we could buy one at a dirt-cheap price. Conventional tube TVs (analogs) will not work without a digital set-top box after February 17, 2009. The 85% of viewers who subscribe to cable or satellite TV shouldn’t experience any interruption in their service. If necessary, the service provider will supply a digital set-top box for their customers’ use. Also, should you decide to buy a HD-TV (High Definition TV) with a built-in tuner, you should contact your local service provider for information on HDTV availability set-top boxes. You need “digital cable” service to get HDTV, but digital cable is not the same thing as HDTV. Be sure you know what you are getting.
The analog shutoff will primarily affect viewers who rely on over-the-air (indoor or outdoor UHF/VHF antenna) broadcasts from local stations (primarily channels 2 thru 13). For continued reception after the 2008 shutoff, all TVs with analog only tuners will have to be connected to a digital-to-analog converter box. Electronics makers are already developing basic converter boxes that connect between the antenna and TV. Using one of these boxes should improve the picture quality of most analog TVs. It won’t be true high-definition, but it will be approximately at today’s standard DVD quality. Converter boxes will sell for $50-$100, but the final bill for customers will be lower because starting in early 2008, the government will make available up to two $40 coupons per household to reduce the cost of the digital transition for those not using cable provider services..
Normally, with conventional tube TVs, you had to sit at least 8 feet from a 32” screen to ensure a clear picture. (Any closer, and you’d start to notice the scanning lines that form the picture.) Today’s HD-capable TVs have higher-resolution screens that let you put a larger set in your room and/or sit much closer. High quality video material like DVDs and HDTV programs can look amazing on these sets. But you may also find that the noise and distortion in lower quality analog signals (like standard broadcast and cable TV) are exposed and magnified. In other words, don’t expect old analog programs to look any better because you have a HD-TV. Even the finest HDTV can’t magically repair a mediocre video signal. Therefore, don’t be disappointed to find that your favorite regular TV shows don’t look much, if any, better. That’s the vault of the signal, not the TV. Those shows are being broadcast at the same quality they were before, and the picture you see is only as good as the signal your local station, cable company, or satellite company is sending you. Your new set may have some processing you can turn on to improve picture quality a little. Just about all your local stations (channels 2-13) are broadcast in HD.
Also keep in mind that just because programming is “digital” or being broadcast on an “HD” channel doesn’t mean it will always look like a pristine HD demo. For example, if ESPN HD is broadcasting a game that wasn’t originally shot in HD, it won’t look as sharp and detailed as it would if it had been shot with the latest high-def cameras. Similarly, if you are watching a sitcom on digital cable, you won’t get a crystal-clear picture if your cable company, or the local broadcaster supplying your cable company with the signal, has chosen not to pass along the high-quality signal.
Fortunately, many low-quality TV signal sources are gradually being replace by higher-quality sources. Standard-definition broadcast, cable and satellite programs will eventually be replaced by sharper, cleaner high-definition signals
HDTV comes in three different resolutions: 720p, 1080i and 1080p. The latter being currently the best resolution available. However, buying a HDTV that is capable of accepting this higher resolution does not mean your TV viewing will be a lot sharper. You must keep in mind that your local cable and satellite providers do not transmit in 1080p and probably never will. Thus, unless you enjoy renting/buying DVD disks on a regular basis, purchasing a 1080p HDTV, which cost substantially more than the other two (720p and 1080i) HD resolutions, will be a waste of money. By the way, currently your anolog TV transmit in 480i resolution and your regular/standard DVD disc in 480p resolution.
At this time, the only way to receive 1080p reception is to purchase a HD or Blue Ray DVD that carries the output--costing anywhere from $500 to $2000. In addition, you will have to purchase compatible new high definition DVD disks.
Most TVs come from the factory pre-set for display on a showroom floor, which won’t necessarily make them look their best in your living room--you may want to adjust yours to perform better in its new home. If you are the set-and forget type, beware of the very high brightness and contrast controls as well as high “artificial edge enhancement” (sharpness control) that could lead to “burn in” and subsequently shorten the life of your investment, especially if you should go with a plasma TV. Virtually all current HDTVs include several factory-preset picture settings. They typically carry names like “Dynamic” or “Vivid,” “Movie” or “Pro,” or the always popular “Standard.” These settings are all set too high and should be adjusted. As to the color setting, if the white folks all look like they have a sun tan then this setting also need adjusting. High-quality sources shot in HD typically need little or no “enhancement” to look their best. | Display Type | Screen Size | Pros | Cons | Flat-panel 
| Plasma | 37" - 65" | --screen's phosphor coating creates lifelike color that is closest to conventional tube TVs. | --vulnerable to burn-in although it's much less of an issue for newer models. --screen may reflect room lights. | | LCD | 15" - 65" | --panels weigh less than plasma and use less energy. --burn-in not an issue. | --picture slightly less natural than top plasma | Big-screen 
| DLP | 42" - 72" | --blacks and shadow detail among the best in digital big-screen --smooth motion handling | --a few viewers sensitive to "rainbows" when there is fast movement on the sceen | | LCD | "42 - 62" | --most affordable digital big screen TV. --3-chip design eliminates "rainbows." | --contrast, black level somewhat limited | | LCoS/SXRD | 50" - 70" | --highest pixel density among big-screens. --3-chip design eliminates "rainbows." | --newer technology - few models offer it. |
Flat panel TVs Slim, elegant plasma and LCD TVs deliver outstanding picture quality. What's not to like about ultra-thin flat-panel TVs? They offer larger screens than tube TVs ever did, and take up much less space. And flat-panel LCD and plasma TVs are quickly getting even bigger, better.and cheaper. When many people hear "HDTV," the first thing they think of is a plasma TV. The latest plasmas have picture quality that's better then ever, and we're starting to see more 1080p models. Plasma offer slightly more lifelike colors and wider viewing angles than LCD, but LCD is closing the gap. Plasma is still somewhat vulnerable to screen burn-in, but it's much less of a problem on current models thanks to effective burn-in reducction features. Versatile LCD TVs are increasingly popular for living rooms, bedrooms and kitchen counters. Their bright, glare-resistant images aren't washed out in room lights. New LCD factories are building larger panels, too, so more and more folks are using 40" and larger LCDs in their home theaters. LCD screens are immune to burn-in, so they're ideal for PC and video game use. LCD/DVD combos provide a complete DVD viewing system you can move from room to room. Big-screen TVs If you don't need a flat-panel, projection TVs (big screen) can provide a bigger and better picture for less money. While flat-panel TVs are definitely cool, most people don't actually hang their TVs on a wall. If you are placing your set on a stand you may consider a rear-projection TV based on digital "microdisplay" technology: DLP, LCD, or LCoS/SXRD. ("Micro" refers to the postage stamp-size chips that create these TV's lifelike images.) Movie lovers and sports fans looking for the biggest, best looking picture for the money are adding digital projection TVs to their lists because you get more affordable 1080p options, outstanding contrast and black level performance, and a user-replaceable lamp restores like-new picture quality.The average consumer can easily replace the lamp in a digital projection TV in just a few minutes. After wighing all the factors and choices above, we settled for a 720p 42" plasma TV knowing that although 1080p is the pinnacle of HD, no television channels broadcast at that level. Thus, we figure that the purchased TV was a much less expensive option and that it can still showcase high-definition programs for daily viewing. We are very satisfied with the choice we made. In hindsight, we thought that perhaps we should have purchased the 50" model of the HDTV we bought. Back to Features |