HDTV - High Definition Digital Television Information

HDTV - High Definition Digital Television Information. TV in High Def.

There are three methods to get the over the air (OTA) high definition digital format signals.

The first option and cheapest is to buy a DTV converter box and continue to use your old TV set. The signal will be clearer and have less noise and ghosting than it once did with the old analog signal. The signal detail and sharpness won't be anywhere close to what a new HDTV can do for the image but if you can't afford to buy a new tv than this may be a good way to go. You will still be receiving standard definition TV. The low cost DTV converters do not output a high def signal. If you already have a TV capable of High Definition you can buy a more expensive HDTV converter like the Samsung DTBH260F HDTV Terrestrial Receiver. The Samsung receiver can receive and output high definition signals to your HDTV monitor.

DTV Converter Box Pros:

Lowest cost
Better image than old analog picture

DTV Converter Box Cons:

You will not get the benefits of high definition with the cheap digital DTV models
You will have to use the converter to change channels

Click here to view DTV/HDTV converters

The second option is to buy a VCR, DVD player/recorder or Hard Drive Video Recorder like the Philips DVDR3576H/37 DVR that has a built in ATSC tuner. Just like your old TV, your old VCR is not going to work either. The disadvantages are the same as the converter box method, but at least you can record the signal. I believe none of these type recorders actually record in HD. They downscale the image to standard definition and record that. Even so, the DVD and hard disk recorders still produce a much superior image than using VCR tapes.

Addon Recorder/Player Pros:

Lower cost than a new TV
Benfit of being able to record

Addon Recorder/Player Cons:

You will not get the benefits of high definition
You will have to use the recording unit to change channels

The third option is to buy a new digital television set. The digital HDTV signals on a television designed for high def are unbelievable. Better clarity, better sound, everything is better - well almost. There are still a lot of broadcasts being made in regular definition and some of them look worse than on the old TV. There are a few reasons for this. If the actual broadcast is a high definition signal and the picture is poor, it's the fault of the broadcaster or the actual source recording. There is nothing even the best TV can do to improve it. On the other hand, if they are broadcasting in regular definition (The FCC requirement is digital broadcasting not high definition), it may be your TV has a poor upscaler - true on some of the low end TV's. As more and more stations start transmitting in high def this will become less of an issue. The other benefit of a new high defintion TV is those standard DVD's you have will be given new life. Even without using a Blu-Ray DVD player, your old DVD's look sooo much better. There are upscaling DVD players that claim to upconvert your standard DVD's to High Definition. Personaly, I think it's mostly a marketing gimic. If you have a low end TV with a poor upscaler then maybe you will see an improvement. On my TV's I can not see much difference using the upscaler and they are not top of the line TVs. Of course this all depends on the DVD player and the TV. Speaking of Blu-Ray, if you are planning to spend $350+ for a Blu-Ray player, why not buy a Sony PS3 (Playstation 3) instead - For a little bit more, you can get a Blu-Ray DVD player and the ability to play Playstation video games. Another advantage to HDTV is if you use a computer with your TV. Whether it's for internet or gaming etc. it will look much clearer. You will actually be able to read the screen at a normal font size. Make sure you get an HDTV that is PC compatible if you have any desire to connect with a computer.

Buy a new HDTV Pros:

You will get the best picture and sound HDTV has to offer
You can change channels with the TV
Many HDTV's have digital sound outputs to connect to an external stereo for full surround sound

Buy a new HDTV Cons:

Most expensive option
Your entertainment center may have to be adjusted or replaced to make it fit

Everything is not all great with digital TV. There are a few issues I have experienced. The most annoying is when I use the microwave oven, it interferes with the digital signal. With analog signals, I can see some interference lines, but it is still watchable. With the digital signal, it chops, cuts etc. to the point where it's unwatchable. I have also seen degradation of the signal in severe weather as well. In the end, I think the benefits outweigh the issues. Would I go back to regular old analog? NO WAY!

So which HDTV should you get? That's not an easy question. There are many different technologies out there and each has their strength and weaknesses. You will have to decide what is suitable for your budget and the intended placement.

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CRT - Long live the Cathode Ray Tube
Pros: Well tested technology. Good motion and natural looking images. Less expensive than same size flat pannel TVs. Can screen burn but you have to really abuse it.
Cons: Deep, bulky and heavy. Not many to choose from.

DLP Projection
Pros: Excellent color and clarity. Less expensive than same size flat pannel TVs. No screen burn.
Cons: Unequal brightness on some models. Spinning color wheel - In some units you can hear the motor spinning. Possible rainbow effect. The better units have 3 light output devices instead of one. This removes the need for the spinning color wheel and possibility of the rainbow effect. Needs more space than flat panel. Expensive bulb that has to be replaced (unless you get one with an LED light source). Off center viewing not as bright as flat panels.

LCD Projection/DILA/LCOS
Pros: Good color and clarity. Less expensive than same size flat pannel TVs. No screen burn.
Cons: Expensive bulb that has to be replaced. LCD has possible screen door effect, less noticable on newer models. Needs more space than flat panel. Off center viewing not as bright as flat panels.

Projector (LCD or DLP)
Pros: BIG theatre style picture. No screen burn.
Cons: Expensive bulb that has to be replaced periodically - Shorter bulb life than even the projection TVs. Poor black and contrast levels except the most expensive models. DLP subject to rainbow effect. LCD subject to screen door effect. Best in dark rooms. Noisy fans. Difficult placement and setup.

LCD Flat Panel
Pros: Thin wall mount placement. Good brightness, color and contrast. No screen burn.
Cons: Some models have white washout with some scenes. Scene movement not as natural as the other technologies. Get the lowest millisecond response time you can find. 120hz refresh helps here as well. Power hungry, but not as bad as plasma.

Plasma Flat Panel
Pros: Thin wall mount placement. In my opinion, Plasma TV's have the best combination of brightness, color, contrast and scene motion. The images look natural as they should.
Cons: Power hog. Plasma TV's use 300 watts or more. You can feel substantial heat being generated. Possible screen burn with still images although less likely on newer models. Reliability is questionable with the required high voltage power supplies.

OLED Flat Panel (Organic Light Emitting Diode)
Pros: Thin wall mount placement. Low power consumption. Super fast response time. Even better than Plasma and CRT.
Cons: Available only up to 31" so far. Questionable life span.

I hope this has provided you with some useful information. Good luck in the digital TV age!