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HDTV Mini Overview Course
101 HDTV Mini course! In this mini course you'll learn all about:
- Types of HDTV sets
- Key Features and Connectivity Options
- LCD HDTV or Plasma HDTV
- How To Judge the Picture Quality of HDTV
- How to Set Up Your HDTV
- Get the complete 55 page "HDTV Uncovered"
PDF book FREE to our visitors
Let's go ahead & get started today with "Types of HDTV sets".
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Part 1 - Types of HDTV sets 
The most popular type is direct view HDTV that uses standard Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and rear projection
technology, similar to the standard TVs. However, this technology is going to get obsolete sooner or
later. New advanced technologies are going to take over in the near future. These technologies are cost-saving
and loaded with extra features, such as, transmitting clearer and brighter images. The standard TVs stand
no chance in competing with this new version, as they are burdened with the production costs and size
restrictions. The biggest direct view HDTV comes with a screen width of 36 inches. Besides this, the
rear projection technology is shadowed with problems of screen burn in, convergence, and obscurity of
image during brightness or at an angle.
The entertainment world has received a breakthrough with the introduction of amazing TV technologies
like Plasma TVs, LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), LCD (liquid crystal displays), and DLP (Digital Light
Processor) rear-projection units. Before a decade, one could have never imagined a television that could
be hung on the wall! But Plasma TV has made this possible too. Although each of these technologies displays
their own advantages and disadvantages, they come with the promise of a better picture quality. The HDTV's
installed with the advanced technologies are, in no case, inferior to the older versions of HDTV.
Plasma TV and LCD Technology
As far as LCD TVs and Plasma TVs are concerned, the technologies provide the benefit of a compact
structure. Many new versions of TVs are only a few inches thick and weigh just a fraction of the older
versions. The flat LCD TVs with a screen size less than 37 inches are a favorite among the buyers. They
are classy and can be placed anywhere. They prove to be a worthwhile substitute for a standard medium-sized
television set.
Buyers who wish to stick to the old-fashioned rear projection technology also have an array of options
to choose from. However, it is good to skip the tube based rear projection technology now, as micro-display
technology is in vogue. Once the angle is adjusted, it provides a sharp picture. CRT based rear projection
technology is soon going to become a thing of the past.
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Part 2 - Key Features and Connectivity
Options
One of the commendable features of a digital TV is that it can receive and display both ATSC (Advanced
Television Systems Committee) Digital TV signals and NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) Analog
TV signals. While shopping for HDTV, one might come across terms like HDTV-Capable and HDTV-Ready. Speaking
in layman's terms, a digital TV that is capable of displaying an HDTV quality image is a HDTV-Capable.
However, it is not incorporated with HDTV receiver or tuner, hence, cannot catch a HDTV signal. Such
a digital TV requires a separate HDTV receiver to be connected to the set. Do not be baffled, if the
shopkeeper uses terms like Set-Top-Box (STB) or Decoder. They are the names given to HDTV receiver or
tuner.
HDTV-Ready is generally used as a substitute of HDTV-Capable. However, one should be clear that HDTV-Ready
does not always mean HDTV-Capable. Before installing an independent HDTV tuner, one should always check
whether it is attuned to the HDTV set and to the cable or satellite system being used. Also, the independent
HDTV tuner should be proficient in receiving Over-The-Air (OTA) television broadcasts.
Remember, “Digital ready" and "HDTV-ready" do not essentially mean that your TV will
receive and exhibit digital HDTV programs. Before making the final purchase, always confirm that the
HDTV set you have chosen shows real HDTV resolutions. There are some HDTV-Ready sets designed in such
a way that they can receive HDTV signals, but cannot display pictures in HDTV Resolutions.
Audio and Video Connectivity
One should purchase a HDTV set that has the highest number of ports, rendering several connectivity
options. We have different types of connectors and cables. Their mode of function is different and the
type of parts used also varies in each of them. A HDTV set needs appropriate HDTV Cables and connectors.
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Part 3 - LCD HDTV or Plasma HDTV
If you are looking for a flat-screen, slim and classic HDTV, you have two choices, LCD HDTV and Plasma
HDTV. A few years ago, it was an easy task to make a decision. If you wanted a 40-inch or bigger flat
screen, the only available option was Plasma HDTV, otherwise you should have chosen LCD. However, things
have changed now with the improved technology of LCD HDTVs. Now, to decide which one is better is not
an easy task. Both the versions of HDTVs have their benefits and disadvantages. Therefore, each one is
better in certain circumstances. The following details will certainly help you to choose one that best
suits your requirements. After you have gone through all these details, you will have a better idea of
which HDTV is right for you.
How do the two technologies work?
Plasma HDTV
Phosphor, a chemical compound, is the heart of a Plasma HDTV. The light you see on a plasma screen
is caused by these phosphors. Each pixel in a Plasma HDTV is made up of three types of phosphors, red,
blue, and green. When beams of electrons strike with these phosphors, they emit light. The amount of
light depends upon the intensity of the electron beams.
LCD HDTV
Where phosphors play a major role in the technology of Plasma HDTVs, in LCD HDTVs, it is crystals.
Crystals, in the form of liquid, is sandwiched between transparent panels. There is a bright florescent
light behind these panels. The sandwiched crystals are instructed to either let the light pass or not.
Color filters are also used, which determine the color.
Does size matter?
Since both Plasma and LCD TVs are large screen televisions, size does not matter that much. However,
if you consider viewing area by size, Plasma TVs have always been a good choice. Again, you can find
more varieties of Plasma TVs in comparison to LCD TVs. On the other hand, if by size you mean the size
of your bank account, it matters indeed. For the same size, Plasma TVs are normally less expensive.
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Part 4 - How To Judge the Picture Quality
of HDTV
When you are buying a HDTV, picture quality is the most difficult thing to judge. This section offers
some important tips which will help you to judge the 'good' picture quality of a HDTV.
It is time to head to the electronic store and check out the TV sets. A large store allows you to
compare a bunch of sets at the same time. The real problem is all the TV sets might be showing high definition
programs, but the chances are high that not all of them might be properly adjusted. Therefore, the pictures
you see there might look good, but in fact, they differ from their inherent quality. Your job starts
now.
High Brightness Does Not Mean Good Picture Quality
While reviewing the HDTV sets ask for the remote control from the sales person. Press the Menu button
in the remote control to bring up a list of options, and select Video or Picture Adjustments. You will
find that the contrast is set at 100%, with the same for sharpness. Yes, almost every store sets their
television sets at the brightest picture settings. You cannot judge the true picture quality at this
setting. Set the sharpness at a low percent that halos disappear from the edges of objects and set contrast
in such a way that highlights are no longer out of balance with the rest of the picture. At stores, they
also set the color temperature too high. Because of this, whites look bluish. See, if the set has a color-temperature
setting, generally called Low or Warm. Use that. Again, most HDTVs have a custom or pro mode. Set the
TV at that mode. This will help the picture look more natural. Once you have done all this, you have
done almost half of the job.
Amount of Light in the Room
Generally, electronic stores are flooded with light. See if the salesperson can reduce the amount
of light shining on the picture. If that is not possible, try to shade the screen if light is shining
directly on it.
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Part 5 - How to Set Up Your HDTV
While buying an HDTV for your home, you must also know what the prerequisites of setting up a new
HDTV in your room are. The following detail will help you with the basics of the set up process for your
HDTV.
Basic of the Setup process
Following are some of the basic considerations before you finally setup your new HDTV in your room.
Screen Size and Room Size
Match the screen size of your new HDTV set with the size of the room. Make sure that the setup allows
you to sit at a comfortable viewing distance. You should be neither too close nor too far from the TV.
A comfortable viewing distance is about twice the diagonal screen size, and one and half times if your
HDTV is a front projection type. For example, for a 40-inch screen, the comfortable viewing distance
is approximately six and a half feet.
Room Lighting
The room light plays a very important role on the viewing quality of your HDTV. Make sure that you
have placed your HDTV at a place where in daytime windows do not shine light onto the screen of the TV.
Make sure that the reflection of lamps or bulbs do not appear on the TV screen during the night or when
the room is illuminated.
Getting To the Source
Monitors and integrated sets are the two varieties of High-definition televisions. Integrated sets
come with a built-in HDTV tuner, while monitors require an outbound digital tuner to receive high definition
signals. A few years ago, monitors were more common, but the recent trend is favoring integrated sets.
There are three ways to get HDTV signals – via an off-air antenna, an HDTV cable box, or an HDTV satellite
receiver.
Off-Air Antennas
Off-air antennas come in indoor and outdoor version, and provide access to local HDTV broadcast. You
must know what kind of antenna you require, and where to locate the antenna in relation to your house.
(Complete antenna buyers guide and set up can be found in our Digital TV guide section)
This concludes our 5 part mini course on "Definitive guide to HDTV's!" Please log into our
Plans and Guide section to HDTV guide to discover the rest of the information you've been searching for
about HDTVs or upgrade now to get all of our guides and plans.
Get the complete 55 page "HDTV
Uncovered" PDF book in
our plans and guides section:
- Introduction
- Basics of HDTV
- Types of HDTV Sets
- HDTV - Key Features and Connectivity Options
- LCD HDTV or Plasma HDTV
- HDTV Display Systems
- How To Judge the Picture Quality of HDTV
- HDTV With DVI/HDCP
- HDTV and Dolby Digital Sound System
- Budget and Pricing
- Warranty for HDTV
- Accessories for HDTV (Includes all hook ups, new HDMI with conversions to older
DVI)
- How to Set Up Your HDTV
- The Future of HDTV
- Glossary of Important Terms
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