The simple guide to HD TV As new technologies go, high-definition television has been a barnstorming success. The lure of sharper, more vivid pictures has brought shoppers flocking to electronics stores, eager to snap up the latest LCD or plasma screen. As the prices of those TVs have dropped, sets have flown off the shelves. To date, more than nine million HD TVs have been sold in India.
It’s the latest evolution for television. Now, standard-definition makes way for high-definition, with its pin-sharp pictures and superior sound. The only downside is that the whole thing can seem hideously complicated. Terms such as HD-ready, Full-HD, HDMI and DVI are bandied about with gay abandon, leaving the poor old consumer in a quandary over what to buy and how to use it.
If you’ve not got an HDTV already, read on to find out how you can ensure you get the telly that’s right for you. If you’ve already invested, you'll find some tips that ensure you will get the best out of your sparkly new kit.
HDTV: the basics
In INDIA, most standard definition TVs display images using 625 vertical lines of pixels. That was fine for years, but these days we demand something a little, well... sharper. That's provided by HDTV resolutions, which raise the bar by using either 720 or 1080 lines. That's quite a few extra lines, and the result of having them is more detailed images on your screen. The picture is improved still further because the pixels on HDTV are closer together. HDTVs use those resolutions in three different ways, so look out for the following resolutions:
720p The ‘p’ stands for ‘progressive’ scan. This means each frame of a broadcast is drawn onto the screen in one go, progressively. It’s a process that is good for creating smooth, flowing images.
1080i This is a higher resolution than 720p and therefore capable of displaying more detail. However, the ‘i’ stands for interlaced. That means each frame is split into two. First the odd-numbered lines from the frame are displayed, then the even numbered lines. The process happens in a fraction of a second, so the eye sees the two separate frames as one. However, the interlacing can result in a flickering effect.
1080p This combines the two above – high resolution with progressive scan. It results in huge detail and smooth imaging. This is described as Full HD and there are plenty of TVs on sale now offering this resolution. All three of those resolutions are considered high-definition. For a TV to sport an 'HD-ready' sticker, it must be capable of displaying at least 720p. What you need So, let's say you’re out shopping for a new TV. Why wouldn't you just opt for one of the Full-HD 1080p beasts? Well, for a start, these top end TVs are generally the most expensive. Perhaps more importantly, you might find you’re not using the extra quality. Broadcasters in the UK do not currently use 1080p for their programming – and they're unlikely to do so any time soon since the high quality uses up an immense amount of bandwidth. So, you won't be watching TV programming in 1080p for the time being. However, you will get the benefit if you use a high-def games console (Xbox 360 or PS3) or a Blu-ray player (or perhaps HD-DVD if you’re a retro fan).
Watching HD
A common misconception is that purchasing an HD TV automatically ensures everything shown on it will be in glorious high-definition. Not so. Only a handful of channels (INX NETWORK are claiming to be HD ready) currently broadcast in high-definition and to view their programmes you'll need a suitable box - such as those on offer from TataSky(coming soon), Reliance BIG TV(coming soon). As mentioned before, games consoles, Blu-ray and HD-DVD players are other types of HD source that will pipe top-quality pics through to your TV. Ultimately, the quality of the source dictates the clarity of what you're watching on your new screen - just don't expect regular TV programmes to look significantly different. Hooking up:
Another essential is to ensure your connections are right. You can only view high-definition by plugging an HD source into an HD-ready screen using - you guessed it - HD cables. The standard is an HDMI cable, which carries both the video and audio signal from your source to your TV. You can use a DVI cable instead, but this carries only the video signal – you’ll need more cabling for any sound. Use any other kind of connection and the images displayed on your super-duper telly will be Joe Average standard-definition. Which brings us to another consideration when buying an HD-ready TV. Check how many HDMI connections there are on the back. So, if you’re shopping for a shiny new screen, look for one with several HDMI inputs on the back. It’s not uncommon these days to find TVs with four of them – which should cover all your input needs for the time being.
