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Not that long ago, TV was TV. There was one main technology (direct-view cathode ray tube, or CRT) and one broadcasting format (480i). Now there are five different types of TV and a number of different technologies, especially among projection TVs. There are also lots and lots of different ways to format a TV signal. In fact, the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), which is the organization that created the digital broadcasting standards for the U.S., allows 18 in all. Fortunately, there are "only" five that you really need to be concerned with:
480i Standard Definition (SD). To create an SD picture, 480 horizontal lines of image information are sent in an interlaced (that's what the 'i' stands for) format. Each frame (or image) of an interlaced TV signal is actually made up of two fields, one consisting of the odd lines of the image and the other the even lines. The two fields are displayed one after the other by the TV at a speed that's so fast that the eye sees only one image. SD images have the familiar 4:3 aspect ratio.
480p Enhanced Definition (ED). Like standard definition, a 480p EDTV image is made up of 480 lines of information; however, they are displayed in a progressive format (hence the 'p'), which means the entire frame is displayed at one time. While there is no more image information than in an SD picture, the image appears sharper and smoother because the artifacts caused by interlacing are eliminated. While ED sets cannot display HDTV signals in their full resolution, they are usually widescreen.
720p HDTV. The lowest of the high-definition resolutions, a 720p image is made up of 1280 x 720 pixels displayed progressively. While other formats display more picture information, many critics say that at normal viewing distances, this format presents a picture that's just as appealing and even more film-like. Among major programmers, only ABC and its subsidiaries (including ESPN and ESPN2) and FOX distribute content in 720p.
1080i HDTV. This format places 1920 x 1080 pixels of picture information on the screen (in an interlaced format) for a vivid and sometimes breathtaking picture. Most broadcast, cable and satellite HD programmers use this format.
1080p HDTV. Some new HDTVs are capable of processing 1080i signals and, after some internal processing (called de-interlacing), displaying them in a progressive format for the richest images of all. Some of these sets (but not all) are also capable of accepting 1080p signals from high-quality sources such as Blu-ray DVD players (first generation HD-DVD players output 1080i but not 1080p) or video game consoles (such as the Sony PlayStation 3). Because it takes up so much bandwidth, it is unlikely that any broadcaster or other programming provider will be distributing HD material in 1080p in the foreseeable future.
Note that while ATSC-compatible tuners must be able to receive all ATSC formats, the TVs themselves are free to take those signals and scale them to fit their native resolutions, which, for manufacturing reasons, don't always match up exactly with the ATSC standards. That's especially true of LCD and plasma TVs.
The bottom line, however, is that regardless of the resolution, HDTV looks terrific compared to SD or EDTV, reviewers say. But it doesn't take an expert to see the difference. If you look at an SDTV next to a HDTV in a store, you'll immediately notice why high-definition TV is so compelling.
The other issue with HDTV is content, but that is becoming less and less of a concern. Programming is much more available, and the major networks now broadcast virtually all of their prime-time programming in HD. There are also a number of HD cable networks, and that number continues to grow. Most cable and satellite companies are in a race to add HD networks to attract and retain subscribers. All of that, coupled with the fact that prices for HDTVs are dropping fast, means that HDTV is no longer merely for videophiles.
Simply buying an HDTV does not automatically mean you get HDTV. The hardware is only one part of the equation. To get the high-definition programming signals, you need to subscribe to a digital high-definition cable or satellite service. Alternatively, you can receive HDTV broadcasts "over-the-air" with a roof-mounted antenna, provided you are within range of a transmission tower. Of course, you won't get premium channels this way, but you can access the local affiliates of the major networks. AntennaWeb.org is a great website that lets you plug in your home address and zip code to see what kind of over-the-air broadcasts are available in your area.
With most TVs now required to have digital tuners, HD-ready sets (those that can display HD images but lack an integrated digital tuner) are disappearing from the market, with some notable exceptions. The law requiring new TVs to have a digital tuner does not apply to monitors -- those TVs that have no tuner at all. Tunerless monitors can be a good choice for those who get all of their TV from cable or satellite, but you'll need an external tuner to get any over-the-air programming.
Some HDTVs are compatible with CableCards. These TVs don't require a cable box at all. You plug the digital cable feed directly into the TV, and your cable company installs a CableCard (which goes into a slot on the TV). The CableCard de-scrambles the channels to which you've subscribed. However, experts' reactions to first generation CableCards have been lukewarm, mostly because you can't use any of cable's interactive features. You can't order movies on demand with the remote or access the interactive programming guide. CableCards have really never caught on, though an improved version might be introduced someday.
Also, some digital tuners are QAM-capable. QAM, which stands for Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, is the transmission scheme cable companies use to distribute digital TV signals. A QAM tuner can allow you to receive any unscrambled basic programming you subscribe to without a cable box or CableCard. An external box or a CableCard is still required for premium programming, however.
While the analog broadcasting system will be gone for good in February 2009, those with older, non-digital sets will not be left completely in the dark. The government is setting up a voucher program that will cover much if not all of the cost of an external digital tuner for those who need them.
TYPES OF HDTVs
There are five main types of display technology for HDTV. Plasma and LCD TVs draw lots of attention as these two types are wall-mountable. LCD flat-panels come in smaller, less expensive sizes, while plasma TVs are only available in sizes larger than 37 inches. The most affordable HDTVs are CRT TVs. These are heavy and bulky, and don't come in sizes larger than 36 inches. Rear-projection TVs have come a long way from the huge cabinets you might remember. These newer microdisplay models cut down on the width, but still deliver big screens, up to 70 inches. A last option is hooking a front projector up to your cable feed and projecting the image on a wall or, preferably, a screen.
Conventional tube-based TVs
Experts say that despite newer technology, good old conventional fat and heavy direct-view CRT TVs give you a reliably great picture, and they're less expensive than other types of HDTVs. While conventional tube-based TVs are still popular, falling sales and closing picture-tube plants around the world have led many makers to reduce the number of sets they offer, or even eliminate them from their lineups completely. Also, because these heavy TVs have a big footprint and require a lot of depth, the largest size HDTV you'll see is 34 inches (measured diagonally), and most are smaller.
While other types of TVs each have annoying issues such as viewing-angle problems (LCD and LCD rear-projection) and burn-in risk (plasma), conventional HDTVs are virtually trouble-free. They also have a longer lifespan than plasma TVs and don't need any special maintenance. Rear-projection TVs, for instance, need to have their lamps replaced about every 6,000 hours. Tube-type TVs may not be as cutting edge, but they are certainly easy to use and reliable.
According to critics and users, the
Sony KD-34XBR970(*est. $1,000) is a top choice among conventional HDTVs. The set uses the FD Trinitron WEGA flat-screen CRT, which is better than most competing picture tubes and enjoys a solid reputation for clarity and quality. The set is also loaded with features, including an HDMI input, a QAM-compatible tuner, DRC (Digital Reality Creation) signal processing for better standard-definition performance, reverse 3:2 pulldown, an extensive menu of adjustments and viewing modes, plus a two-year warranty on parts and labor.
If you are looking for a TV in the same price range as the 34-inch Sony TV, you might also consider an LCD TV, which would get you a slightly smaller 32-inch flat HDTV for roughly the same cost, or a smaller screen for less. CRT-based rear-projection TVs can deliver a much bigger screen at around the same price, while rear-projection TVs using newer technology cost just a few hundred dollars more, and prices are falling fast.
Flat-panel plasma and LCD HDTVs
Plasma and LCD TVs are only a few inches thick and wall-mountable. Design-wise, most look terrific hanging on a wall or sitting on a tabletop. Plasma TVs generally come in screen sizes of 37 inches and up (measured diagonally), but the most common sizes are 42 inches and 50 inches. A few manufacturers are also making larger and smaller plasma displays.
LCD TVs, on the other hand, are available in a much wider range of sizes. The smallest LCD TVs are about 8 inches, and sizes right now go up to 65 inches. Smaller LCD flat-panel HDTVs, which start at around 19 inches, are a good choice for bedrooms and kitchens.
While reviews say they are getting close, the picture quality of neither plasma nor LCD yet equals the image you'd get from a conventional CRT-based HDTV. The advantage of plasma and LCD TVs, of course, is a sleek screen that takes up very little space. But note that while they may be thin, larger flat-panel TVs are still quite heavy and wall mounting often requires professional installation.
Most LCD TVs have a native resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, so although they can display standard TV, DVDs and 720p HD with no loss of detail, they need to scale down 1080i HD programming. Most 50-inch and larger plasma TVs have the same 1366 x 768 resolution, but 42-inch plasma TVs typically have a native resolution of just 1024 x 768 pixels, which falls short of the ATSC standard of 1280 x 720. Despite that, industry convention -- which only looks at the horizontal specification when labeling TVs for sale to the public -- allows them to be sold as HDTVs. While this is an issue with some, reviewers say that as a practical matter, few will be able to tell the difference between 1024 and 1280 vertical resolution at normal TV viewing distances. LCD TVs with 1920 x 1080p resolution are also available, and the first 1080p plasma TVs have reached the market.
While experts say the gap is closing, plasma TVs are known for their ability to display dark colors and detail in dark scenes better than LCD. This makes plasma a good choice for movie watching, where dark scenes are common. LCD TVs are brighter, which means LCD may be a better choice for a well-lit setting; plasma TVs can sometimes look washed-out in a bright room.
Plasma screens have wider viewing angles than LCD flat panels. That means you can sit at more of an angle and still get the best picture. With conventional TVs, the picture brightness and color saturation stays the same from virtually any angle. With LCDs, sitting too far to one side will result in a loss of brightness. In addition, LCDs can sometimes leave trails behind fast-moving parts of an image. That's because of the time it takes for LCD pixels to switch color (plasma pixels make the change much faster). However, technology improvements have made both viewing angle and motion trails less of an issue in better LCD sets.
The most disconcerting issue regarding plasma TVs is a susceptibility to burn-in. If you leave the same image on the screen too long, it risks being etched permanently into the screen, creating a lasting impression. Text "crawls" (such as a stock ticker) across the bottoms of news stations and network logos are particular problems. New technology greatly reduces the risk of burn-in, and analysts at PC Magazine say that burn-in is no longer a major concern. Still, it's a good idea not to leave a plasma TV on when you're not watching it. LCDs have no burn-in risk.
The latest plasma TVs are estimated to last 25,000 to 35,000 hours before losing half of their brightness; the expected lifetime of LCD TVs and conventional TVs is about twice as long. If you use a plasma TV about eight hours a day every day, it should still last over ten years. By then, experts say, you'll probably be ready for a new TV anyway. Altogether, if you want a flat screen over 40 inches (measured diagonally), plasma is your better bet. For smaller screen sizes, LCDs have the advantage with their better viewing angles.
Among the top plasma HDTV models from our report is the 50-inch
Pioneer PDP-5070HD(*est. $2,900) . While the TV is expensive compared to its direct competition, the set is such a strong performer that CNet.com has recognized it with one of the site’s rare Editors’ Choice awards. CNet.com’s Kevin Miller says the Pioneer PDP-5070HD achieves some of the richest, most saturated colors the site has seen from any flat-panel display. The TV has lots of features, including detachable bottom speakers, dual-tuner PIP, a CableCard slot, TV Guide electronic program guide and USB input. Many user accessible controls are there for those who like to tweak the image settings. The TV can accept 1080p input signals, but since the screen is just 1365 x 768 pixels, it obviously can't display them at full resolution.
While the Pioneer’s black levels are called outstanding, they are actually bested by the
Panasonic TH-50PHD9UK(*est. $2,050) , which is also well received by critics. This no-frills model (even an HDMI input is an extra-cost option) was originally marketed for industrial/commercial use, but it has taken the consumer HDTV market by storm, as nearly every review we found praises this and other Panasonic plasma displays for their deep, true rendition of black. Because this is a monitor, there are no speakers and no tuners, so it is perhaps best for those who will be using an external audio system and getting all programming from a cable TV box or a satellite TV receiver -- not an uncommon home-theater arrangement. Budget extra for a stand or wall-mounting hardware (*est. $100 to $200) since they're not included. Even so, this display comes very close to the Pioneer in performance, but at a far lower price.
Among LCD TVs, Sharp regularly gets great reviews. For example,
CNet.com's David Katzmaier says that the Sharp Aquos LC-37D40U (*est. $1,380) has better picture quality than most other LCD TVs he's seen. In particular, black levels are close to those of a plasma TV and there are no signs of those sometimes troublesome image trails.
Once regarded as a maker of low-end, low-cost electronics, Westinghouse has been
turning heads with some of its LCD TVs. One example is the 42-inch Westinghouse LVM-42w2(*est. $1,380) , a high-performance LCD monitor that's capable of accepting and displaying 1080p signals at full resolution. This monitor lacks integrated tuners of any kind, but includes some niceties such as a great audio system augmented by a 10-watt subwoofer.
Rear-projection TVs
There are several types of rear-projection TVs (RPTVs) on the market. CRT-based models have the largest cabinets and use the most established technology. While they have a few advantages, these RPTVs are rapidly disappearing and many manufacturers have stopped making them altogether.
Most rear-projection TVs sold today are microdisplays, which get their name from the fact that their cabinets are so much smaller than the CRT RPTVs they have displaced. Currently, there are three microdisplay technologies available: LCD, DLP (Digital Light Processing) and LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon). Most average around 18 inches deep. While that is significantly thicker than a plasma screen, a 50-inch rear-projection television can cost less than half the price of a 50-inch plasma TV. However, since bulbs need to be replaced every two years or so, there are some ongoing costs. The replacement bulbs cost about $200 each.
One unsettling issue is a higher than average repair rate for rear-projection microdisplays. This problem emerged as a factor in large owner surveys conducted by Consumer Reports magazine. While extended warranties are normally considered a waste of money, getting an extended warranty on an RPTV might not be a bad idea, and might ease your mind about possible trouble down the road.
Of the three technologies, LCoS draws the most raves. However, it is more expensive than the others and currently used only by a few manufacturers. DLP also gets some great notices for its cinematic blacks but suffers from "rainbow effect," which occurs when your eye registers too much of one color and you see a brief flash of solid color. Interestingly, however, not everyone will notice the rainbow effect -- many people's eyes don't register the phenomenon at all. LCD RPTVs are the least expensive microdisplay. While they offer rich, saturated colors, black levels are not as good as the other technologies' and viewers often complain about a "screen door" effect -- the picture sometimes looks as if it is being watched through a screen door. Technology improvements have minimized the rainbow effect in some DLP RPTVs. Some LCD projection sets have improved black levels and minimal screen-door effect.
Sony LCoS sets generally get the best reviews from critics. Sony offers two new lines of rear-projection TVs using the company’s implementation of LCoS technology, called SXRD. Both lines are consumer-level versions of Sony's top-end
Qualia 006(*est. $10,000) . Sony’s A2000 series is billed as the company’s "entry-level" LCoS RPTVs, but based on reviews, these sets are anything but entry level. For example, the Sony KDS-
60A2000 (*est. $2,350) impresses the editors at CNet.com. David Katzmaier says that image quality delivers "all the sharpness of the highest-resolution HDTV formats, excellent black level performance, and good color." He adds that while it is more expensive than some other sets, "if you're looking for the state of the high-def art, it's worth it."
One negative is that the A2000 series is relatively devoid of features; even picture-in-picture is missing. That’s where Sony’s XBR2 series comes in. CNet.com’s David Katzmaier says that while the picture quality scores about the same as the Sony KDS-60A2000, the
Sony KDS-R60XBR2(*est. $3,300) "is one of the most loaded HDTVs we've ever reviewed." Added features over the A2000 series include picture-in-picture, split-screen viewing, a FireWire input, CableCard support and improved standard-definition signal processing. Sony also throws in a spare bulb.
Front projectors
Once a part of only the most expensive home-theater setups, digital projectors have dropped in price to where they are now a practical option. But while these projectors are capable of delivering the largest images (over 100 inches) at the lowest cost (on a dollars-per-inch basis), critics note that they are not perfect for everyone or every situation.
For one thing, they demand more from the user. To complete your home theater you need to supply a screen (for best results) and an external audio system. Also, since projectors don't include their own integrated tuner, you need to supply an external one or a signal from a cable or satellite TV box.
The second issue is light levels. For the most part, digital projectors are only suitable for use in rooms where lighting can be completely controlled. That's because even a little bit of ambient light can wash out the image. This is less of an issue with brighter projectors, but still, front projectors are not the best choice for daylight viewing in a sunny room.
Like RPTVs, front projectors can use LCoS, DLP or LCD technology, but LCoS -- though only used in a few consumer models -- generally gets an edge in reviews. For example, critics almost universally rave
about Sony's VPL-VW100(*est. $7,390) . While it is considerably more expensive than many other consumer-grade front projectors, reviews say this 1080p LCoS model outperforms almost anything else available, including high-end projectors costing many times more.
For those on tighter budgets, the
Optoma HD72(*est. $2,000) has also earned praise from all quarters. Reviews say that the 720p DLP front projector offers a hard-to-beat combination of excellent performance and aggressive pricing.
Important Features: HDTV
Experts say you should consider the following issues if you're eyeballing an HDTV, no matter whether you choose a conventional, flat-panel or front- or rear-projection set:
- Look for an HDMI input. Found on most current cable and satellite receivers, DVD players and DVD recorders, the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connection keeps the incoming signal all-digital, avoiding degradation that can occur if the signal is converted from digital to analog and back again, as happens when other connections are used. HDMI can carry digital video and audio signals. It is also compatible with HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection), a copy-protection method that in the future could prevent you from making high-definition copies of some HD programming. Someday you might be able to view copy-protected programs in full HD resolution only through an HDCP-compliant connection. Instead of an HDMI port, some sets provide an HDCP-compliant DVI connection. That connection carries digital video, but not digital audio.
- Match TV size to the size of your room. Because high-definition TVs have higher resolutions than conventional TVs, you can sit closer than you normally would. That means you can get away with a bigger screen. Even so, 42-inch screens that look great in a showroom may overwhelm a small room.
- Get a widescreen model. High-definition content comes delivered in 16:9 format, as do DVD movies. To view these images without letterboxing on a non-widescreen TV, some kind of compression must take place. So if the set will be used mostly to show movies and HD programming, widescreen is the way to go.
Linear Mode
