I need someone to explain HDTV, digital and regular TVs to me please...

[DopeyRN]

I have a very old (in the neighborhood of 18 years) 26 inch console TV in my den. I was hoping she would hang in there a couple more years, but she is going...

I looked at the ads in the paper this morning and am very confused. There are HDTVs, monitors, digital, projection and regular TVs. I know the way we receive signals will change in 2006. What I don't understand is how this will affect us. Will the other regular TVs we own still work? What should I look for in buying a new TV...we want to go somewhere between 32-36 inch. What brand?

My disclaimer is we are not high tech people...we do not have receivers hooked up nor do we need one. Just a clear TV that will work with the new technology and not cause us to mortgage our house...thanks!

 

[Mom2Em]

I am curious about this, too, as we will be in the market soon...
Bump to top!!

 

[Carl]

We have a 55 inch Mitsubitchi, but it requires a separate box to be able to view the digital stations. I believe that FINALLY there are some sets with that capability built in, but it will not be a requirement for several more years. If you are not "tech" minded, you would probably be better off getting one with it built in. The size set you said you are interested in, however, would not be able to display the 16X9 image which is standard for HD signals. HD pictures are much better than standard definition. You will be blown away by the difference in quality. All digital pictures are not HD, however. Digital pictures do have better quality because they do not have ghosts, snow, etc. My advice to you is to go to a store which has the different sets all set up to demonstrate so you can see the differences.

 

[ErikdaRed]

Regular TVs won't work after the switchover unless you get a downconverter. The HDTVs that are out there now are mostly monitors (don't have thier own tuners). For now its probably better to get a regular TV and count on the fact that cable boxes will probably work as down converters (otherwise the box will probably be around $200, the cost of the HDTV tuner).

 

[ErikdaRed]

As far as good regular TVs in the range you are looking at, the Sony line has some that will display 16:9 in letter box with the full resolution of HDTV "1024 lines". These run in the $8-900 range, but are still a lot cheaper than the true HDTV sets that are still in the thousands.

 

[olena]

Avoid plasma TVs.

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/hdtv.htm

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/dtv.htm

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/tv6.htm

 

[ToyStory Fan]

What Dan M posted from Howstuffworks should help with understanding the differences.

As far as the brand, size and format go it is really a wide open field. If you go hear: www.hometheatermag.com you'll be able to see several reviews/tests of the most popular brands and their offerings. In the 32-36 range there was a test over the summer of the only 16:9 players in that size range...34". Sony and Toshiba were the top 2. I have the Toshiba and I love the picture and the features. The Sony wouldn't fit in my cabinet, but my neighbor has it and I am glad I went with the Tosh. The prices are coming down on them, but these are extremely HEAVY set. They are the biggest tube you can get for HDTV 16:9. The 36" TV's are also nice, but I wanted to stay in the 16:9 format.

So you need to do a little more research (or give a little more detail) on what you want to accomplish and how much space you want or need to take up.

Tubes, will be limited in size, heavy and limited to only the major brands.

DLP sets are among the newer technology - basically an updated version of the projection screen...instead of the Blue, Red and Green projection "canons" you will have a single projector that digitally projects the picture to the screen. These are nice sets, and they are usually in the 40" and up range and they are not nearly as big as the old projection TVs.

As far as getting the HDTV tuner built in it's up to you...sounds like you'll keep the TV for a while so it might be a good choice, but my guess is that cable companies will be required to provide it to down convert as well as up convert. My cable company currently provides an HD box for the same monthly fee as a regular box.

 

[tmli]

I know here in Canada every cable company or satellite company requires their own decoder for HDTV, they all use different formats. Therefore making an HDTV with decoder built in useless...with the exception of the odd off air channel that may become available. Digital signals such as digital cable and satellite work the same way...so having a digital tv does not guarantee you a digital signal unless an external box is decoding that signal.

 

[DopeyRN]

Thanks for the advice and the links...this is looking to be a really tough decision to make!

 

[Carl]

Originally posted by olena
Avoid plasma TVs.

Why do you say this?

 

[preshi]

Plasmas only have so much life in them and then you have to replace them... There is no way I am spending that much money on a TV to have to replace is down the road.

DH just bought a HDTV and new DVD player etc. We love it. Can't wait until all channels are converted over, the picture is beautiful.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

I'll clarify that the TV's that are and will be coming with HDTV tuners are not worthless. They are not digital cable tuners. They are over-the-air digital tuners which have been standardized. Over the air digital broadcasts are FREE and only require a UHF antenna. Depending on your reception area, this can be as simple as a set-top loop antenna.

In our area, I receive over 10 digital channels broadcast over the air. All are capable of sending full HD programming. I'd estimate 70% of primetime programming from the major networks (CBS, NBC, ABC) is now in HD. A good portion of sporting events are broadcast in HD as well. Fox, UPN and WB have digital stations, and have HD programming too. PBS has two digital channels, each with 2 or more subchannels, including one that broadcasts 100% HD programming.

Of course this is just my area.

If you go to www.antennaweb.org you can enter your address and get a listing of stations in your area which are currently broadcasting digital programming over the air. You can also figure out what kind of antenna you need.