TECHNOLOGYby Larry ZwerinI am often approached with all sorts of questionsabout the new high definition (HD) televisions.<strong>The</strong>re is so much confusion as to what to buy. As televisiontransmission goes completely to digital inthe not too distant future, a small savings now mightadd up to a very costly mistake in the long run.What Kind ofTV’s are HDTV?High Definition TVs can bestandard direct-view tubes, slimLCD’s and Plasma monitors, rearprojection units or front projectorsthat require a separate screen.HDTV refers to resolution, thehorizontal lines that can bedisplayed on the screen, not thetechnology upon which it is based.Is current TVobsolete?Not yet. <strong>The</strong> FCC originallymandated that all TV broadcastsbe converted to digital by 2007.<strong>The</strong> date was extended to <strong>February</strong>17, 2009. Even so, when allbroadcasts go digital, manufacturersand television service providershave agreed to make set top boxesto down convert the digital signalsto analog so that old style TVs maybe used past the mandate. Unfortunately,if you do not use cableor satellite services, terrestrial antennaboxes may be more expensivethan the cost of replacing some ofthe smaller sets available. As far aspicture quality, you will be missingout on a lot!For more information, call theFederal Communications Commissionat 1.888.225.5322 or visit thecommission’s digital televisionwebsite at: www.dtv.gov.Is DigitalCable HDTV?No. This is the most persistentmisconception out there today.Whatmost cable companies promote asdigital cable is simply standarddefinition TV broadcast digitally,similar to digital satellite TV. <strong>The</strong>video and picture quality may besuperior to standard analog cable butthe resolution (picture quality) willhave a maximum resolution of 480interlace lines. This is nowhere nearthe resolution (picture quality) ofhigh definition television, which canhave three to four times better picturequality as well as better sound.However, in order to subscribe to acable company’s HDTV service, youmust be a digital cable subscriber.What do I need toreceive High Definitionprogramming?To receive HDTV programs in yourhome, you need an HDTV with aHDTV tuner built in or a HDTVready TV with a separate box tunerable to receive either off air, cable,or satellite HD programming. Yes, Isaid off air! As in free! I presentlyget more than 18 High Definitionchannels at no charge. All networkprogramming will soon convert overto HDTV available free of chargeoff air with a small UHF antenna.Currently all the major networkstransmit HDTV programming.How much canI expect to payfor an HDTV?As the technology matures, priceskeep coming down, which is greatfor consumers. Currently you canexpect to pay from about $700.00for a smaller direct view HDTV setto more than $10,000 for some ofthe best mass consumer plasma orprojection displays.What is the differencebetween enhanceddefinition EDTV andhigh definition HDTV?HDTV includes picture resolutions(picture quality) of 1080 Progressive,1080 Interlace, and 720 progressivelines of resolution. EDTV resolutionis 480 progressive, equivalent to thevideo output of a better DVDplayer. EDTV looks better thantoday’s standard analog resolution(picture quality) but not even close toHDTV at three to four times thepicture quality.What’s the differencebetween an integratedHDTV and anHD-ready set?Many HDTV sets sold today aremarketed as HDTV ready; theyare either monitors or do not havean HDTV tuner integrated to receiverHD digital signal. IntegratedHDTVs will have a HDTV tuneralready built into the set.What kind of Inputs willI need on my HDTV?That depends on what you want toconnect it to. For DVD players youwill need an S-Video (good), ComponentVideo (Better), or DVI orHDMI (Best) Inputs. For HDTVset top boxes you will need ComponentVideo (Better), or DVI orHDMI (Best) Inputs, dependingupon the box you use. <strong>The</strong>se inputsare compatible with today’s HDTVsatellite and cable tuners.Can I get HDTV frommy cable company?Yes. At this time, cable providers inmost metropolitan and suburbanareas offer High Definitionprogramming. You can receive yoursignal through a set top box or a cablecard available from cable providers aslong as your High Definition TV hasa input for such a card. <strong>The</strong> cardbypasses the need for the set top boxand provides direct access to yourpremium cable services.What is the bestresolution for HDTV:720P, 1080i or 1080p?Technically, 1080p is the highestresolution, but any of the threequalify as HDTV. While expertsand videophiles may disagree, mostpeople can’t tell the differencebetween 1080i and 1080p. Whichlooks better on a particular TVdepends on the performance of theTV’s built in video processor andit’s scaler than the native resolutionof the programming.Can I record HDTV?Yes, but due to the very highresolution and size of the files, thereare limited devices that can currentlyrecord in HDTV. <strong>The</strong> DVRsincorporated in HD Cable/Satboxes are capable of recording HDsignals for later playback.Lawrence Zwerin is the owner ofMedia Design Concepts, Inc. inCoral Springs. E-mail him atzwerin@theparklander.com.46 FEBRUARY <strong>2008</strong>
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