A popular topic in televisions nowadays is full HDTV (full high definition television). This is due to the full changeover of digital television (DTV) signal on June 12, 2009. With this transition complete, everyone has access to HDTV signal. However, not everyone has HD display because in order to get it, you must have an HDTV display television.
The main advantage and interest in regards to HDTV is the high resolution. If you chose to go with an HD converter box, your television still has an analogue picture on a CRT screen. The resolution of an NTSC-analogue television is called 480i; the "i" meaning "interlaced". This means that since there are only 240 horizontal lines available in the CRT tube and the TV camera has 480 lines, every other line is scanned at the same time for 1/60th of a second. Then the other lines are scanned. So, to portray a more vertical resolution, the TV signal is interlaced. With an aspect ratio of 4:3, the analogue TV resolution is 640 x 480i.
HDTV and full HDTV are different from analogue TV due to the resolution of each. The standard HDTV has a resolution of 720i or 720p while a full HDTV has a resolution of 1080i or 1080p. The "p" instead of the "i" stands for progressive scanning. This means that the vertical scans are done simultaneously. Using a 16:9 aspect ratio, the standard HDTV is has 1520 x 720 pixels and the full HDTV has 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Full HDTV, 1080p, would seem the product of choice; however, for a TV smaller than 42 inches the difference between standard and full HDTV cannot be seen. Consequently, these smaller TV's are available only in standard HDTV, either 720i or 720p. To enjoy full HDTV a 42 inch or larger screen is necessary.
There are currently three options in screen technology for full HDTV: rear projection HDTV, full HD plasma, and full HD LCD TV. Though rear projection televisions are still available, the demand and popularity of them seems to be decreasing. For that reason, many manufacturers aren't even making them anymore. Therefore, it's advised to choose between the two remaining options. Other things to consider when choosing a new television are response time, the contrast ratio, and color reproduction qualities.
Full HDTV plasma screens have a broad range in color, are very bright, and can have very large screens. Display screens of full HDTV plasma TVs can be up to 58 inches in size. Since the display panel is only about 2.5 inches thick, the televisions are only about 4 to 6 inches thick. Though there are claims of contrast ratios as high as 100K in plasma TVs, the highest contrast currently available in stores is 30K. The response time is .001 milliseconds while the refresh frequencies are 600 Hz. The advantages of a plasma TV over an LCD are that the screen has a better color reproduction and also has a wider viewing angle. Because of the fast response time, plasma TVs are great for viewing fast moving film such as sports.
However, the power requirements for a plasma TV can be as high as 500 watts. Also, plasma televisions are heavier than LCDs; however, plasma screens can be mounted on the wall.
Full HDTV LCDs have the same resolution, 1080p, as plasma HDTV. Initially, slow response times in LCD sets could result in ghosting on fast-moving images. However, refresh rates have decreased to about 2 ms with a 240Hz refresh rate. The contrast ratios have also been improved to 30K. Full HDTV LCD's are less expensive for the high-end systems necessary for full HDTV.
With the exception of resolution, the other features, advantages and disadvantages of each of these types of TVs depends on what's most important to you. In closing, if you have the extra money to spend, full HDTV is the optimum choice in TVs. When endeavouring in an entire home theatre, you should be sure that your full HDTV is compatible with the rest of the system. - 29967
The main advantage and interest in regards to HDTV is the high resolution. If you chose to go with an HD converter box, your television still has an analogue picture on a CRT screen. The resolution of an NTSC-analogue television is called 480i; the "i" meaning "interlaced". This means that since there are only 240 horizontal lines available in the CRT tube and the TV camera has 480 lines, every other line is scanned at the same time for 1/60th of a second. Then the other lines are scanned. So, to portray a more vertical resolution, the TV signal is interlaced. With an aspect ratio of 4:3, the analogue TV resolution is 640 x 480i.
HDTV and full HDTV are different from analogue TV due to the resolution of each. The standard HDTV has a resolution of 720i or 720p while a full HDTV has a resolution of 1080i or 1080p. The "p" instead of the "i" stands for progressive scanning. This means that the vertical scans are done simultaneously. Using a 16:9 aspect ratio, the standard HDTV is has 1520 x 720 pixels and the full HDTV has 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Full HDTV, 1080p, would seem the product of choice; however, for a TV smaller than 42 inches the difference between standard and full HDTV cannot be seen. Consequently, these smaller TV's are available only in standard HDTV, either 720i or 720p. To enjoy full HDTV a 42 inch or larger screen is necessary.
There are currently three options in screen technology for full HDTV: rear projection HDTV, full HD plasma, and full HD LCD TV. Though rear projection televisions are still available, the demand and popularity of them seems to be decreasing. For that reason, many manufacturers aren't even making them anymore. Therefore, it's advised to choose between the two remaining options. Other things to consider when choosing a new television are response time, the contrast ratio, and color reproduction qualities.
Full HDTV plasma screens have a broad range in color, are very bright, and can have very large screens. Display screens of full HDTV plasma TVs can be up to 58 inches in size. Since the display panel is only about 2.5 inches thick, the televisions are only about 4 to 6 inches thick. Though there are claims of contrast ratios as high as 100K in plasma TVs, the highest contrast currently available in stores is 30K. The response time is .001 milliseconds while the refresh frequencies are 600 Hz. The advantages of a plasma TV over an LCD are that the screen has a better color reproduction and also has a wider viewing angle. Because of the fast response time, plasma TVs are great for viewing fast moving film such as sports.
However, the power requirements for a plasma TV can be as high as 500 watts. Also, plasma televisions are heavier than LCDs; however, plasma screens can be mounted on the wall.
Full HDTV LCDs have the same resolution, 1080p, as plasma HDTV. Initially, slow response times in LCD sets could result in ghosting on fast-moving images. However, refresh rates have decreased to about 2 ms with a 240Hz refresh rate. The contrast ratios have also been improved to 30K. Full HDTV LCD's are less expensive for the high-end systems necessary for full HDTV.
With the exception of resolution, the other features, advantages and disadvantages of each of these types of TVs depends on what's most important to you. In closing, if you have the extra money to spend, full HDTV is the optimum choice in TVs. When endeavouring in an entire home theatre, you should be sure that your full HDTV is compatible with the rest of the system. - 29967
