HDTV Buying Guide

To be able to feel the 'true' High-Definition picture quality, it is important to ensure that any television you wish to purchase displays the "HD Ready" banner and also a HDMI video output facility. HDMI is an abbreviation for High Definition Multimedia Interface, and uses a unique cable which connects to the output of your digital media source and the input of the television. This enables the television to be used as a HD monitor for use with video game consoles, as well as being able to display the HD transmission of the many HDTV channels.

A variety of HDTV sets are equipped with an in-built television tuner such as 'Freeview, the non-subscription digital television service in the UK. Other digital television providers are available through the use of a 3rd-party set-top-box. Almost all HDTV sets are compatible with home cinema entertainment packages to provide surround sound, usually with 'Dolby' noise reduction specification.

Standard, or 'cheap' (affordable), HDTV sets have around 1 million display pixels, another higher standard of HDTV is known as '1080HD'. These television sets pack over 2 million display pixels into the same screen size, making the picture noticeably sharper with stunning definition and clarity.

The screen sizes of HD Ready LCD and Plasma televisions vary from 15" right through to 50" and above. Choosing between LCD and Plasma screens can greatly vary the price you could pay for a television, with prices ranging from around 200GBP for a 15" LCD set through to well over 4,000GBP for a 63" Plasma set. With this in mind, choosing the right television set for your budget is as important as choosing one for your needs and your room size!

Most suppliers of HDTV sets have staff trained specifically in this technology and are able to answer your questions about specific brands and models, and almost all of these suppliers have comprehensive reviews and lists of specifications regarding each individual model.

To see a demonstration of HDTV and 1080HD TV in action, call down to your local electrical retail store to see numerous brands and models showing the various High Definition comparison presentations which have been compiled, showing the difference between 'normal' analogue video output and HDTV output. It has to be seen to be believed!