HDTV Explained: The fine print

Shopping for an HDTV? Expect a barrage of figures which won't make much sense at first blush. The second and third blush aren't much better. Here are a two key details and how to interpret them:

• Contrast ratio: It's the measurement between the brightest whites and darkest blacks on the set. In theory, it can tell you the set's ability to show minor color variations. But manufacturers are famous for distorting these figures, so let your eyeballs make the final decision.


• HDMI: HDMI cables are thick wires which transmit both audio and video signals. Prices vary on these cables, but a first-time HDTV buyer should consider a set with at least two HDMI inputs.

These HDTV posts merely scratch the surface of the HDTV scene. If you're looking for a new television set, do as much homework as you can before swiping that credit card. And consider these helpful sources - TV Predictions (a great resource for late-breaking HDTV news and programming) and CNET (Offers comprehensive reviews of a wealth of HDTV sets). And if you've found a valuable Web site for HDTV news and nuggets, please let me know. I've still got plenty to learn on the subject.

HDTV Explained: LCD vs. Plasma

The format war between Blu-ray and HD DVD is over, but the battle rages on over what's better - LCD or Plasma.

LCD, or liquid-crystal display, is an established technology already in use with computer screens, while plasma sprung up primarily for big-screen TVs. The experts generally agree plasma has an edge in overall picture quality. But the differences between sets can be subtle, and if you factor in price, convenience and repair histories the chasm between the two formats shrinks.

Plasma sets tend to offer bigger screen size options, although LCD is starting to catch up. Plasma screens are glossier than LCD, with the latter offering more of a matte finish. The big knock on plasma during the early HDTV years was that images could get "burned in" to a set if left on too long. But HDTV experts say that's no longer the case.

LCD sets are lighter than their plasma peers, and there's virtually no chance of image burn-in. But many LCD sets can't offer the same rich, deep blacks that Plasma delivers, and speedy images can break up slightly on some LCD sets. Again, the latest LCD sets have closed the gap regarding image blur and black levels, so conventional wisdom is always in flux. Some say plasma sets provide richer colors, although my Samsung 40-inch set, which I bought two years ago, offers knockout colors. It's a key reason why I bought it.

So which one is for you? Your room's viewing angle may be a deciding factor - plasma has the edge here should you have a wide media room. Or, it could simply come down to personal preference. I like the matte finish my TV offers. That cinched it for me, but you may feel differently.

Update: TV Predictions offers a new insight on plasma television - and its future as a big-screen format.

Next up: Contrast ratio and other numbers.

HDTV Explained: First in a series

I want my HDTV. Who doesn’t? Crisp, clear images in widescreen, the way motion pictures were meant to be seen. But making the plunge means more than shelling out upwards of $4,000. It requires learning the intricacies of the new medium. This series will help break down some of the key information you’ll need before buying an HDTV.

First up - what is HD? High-definition is a digital broadcast which offers sharper, more resonant imagery than traditional sets. HD broadcasts come in three types - 720p, 1080i or 1080p. The higher the number, the more lines embedded in the signal and, therefore, the sharper the picture. The letters stands for “interlaced” or “progressive,“ with the latter offering the superior picture. Check out any Best Buy flier and you’ll see 720p sets much cheaper than their 1080 counterparts. The televisions we grew up watching broadcast 480 lines for comparison’s sake.

But here’s where it gets tricky. Very few, if any, channels broadcast in 1080p, so splurging for the extra capacity does us no good, at least for now.

And not all HDTVs are ready to broadcast HD content out of the box. You’ll need an HD tuner, which many sets have built in. If you don’t have one, you can buy one separately or rely on an external box supplied by your cable or satellite company. You can get HD signals via conventional antennas (to watch HD programs from NBC, CBS, etc) or cable/satellite setups (which offer HBO, ESPN, etc., plus network feeds).

Next -- LCD vs. Plasma

HDTV 101

TV shouldn't be as complicated as HDTV is.
Before I bought my 40-inch LCD set, I researched the heck out of available HDTVs and pored over every article I could find on the subject. I also successfully pitched two HDTV-themed stories for The Washington Times so I could get up to speed on the topic. I still felt lost.

This weekend I'll be posting a primer on HDTV, an article with the basics about the format and some helpful links for those thinking about making the HDTV plunge.
I can't say enough about HDTV -- both the clarity and widescreen ratio make it unbeatable. But it sure is confusing.