HDTV Reviews
HDTV stands for High Definition Television. HDTV images contain significantly more detail than normal television. Many television stations and shows have already converted or will convert to HD broadcasting.
Fast Facts
- The first HDTV was demoed in 1981
- Video Format Supported: 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 2160p
- February 17, 2009: All United States broadcast stations will cease analog over-the-air broadcasts and convert to digital
- HDTV shows content in widescreen format to provide highest resolution and picture quality
- HDTVs are manufactured by all major brands
Advantages of HD
HDTV picture quality is far better than that of standard televisions. More scan lines of resolution can make the picture up to five times clearer than standard. Top HDTVs will usually display images at 1080i. In addition to better visuals, sound is also improved with Dolby Digital 5.1 as the broadcast HDTV video signal soundtrack.
Disadvantages of HD
Disadvantages of HDTV include picture not being up to its fullest potential. This is due to operators that do not follow HD specifications in an attempt to pack channels into limited bandwidth. Channels broadcasting in HD tend to occasionally freeze up or display unnecessary information. Also, televisions must be upgraded to HD format in order to view programs being broadcast in HD. Confusion also arises amongst consumers from the different resolution labels such as 1080i, 1080p, etc.
Top Review Picks
- PC Magazine: Pioneer PRO-940HD - (Price: $3,300.00)
- "The Pioneer Elite PRO-940HD PureVision plasma television isn't cheap, but it delivers excellent picture quality and useful multimedia features."1
- CNET: Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080HD Plasma - (Price: $2,118.00 - $3,500.00)
- "The Pioneer PDP-5080HD produces the deepest shade of black--and thus one of the best pictures--we've ever tested."2
- PC World: Dell W3207C - (Price: $1199)
- "The Dell W3207C LCD TV offers a great combination of sleek industrial design, enticing picture quality, and a reasonable price."3
Related Pages on Mahalo
HDTV | Flat Panel TV | Plasma TV | LCD TV | Televisions | Home Entertainment Center | TiVo | TiVo Series 3 | Slingbox | TV Schedule
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