Going hi-definition

Buying the hi-definition television of your dreams may be tougher than you think so here are some tips. And what do people think about the bigger-is-better debate?

Buying a high-definition television set isn't like picking out a jar of salsa. It's more like figuring out the capital loss carry-over if you are paying taxes. Don't let it scare you. There's a treasury of information in the ABCs of HDTV:

Question: What do I need to get hi-def?
Answer: Four things:

1. The obvious: a high-definition TV set.

2. Hi-definition programming from either a cable or satellite provider, or an antenna.

3. With a cable or satellite set-top box, you'll need a digital audio-video connector called HDMI or an analog-video connector called component video. Some cable boxes require a digital video-only cable called DVI. You can buy a single cable with a DVI connector at one end and an HDMI connector at the other end. (Ripoff alert: Don't pay high prices for these cables. Suggested source: monoprice.com.) If you want nothing more than local stations in hi-definition, buy an old-style rabbit-ear antenna. Visit antennaweb.org for more details on getting the best reception.

4. An HD DVD or Blu-ray disc player. Almost all of these expensive movie players deliver the highest-quality HDTV signal, 1080p.

How do I know if I'm watching hi-definition?
If you have an HDTV tuned to a hi-definition channel (though this is not available here, you can still watch HD DVDs) that's showing a hi-definition programme, then you're watching hi-definition. You'll know the difference after experiencing hi-definition.

What's the best HDTV for me?
The one that looks best to you. Some basic guidelines: Under 42 inches: LCD. Over 42 inches: Plasma, LCD and DLP (Digital Light Processing) sets. DLP offers the biggest screen at the lowest price, but beware of their hidden cost – they use a lamp that lasts 2,500 to 3,000 hours. Replacements lamps are costly.

Other criteria?
There are a lot of opinions on this, but figure the minimum viewing distance for a 720p set should be about 1 times the screen's diagonal measurement. So if you're thinking of buying a 42-inch plasma, you should sit no closer than about 5 feet and up to 8 feet from the set. If a set is 1080p, you'll have to sit closer to see the extra detail – a maximum of about 5 feet from a 42-inch screen. Any farther and you should save your money and buy a 720p set. TV sets always look smaller in big showrooms.

What's so good about a hi-definition picture?
For those who haven't seen hi-definition, let's toss out some numbers comparing lines of resolution (the more lines, the sharper the picture): VCR: 240. Analog TV: about 330. DVD: 480. HD: 720 or, in some new sets, 1,080.

What is an up-converting DVD player?
A DVD player that, through digital manipulation, attempts to make the DVD's 480 lines look more like an HDTV's 720 or 1,080.

Why did they stop selling analog TVs in March in the US?
They didn't. All televisions with screens 13 inches or bigger sold after March 1, says the Federal Communications Commission, must include a digital tuner.

Why two tuners?
One (digital) for hi-def reception via an antenna, the other (analogue) for old-fashioned TV reception. It's all part of the transition to all-digital TV. The turn-off date for analogue signals in the US, says the FCC, is Feb. 17, 2009.

Then what?
The government will distribute some of that analogue spectrum to homeland security, police and various first responders, then cash in. It will auction off the rest to wireless providers for billions of dollars.

What happens to all those millions of analog TVs still in homes?
They'll still work, but they'll need a set-top box to convert the digital signal back to analogue. Cable and satellite subscribers will get those boxes from their service providers. Subscribers who don't use a box now might not have to add one if their cable company sends out both analog and digital signals. Those still using an antenna must purchase a converter box, although the federal government will provide subsidies up to $75 per household. RCA has already announced its first converter box, the DTA800, but has not set a price.

A recent survey indicated that half of HDTV owners don't get HDTV service and 25 per cent think they do (but don't). What does that mean?
It means a lot of people have wasted their money. Do not buy an HDTV unless you plan to get hi-def programming, even if it's only with an antenna. But if those 25 per cent are happy, please do not disturb them.

HDTV/Vox Pop

Khaled
"I think if you really want to watch something on a 50 or 60+'' screen, just buy a projector, it's much cheaper." And yes, bigger is definitely better, it's so much more true-to-life, the viewer feels as if he is living what he is seeing on screen.

Ismail
"I think that the bigger TV screens are much nicer for those who have bigger homes. If we all had huge houses then why not have a huge TV? Until then I am happy with my small TV."

Ahmad
"Why is it that some things are competing to be smaller and smaller, such as phones and MP3 players, yet TV's have to be bigger? My house is not big enough for a big TV, so I have no plans to purchase one anytime soon."

Omar
"Large inch screens are good if you are an avid sports fan or a home movie watcher. Sports on the big screen are almost like the live experience, a small crummy television is not happenening. Similarly for action sequences in films. Bigger is definitely better in these cases."

- With inputs by Ameer Al Marzouqi