Posts Tagged 1080p
HDTV Shopping Tips – Buyer Beware!
So, you’re looking for a brand new High Definition Television?
Before we get started, let’s talk about what an HDTV is.
Essentially an high definition television set is the latest in TV technology which offers much higher image clarity than the older TVs. In order to take advantage of the higher resolutions you will need to receive an HD signal (or at the very least a digital signal… which is pretty much a basic service now a days).
When going out to evaluate a new TV make sure that you truly understand the various resolutions and whether or not you really need it. For some getting the highest quality picture is a must, while for others just being able to watch regular TV is enough… Also, when going to your local outlet, make sure they accurately demo the true quality of the HD by having them tune in an HD signal to their TVs. Because the only way to truly evaluate the difference (and to appreciate high definition) between the TVs is to see all the models next to each other using the same “feed.”
Hopefully this isn’t too confusing…
Ok, so we’ve talked about resolution, but what does it mean?
Well, the HDTVs currently come in a variety of flavors from 720 to 1080 (there are lower resolutions but you really shouldn’t consider anything less than 720 and really no less than 1080 if you want great quality picture). Each of these resolutions come in an “i” and a “p” variety (in other words, you have 1080i and 1080p, and the same goes for 720 resolutions).
If you are only watching regular HD TV (broadcasts), 1080i is the highest resolution that you can get. However, 1080p is the highest resolution you can get on a TV currently. Since regular broadcast TV only take advantage of 1080i there’s really no need to invest in 1080p; unless you plan on purchasing a Blu Ray disc player (which takes advantage of the latest technology), plan on playing some of the latest video games on playstation / xbox and want to take advantage of the highest resolution available, or just have some money to blow and want to show off to your friends.
While there are other areas that can make a difference in terms of your image quality such as: contrast ration, screen (glossy or non-glare), brightness and other control features; the resolution is key to image quality as the difference between a regular non-HDTV and a 1080 resolution TV is a factor of six. In other words a 1080p HDTV has 6 times better image clarity than a regular television set.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of things you should know about before investing your hard earned money on a new HD TV set. Make sure you educate yourself and evaluate the various brands. There are the top brands such as Sony and Samsung and 2nd and 3rd tier brands as well. And while the specs look similar there can be a wide disparity between each television set. So buyer beware!
Tags: 1080p, 1080p hdtv, contrast ratio, hd tv, hdtvs, samsung, television, tv technology, videoRelated posts
LCD Televisions – Things You Need to Know Before You Buy
So what should you know before you make your new purchase? Here are some helpful tips to hopefully make your preliminary decisions a little easier.
Size
LCD TV’s are available in such a vast array of sizes. You can purchase as small as 10″, and then move up the range from 32″, 37″, 42″, all the way up to 108″. The decision can be difficult with so many options, however, begin by considering the viewing distance from the prospective television. How far away do you plan on sitting from your new LCD TV? Obviously, you do not want to buy the 52″ TV if you are only 4 feet away. Optimally, for LCD TV’s of 42″, plan to be about 10 feet away, where as an LCD TV of over 60″ should be viewed at over 15 feet away. In sum, do not get in over your head and buy a large TV without having the proper space to view it.
Resolution
Resolution may be expressed as 720p, 1080p, 1080i, 1024×768, etc. These numbers represent the vertical and horizontal lines that make up the picture quality on the screen. The most advanced and future-ready resolution is 1080p, which stands for 1080 pixels (or vertical lines) with progressive scanning. This is better than 1080i, as the “i” represents “interlaced”. Interlaced simply uses the previous technology of updating a picture every other line beginning with the odd numbered pixels, and then the even. Progressive scanning is constantly refreshing every pixel all of the time.
Refresh Rate
In addition to either progressive or interlaced scanning, companies such as Samsung, Panasonic, and Sony offer multiple speeds in which those pixels are refreshed. With a higher refresh rate, comes better clarity, less interruption of high action scenes. The most common refresh rate is between 60-120 Hz, however, 200 Hz has reached some markets. Smaller TV’s may not show much difference with higher resolution and refresh rates, but on the contrary, larger TV’s demonstrate rather big differences.
Contrast Ratio
Contrast Ratio is described in terms of 700:1, or 25,000:1. It is simply a ratio of how many steps it takes in shades of gray to go from black to white and back again. Some brands offer what they call “Dynamic Contrast Ratio” in which is not a true description of the TV’s color capabilities. With a dynamic contrast ratio TV, it will lower the back light in darker scenes to darken pictures. In short, an LCD television with a higher contrast ratio will be able to deliver greater color and picture quality.
Overall, when deciding on a TV, begin with determining the size that meets the needs of the viewing room. From there, you can decide on the importance of the resolution, refresh rate, and contrast ratio.
Tags: 1080p, contrast ratio, dynamic contrast ratio, lcd television, lcd televisions, lcd tv, lcd tvs, new lcd tv, samsung, television, televisionsRelated posts
Why Consumers Choose Plasma TV’s
In the United Kingdom, there is a significant shift in consumer preference in favour of plasma TV. The trend is found manifested in the recent market surveys especially in the large sized televisions. The reasons are obvious. A few characteristic features inherent in plasma television are consumer centric. The average consumer considers various factors while buying any product. Cost, of course is the primary factor, but that alone cannot tilt the preference in favor of a particular product. Performance or utility factor is also equally important. They do not adopt penny wise pound foolish attitude any more. Consumer awareness about the product and services have taken roots deeply in the minds of people who cannot be taken for granted.
An important factor that is considered favorable by the consumer is the ability of plasma television to perform well in dim light ambiance. For this reason the consumer will be conscious while buying a plasma TV. Screen brightness should not be set too high. Excess brightness may adversely affect the display quality. Further it may also make negative impact on the lifespan of the television. The capability of this ultra thin television to offer excellent color reproduction and quality display has earned it accolades from the public. Deep and bright colors of plasma television are unique and this single factor makes it a favorite choice for many.
Another well known fact is that in the large sized television segment, Plasma has commanded undisputed supremacy. It is the best option while choosing sets above 37 inches. Again, most of the plasma models are HDTV supportive. They feature screen resolution of 720p, 1080i, 1080p or higher. The High Definition capability is measured by the screen resolution. Unlike LCD screens, plasma do not suffer from image blurring. Wider viewing angles is yet another advantage of plasma and for this reason it is considered as the most suitable television for group or family viewing. It is a perfect option for viewing movies and action programmes. Plasma is also available in game mode and with SD card slots. Above all Plasma TV features better contrast ratio than LCD.
Energy efficiency is among many superior qualities attributed to plasma television. At a time when soaring energy costs have become serious concern for consumers and energy became a scarce resource to be conserved, energy saving feature of the plasma is a remarkable advantage. Many manufacturers are developing plasma television because consumers opt for energy efficient products. It is also to be kept in mind that consumers all over the world are burdened with heavy energy bills.
Market surveys reveal that plasma television tend to capture major market share in UK. The fifty inch PDP plasma from Pioneer is among much sought after HDTV in the country. Similarly Panasonic plasma with Full 1080p HD resolution and contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 is yet another hot selling product. Another brand LG has four V1.3 compliant HDMI ports and dual XD engine for superb picture processing. Philips and Samsung have their 50 inch plasma units which have received countrywide consumer acceptance. These are only few examples to point out in this context. Hitachi, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Ig, JVC and many other popular brands of Plasma are also in great demand in the markets. Exclusive websites for plasma television are best sources to locate various products.
Tags: 1080p, contrast ratio, lcd screens, samsung, television, televisionsRelated posts