It Should Be Easy To Buy a Digital High Definition TV!

Do you break into a cold sweat when you see the Big Box store flyers in the weekend papers? Do you get slightly dizzy when your big shot neighbor starts talking progressive versus interlaced video? Does acid indigestion set in when you realize the plasma everybody’s talking about doesn’t come from the Red Cross? Can you really buy a Digital High Definition television without an electrical engineering degree?

The good news is you’re in the right place. If you looking to put together a state-of-the-art home theater system stop reading right now, you’re in the wrong place. If you want to replace that aging 27” or 35” analog TV here are a few easy steps to follow that will hopefully relieve you of that electronic store angst and give you many happy hours of Public Television (and those other stations, too) viewing.

1. What type of set should I purchase? An LCD Digital High Definition set is an excellent way to go. Plasma and projection work well, but you’re just going complicate your life.

2. What resolution should I get--720p or 1080p? Most people can’t see the difference and there is no broadcast 1080p yet, that’s the resolution of a Blu-Ray DVD player. So, you’re safe with 720p, get the 1080p if you watch a lot of movies and are going to buy a larger screen (Larger that 42” diagonal).
3. HD Monitor, HD Ready or HDTV with Tuner? Get an HDTV with the tuner included. That means you can get great pictures over the air without a cable box (it still works with a cable box). In fact, a set of “rabbit ears” will get you a wonderful signal in many areas.
4. How much should I spend? The price range is a wide one; you could easily spend from $400-$5000 and more. Your budget and the features you want should dictate. Nowadays it’s easy to find an excellent set in the $1000 range.
5. What brand should I buy? Use your eyes and ears and compare. What sets look good to you. Look closely and take your time, you’ll be living with it for 5 or 10 years. Are the colors bright enough? Are the blacks really black, not gray? Does it sound good to you? Big Box and Member Card stores are great places to compare. Above all get something that looks and sounds good to you.

6. What size screen do I need? Bigger is usually better but not always. Here’s a handy little graph that I borrowed from the cnet.com website that can help if you don’t want to get involved in geometry.

7. How do I get HD programs? Not all programs are High Definition if you have cable or satellite service you may have to pay an additional monthly fee for HD programs. Don’t expect to plug your new HDTV into your cable box and get HD programs it won’t happen.
8. What should I do about cables and set up? Uh-Oh—most sets come with guides that show you how to set up a typical equipment configuration. If you’re good at following directions give it a try. Ask your friendly sales person about the cables you’ll need. If your set, DVR, cable box and DVD player has HDMI connections your life will be much easier. HDMI cables can be expensive, buy them at a discount store and save $$$. If all this makes you woozy the Big Box store will do this for you at a price. Not matter what, allow a few hours for set up, it’s never quick.
9. What kind of stand do I need? Well here’s the age old question. Most of us guys would be happy to prop the set up any old way but be prepared to buy a piece of furniture. It’s likely the set won’t fit in your old entertainment center because of the wider screen. My wife denies this but we spent almost as much for the furniture as we did for the set.
10. Sit back relax and enjoy. Nature and Nova look particularly good. Soundstage and Austin City Limits sound wonderful. Ooops, sorry I’m promoting again.

Once you have the set up and running you’ll soon see how good HDTV really is for a whole range of programs and you’ll be ahead of the February 17, 2009 conversion to digital.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll do our best to answer.

Posted by Jeff Forster

Detroit Public Television