by Denise Karson
Digital televisions are a fairly new technology for most people. The latest technologies usually have new terminologies and standards to learn, and often there are a host of choices to wade through. Digital televisions fall into this category. Additionally, digital televisions can be a very expensive investment. Before you start shopping for one, read through the following information so that you have the necessary facts to get the best equipment for your dollar.
SDTV – EDTV – HDTV
One of the most important aspects about digital televisions to remember is that digital television is not synonymous with HDTV (high definition TV). In other words, you can buy a digital television (DTV) that is not high definition. HDTV is just one type of digital television. DTV’s come in different levels of picture and sound quality.
Like digital cameras that use pixels to grade the quality of the picture, pixels are used to determine DTV’s resolution quality. The higher the resolution the better the picture is. Therefore, digital televisions are divided into categories of SDTV, EDTV, and HDTV.
SDTV (standard digital TV) has a picture quality similar to an analog television.
EDTV (enhanced digital TV) is the next level in picture quality.
HDTV (high definition TV) has the best picture.
Remember the picture quality you get is determined by the set (SDTV, EDTV, or HDTV) and not by the broadcast’s transmitting resolution.
Tuners and Monitors
Two terms to understand when considering a DTV are tuner (also called receiver) and monitor (screen). The tuner receives the broadcast signal and transfers it into a picture on the monitor. A digital television is similar to a computer that is connected to the internet. The internet connection receives the information and transfers it to the monitor. DTV tuners receive the transmission signal and transfer the picture to the monitor (screen) and audio.
However, with a DTV set, the tuner can be external or internal. The monitor can be digital ready, or have a tuner that is built-in. So in addition to considering whether you want an SDTV, EDTV, or HDTV, you will have to decide whether you want a set that is “digital ready,” “digital integrated,” or “digital-cable ready.”
To make shopping a little easier, the FCC made a regulation that as of May 25, 2007 all integrated tuner televisions for sale in the U.S. are to be labeled as such. In addition, the FCC requires that retailers who have remaining inventories of analog televisions place a label on them stating they are analog.
Digital-Ready DTV
Digital-ready DTV’s or monitors needs an external tuner to receive digital programming. Most cable or satellite companies supply their customers with a tuner. External tuners can also be purchased separate to receive a digital signal over the air, or to connect to an antenna. Digital-ready equipment may be marketed as “Digital Monitor,” “HDTV Monitor,” “Digital Ready,” or “HDTV ready.”
Digital-Cable-Ready DTV
Digital-cable-ready DTV’s are basically plug-n-play sets. The monitor is digital-ready but needs a CableCard from a cable company that plugs into the monitor to receive digital programming. The CableCard is about the size of a credit card and requires a technician to install it.
CableCards are a one-way system, meaning that they do not offer interactive features such as picture-in-a-picture, TiVo, interactive menus, and pay-per-view. This style of monitor may or may not need an external tuner depending on whether a customer wants the interactive features mentioned above.
While CableCards are a recent technology, they may already be on their way out because of “bugs” in the technology and other security-technology inventions that are coming to market.
Integrated DTV
Integrated DTV’s have built-in digital tuners that accepts the signal directly into the monitor. This is probably the best way to go because no other equipment is needed and offers the latest tuner technology.
Pricing
With DTV’s there is a definite correlation between price and a unit’s components and features. DTV’s are sold with tubes, as flat panels, and with rear and front projection. Flat panels are the most expensive and tube televisions are the least expensive. Also, flat panel sets come in LCD (liquid crystal technology) or plasma screen technology. The size of the screen will also factor into the cost of a DTV. Because screen size is measured diagonally, a monitor may look smaller than you imagined it would. An integrated SDTV can be purchased for as little as $150.00; a flat screen HDTV can cost thousands of dollars, depending on features.
Wrapping It Up
All the different aspects about buying a digital television may seem a bit confusing. However, there are just a few basic points to remember: Digital does not equal HDTV; there are three different digital standards, SDTV, EDTV, and HDTV. Not all televisions for sale are digital. Buying a DTV with an integrated digital tuner is the best choice. While HDTV monitors offers the highest quality in resolution, you can’t assume they all have an integrated digital tuner. Refrain from purchasing sets that use CableCards; they use a cumbersome technology that may not be around in the near future.
Stay tuned for more and exciting developments from the digital television industry.
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