1. Unless noted,
all FLOOR rear-projection televisions have built-in stereo amplifier
w/speakers and HDTV tuners. Please note there are two types
of rear-projection sets, one floor and one table mountable without speakers.
2. Flat-screen HDTV
format television descriptions in circulars do not always mention if
they have built-in stereo amplifier or speakers. HDTV sets with
tuners will say HD-Built in, meaning an HD tuner is built into the set,
which will not require a converter box for receiving broadcasts from local television stations transmitting HDTV signals.
Please check with a salesperson if you are looking at any of the
flat-screen models mentioned on a sales floor. These sets also usually do not include a television stand or mounting bracket for
the flat-screen HDTV set unless noted in chart.
3. This is the first year we have seen EDTV-Ready sets disappearing from weekend product brochures. The EDTV meant that these
sets, when noted EDTV, could display the higher resolution of the
playback of an enhanced 480p DVD picture, assuming the DVD playback
unit is EDTV capable with component output jacks. An EDTV set
cannot display 720p or 1080i High-Def signals.
4. Basic 5.1 Dolby
very low-wattage, separate, home stereo systems can start around $300
if you need to add audio to your wall-hanging HDTV set. Basic
HDTV stands can run $400 or more. Normally these don't have enough
space to hold all the components, probably requiring you to purchase
an additional vertical component stands to be placed near your
flat-screen HDTV set. If you need to mount the speakers on the
wall, you may have to also purchase a mounting bracket for each
speaker. Please check our chapter on accessories and wiring for more information
5. There are some new features for the more expensive 2007-2008 HD televisions, which explains why the price for these sets is dramatically higher than other models with the same screen size. For example, what I call the "Jack-Packs" on the rear of the more expensive sets has expanded to not only include the smaller high-definition input known as HDMI, but now manufacturers can offer up to three HDMI jacks. Why? Because you want the best picture possible, and with more accessory products having an HDMI output, you'll need more on the set. For instance, your HD satellite and cable decoder will now have an HDMI output, as well as your Blue-Ray or HD-DVD (format wars again, dude.) See comparison chart of the two formats in our Chapter 6 titled, Beta vs. VHS, with the longer recording unit running about $900.
However, if you own an older or chose to buy a less expensive HDTV set, there are HDMI switch boxes out now that are remote controlled with up to four inputs, allowing you to send 1080i and 1080p signals through your single HDAVI (large) or smaller HDMI input jack from up to four HDTV sources; i.e. HD satellite channels, HD cable channels, TIVO, HD movie pay on demand downloadable boxes, or HD-DVD player (HD-HDTV or the more expensive Blue-Ray.)
Some LCD sets continue their 1080i/p compatible. If you remember in the past LCD technology had to be stepped down to 780i/p because it could not display the higher number of pixels needed for 1080i/p. While a few manufacturers have caught up with the newer LCD's, they are very pricey, reminding one of expensive prices a few years ago found on all HD sets.
Some step-up features on HD sets include PC-capable displays, memory card slot for displaying digital still pictures, and a picture-in-picture feature for watching one program while monitoring the picture of another, such as in two sporting events, along with a few having three HDMI selectable inputs to allow more direct connections for multi HD sources.
Keep in mind when looking at HD televisions, if you come across "monitor" it means that's all the television set is. There will be no audio amplifier, speakers, or an analog, digital, or HD tuner. Zero!
And for wall-mounted Plasma, DLP, and LCD sets with small footprints, be aware while some may have a stereo output and a built-in amplifier with speakers, the sound quality will be limited to the smaller speaker size with minimum base, since there is no woofer or at least one of any consequence for that small cabinet space. Be careful, as these sets may expect even the audio output to be taken from an external tuner and not the set itself. Which means if you don't have an audio system at home, you may have to buy one. They call these units HD Theatre Systems. Also be aware that the new Dolby 5.1 and 7.1 audio systems have come down in price. But watch out. While home theater sound systems can start in the $200 - $300 range, high-end amplifiers with speakers sold separately can be very expensive.
Look into the system where the amplifier includes in the box five matching speakers and a sub-woofer sold as a set.
And unless you're going to pay around $1,000 or more just for a Dolby amplifier, don't expect excellent internal component or HDMI switching. Some of these high-end amps allow you to switch HDMI and component video signals with the audio, eliminating one remote. But be aware the world is changing and you might no longer find an AM or FM tuner with these models or . . . gasp . . . a vinyl turntable input!
If you have an audio turntable for your vinyl record collection, you might have to also invest in a magnetic cartridge amplifier for around 40 more bucks. If you have a turntable, buy on of these separate magnetic amplifier because one day in the not to distant future you're not going to find them. However, turntables can now be purchased with a USB output along with the standard left and right stereo cables. This new breed of turntable is being sold along with software for direct connection to your computer for audio corrections that will assist in eliminating hiss and pops before they're burned to a CD in your computer. One new one is even built for 78 speeds, too, while others allow playing 78 records on 45rpm and then up-converting them to 78 speed using the software provided by the manufacturer.
(Note: When you speak to someone about turntables today, the word now has a double meaning, turntable also used to describe computer laptops whose screens turn horizontally to allow others to see the screen without having to shift the position of the unit.)
6. And finally in about two years or less, the reliable work horse and decades old and NTSC television format will hit the road and be retired to the farm. At that time, if you don't own a HDTV ready set or one with a built-in HDTV tuner, you will no longer receive your normal television signal from the towers and will be required to purchase a HDTV converter that will take the new 24/7 HDTV signal and break it down into the old 4:5 aspect ratio and its resolution so you can still watch local broadcast channels on your old television set.
This is because on-air broadcast stations (regulated by the FCC) will soon be required to transmit the new HDTV broadband signal in 2009. We don't know what cable or satellite providers will do with their multi-channel selection, but they will carry the local broadcast channels in HDTV as many are already doing.
So if you're not in the market for an HDTV set at this time, you might want to consider buying one at the beginning of 2009 when the switch over is supposed to occur. Just something you need to think about to keep on the back burner, but as mentioned not for too long.
However, 2009 is also the year HDTV sets are projected to hit only 50% of American homes. Because of that we believe that Congress could hold off in dropping the old workhorse NTSC format for a few more years until at least 80% of homes have at least one HDTV compatible set. Again, that is just a guess. But knowing politics and the path of least resistance rule, it's probably a good bet.
Finally, we were shocked to see that the DLP technology ("It's in the mirrors" ad) was practically missing from the promotion brochures of these national retail stores. Before buying DLP, you may want to be sure the format will not be going away.
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KEY
1.) |
HDTV resolutions; 720p, 1080p, or 1080i |
2.) |
Screen
Size ( in inches measured diagonally) |
3.) |
Format by color:
Direct View (not advertised in selected retail brochures this year), Rear Projector (Projection) and
SXRD (SXRD), LCD (LCD),
DLP (DLP),
and Plasma (Plasma) |
4.) |
Street
Price (This is not manufacturers suggested retail, called MSR) |
5.) |
Manufacturer (Corporate or third-party brand name) |
6.) |
Model
Number (As shown in the ad brochure.) |
(Prices for Best Buy (bb), Circuit City (cc), and Sears (sr) sets are for week of 12/01/07 from newspaper circulars. Walmart (wm) prices were taken in same time period from their Web site. These prices should hold into the fall of 2008, when new models hit the streets again,. These are usually introduced at the international CES show but usually not available for purchase until the fall.
^ SXRD has been developed from LCD (liquid crystal
display) technology by Sony, and features pixels that are much smaller
and more densely packed than in a conventional panel. In a Sony projection
TV, the image is displayed on a small panel and projected onto
a larger glass screen using a system of lenses, which means that
HDTV resolution requires a large number of pixels in a small panel.
(Source: PC
World)