BUYING THE HD TELEVISION – A GUIDE AND CHECKLIST
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| CHECK POINT |
(X) |
NOTE |
| TYPE |
|
|
| Brand and Model Number |
|
|
| Price, including any extra charges. |
|
|
| HD Television (incl. tuner, video display,
audio) |
|
Integrated unit |
| HD Television – Cable Ready, Incl.
off-air and cable tuner, video display, audio and slot for Cable Card) |
|
Requires CableCard from cable company to
receive programs. |
| HD Ready (video display and audio only) |
|
Requires external STB |
| HD Set-top Box (STB) (tuner and video/audio
processing) |
|
Off-air, satellite or cable |
| |
|
|
| VIDEO |
|
|
| Screen size (ins.) Aspect
ratio (16:9, 4:3) |
|
HDTV programming uses 16:9 |
| Display type (Direct view or projection) |
|
Check visibility at side angles |
| Display technology (CRT, LCD, LCOS,
Plasma, DLP) |
|
Check visibility at side angles |
| Display resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels,
1280 x 720 pixels, 1366 x 768 pixels, ______ x ____ pixels) |
|
HDTV requires at least 1280 x 720 pixels |
| Display mode (progressive - p,
interlaced – i) |
|
Check smoothness of motion in the image |
| Screen reflections |
|
Daylight viewing |
| Image formats accepted (1080i,
720p, 480p, 480i) |
|
All may be broadcast |
| High image brightness Dramatic image colors |
|
Check with a real HDTV picture source |
| Image quality on good digital HDTV program |
|
Make sure you are viewing HDTV programming for
true comparison |
| Image quality on DVD |
|
Check if progressive capability is included |
| Image quality on NTSC |
|
Products differ in the enhancement of poor
quality video |
| AUDIO |
|
|
| Audio capability: Dolby Digital 5.1 –
best, simulated surround or stereo only |
|
|
| Loudspeaker size , number, power |
|
|
| Sound quality on listening test |
|
|
| POWER |
|
|
| Power consumption (operating
- watts) |
|
|
| INPUT CONNECTIONS |
Rear |
Front |
|
|
| HD Component HDMI/DVI |
|
|
|
Digital connection from STB (best quality) |
| HD Component (Y, PR,
PB) |
|
|
|
Analogue connection from STB |
| Firewire |
|
|
|
HD Camcorder connection |
| HD Component (DB-15) |
|
|
|
Computer connection |
| SD Component (Y, PR,
PB) |
|
|
|
DVD connection |
| Composite S-Video |
|
|
|
VCR (best quality) |
| Composite NTSC Video |
|
|
|
Alternative for VCR |
| Analog audio (L/R) |
|
|
|
STB, VCR or DVD |
| OUTPUT CONNECTIONS |
Rear |
Front |
|
|
| HD Component (Y, PR,
PB) |
|
|
|
|
| SD Component (Y, PR,
PB) |
|
|
|
|
| Composite S-Video |
|
|
|
VCR (best quality) |
| Composite NTSC Video |
|
|
|
VCR |
| Analog audio (L/R) |
|
|
|
VCR |
| Digital audio |
|
|
|
Home Theater Unit (best quality) |
| FEATURES |
|
|
| Aspect ratio selection on NTSC - S-Video
inputs |
|
Letterbox, stretch, etc. |
| Aspect ratio selection on component
inputs |
|
3:2 reverse pull-down processing for films |
| 2 Tuner picture-in-picture (PIP) |
|
|
| V-chip parental control (Canadian rating table
availability) |
|
Differs from U.S. |
| Wall mounting capability |
|
|
| Universal remote control |
|
|
| Video game capability |
|
|
| Warranty period and conditions |
|
|
| Service and installation support |
|
|
| Availability and delivery date |
|
|
Instructions
Print this checklist out and print a few copies to keep with you when you visit the dealer
to consider the selection and purchase of an HD television. For each model that is of
interest, use the form to guide your evaluation and record the information for later
comparison.
It is also important that the new HD television should work with any
existing equipment, such as VCR’s, DVD, camcorders or video games. Make sure that you
can identify the characteristics and model of each, so that you can be sure that they will
interconnect cleanly with the new HD television you are about to purchase. Generally,
these devices connect to the NTSC or S-Video ports and to the analog audio L/R ports. DVD’s
may also offer video interconnection to the analog component ports (Y, PR, PB) in the 480p
format or 720p format, but still require the analog audio L/R connections. It is also
important to note if your new HDTV can connect to an existing Home Theatre System/AV
receiver. Some HTS’s do not allow for component video connection and will require the
switching of video and audio inputs separately.
It is also important to know what size display is appropriate for
your particular situation. Bigger is not necessarily better. Measure your viewing
distance. The viewing distance should be 3 to 4 times picture height.
In the selection of the HD television, make sure that you have a
clear understanding of any needed and/or included accessories. For instance, if it is
solely a monitor, without a tuner or satellite receiver, then a suitable STB must be
added. Similarly, if the necessary cables are not included to connect it up, then these
must be identified and purchased. Cabinets, wall mountings, external speakers and the like
should be considered also. Make sure also that the manufacturers warranty card and
instruction manual are received. These are essential documents and should be kept safely
for future reference.
Information to help plan your installation is included on the CDTV
web site and may be consulted ahead of the purchase decision to ensure that everything
will go smoothly and without surprises. See Connecting HDTV. |
